Club Ride Saturday 26th April 2014

Jamie points the way to the 'W' after coffee. (Apologies to Howard and Heather who were out of camera shot).

Saturday morning we took great pleasure in welcoming Peter to our growing merry band of riders for his first outing with us.  Watches synchronized, we left in two groups, both with the aim of arriving at the café stop in Nailsworth at 11.45am.

Those taking the longer and hillier course wasted no time in setting out their stall as we quickly settled into a brisk pace. Reaching Sherston via Foxley Road, we then headed northwards towards Leighterton. Having dissected the A433 and A46, we enjoyed the steep descent towards Wotton under Edge.

Our route so far was similar to the last Sunday ride. I knew from that experience that some serious climbing would be required to gain enough height for us to be able to join the Nailsworth road.

At Wortley we turned right and began to gently gain elevation. The scenery to our offside, down in the valley, was magnificent. This was a new road to us and with the sun shining brightly it was difficult to imagine a more idyllic scene. Noticing that we seemed to be rising without much effort, I began to wonder whether we were simply going to cruise to the summit. A sharp left turn soon brought me back to earth, as the hill revealed some of the agony that awaited us. This was one of those hills where the higher you went, the steeper it became until we reached a point where our tyres started to slip on the road surface. If you’re out on a club run and you see Andy Parker stopped on a hill ahead of you, start worrying! It was something I’d never seen before.

After a quick squirt from our water bottles, it was high gears and heads down as we powered our way along the B4058 towards Nailsworth. Our progress was only impeded by an annoying set of temporary traffic lights, typically on red when we reached them, but fortunately positioned just far enough around the bend to prevent them from being a danger to us.

We arrived promptly at the café and with the sun just about still out, we opted to go al fresco. Having parked myself on an old wooden deck chair it started to rain. We upped-sticks and went inside only to find that there was no room at the inn, and so had to settle for sitting under a large umbrella.

The sun’s return coincided with the arrival of Howard and the others. Socialising as a club together is good fun, even if Howard was less than impressed with his sugar-free cake.

With leg muscles beginning to stiffen, it was time to head for home. Some of us, who clearly hadn’t already suffered enough, chose to tackle the ’W’ bend. Once at the top we threaded our way through the road closure barriers in Minchinhampton and down into Avening. Here, we took a sharp left up Star Lane, which I’m convinced acquired its name as at night it takes you nearer to the stars.

Star Lane certainly sorted the wheat from the chaff and saw Andy Parker, George W and Jamie break free. With some legs reduced to jelly, me, Tim H and Peter were happy to join Howard and Heather whom we met on the climb.

With a strong headwind to contend with and darkening clouds brewing overhead, we made our way back to Malmesbury where I found George W and Jamie waiting outside of the Town Hall looking as though they were ready for a second lap. 

24 miles: http://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/6363058
20 miles: http://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/6363245