LEADON VALE CYCLE CLUB RIDE 514
BRIDGE TOO FAR 2024.
Sorry I’m a day late with this write up, with the weather changeable it was good to see it dry so no question of calling it off, Alan had left early due to commitments leaving seven of us to start from the club at 8.30.
It was chilly as we had the start photo outside the club hoping it would warm up but the there was a lot of stopping to add layers before picking up David at Taynton. Now there were eight pushing on through Blaisdon and the Fkaxley valley and the start of the climbing up Littledean hill and down into Soudley where it was true forest riding up through the woods every body aware it was a long day so all being very sensible and setting a good steady pace, Parkend and the gradual climb before the kick in the tale up to Sling which is where Bob caught us up he started half an hour after us so made good time. Regrouping at the top before the run down to the Wye valley where it’s always further than you think to Tintern but through the most beautiful scenery making it all worthwhile. The first stop was at the Railway cafe a lovely little cafe on the site of gge disused railway including a small museum about its history, and a mean Bacon sandwhich.
now the run past the Abbey and the long climb out of the valley towards Chepstow 2 groups on the road to make it easy to pass on the windy climb and then a cycle path past the racecourse leading us through Chepstow to meet Ian Avent who was joining us for the ride home, the wind now syrengthening and as we climbed thebridge it was a dead head wind making progress hard and the photo opportunity exciting, but the thought of that wind helping us home made it worthwhile, and it wasn’t long before we were being helped on our way to Berkeley for our second stop at our usual tearooms where it just started to rain so the rain Mac came out if only for a bit of protection from the cold rather than the rain but nothing heavy. Slimbridge and out on to the A38 for the drag up to Hill top the wind made tgat bit a lot more bearable before a regrouping in Frampton. The lanes of Saul and Epney led us to the canal towpath at stone bench which we followed all the way to Glos Col and the cycle path along the edge of the swollenness Severn to Maismore and the last of the challenges up the old road yes that last climb was painful but the thought of a pint with my name on it kept me going.
We were not the only ones taking on a challenge Di, Gill and Christy took on there challenge of a ride through the forest with a stop at the dean heritage centre for coffee, 42 miles, longer than anything they have undertaken recently so equally as challenging as our ride. Well done to every one who rode yesterday, I’m sure we all know we did that today but what a feeling of achievement.
I will include some photos many have been posted before.
Yellow leader.
