News for January 2019

Thursday 3rd January 2019. Amcor to Hawkesbury Upton - main ride. Report from Peter Metelercamp: A forecast of sun for the day. And a record: the warmest ride of the year 2019. But the sun did not in fact emerge and the record for warmth at an average of 1° we rather hope to see broken quite soon. But the steely chill did not deter 25 from mustering at Amcor for the start. Clichés about “hardy souls” are made redundant by saying simply that this was a BTOTC ride. With us were some unfamiliar faces who were clearly familiar to some, and a new altogether faster younger one who turned out to be Chris Ludlam’s Spanish Language “professor”, now resident in Bristol some four years. The “normal” ride was introduced by Guido with reassurances that it would not be too fast, going “due East with some climbing you won’t even notice, and then back via that monument thingy”. At which point Don Ford offered a characteristically diplomatic and discreet clarification about Somerset and Waterloo.

Fifteen in the “normal” group set off on Beacon Lane, the big road to Winterbourne, then South down Dragon Road, into Mill Road and across the Frome, before a left up Bury Hill and back onto Down Road. Then through the Kendleshire golf club along Ruffet Road, Serridge Road past the Mafeking Scout camp, right again along Ram Hill past Bitterwell lake, and left into Westerleigh Road for the trudge up to the Pucklechurch junction where it becomes the B4465. This was the bit Guido had warned about, saying “we’ll be going along the B something or other for a while so that’s a good place to split into groups of six”. I counted seven in the group immediately behind him, which would have left eight in the next – but as it turned out there was further fragmentation after Wapley as Codrington passed with the “invisible” climb up past Dodington Ash to the A46.

Somewhere along here the Spanish Professor demonstrated the undoubted advantages of youth, by charging politely past those of us puffing slowly upwards. Guido paused and remarked that many might at this stage be thinking of removing a layer. And indeed, the many careful superimpositions of base, windstopper, and then finally the bulky Roubaix of the BTOTC winter jersey, which had seemed so perfect and toasty at the frigid start, were beginning to feel faintly clammy and just a little too intimate.

A fast belt along Acton Turville Road the “other” side of the A46, unusually not challenged by the combination of nagging gradient and taunting headwind that goad and humiliate one coming the other way, saw the “normal” riders to be nothing of the kind; rather a loose assortment without a common standard, and with a big gap opening between smaller clumps and struggling singles. But Guido obligingly stopped for regrouping at the village (as he had been doing all ride), before taking us to Littleton Drew, then up in a loop through Sherston, through the woods behind the Badminton estate, along the dog-leg of the A435 and A46, and across to Hawkesbury. We arrived at the pub after a forecast “exactly 24 miles” at 12.01. It would seem that Guido has some experience in planning and leadership.

The lunch was excellent and very reasonably priced, and by taking some time at the table to fiddle with my cleats, I miraculously overcame the terrible aching lassitude and discomfort I’d been feeling on the ride out, and felt “back to normal” on the way back (not surprising, I suppose, that a few millimetres and degrees can make such a big difference). The Spanish Professor invoked envious thoughts by mentioning that he came from Salamanca and Chris and Keith Shepherd debated the challenges of retirement, a burden for which many might wish.

The way back was – you’ve guessed it – the “normal” way; this time with the full group including the “moderates” who had ridden with Don and Steve. What “normal” meant in this case was “past the monument thingy, down the hill, across the common, through Wickwar, then Tytherington, and back to Amcor”. The surface across Inglestone Common is a tribute to judicious planning – i.e. “don’t waste any money on a road not many cars use”. The consequence is a long series of ruts, vicious holes, randomised bumps and unpatched crumbling edges. One does hope South Glos council is suitably pleased both with itself, and with general British enslavement to the motor car...

