News for October 2017.

Thursday 5th October: Ashton to Portishead. Main group report from Pete Campbell: The rain stopped at around 8 o'clock this morning, making the roads damp and guaranteeing puddles that would linger all day. But the forecast for sun and warm weather made sure that a good turnout at Ashton was virtually certain. Twenty four people turned out for the two routes to the Windmill in Portishead, one being Shirley's offering with a promise of "three fabulous descents" which we all know means three hard climbs, and the other being a more moderately paced route led by Phil Warry and Steve Hicks which was likely to appeal to anyone who doesn't feel the need to prove their athleticism. Some notable personnel changes today: one new rider in the form of Moira Hamilton who it seems wanted a special way of celebrating her sixtieth birthday today, and what better way then seeing how her cycling ability compared to BTOTC regulars, and one returning rider in the shape of Ian Sparrow who now has all his kids in school so can find one spare Thursday every month to get his bike out. Oh yes, and Moira was well able to keep up with the faster pace on Shirley's hills. Portishead is north-east of Ashton, so Shirley took her group in a southerly direction. Well, how else can you find enough sharp inclines if you go west? Up and down Backwell Hill got us nicely warmed up (jackets off, arm warmers stuffed in pockets), and a tour of the airport perimeter road led to a long downhill sweep past the Barley Wood garden and into Wrington. Time for another hill and there was a convenient right turn up Wrington Hill so up we went. I've ridden with BTOTC for nearly nine years and until a John Upward ride a few months ago, I'd never been up there. Today was no easier than John's ride, but at least I was able to ignore the little voice at the back of my head telling me I don't actually have to keep turning the pedals. Anyway, as I was riding my new bike there was no way I was going to get off it. (For anyone who has missed the last few weeks: 70th birthday present, Orro carbon frame, DI2, hydraulic disk, Mavic tubeless. No mudguards yet so it needs a wash.) One more hill coming out of (Tower House Lane, as steep as the others) and into the Windmill at 12:15. It was even more crowded than usual as they had a wake in the downstairs room. But the food was quick and good, as always. The moderate pace group was already there. Three of the faster group turned off before the pub - having done the hard work I guess two of them couldn't face eating, although Ian Sparrow was meeting the Easy Riders and John Huish his father-in-law at a Wetherspoons somewhere. Also there was Luke Hanson with a spare Thursday. I was pleased to see he decided he could just turn up at lunch and sit with us - hope to see you again, Luke. There was a choice of route for the return: with Shirley through Failand (i.e. another hill), or with Steve and Phil on a flatter road. So I took the hill, and on into Clifton, abandoning Alan Partridge with his permission when he punctured in Leigh Woods. And a final descent to BW Cycles on Cumberland Basin to get the front mech tweaked as the chain had come off three times. I'm sure it's okay now, so you'll be seeing it again. And I hope Moira decides that riding forty or fifty miles for lunch on a Thursday is something worth doing again. Touch here for Shirley's challenging route.

Thursday 5th October: Ashton to Portishead. Moderate group report from Steve Hicks:Today’s moderate paced group of nine climbed up through Ashton Court and then along the A369 to Abbots Leigh where we took Harris Lane and Sandy Lane to Failand. Sandy Lane provided its usual selection of water, gravel, mud and tree debris all serving to sharpen the concentration, though we encountered surprisingly few pot-holes. We then took the long descent into Portbury and the traditional Gordano Valley route along Caswell Lane and Clevedon Lane passing through Clapton in Gordano. In Clevedon Lane we picked up George Martin so now we were ten. Although ahead of schedule we decided against a loop of Clevedon and headed to Walton in Gordano where Keith turned for home and grandchild-sitting duties, back to nine again. The coast road via Redcliff Bay provided spectacular views across the river to Wales before we arrived at the Windmill at 11.50. Though early enough we were not the first to arrive as we discovered Brian Trott was already tucking into his lunch. Our route back took us through Portishead Marina, over the lock gates and through the wildlife reserve into Sheepway, then to Portbury, Pill (cue the song!) and up the A369 shared path back to Bristol.

