Weekend Roundup

Despite the weekend's extremely challenging weather conditions which, led to Sunday's ride being postponed, it's still been a busy weekend for the club and its members. Our resident bloggers have been active too.

Saturday's club ride took us on a circular route with a stop for refreshments at Cafe 53 in Tetbury. We left in two groups of an equal number (both with three riders). Given the dire weather forecast this was a very respectable turnout.

Embarking on a course that was to eventually see us completing just over 40 miles, me, Steve and Mark headed off into the wind. Meanwhile, Howard, Mike and Maureen did likewise on a different course.

The rain started to fall just before Long Newnton and although never particularly heavy, it was enough to later warrant wringing our gloves out.

Turning generally eastwards out to Oaksey, we picked up a tailwind enabling us to make good progress. A change of direction though up to Cherington, took us onto higher ground and there we battled against the gusting wind and swirling rain.

With spirits at a bit of a low ebb we reached Tetbury. Our three compatriots had already settled themselves in and were waiting for their soup to be brought to the table. 

A game of musical chairs then ensued. We suggested that they moved to where we were going to park ourselves so that we could all sit together. They agreed, but the new configuration left Mike and Maureen sitting on a low leather sofa, from which it would have been impossible for them to have successfully guided their soup spoons up to their mouths without spilling soup on their laps. The subsequent reshuffle saw me and Mark become the new occupants of the comfortable sofa, which I saw as a result!

We left as we had arrived, in two separate groups. Resisting the temptation to run for home, me, Steve and Mark set off for Chavenage. Somewhere along the way (my fault as I had the Garmin) we must have missed a turning, as we got as far north as Kingscote. 

Turning for home we were blessed with a tailwind most of the way. The rain also stopped and by the time we reached Malmesbury I'd almost dried out.

The consensus was that the formula of two distinct groups allowing everyone to ride at a pace they felt comfortable with, had been a success.

Tim W

Library picture of Howard taken on a warmer & drier day 

Weather forecast for the day – clear up to 10am, rain and wind until 2pm and clear thereafter. And, for once, the forecast didn’t disappoint! It did indeed rain for the entire ride and the wind was particularly gusty too. Still, it was an important club day. Today was the first formal running of our two ride regime. Six riders in all turned out, and following a brief conflab about ‘maybe we should all ride together given the numbers’ it was quickly decided that we should stick with the plan. As luck would have it there were three riders for each group, a nice symmetry.

The two rides consisted of 29 miles or 34 miles and the 2 groups set off together. I opted for the shorter route along with Mike and Maureen and Tim W, Mark and Steve rode the longer route. The weather was really quite unpleasant but progress was made and we were first of the two groups to reach the café in Tetbury, albeit cold and wet. However, soup and coffee soon warmed us up and prepared us for the journey home. Shortly after we had arrived the other group also turned up although what the café’s owners though of 6 dripping cyclist arriving was never recorded.

Fortified, we set off home to Malmesbury and by the end had covered just under 27 wet and windy miles in 2.5 hours. A nice easy pace.

As a member of the group riding the shorter course we really did ride together and the pace was adjusted to suite, slowing down when necessary and speeding up where possible, (usually when the wind was behind us.) Hopefully, more members will be encouraged to ride with us in this group with the knowledge that the pace will not exceed what they are able to manage.

Howard 

Away from the club, on Saturday Des took part in the Tour de Bristol and rode the 75km course, which was the longest of the three available. The event was in aid of the St Peter's Hospice, Bristol's only adult hospice. Well done Des!

Ride HQ at Long Ashton

(click once to enlarge the following pictures)

Ready for the off!

On Sunday, I took part in Barry's Bash, a 116km Audax event starting from Long Ashton, just outside of Bristol. The route took me up and over the Mendip Hills, and down into Glastonbury. 

Hopefully it isn't collection day

Lunch was served at Glastonbury Town Hall. The above picture was taken at the rear entrance where bikes were being stored. I'm not sure whether the owner of the bike on top of the bin had given up and dumped it or just couldn't be bothered with the hassle of trying to extract his cycle from the tangle of machines.

On a day dominated by strong and at times dangerous crosswinds, the return leg was across the exposed Somerset Levels. 

Near Wedmore, so surprised was I to find a windmill in Somerset, I had to take this picture. The sails weren't turning. Had they been, I suspect they'd have been spinning out of control.

Mid-afternoon the sun made an appearance. The lane from Clevedon to Portbury, along which we rode in the opposite direction on Tim H's epic ride, provided some welcome shelter. By now I was thinking that the ride was virtually in the bag, but I'd failed to take into account the long haul up through Gordano.

Hot drinks, homemade soup, rolls and cake were all gratefully received back at Long Ashton.

Tim W