After Wickwar just at the corner of West End Road that leads to Cowship Lane, we were arrested for a short lecture from Andy, who pointed out that if we chose at some point to go down a muddy lane through a farmyard not far away, we might come across the remains of an 800 year-old Oak. This had refused to die despite being “killed” by planners in 1938 and again in the 1970s, and was finally put under a preservation order a couple of years ago by the quarry that owns it, to stop further attempts at extermination by the Electricity company. Apparently it is hollow and will easily accommodate six grandchildren. One sought vainly for metaphoric reassurance about British endurance – in hollowness is strength, perhaps?

Apart from a picturesque loop around Rag Lane and back into Cowship, the rest of the ride was indeed “normal” – with the group fragmenting in the usual way as sections headed West for Rangeworthy, or East from Old Gloucester Road. As depleted clumps got back to Amcor one was left with the sense of a good ride in weather that made for dry roads and easy riding, excellent food and company, and equally excellent leadership. Not a record, perhaps, but vintage BTOTC all the same.. Touch here to find out more about the oak tree.

Thursday 3rd January 2019. Amcor to Hawkesbury Upton - moderate ride. Report from Steve Hicks: A typical January day with grey skies and temperature just above freezing saw around twenty-five gather outside the Winterstream Farm pub for our split ride to Hawkesbury Upton. Guido led off with main group leaving ten of us including ‘new boy’ Bob (a former time trialler), to take a more relaxed route. The ride, which was fairly uneventful, took a route that has been well pedalled by the BTOTC over the years. Heading off through Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell to pick up Frampton End Road to Iron Acton, we then skirted around Yate, negotiated the ford at Yate Rocks, across Sodbury Common and climbed up to Little Sodbury.

Today’s ‘point of interest’ was St. Adeline’s Church, Little Sodbury, unique as the only church in the UK dedicated to this 12-Century French nun. The church has connections to William Tyndale who preached here during his time as tutor and chaplain at nearby Little Sodbury Manor. We also discussed the fact that Little Sodbury is a ‘thankful village’, so named because all who left here to fight in the Great War returned alive. It may also be classed as a ’doubly thankful village’ as it is believed that all who served in WW2 also returned alive though this has not been verified to-date.

From Little Sodbury, we climbed New Tyning Lane, meeting Phil Warry and Roger Bird on route as they ascended from Horton. Then an easy flat ride across the top of the escarpment brought us to the Beaufort Arms just before twelve.

Food, drinks and service at the pub were first rate, as we have come to expect here, and by around one-fifteen we were back on the road to Inglestone Common and Wickwar as a single group. My thanks to the nine who joined me today and especially to Alex for his back-marking duties. And today's moderate route - touch here. Thursday 10th January 2019. Bitton to Marshfield. Report from Bill Balchin: You lucky people! Even though I say it myself, I have devised a super route to the Catherine Wheel at Marshfield. It uses parts from other routes that we have not ridden often and gets us through Bath without using the railway path or main roads. In fact, it is so good that I am keeping it in my back pocket until we go there on a summer day. For today, in early January we will have to make do with something more mundane – but I think you will still enjoy it.

My first worry on the day was whether there would be ice around. Thankfully, despite the bitter cold there was no moisture to freeze after a dry period so with the lack of wind and some occasional brightness in the sky it was not too bad if you were one of the two dozen, well wrapped cyclists assembled at Bitton Station. I had promised a moderate pace today so we set out as one huge group with Alan Partridge bravely offering to back mark. Back towards Bristol on the railway path we took the first exit at North Common then climbed Chesley Hill and Lodge Road to the Pucklechurch Road and waited to regroup after being strung out on the climbs. For the next section I proposed splitting into three groups of eight with Peter T leading the first tranche and Shirley the last. My counting must have been a bit out as Shirley ended up with eleven.

Riding along Feltham Road towards the Hinton by-pass there were hardly any cars around. It always seems that way when I invoke the busy road protocol but I still think it is worthwhile. Think of it as insurance – you are better having it and not needing it than the other way round. My phone started ringing – probably some nuisance call. I'll wait until we reach the by-pass climb. Right, where is my back-marker? I'll go back to Feltham Road to look for them and check my phone.

