Thursday 5th April. Amcor to Hawkesbury Upton. Report from Bill Balchin: It must be really difficult to write an original song without upsetting somebody who claims that you have copied some elements of their lyric or music. Many copyright claims are settled with large sums involved. Famous examples include George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" and the Chiffons' "He's So Fine"; Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" and Marvin Gaye's "Got To Give It Up". (OK Bill we get the picture - Ed). And more recently Ed Sheeran's "Photograph and Matt Cardles "Amazing". (Just get on with it NOW - Ed). Luckily we have no such problems in the BTOTC with making up routes otherwise I would owe Martyn a double whammy. First for the technique of using regular homeward routes for the outward section and second for reminding me about Winterbourne Down (which Mike Sennett also used successfully last month but with all different lanes).

There was a crowd of well over twenty assembled at the Amcor start under blue skies, having ridden there on dry roads with light winds. A fantastic turnaround in the weather and looking good for today's cycling. There was to be an easier route led by Steve and Don but the plan for my lot was to ride up to Winterbourne and then drop down Dragon Road, over the and around Bury Hill. Many may be unaware of a hidden gem at Bury Hill - an iron age hilltop fort. You know what a fort is - big square construction of vertical timbers with a gate in one wall and towers at each corner. Well that is what Davy Crockett calls a fort. An iron age fort just looks like a bit of a clearing in a wood. You can see more detail by clicking here but I did not consider it to be worth eating into our cycling time. Martyn gave me some minor grizzling as we followed the route that he had used to get to the start a few minutes earlier. We circled around the lanes, squeezed through a cycle sized gap in a road closure, where my attempt at a photo was spoilt by sunlight on the lens, and popped out on Down Road at the Damson Bridge. Similar to our last Amcor departure but without an exact repeat. On now over the Badminton Road into Coalsack Lane and up to the Road where we crossed straight over to approach our first named climb of the day - Coxgrove Hill. Steep but short and near the start of the ride so not too bad. We then climbed our way into to regroup next to a roadside display of daffodils - Spring must be on it's way at last.

We then continued in an easterly direction for the biggest climb of the day - Hinton Hill. Bowing to popular demand we took the "by-pass". I don't know if it is any easier but it is generally less busy - unless you get caught up with a tractor like we did. I had stopped by the big tree a third of the way up that I always remember that we stopped by one Armistice Day many years ago for a minutes silence. Today the group went by me as I took photos closely followed by a tractor towing a trailer full of slurry. I say "full" because as it bumped over the potholes the contents came sloshing out the back - I gave him a wide berth.

Once back on the main Hinton Road we met up with Alf who had saved himself a big chunk of distance by avoiding the start. Riding his recently built Dolan bike he was keen to relate how he had tried to outsprint an unfriendly German shepherd but was unable to shift into his big ring when the cable slipped in the clamp, resulting in some super-rapid pedalling in the small ring. The A46 was as busy as I have ever seen it but once across we were on that nice downhill section past the bakery. There was still not a cloud in the sky as we cycled through , joined the Road and cut through to Badminton. We have done this many times on the way home with a miserable headwind making life difficult but no such problems in this direction as we turned into the Badminton estate. I would normally do the same as Mike Sennett three weeks ago and turn right then left to come out in Didmarton. But with the final section of road looking as though the RAF have used it for bombing practice we turned left at the end of the long straight. A right turn onto the A433 for half a mile allowed us to turn left onto the quiet of Starveal Lane - once we had waited for the contents of a shed saddlebag to be retrieved by one of our lady riders. Ignoring facetious suggestions that we could include the Kilcott valley we rode straight to the Beaufort Arms to arrive pretty much right on noon. The Steve and Don group had beaten us to it which helped to spread out the rush. Mark the landlord had things under control for ordering drinks and food before we all piled into the skittle alley which had been laid up ready for us. There were too many cyclists for my poor brain to count but there must have been well over thirty. If I had one complaint it would be that my Moussaka was so big that I did not get the chance to down another pint of the excellent Twelve Apostles IPA from Bristol Beer Factory.

