Weekly Roundup

Clarions relaxing at the Cat & Custard Pot, Shipton Moyne

Mention of a stop at a public house resulted in 7 riders taking to the road on Wednesday evening on what was the hottest day of the year. It was good to see Steve K back on the saddle. On the return leg from Leighterton the pit stop was made at the Cat & Custard Pot for a well deserved pint. I understand that Malc was very much at home with a drink in his hand and there are unconfirmed reports of him staying behind after the others had left.

Cafe 53, Long Street, Tetbury

I apologise if I've miscounted, but by my reckoning there were 16 riders on Saturday. This included Des and Simon who were both on their second ride with us. We always like to give a name-check to new faces and a warm Clarion welcome. We hope that they'll share many more miles with us. 

There was a time when if someone mentioned Simon for instance, having just one member by this name, we instantly knew who was being referred to, but we now have 3 Simons, 3 Andys, 2 Steves, 2 Peters etc, but it's definitely something we're happy to grapple with.

11 riders opted for the longer course and 3 for the shorter one. The mathematicians will have immediately noticed that 11 plus 3 doesn't equal 16. There was a third group comprising of Mike (as in dynamo and not the one from Barrow) and Maureen (as in, well actually it doesn't matter, as we only have one), who rode their own route. Mike kindly gave me one of his dates at the start. No, not a telephone number from his black book, a piece of dried fruit and very tasty it was too. The humble date boasts an impressive list of benefits, is easily digested and makes a pleasant change from some of the bland energy bars on the market. 

Clarions at the midway point on the Severn Bridge

(Click once to enlarge the pictures)

Five members took to the Welsh hills on Sunday. The forecast of heavy rain showers meant that everyone had sensibly packed a rain jacket, perhaps more as a precaution, but it was going to be a necessity. 

Looking out across the water towards the Forest of Dean

The two Tims admiring the vista

The Severn Bridge offers some really spectacular views. I know that looking at someone else's holiday snaps can sometimes be as dull as ditch water, but it's not every day the Clarions ride to another country.

  

Part of our peloton crossing the bridge

Refreshments were taken at the Chepstow Garden Centre. Here, the first few spots of rain fell. The complex has a butcher's shop, where you can buy half a sheep for £44.99. As none of us had any panniers, we had to pass on this offer.

Cyclists and dogs share the same door to the cafe patio

Leaving the Chepstow Garden Centre

Threading our way through a housing estate at Caldicot the heavens opened, trees shook and debris flew merrily around us. With no cover in sight, it was a case of heads down as we battled on.

The Wentwood Reservoir

Having left the urban sprawl behind us, we began to ride through some glorious Welsh countryside. Gradually gaining height the rain stopped and the sun came back out.

Tim H remounting after looking down at the reservoir

Wentwood or Coed Gwent in Welsh is a forested area of hills and rises to 1,104 feet. It is the largest ancient woodland in Wales.

With steam rising from the tarmac, Tim H and Peter complete their ascents to the top of the forest

The Brecon Beacons in the distance taken from outside of the picturesque Methodist chapel at Pen-y-cae-mawr on the edge of Wentwood Forest

Afterwards, there was a 7 mile descent (I kid you not!) all the way back to Chepstow. Along the way we passed a sign for the curiously named Bully Hole Bottom. If I was feeling brave I'd Google it, but I'm too worried about where it might lead. In Chepstow the opportunity to dry out some of our kit was taken over another round of hot drinks and cake, this time at the much more reasonably priced Pye Corner Cafe. 

Our thanks go to Mike for not only putting this ride together, but also for leading most of it from the front. Mike also has a similar 104 mile excursion up his sleeve with an additional 2,000 feet of climbing. Expressions of interest to Mike. I'd certainly like to have a crack at it.

The consensus was that a 60 mile Chepstow and back Saturday club ride would make a great outing. Those looking to cycle less miles could stop at Alveston, Aust Services or for that matter, anywhere they fancied along the route. If the demand is there, we'll make sure it happens!

Course http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8827287