The reassuring click of cycle
shoes being locked and in one case pedal straps being tightened (probably
accomplished in perfect silence) heralded the departure of the intrepid Malmesbury
Clarions from the Cross Hayes car park. As we snaked through the High Street
the sudden drop in temperature, as compared with the recent mild weather, was
immediately noticeable and not helped by the persistent rain.
Whilst all roads might not lead
to Foxley Road, quite a few routes certainly start from there. (No criticism
intended). With bikes safely on autopilot members were able to chat freely. It
soon became clear that the heavy rain experienced during the week had taken its
toll on the meandering lanes with one section at Luckington transformed into a
muddy swamp.
The Garmin, in my view always a
poor second as a navigational aid against one of Tim H’s legendary pieces of
paper, was being particularly troublesome. A series of about-turns were all
taken with good humour though.
The cosy Sweetapples Teashop in
the High Street at Marshfield was a very welcome sight. Hot drinks and cake
ordered we took our seats after following John’s sensible suggestion of
removing the cushions from the chairs, as by now we were shedding more water
than a melting snowman. Hot chocolate was a popular choice with the Junior
riders and was served with a mountain of whipped cream, topped with a generous
sprinkling of marsh mallows and a chocolate flake on the side. With an electric
log fire blazing away Tim H entered unchartered territory with a second
Americano. Unable to delay our farewells any longer, we donned our soggy
headgear, jackets and gloves, and headed north.
Happily the rain soon stopped and
with more than a hint of sunshine breaking through the clouds, we were able to
enjoy some of South Gloucestershire’s very pleasant countryside. With spirits
well and truly lifted we sped through an almost deserted Castle Combe and made
easy work of the hill out of the village. (Well it looked easy from where I was
riding some way back).
With one of the best preserved
small villages (Sevington), sadly spoilt by having the M4 Motorway as an all
too close neighbour, behind us, we breezed through Hullavington and back to
more familiar surroundings. I say familiar, but it was here that one rider
(George W) over-shot the turning and ended up in Corston. Meanwhile, back
with the pack, at the Vine Tree we picked up the tempo for the last push home
whilst looking forward to the prospect of a hot bath and a chance to thaw out
frozen toes and fingers.
Distance covered: 33.72 miles
(excluding add-ons).
The Cycling Monk
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