One of the leader's duties is to declare when it is time to leave, so reluctantly I was forced to get everybody out the door at half past one for the trip home. Still bright and dry with a big downhill section to start with, my group descended from the monument to Inglestone Common, into and back via Tytherington. Whichever way you took home today it was bound to be good on the best weather day we have seen this year. Click here to see the official route Thursday 5th April. Report for the more moderately paced ride from Steve Hicks: Our shorter, gentler paced alternative today comprised just five from the large group that had gathered at Amcor. Before we set off it was good to have a quick catch-up with Berry Parker who had arrived early for the ‘Easy Rider’ trip over the bridge. Our small but select band headed out through Winterbourne where a kindly van driver (yes, honestly) stopped and waved us across into Watleys End Road, ”must be a cyclist” quipped one of our group. Into and along Frampton End Road which was muddy as always but certainly not the worst we have found it. At the end we encountered our first hazard of the day, a small family with a bulldog answering to the name of “Nelson” except that “Nelson” wasn’t answering and was determined to maintain his course down the centre of the road and certainly wasn’t going to move for a bunch of cyclists. No problem for us as we just manoeuvred around him and went on our way with shouted apologies from his owner. At the first roundabout, as we crossed to join the Lodge Road cycle path, we were met by half a dozen police officers and their vehicles who had obviously been alerted that a bunch of aged hooligans were on the rampage! On through to Yate Rocks (well it may have done once upon a time!) where we faced our next challenge. “Isn’t there a ford at Yate Rocks” said Don, “maybe quite a lot of water at the moment” - there certainly was, fast flowing but not deep enough to cause any real problems provided you missed the sneaky pothole in the middle. We then skirted around the quarry and picked up the cycle path which lead us around the north side of and onto Sodbury Common. Just the small matter of the climb up through , stopping at the church to lose some layers before we reached the top of the ridge. The view from the top today was superb with fantastic visibility across the Severn flood plain into Monmouthshire and probably beyond. We arrived at the Beaufort Arms at about five to twelve to be met by my old pal the pub landlord, Mark Steeds. Mark was glad our arrival was staggered as it meant less pressure on the kitchen with another group expected to arrive for lunch shortly after us. Return route was fairly direct via Ingleston Common, Wickwar, and Tytherington where some of the main group sped past us. Don Ford has offered to provide a moderate paced route and to lead next week as we head for my favourite pub, the Ring O’Bells at .

Thursday 12th April. to Hinton Blewett. Main group report from Bill Balchin: Today we were expecting low temperatures and cloudy skies all day. What I was not expecting was mist on top of it - maybe it will clear up later. I took a different route to the start in order to miss out Frampton End Road which would probably be filthy today and make a right mess of my bike, which made me a bit behind schedule arriving at Bitton for Phil's ride to Hinton Blewett. There was a big crowd but no Phil. Illness forced him to pass the leaders baton to Julian. Hope it is not a result of your mechanical incident last Tuesday when the fixie shed it's chain into the wheel, chewing up some spokes and requiring the team car to be called.

With the mist still hanging around, Julian led a large group along the cycle track in the direction of Bath as Steve and Don prepared to take a smaller group on a more moderately paced journey. We did another of those "out on the way you often come home" routes through Saltford, Manor and through the attractive river crossing at . I must get my act together one day and get there before the bunch to grab a photo or two. After the river there is plenty of up and down through and - plenty of time for a bloke on an electric bike to get ahead of the bunch for some pictures as we recrossed the river Chew by church. I don't know what the woman walking her dog thought about it.

Over the A37 at we took the lane that runs under the disused viaduct. I reckon it would make a fantastic cycle track although "elf and safety" may declare it too dangerous to allow people to get so far up. (I see that Don had the same thought below). My cunning plan to keep a clean bike was totally scuppered along the muck of Stanton Lane until we emerged on the outskirts of and turned into Denny Lane. I had thoughts of another photo stop but despite putting in a powered boost the bunch were too close behind to get the camera out. I am constantly amazed how strong most of our group are.

