LEADON VALE CYCLE CLUB RIDE 511 Sunday 8th September 2024.
The rain woke me up at 4am torrential and a look at the weather App there was no way we would be cycling so a lie in was on the cards but at 7.15 the sun was shining through the window so I had to get a shift on. When i stuck my head out it was obviously wet but not raining so a quick check with Steve and we were on.
Six of us at the club 4 more than I thought would turn up , Bob and Soft hands Andy went off on the Sporty ride leaving Steve, Wayne, Chris and myself to follow them out on the Advanced, we avoided Dobbs hill on our way through to Cooks lane and it was as we were going round Albright lane and all the debris on the road when I realised just how much rain we had had in the early hours, so although it was dry the roads were wet and so sat behind Wayne and Steve we began to look like a currant bun speckled from head to toe in muddy water. Through Bromsberrow and across greenway up and over the drag up to the wind mill on our way to Much Marcle where Chris had a puncture which was a welcome breather from the relentless pace being set. Chris’s tyre was a bit tough to get off so the thought of putting it back on was daunting but just as we got to that bit Soft hands came along and gave us a master class in tyre fitting those hands evidently not so soft, but i was very grateful for his help i think we might have been there now trying to get it on.
But on it was and we pushed on still Wayne and Steve pulling us along through to Kempley and Newent and apart from a jumpy horse just before Oxenhall all was good. Watery lane now and the climb up past the bird of prey centre into Cliffords Meanze and along the side of May hill to the Glass house and Judges lane, time for a bit of a breather, before we turned through to Huntley, we joked about Andy and Bob in at Andy’s having coffee but i think that’s what had happened, as we went through the estate in Huntley and Solomons Tump it was here Steve took the lead and set a very good pace catching Chris and myself out a little so it took a while to reel him in but we did as we got to Tibberton, Chris said goodbye at Highleadon leaving the 3 of us to make the push for home, they broke me as we passed a horse in Blackwells end leaving me to ride the last bit alone but the benifit was Steve had made the tea and Di, Aileen were joined on the Scenic by Ian Avent, so good to see him out again.
well it was a dirty ride but a dry ride so just goes to show you have to go with what’s in front of you and not the forecast, thanks to all who rode today.
yellow leader.