Oh No. The call was from Alan to say that Roger had punctured and a they would make their own way as a group of four. That must have been miserable to change a tube with frozen fingers. Putting the Giant E into Active mode I stormed up Hinton Hill (passing Peter R on his way home with a broken spoke) and joined the group waiting by the junction with Field Lane in front of a Road Closed sign and line of cones blocking our way. As usual there was room for bikes to pass and the workmen patching the carriageway waved us through.

Once over the ever-busy A46 we were on flatter less busy lanes to make our way to Nettleton where the few car drivers we met were all very friendly. We gave Nettleton a good go as we rode through from West to East, past fields of cabbages which you could smell from a mile away, then looped back via a brief section of the Fosseway into Nettleton again before turning left onto Wood Lane for West Kington. Time now for the master plan. My idea was to halt the group, go ahead into West Kington and then photograph them riding through in small groups. Well the subjects did well but the photographer left a lot to be desired as usual.

Immediately after the river bridge we took the left turn up a small lane. I asked a few people if they were familiar with this lane – so small it does not have a name on Google maps. Naturally Shirley and Don were well aware but it was a new one for many others. After a bit of up and down we arrived at a tee junction and turned right into another lane that Mr Google cannot name but which we have cycled many times past the chicken farms into Castle Combe. Not far now and we arrived at the Catherine Wheel just a bit after twelve with twenty cold miles on the clock.

The first thing I did was to go over to the puncture group who had arrived about a quarter of an hour earlier to apologise to Alan for not answering his call more promptly. Then dumping my helmet, gloves and balaclava on the table, I joined to queue at the bar. Oh No! No phone! And not only that, my cash and bank card are also in the case. Several people offered to lend me cash, Peter R who had come by car after returning home with his broken spoke offered to drive back and search for it and Alan lent me his phone to ring my wife and cancel the card. No signal! Things are going down the pan here. Just a minute. What's this with my helmet and stuff? It's only the blooming phone which I had taken out of my pocket just minutes earlier and left on the table. Somebody shoot me, I'm not safe to be out without a minder. So after that brief panic I was able to enjoy my venison burger which had been recommended several times and lived up to it's reputation. Rounded off with a pint of Prophecy it made an excellent if rather too large meal for me.

Right it's nearly half past one, the temperature has warmed up to about five degrees, let's get out for the homeward leg. Nothing fancy now, a straightforward trip through the lanes and down Dyrham Hill. I had just warned Maggie to be cautious if she was unfamiliar with that descent when Martyn and Guido flashed by. OK, so you guys are very familiar with Dyrham. Time for a couple more photos as we made our way back into Pucklechurch ready to split up for home. Follow the route from Bitton to Marshfield here..

Thursday 17th January 2019. Ashton to Shipham. Main group report from Bill Balchin: We were not really expecting any weather related problems today. Yes it would be cold but it did not look cold enough for ice. The roads were a bit damp but we were not expecting rain, and the wind was gentle. No the problem was visibility. Not because it was dark – just the opposite. That low sun was was so bright in a clear blue sky it was like having a spotlight shining into your eyes. Plus the shadows were so dark the edges of the road were often hidden. And with the general direction of the ride to the Pescott Inn at Shipham we would have it all morning. But that did not deter another group of well over twenty. My first task at the start was to get a picture of our new recruits. I managed to get Andy (left in blue) and John (right in red) but could not find Peter (yes, another Peter) before Keith led the main group away. In fact I was almost left behind while admiring Guido's new bike. Have to get a shot of that as well. We started with the wriggle through Long Ashton on the Festival Way where Peter the fifteenth bumped into an oncoming cyclist. Not really how you want to remember your first ride with a new group. It could have been my chance for a photo but I think that is already enough embarrassment. So with no damage visible they parted with a handshake rather that a exchange of punches. At the Weston Road we continued to the Barrow Gurney road but instead of the usual Flax Bourton route we turned left, through Barrow Gurney and across the A38 at the lights. Heading in the direction of Winford Manor, Keith turned right at the junction instead of straight on to take us through Felton. An impatient BMW driver came blasting past and just managed to squeeze in at the last moment on West Lane. I appointed myself as gap monitor after that.