Oh, the song – “Pill, Pill I Love Thee Still” originally by Adge Cutler and , and touch here to see the Wurzels singing it. And touch here for Steve's alternative route.

Thursday 12th October: Amcor to Littleton on Severn. Report from Bill Balchin: Rocks! Is that a statement? A place name? A facebook group? Or can it be all three? With the hamlet of Yate Rocks on the planned route today, I asked the twenty riders assembled at the Amcor start for a show of hands - who was familiar with Yate Rocks? Several South Glos residents put up a hand, others looked a little puzzled, others still carried on chatting oblivious to my impromptu poll. I think we might have some new lanes for some of the folks today. Before setting off it was time to admire Pete's new bike as I had missed last weeks ride. It is certainly an impressive piece of kit with disc brakes, electronic shifting, tubeless tyres and the biggest bottom bracket area I have seen. Alex reckoned there was room for an electric motor to hide in there. I asked Pete which of his two water bottles contained the battery. "Both of them" he replied deadpan. Enough chit chat, lets ride.

If anybody analyses our rides I expect they will find that I always include Frampton End Road - and today was no different. Alf had taken us along there on the previous Amcor start but it is such a perfect road to cycle on that we just took a different way to get onto it and worked our way around to the outskirts of Yate. The weather was as good as you could expect for the beginning of October - a bit of sun breaking through the clouds now and then, not raining and not too cold. We passed the Broad Lane council depot, continuing along Broad Lane which is anything but broad to the start of the Brimsham Green housing estate. You have probably seen two large brick arches, one either side of the road, on the way in. We cycled in a loop to the end of the housing (although I expect those fields will get built on sometime) and up Peg Hill then left for Gravel Hill Road and left again into Yate rocks. I planned a brief pause to admire the view but the sun was sulking and it looked quite ordinary, oh well. Just take a quick photo and carry on.

Don't blink as you descend to the Ford and climb out the other side or you will miss the hamlet altogether. It makes our lunch venue of Littleton on Severn look like a city in comparison. Up to a left turn on a corner we were back on familiar ground as we joined Tanhouse Lane at the bottom of Bury Hill (where you go over the Road into Mapleridge Lane). Taking a right onto Limekiln Road the sun came out for a while as we worked our way through Hall End, Cowship Lane, and the turning for Tytherington. We had one of the few climbs now to pass the solar farm, cross the M5 and cross the A38 at . This was another devious little route dropping down the narrow Whitewall Lane and working our way around the edge of Thornbury. It was not until here that I realised we had lost Julian to his second puncture in three weeks miles back. Sorry for leaving you mate but with a fairly long route to cover. . .well you know how it is. The drizzle started up as we approached Oldbury - but not enough to pull on a jacket. Alan Partridge succumbed to a puncture with a couple of miles to go but he is no stranger to these lanes and sent everyone else on. And then by twelve fifteen we arrived at the White Hart having covered twenty six miles with hardly a hill.

I warned everybody at the start that the White Hart is a stylish pub so unless they did not mind their lunch on a roof tile or piece of floorboard they may need to ask for a plate. I did not see anybody in distress with the crockery so I guess we were all good there. What I did see was some blissful faces as several folk enjoyed the Addlestones Cloudy Cider. Phil Warry and Alf had made their own moderately paced way from - although our pace was as moderate as it gets. Good to see Hamish Smith still cycling strongly in his eighties. And Den Harris turned up to join us for lunch.

At leaving time the sun was out again - where were you this morning when I needed you? So it had to be another group picture before the ride home and one of the biggest height gains of the day up Fernhill to the A38. Biggest for you guys that is. I went left at Elburton and was home before two. And yes - Yate Rocks is all those three things. Click here to see the map of the day.

