News for March 2012
Thursday 1st March 2012 - report from Bill Balchin: On Wednesday 29th February (leap year day) I was out in the afternoon sunshine thinking how good this would be for our cycling trip the following day. But come Thursday at nine in the morning you could hardly see across the road with the fog. I guess it must have put off a few potential cyclists leaving us with a dozen for the trip to the Ring O'Bells at Hinton Blewitt. At the Bitton start Pete announced that he had become a grandad for the first time (yesterday on the leap year day) and then we were off down the track to Saltford with John Bishop taking advice from Rob Shiels on the route. Rob must have been in the mood for hill climbing as we first went up and over to Stanton Prior then took the left turn towards Wilmington up a huge climb. With the sun struggling out, and us struggling up the hill it was not long before extra tops were being discarded. Turning right at the hill-top crossroads we headed
into Farmborough, the minor climb into Timsbury followed by the plunging descent of Radford Hill. I was glad we turned right at the end which put me, and I expect many others, into unknown territory riding through Paulton, Hallatrow and left under the old railway bridge to Temple Cloud. From there it was a short journey (uphill of course) past Cameley Lodge. I even managed to get a photo of the two leaders plus the tail end Charlie all riding together at the back of the group.
It was smack on noon when we arrived, you could not have done better if you had planned it! By now the sun was out in a blue sky and several of us took the opportunity to dine outside. There were few if any non-cycling customers but we must have had nearly thirty people - it gets hard to count after two pints of Ashton Still. It was so pleasant to sit in the sunshine chatting that it was after half past one before anybody felt like making a move for home.
When we finally got away it was down Stowey Hill and straight over the main road where Roger having worked hard all day on his fixie had the chain jump off and jam up - luckily without throwing him down the road. A few minutes work with the spanner to remove and replace the wheel (no quick release) and we were back on the road to Stanton Drew, Norton Malreward and Queen Charlton. Some took the Keynsham road, others Redlynch Lane to finish off a very enjoyable day out.
And click here for a map to help you with the unknown territory.
Thursday 8th March 2012 - report from Bill Balchin: John Killick was today's leader and planned a route with something for everybody. Hills for those wanting some training, descending for a bit of fun and flat stuff for those who like to cruise along - all on quiet lanes. With bright sunshine and light winds the ingredients were all in place for the fourteen strong group to have a fine ride from Ashton to the Salthouse at Clevedon. The route started similar to our last departure from Ashton with the Flax Bourton cycle track to Backwell followed by the climb of Backwell Hill Road. Turning right by the airport we swooped down Brockley Combe and straight across at the traffic lights to cross the Kenn moors. A few times we came across signposts for Clevedon but each time went in the opposite direction. Well we had plenty of time in hand cruising along the flat admiring the many clumps of daffodils announcing that Spring is nearly here. At the Hand Stadium crossroads we took an unexpected left turn at the crossroads putting in an extra loop before rejoining the road to cross the motorway. After crossing the Yatton road we went over the old railway bridge where it looks like a new path has been made in place of the overgrown jungle. A left turn took us along the edge of the estuary, past the church and into the Salthouse right on noon.
Sometimes I like to visit small pubs where we are practically the only customers and it feels like we are making a big difference to their trade. Other times I am happy to go to a big place like the Salthouse where they are all geared up for us and dozens of others and they cope without drama. Two meals for a tenner was the popular choice but we needed Hercule Poirot with his sharp observation on the drinks. Butcome and Courage bitters plus two Thatchers ciders were prominent on the bar but it was only later that I spotted a cardboard box on the end of the bar containing a polypin of Westons Old Rosie cloudy cider. Just time for a half before we left, probably just as well. Good to see Bill Boyd among the dozen or so who had made their own way. Bill had come by car with Pete Baldwin after a recent cataract op meant that he has to stay off his bike until next week.
The Gordano valley was our route back to Bristol. It was in good condition today - dry and not too dirty for a change. Crossing the Portishead road was a challenge with the roadworks as they install traffic lights on the junction with Portbury High Street, and then onto Pill where three of us crossed the Avonmouth bridge and the majority took the Pill path back to Bristol. I found some of the hills a bit testing today - probably something to do with solar activity slowing my bike down. I just hope it did not affect Pete's Android otherwise today's route map could include Buenos Aires.
[Note from Pete: The Android was fine. The solar flares hadn't penetrated to the Pill path, which still had its winter coat of mud and puddles, which will now have to be washed off my bike.]
And today's route - click here.
Thursday 15th March 2012 - report from Bill Balchin: Horse sense was once described as the faculty that stops horses betting on people. It would probably stop them from going out in fog as well but the fog did not stop eleven starters from meeting at Winterbourne for a trip to the Dolphin at Bath. It is an easy journey - as long as you don't mind arriving soon after eleven. Alan Bracey (with a bit of help from John Huish) had put in a lot of planning and checking to give us a suitable ride for two hours. Starting down the Old Gloucester Road across the staggered crossroads on the Latteridge Road we took the next right into Latteridge Lane. Living in Alveston I take this lane most times that I am out on a bike. For those who don't know, it hardly rates a mention on a road map but on a national grid map it is like Picadilly Circus with a whole mass of power cables radiating out. Joining the Latteridge road by the duckpond Alan led us through Iron Acton, the length of Nibley lane and the only significant climb of the day up Wapley. Still no sun breaking through as we continued through Pucklechurch and Abson, maybe we would see it later. As we turned right into Holbrook lane at Wick Rocks I recognised it as a lane we have ridden several times in the past but always in the opposite direction coming from Bitton. We were soon onto the cycle track at North Common from where it was an easy, flat ride to the Dolphin arriving just a couple of minutes after noon.