It's always a nice descent down Brockley Combe, especially today when the traffic lights remained green for the whole group to cross. Now the more familiar stuff through to Claverham where a sound like a rifle shot rang out. Oh dear, sounds like a split tyre puncture – and it would be Peter as well. You are really going to remember your first ride with the BTOTC. Mark stayed with him to lend moral support, technical assistance and the way to lunch and they sent the rest of us on. Pretty straightforward now (once we had made Keith aware that nobody was in favour of using the Strawberry Line today) past Churchill school, Sandford and head towards Winscombe before turning left into Shipham Lane for the final climb of the day. That lane seemed a lot more muddy than it should have been and also harder work but that could have been due to the low temperature. Anyway we rocked up at the Penscott right on twelve to find John Upward, Mike Chouings, Brian Trott and the moderate pace group already inside. No Mark and Peter yet though.

The service at the Penscott is never the quickest but the staff are good fun, meals are OK and the company is good. Team puncture arrived with tales of patching the tyre with a scrap of cardboard, a CO2 cartridge that failed, a pump that unscrewed the valve and finally borrowing a pump from passing cyclists. I just hope that gets you home Peter. Right! Time to leave and get a quick photo of Guido with his Christmas present from . . . Guido. A carbon Ribble road/gravel/cross bike with room for mudguards – very smart. And where is Peter? I'll get that photo another time.

Looking at various Strava plots there were several different routes taken for the trip home. I tacked onto a group of eight or so staying with Keith as we retraced our route back into Winscombe and got on the Strawberry Line . Yes, well that was not universally welcomed as if you had managed to keep your bike fairly clean up till then it got messed up pretty quickly. Once back in Sanford we retraced our outward route through Churchill, Congresbury and Yatton where some hard riding saw the group split. Taking advantage of a regrouping stop I got my picture of Peter at last. Just a short way into Backwell and we decided against ice cream today. How has it been then Peter? Peter? Here he comes now with the cardboard repair having given up the ghost and blown out another tube. But he was determined to sort it out himself, That's the spirit. I hope you will look back on this day with fond memories – although that may be some good while in the future.

See the actual route to Shipham here. Thursday 17th January – moderate paced ride report from Steve Hicks: No organised ‘Moderate Paced Ride’ today as I was missing last week and had failed to co-ordinate with Don to make arrangements. So, no ‘point of interest’ to attract those of an inquisitive nature, just an opportunity to avoid the frenzy of Julian’s ride and to take a more leisurely route to Shipham.

On arrival at Ashton I discovered that Julian had been called away on funeral duty and leadership of the main group was in the hands of Keith Borissow, so maybe we could ride as one group after all? As numbers grew leading up to start time it was decided that two groups would cause less hassle on the roads so I reverted to my original plan.

My group of seven waited the obligatory 5 minutes to let the main group get ahead and we then set off down the Festival Way. Before we were out of Long Ashton we had caught up with Keith’s group and held back, thinking they would take Wild Country Lane while we headed for Flax Bourton. Foiled once more, as we headed along Weston Road we caught them again! Eventually, at Cambridge Batch, they turned left while we continued straight ahead to Flax Bourton and Backwell. At West Town we took Chelvey Road and instead of turning left towards Brockley we carried on through Chelvey village to Netherton Wood Lane where we turned left towards Clevedon. Just after passing the Blue Flame we encountered a road closure but this proved to be a minor inconvenience as we slalomed around the barriers and took the left turn to cross Kenn Moor and into Yatton. From here it was the much maligned Strawberry Line, which was just about perfect today with enough moisture to keep the dust down without getting into any serious wet stuff. We left the track at Sandford and headed up Shipham Lane (which was far more mucky than the Strawberry Line) crossed the A38 and up into Shipham just before twelve.