My electrical advantage climbing out of was quickly cancelled out as we chased around Lake into where Pete Campbell took over the leading for the final climb to the Ring O'Bells. There is no way to avoid a climb but Pete thought that Back Lane out of Litton would be kindest. Again I used my electric power to get up the hill first and into photo taking mode. We really need a bit of sunshine to get a better photo but I did my best as Shirley showed the boys how it is done. Mark put in a strong ride. I hope he is not in training for next week when he will be leading to . Soon after twelve the main group arrived, a few minutes before the moderate group who had stopped to admire the antiquities in . The pub used the low-tech system of giving everybody a numbered ticket for their lunch order. I don't know why more pubs don't do this as it worked beautifully and despite another crowd too large to count we were soon fed and watered. Before we departed I offered Wayne a ride on the E-bike. It is always the same - they shoot off and can't help going "ho ho". The mist was still hanging around under cloudy skies as we set off for home, some dropping directly into others blasting down Hill to bypass the village. I was looking forward to going through for the first time with a boost from elastic trickery. Fabulous - and they have even resurfaced the road. Actually I think it was done only a few years ago but did not last well. The new surface may go the same way as there was already a spring of water appearing through a hole.

So we did not see the sun all day and it was colder than I expected but still a great day of cycling. It did not seem like the beginning of Spring but with a bit of luck it may be the last day of Winter. Next week the weather looks set to improve. Click here for the official route map.

Thursday 12th April. Report for the moderate paced group from Don Ford: There were 7 of us for today’s alternative ride to Hinton Blewett which soon became 8 when Roger Solomon caught us up after a late arrival. We had only just reached the Bird in Hand when Richard suffered a puncture. He nobly told us to continue and said he would make his own way. At this point Phil and Roger decided to go at their own pace on a direct route. So eventually 5 of us continued on from Saltford where a WPC in a squad car actually made way for us. Today’s route was a matter of trying to find drier and less muddy lanes which was very difficult after so much recent rain. It was the familiar way through Saltford, following Manor Road to cross into Chewton Road and over the river - the first of 10 crossings of the River Chew today.

On reaching Compton Dando we took a sharp right turn up Cockers Hill passing through the attractive hamlets of Woollard and Publow before the descent to Pensford. I always find the Railway Viaduct impressive with its 16 arches. It was part of the Bristol and North Railway which would today make an excellent cycle way from Pensford to . The viaduct was put up for sale for £1 in 1984 but unsurprisingly there were no buyers.

A very wet and muddy Pensford Lane took us almost all the way to Stanton Drew and the ‘highlight’ of today’s route which was the prehistoric remains in the village. I like to stop at some point of interest on my rides. Well I think it is of interest but I am not sure others do. My companions today were kind enough to listen to me while I gave them useless knowledge about a load of old stones. Some pubs have play areas in their gardens or other attractions. The Druid’s Arms must have the most unusual and certainly the oldest pub garden feature in Britain. It is called The Cove and comprises 3 large stones put there between 5,000 and 6,000 years ago, which formed the entrance to a burial chamber below. The pub looks even more interesting. I wonder why we never go there.

As if one ‘highlight’ were not enough, there was second ‘treat’ in the form of the three stone circles themselves. There are approximately 900 stone circles in Britain and Stanton Drew’s main circle is the second largest after Avebury. Archaeologists get very excited about it, as did John Wood the Elder, the architect of Bath. He copied the dimensions when he designed The Circus in Bath which is 113 metres in diameter and he built 30 houses in it as there were 30 stones in the circle.

From there we crossed the Chew again and past the Chew Round House. The former 18th century thatched toll house is now trading as a holiday let according to a poster in the window. A short climb took us along more scenic but muddy lanes to Norton Hawkfield. On our descent to Chew Magna we were rather humbled to see a mother climbing towards us on a heavy bike towing a trailer with her child in it. She was even able to smile at us.