We soon found out why there were only eleven in the group - everybody else was either already at the pub or on their way. I must have counted at least forty cyclists and friends. I could not get the exact number as waiting over an hour for my lunch the first pint slipped down followed by a second leaving me a bit light headed. Not so incapable though that I could not take a photo of Lara proudly displaying her PBP finishers medal - and very well earned.
Departures for the trip home were well spread out in dribs and drabs - but then everybody is so used to the cycle track your bike probably knows it's way home without you. And the sun? No sign all day, still it was dry and no wind to battle against so we can accept a bit of fog.
For the map of today's foggy route click here.
Thursday 22nd March 2012 - report from Bill Balchin: The Spring equinox has gone and we are officially in Spring. A couple of group members were in their shorts today but it was still longs for most of the fifteen starters from Mangotsfield station for the trip to the Old Royal Ship at Luckington. Although today was forecast to be the warmest day of the year it was fairly cool under a covering of light cloud as we set off towards Coxgrove Hill and turned left through Coalpit Heath and into Frampton End Road with Martyn Hallet in the lead. Riding through Iron Acton we passed Hamish Smith making his own way in the opposite direction - you are spoilt for good cycling lanes in South Gloucestershire. Chaingate Lane and Limekiln Lane took us into Wickwar then over Inglestone Common, by now into a freshening headwind. The small taster climb on the way to Hillesley was the preparation for the day's main height gain of Lower Kilcott. We took the left turn rather than straight on which meant a short distance on the A46 (thankfully not too busy) but not such a severe gradient. Once at the top it was a lovely ride through the Badminton estate to arrive at the pub from the Sopworth direction at around twelve fifteen.
The ORS is a pretty big pub but it was almost full today with a dozen civilian customers plus one the largest turnouts of cyclists I have seen for a long time. Despite the crowd the ladies running the pub soon had us all fed and watered - or whatever the verb is when you are drinking Pheasant Plucker cider. The sun was out by now and some took the opportunity to dine outside, including a large group from Bath. This was also the first chance to buy the new printed programme - collectors items as this is likely to be the last paper programme before it all moves online. Pete thought forty programmes would be more than enough but quickly sold the lot. But there are more available so don't panic.
For the trip home the sun was out, the temperature had increased and the previous headwind was now behind us - perfect. Even the stretch out of Badminton village, so often into the wind, was a treat. At the Castle Coombe road there was a split up for either Hinton and the cycle track or Chipping Sodbury. I joined in with the Sodbury team to get to Lidl at Yate to stock up on cycling bargains - could not find much I needed but still spent forty quid. And yes, it was the warmest day of the year so far. Long may it continue.
The route from Mangotsfield and back into Bristol - click here.
Thursday 29th March 2012 - report from Bill Balchin: The spell of bright, dry weather continued into Thursday for our trip from Ashton bringing out eighteen starters. Although that got a bit messed up when Keith only turned up to get his programme, Roger dropped out with a slow puncture going through Long Ashton and Stuart picked us up at the Flax Bourton cycle track. The previous two departures from Ashton had taken us up Backwell Hill but Malcolm promised us today that our maximum altitude was going to be around fifty metres. Turning right at the end of the cycle track we crossed the moors into Nailsea where Malcolm again demonstated his knowledge taking us along a gravel path. through a park, through the shops and eventually passing the Moorend Spout back onto the lanes - I had to ask to check that we were in Nailsea! Passing the Hand Stadium on the outskirts of Clevedon we turned right on the Yatton road then left through a gateway for our first off-road section across a field next a river. Eventually we got near the sea wall which we have seen before on our trips to the Salthouse and turned left. It was very pleasant to ride along the edge of the Bristol Channel in the sunshine but Malcolm was irked when his electronic device promised a rideable path when there was only a field. Retracing our way a little we had a bit more off-roading along a bridleway to take us onto the Kingston Seymour road. Nearly there now. From Kingston Seymour into Yatton and a bump along the Strawberry line and we were in Congresbury a few minutes after twelve with just over twenty flat miles on the clock.
The Plough at Congresbury was not our original choice but after the Full Quart at Hewish rang to say that their pub was closing down on the weekend before our ride some hasty replanning was required. Malcolm had got his motorbike out and checked out the Congresbury pubs for one which was both willing and able to take a group of unknown size at short notice. The Plough turned out to be a gem. With the short timescale they needed us to take a buffet meal which turned out very nicely, and when the ale drinkers saw the barrels lined up in the bar plus Black Rat cider - I think we will be keeping this one on the list. With the various groups there must have been over forty present. There was plenty of room in the large garden to eat al fresco in the sunshine, the only problem was to tear yourself away and get back on the bike for the trip home.
For the homeward trip the official group went back via Claverham and the Flax Bouton track. Another group who had arrived by that route went by the Strawberry line. I said my goodbyes to climb Belmont Hill for the suspension bridge (I need some hilly miles in my legs before Summer). I guess the rest were drawn to cups of tea on the Bristol Habourside. A super day out for all and a great new pub found.
The summer and autumn 30th anniversary rides programme is selling well, so if you've not bought yours yet, Pete will be able to let you have one of the few remaining collectors editions for only £1.
The route there and back? Click here.