Blogging about a ride over the same route as the previous
week’s club outing isn’t easy, but as no two rides are ever the same, even if
they do follow the same course, I’ll give it a bit of a go.
The most consistent unknown quantity of any club ride is who
will put in an appearance. Rounding the Town Hall you just never know who is
going to be waiting outside or who might roll up after you. This morning we were pleased to welcome
Antony.
When anyone new tips-up you can almost hear the sound of the
cogs churning as the regulars scan the rider, their kit and bike, looking for
clues as to what type of cyclist they are.
A couple of cloth badges sewn onto a well-travelled
Carradice saddlebag said to me that this was someone who had clocked up a fair
few miles in his time.
Having arranged ourselves into two groups we set off for Wickwar.
I opted to join those taking the slightly longer route, but got dropped by
Jamie, George and Antony before we’d even reached Shipton Moyne. I decided to
wait for the others, but when there was no sign of them, I retraced my steps
and found them with Phil who was mending his puncture just outside of the
village.
Mobile once again and making good progress, we passed the
grasstrack motorcycle racing on the approach to Leighterton. Tearing around a
field on a noisy motorbike, for me, clashes rudely with the normal peace and tranquillity
of the countryside. I’m happy to report that the balance was soon restored when
we had to wait for a sheep to cross the road.
The bottom of the steep descent to Alderley was the
split-point where the longer route took the road to Wotton-under-Edge, whilst
we enjoyed the more rural setting across Inglestone Common.
Arriving in the High Street we found the advance party taking
full advantage of Wickwar’s café culture. Bacon sandwiches and toasted teacakes
proved to be popular choices. Once suitably refreshed, we saddled up and all
rode back together. The general consensus was that it had been a very pleasant
trip out.
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