There are a number of ways up to Hinton Blewett but the hill up from Bishop Sutton is comparatively quiet and has a good surface. It is a long climb but never too severe. What was severe was the shock of ascending into the mist, drizzle and cold at the top. We reached the Ring O’Bells at 1205 only to find that the main group had beaten us to it and were already queuing at the bar.

Our numbers were swollen to 6 for the uneventful return. Many thanks to all who participated today. There should be another alternative ride next week. click here to view the route taken.

Thursday 19th April. Ashton to Shipham. Report from Peter Metelerkamp: O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! After the vicious icy visits of various members of the clan Beast (big, little and baby brother) over the past few weeks, this week saw us at last with a beaker full of the warm South!

Sun and sweat and bursting blossom! Our point of departure was Ashton, and distinctive BTOTC “we are not a club” livery was much in evidence, together with the impressive calf- muscles of elderly gentlemen. Our leader was Mark Brough (tough but never rough nor gruff). Turned out not in his (winter) orange Rapha but summer (Intermediate?) lemon Louis Garneau, he made his usual charming and confident introduction to the 24 of us assembled in the soft sunshine. The announcement that we were to go the “indirect and across” route over Dundry was met with the sort of jovial jeering one might have expected in an 18th century political rally – as in “tell us another one”. But having recce’d the route with Mark I know it in fact to be true – this was a way “up and over” without really climbing. But before that, Mark promised us a novel venture across Cowpat Bridge from the Long Ashton cycle path and up onto the bike path alongside what I still think of as the “new” Southern bypass. It seems the Council also think it’s new because they haven’t got around to removing the barriers across the bottom of the path. .

Up over Dundry we went, and along the first of many crappy lanes designed to fill one with rage at the demise of the British state; potholes, mud, gravel, half-hearted patching, and general insult to anyone not in a 4x4 (ah, - that’s the point! Cut taxes and let them buy 4x4s! And to hell with everyone and everything else; the “environment” is for wimps). Down through Chew Magna and then Chew Stoke and into what Mark calls ”The Butcombe Triangle” – the intricate web of lanes where an unwary cyclist might disappear forever. This is one of three basic ways to Shipham; over the Mendips (as we’ve done before), through the lumps and bumps (as we did today), or along the Festival Way and Across. The last was the route chosen by the estimable Don Ford to lead his “slow” (sensible?) group, but with some diversions and embellishments to add interest. They were deprived, however, of the ever-darting figure of Bill, whirring past like a Blue Jay on his “mybrid is a hybrid” to pause and make photos in odd places. After the Butcombe Bumps, Mark’s route took us through Churchill to Sandford. Here the prospect of a short saunter down the Strawberry Line was roundly rejected in favour of a “stick to what you know” climb up Hill Road. It seems that the group of “unbustables” who mere weeks ago were splashing their way through mud on every ride, has gone soft in the sunshine, or perhaps that the inner Roadie is in the ascendant, having been brought on with the cycling shorts in this sudden Proper Spring. The weather had everyone sitting outside in front of the pub in Shipham, apart from one or more whom modesty prevents identifying, who chose to lie flat on their backs on the grass in “3/4 reveal” mode. Mark announced that his return would be via , Portbury and Failand. This seemed both bold and attractive, as one might expect. But those of us feeling more inclined to get home for a cuppa than for more adventure, followed Don Ford instead. His group (now 10) took the “normal” Congresbury/Yatton/Backwell approach and was led at a pace of elegant economy - wasting neither energy nor time, but striking a perfect pitch at that comfortable point below where the exponential energy curve starts to go vertical, and above where the pleasurable sensation of being on the move is lost by too much dawdling. Riding alongside Richard Harman, conversation turned to the topic that, (perhaps even as important as cycling itself?) unfailingly fascinates sensible people of our age:- pensions. After the run down LA (Long Ashton to the uninitiated) where the Union Jack confirmed what one had suspected – that the smooth ride home had been wind-assisted – it was up over Ashton Court and to an early-afternoon return; in good time to put down the awning over the deck, make that cuppa, wash that bike… Many thanks to Mark, Don and all who make these rides such a pleasure. For Mark's route out and back touch here.