For the return journey the group split again according to preference, some heading back down to the Strawberry Line whilst the rest of us took the traditional route back via Churchill, Brinsea, Congresbury and Claverham.

Altogether a very pleasant day out, a good lunch fine weather and excellent company. See Steve's route here.

Thursday 24th January 2019. Amcor to Arlingham. Report from Bill Balchin: Actually it may be misleading to quote Amcor as the start point. This was the first ride to be planned and led by Moira Hamilton to a pub that we have never used previously on a Thursday ride. And because Arlingham is even further north than the Tudor Arms at Slimbridge the distance would be fifty five miles plus however far you are from home to the Amcor start. Hence Moira suggested different starting options to reduce the distance with car assistance by parking at either Thornbury or Berkeley. It can be dangerous offering choices to people – just think of Boaty McBoatface – but let's see how it pans out.

The weather was on best behaviour for mid January. After an icy start yesterday we had cold, cloud, damp roads but little wind and no ice. That will do. My schedule was to meet Maggie in Thornbury car park and meet the bunch in Crossways Lane at ten thirty. Then in came a call – Arnold. Where are you meeting up? I rode back the hundred yards to Morton Way as he arrived with the rest of the group after being picked up when they changed the plan slightly. No problem as we were now all together and ready for those well-travelled flat lanes of the Berkeley Vale through Morton, Rockhampton and the roughest, most potholed section of road into Berkeley. Roadworks in Berkeley delayed us a bit with the traffic lights seeming to take for ever to change but we picked up Alex and Keith B to press on through Wanswell and onto Slimbridge Lane.

Approaching Slimbridge it was make your choice time again. Moira's planned route was to use the canal towpath from the Tudor Arms then into Frampton on Severn. Not everybody relished the idea of a narrow, bumpy, mud track next to a stretch of water so I found myself leading about half the original peloton to Gossington Bridge to join the A38. I say “leading”, once on the main road I was leading from behind as everybody slipped into time trial mode and we rode to the Frampton turning at over twenty miles per hour.

Once in Frampton the question was: are we behind or ahead of the others? Our route was longer but they would have been much slower so with no phone signal available and the route to the Red Lion obvious we pushed on and arrived first. The last of the time trialists had got their drinks and paid for lunch when the rest arrived, so not a lot in it. Nobody had got a ducking so that was good news.

The Red Lion is one of those pubs rescued from a pub company by the local community and now run by them since 2013 so you know it is in enthusiastic hands. Food is locally sourced, the menu is full of treats and the whole place has that nice country pub atmosphere that we like. No wonder that Moira knew that she had to bring us here. We had one potentially tricky moment when a bacon and brie sandwich was unclaimed until Peter Chivers walked in the door and took it. Missed the start and made his own way. By next week on your third ride Peter I reckon you will have got the hang of this. Moira mentioned some points of interest about the Sharpness canal – once the broadest and deepest canal in the world. And the towpath passes close to the site of the Purton hulks – the wrecks of eighty one vessels beached along the bank of the Severn to resist erosion. Right, one more choice before we depart – Canal towpath or A38 for the homeward trip. I think most people stuck with their earlier choice as another charge ensued on the A38. That group split at Cambridge when some continued on the main road while the rest took Ryalls Lane which is our usual route to Slimbridge for a break from the traffic. No sign of Moira's group as we hit Slimbridge and the lane to Halmore but they had seen us in the front of them in the distance. But seeing somebody in front and catching them are two different things so we did not regroup until the roadworks at Berkeley brought us to a halt again. The Red Lion is a pub I would like to visit again, giving the people choices worked well, but I still don't fancy that towpath. Click here to follow the route from Amcor Thursday 31st January. Bitton to Shoscombe: With various weather services forecasting -3c temperatures on Wednesday night, the steep lanes on the way to Shoscombe, and the path to Bitton, were likely to be slippery. So in the interest of safety the ride was cancelled.