LEADON VALE CYCLE CLUB RIDE 498 Sunday 2nd June 2024.
We ride in all weathers through the winter and spring this year longing for a morning like today, sunny and gentle breeze and a fantastic ride ahead of us, and yes it was last weeks rides but no one rode the advanced ride so today was the day. We all set off in one group through Blackwell’s end and on to Tibberton this is where we split to go down the main rd to the village and it was here Chris and I realised we were caught up with the faster riders so we soon backed off and fell back into the safety of the normal Advanced group, leaving Andy McDonald to lead this group. The rest of us no regrouped pushed on through Huntley and Blaisdon, the views were stunning and so clear as we dropped down through the village and turning towards Flacley with the start of the Forest of Dean before us, the Flaxley valley didn’t disappoint, with the foxgloves putting on a fantastic show for us which continued on the climb up to Littledean the peace only shattered by the loudest car I think I have ever heard on a public rd, and now the lovely drop down to Soudley ponds, gently down hill sweeping bends into the forest on a morning like this almost perfect. Rusbridge and into Cinderford along the Valley road passing the college and Steam mills into Drybrook which was splendid in the sun, we climbed out of the village and through the cutting to the fast downhill with a right turn at the bottom which most of the group missed only Favid and Myself turned and waited for the others to get back on course everyone saying they were going too fast to look at Garmin. Regrouped through to the Lee and the pull up to the Penny Farthing inn. It was at the bottom of the Drybrook hill Andy and the sporty group also missed the turning but instead of turning they continued and he led the group up a rather rough lane farmyard lane the others called it , but it took them through to Aton Crews and the Penny Farthing Inn so no harm done and I think they enjoyed the diversion. So now we dropped down through Aston Ingham and the Kilcot which as we joined the main road we decided to split into two groups Gary me and Chris were joined by Ken who when asked if he was in Maggie’s group replied with an abrupt NO , so as we turned into the Connigree Turning and regrouped we heard about rude Ken, so red Ken was rude Ken but after his explanation of what he meant he reverted back to Red Ken, but we did have a bit of banter. Saying goodbye to David as we turned into Watery lane through Newent and Hooks lane where Chris said goodbye and Frank chased by Gary made a break for home leaving me Maggie and Ken to follow home.
Di, Gill and Aileen had been out on the Scenic and now Gill and Aileen were playing ladies cricket.
A nice cup of tea and a reflection of a great ride and listening to the diversion the other group took.
Andy and Owen turned up as we were leaving both suffering from man flu.
Thanks to everyone who rode and helped out today, that weather as well worth the wait.
Yellow leader.