Thursday 19th April. Ashton to Shipham. Moderate paced ride report from Steve Hicks: Don’s advertised moderate-paced ride attracted an initial group of seven which reduced to six when Ian Deegan returned to base. We listened intently to Mark Brough’s briefing for the main ride including mentions of Dundry and multiple junction markers in the Butcombe Triangle before breathing a collective sigh of relief as Don briefed on the delights of Kenn Moor and the possibilities of a section of the Strawberry Line. We set out in brilliant sunshine which was to stay with us all day, questioning how we have gone from winter to summer almost overnight. The well-worn path that is the Festival Way took us to Farleigh then around Backwell Bow and into the outskirts of . At this point, Don explained that we were about to pass through an area that was once the hamlet of Nowhere but has now been subsumed by the urban conurbation that is today’s Nailsea. So in true ‘Talking Heads’ style, we really were on ‘The Road to Nowhere!’ Our route then took us through a series of traffic-free lanes and cycle paths to bring us out adjacent to the Ring O’Bells, then out across Kenn Moor passing the Blue Flame before turning due south to Yatton. The plan was to give the Strawberry Line northern section a go and then decide how to proceed when we reached the A370. Now, I know that few of the BTOTC members are fans of the Strawberry Line but today it seemed just about perfect with a good solid surface free of dust and loose gravel and with no serious pot holes, loose dogs or other hazards; in fact, considerably better than many of the road surfaces we are currently experiencing. So given the state of the track, we decided to continue on to Sandford before heading up Shipham Lane, across the A38 and up Broadway, arriving at the Penscott Inn just as the front door opened at around 11.55 am. We hurriedly bagged the seats outside under the parasols, ordered our meals and sat back to enjoy the beer and await the arrival of the main group. Lunch was excellent today, as always at the Penscott Inn accompanied by a pint of Wicked Wolf, described by one imbiber as ‘the kind of beer to perk up weary palates’; well it did that and worked on weary legs as well! Return was by the traditional route via Churchill, Brinsea, Congresbury, Claverham, Brockley and Backwell. Thanks to Don for another great ride; next week it’s my turn to get us moderately paced to Slimbridge. And for Don's route there and back touch here.

Tuesday 24th April. Longer ride from Congresbury. Led by Brian Trott. The first of this years rides was completed in thick cloud and windy conditions, and included coffee at , a pub lunch at Ashcott and afternoon tea at Cheddar. The riders dodged the showers until about 3 miles from home. Nine riders completed the ride with a surprise 10th until lunch.

Thursday 26th April. Winterbourne to Slimbridge. Main group report from Bill Balchin: What a great day we had last Thursday, everybody in shorts and short sleeves, but we knew it could not last. We can't have summer before we have spring, and today was forecast to be a proper spring day with sunny spells and any showers being light and inconsequential. But that's not how it seemed to me as I waited at home for the rain to ease off. When I met up with two dozen others outside the Winter Stream Farm for Alan Partridge's ride to the Tudor Arms at Slimbridge most of the talk was of how we had been deceived yet again. But the rain was not heavy as we split into two groups and set off in a straggly line along the Old Gloucester Road collecting a convoy of cars behind. Roadworks with a set of traffic lights allowed us to stop and wave the vehicles through. The standard fare of Tytherington, Baden Hill Road and Cromall brought us to the first noticeable climb past Leyhill prison where one of those inconsequential showers got ideas above its station and gave us a right soaking.

Through the down and up of Damery we rode past Michael Wood where the road was dry and worked across to Nibley Green on the flat roads before the long, long drag on the Dursley Road into Stinchcombe. As usual nobody remarked on a strong tailwind that was helping our progress as we admired the views over to the Severn Vale. As we regrouped at the Yew Tree pub the sun came out and from there onwards it was sunshine and dry roads - although I was seriously under dressed in the cold with only three layers on. Alan took us through the houses to join up with the main road on a nice descent into Cam where we rode through the high street before turning right to pass the railway station. Out in the countryside again we crossed the motorway and reached the A38 at Cambridge by half past eleven. Crikey! Nearly there and so early! It was all explained as we changed direction and turned into the wind. Ah! Still, not far to go now and we knocked off the remaining few miles by eleven forty five arriving before Steve and Don's moderate pace group. While most people went to look at the canal I took my chance to be first at the bar which resulted in a first for me. My meal was the first to be served. And I even had time for a second pint of the excellent Double Hopped IPA, must be my lucky day.

With the early arrival and prompt service people were getting itchy to leave by one o'clock. I managed to persuade Alan to delay things until ten past and gulp the beer down before we set off into the headwind. Still the lanes are flat around there and I could always let the motor take the strain - until a few moments after turning into Lightenbrook Lane my chain jammed itself between the small ring and the motor. And when I say Jammed - it was solid. Pete stopped to give me a hand as we started with the delicate approach trying to maintain clean hands before getting more and more physical with hands totally black with chain lube. Eventually we unbolted the chain wheels which let the chain come loose but as anybody with a cool head would realise we could not bolt them back because we could not secure the nuts. After sending Pete on his way with black hands and gloves I had to summon the team car to take me home. A quick shower and the bike is now back with Giant in - hence the report is a lot later than usual. Maybe it was not quite my lucky day today after all. Follow the route by clicking here Thursday 26th April. Alternative ride to Slimbridge. Report from Don Ford: There were 10 of us for Steve’s alternative ride to Slimbridge. It is a measure of Steve’s dedication and commitment that he led the ride today. He turned up on time despite being in Southmead A&E until 1 a.m. with his wife Karen who needed a foreign body removing from her eye.

We were pleased to welcome Linda and Ron on their tandem. Ron has ridden with us before but it was Linda’s first outing with BTOTC. Sadly, it will be her last for some time as despite retiring she has just taken on a one-year contract which will keep her occupied on Thursdays.

Our rides are supposed to be more moderately paced but this wasn’t the case today. Steve showed no adverse effects from his late night as we set off towards Tytherington at some speed. He wisely chose to avoid risking the often muddy lanes to and instead took the bigger and drier roads. At least they were drier until heavy rain and then hail hit us as we approached Cromhall.

After that things gradually improved. The lanes were dry, the sun shone, leaves were appearing and the views of the were magnificent: “Oh, to be in now that April’s there.” It didn’t matter that we forgot to continue along Wick Road but turned off through Middle Wick and found ourselves ‘lost’ at the Frog Lane junction. We quickly recovered and made our way to Stinchcombe where I spotted a large red flag flying proudly with ‘Liverpool FC’ on it.

We deviated from the main group’s route here and turned left down Berkeley Road to the A38 and on to Breadstone before turning right on to Slimbridge Lane. With a gale behind us it felt like we were all riding a bike like Bill’s. The only concern was that we knew we had to ride home against the wind.

Despite averaging over 14 mph, the main group had beaten us to the pub yet again. Despite being at the back of the queue, with 4 serving behind the bar we soon had our drinks.

The ride back against the wind was as hard as predicted and I was glad of Arnold’s company as I became detached from my small group. With shared pace making we regained the group. I was sorry to leave them and made my way to Mumbleys Lane. Phil and Steve happened along as I was contemplating the hill. This was a stroke of very good fortune as half way up the hill the bolt holding my saddle snapped. Steve offered me a spare bolt he had at home if I could make the 5 miles to riding without a saddle. It’s amazing what you can do when you have to. It was worth the effort as the ever resourceful Steve had not only a spare bolt but a saddle and stem already assembled. With his help and refreshed by tea I was soon on my way.

Very many thanks to Steve for all he did today and to all those who kindly sheltered me from the wind. It was another excellent day of cycling.