Thursday 19th October: to Yatton Keynell. Report from Bill Balchin: "Apart from patchy rain in the east, it will be a bright start with a little sunshine." Do those words sound familiar? It was the weather forecast for today, so when I set out on damp roads under a dull sky I was expecting some improvement. Instead I met up with fifteen others at Bitton Station in steady light rain for Mike Sennett's first time as leader, going to the Bell at Yatton Keynell. Mike gave a quick resume of the route which was met by some quizzical looks as we heard Kelston, Bath and Landsdown - especially as the rain changed up a gear as we left. I meant to grab Steve Hicks to apologise for not mentioning him, or even thanking him for back-marking last week. However by the time we made a regrouping stop on the way to Bath he had already decided that this was no fun and turned back. Well you missed some fine views Steve as we ground up Landsdown Hill (is it really only one and a half miles, it felt like ten) to pass the race course. In fact we all missed the views because of the thick mist or maybe low cloud.

Mike had ridden the route twice recently checking it out, but both times in good weather. So it was disappointing for him to have such miserable weather today. Back marker Rich Hill also had enough enjoyment for one day after Landsdown and passed the baton to Mike Finch for the rest of the ride. Passing over the A420 at the top of Tog Hill we passed the picnic site and reached the A46. Mike intended to go left down Hill then come back up Hinton Hill and go straight over the main road. I have to confess to incitement to mutiny here and suggested we could turn right off the A46 to avoid the Hinton climb. With his leader's eye on safety, Mike rejected the first right turn just in front of us as there was no space to wait to turn right. Instead we rode a mile on the A46 to the West Littleton turning where there is a right turn lane in the centre of the road. As it turned out an oncoming lorry waited for us to turn - must be a cyclist.

Now on familiar, quiet lanes we could relax a bit - as much as you can with rain beating into your face and streams of water running down the roadside. Working our way north we took the right turn for West Kington to rejoin the original planned route and passed the chicken farms before descending into Castle Combe village from what I always think of as the back way. Just a short stretch now before we arrived at the Bell at half past twelve with twenty six wet miles covered. I did wonder how new girl Moira would cope today - no bother whatsoever. Her main concern was how to remove some grease stains from her new waterproof top. Our original sixteen was down to eleven, don't know what happened to Alex, but the pub numbers were boosted right up again by independent riders. Andy made a point of making sure I saw his facebook post urging that the record of the route be measured in fathoms, knots and nautical miles. I think he may have some kind of water fetish. He was wearing so much waterproof gear he looked more like a member of the Portishead lifeboat crew than a cyclist.

The Bell always comes up trumps for food, drinks and service - and today was no exception. If I was nit-picking I would complain that the Wickwar Falling Star bitter had run out earlier but a pint of Thatchers Gold was a good substitute. Nice as it was sitting in the dry there comes a time when you know you have to pull those soggy, wet gloves back on and get back on your bike. At least the rain had stopped and with a dry pair of gloves out of my bag, I felt re-invigorated for all of five minutes before the rain resumed and the second pair of gloves were quickly soaked. Staying on the lanes through Grittleton, Littleton Drew and , I stayed with the remnants of the group to and turned off for Dodington as they continued through Codrington. I have to say I was glad to get home today with wrinkled fingers and toes before the hypothermia set in. I'll be packing extra gear from now on. Work out how many fathoms we climbed by clicking here.

Thursday 26th October: Ashton to Nailsea. Report from Bill Balchin: Wednesday 25th October: What a great day! The roads are dry, the sun is out, I must take the bike out for a spin. Wouldn't it be nice if the weather on Thursday could be like this. I would be able to take my summer bike to make the hills a bit easier - assuming that Guido puts in some hills to get to Nailsea. Thursday 26th October: Blinking heck! You can hardly see to the end of the road with all the mist and murk. Oh well, touring bike it is. I actually met up with Guido in Clifton on the way to the start. And he was on his titanium summer bike. Not to aid hill climbing but a last minute switch as his other bike had a flat. When he outlined the route to the twenty three starters on Ashton Bridge it was soon clear that there were gonna be some hills - but only two he quickly added. Yeah right.

Starting along the Festival Way we passed a lady walking her dog and telling somebody on her mobile that she had just been passed by every cyclist in Bristol. A left on Yanley Lane took us up to the A38 where in the queue to get onto the main road, Martyn had to speak sternly to an ansty motorist getting impatient behind us. I remember cycling along Yanley Lane on a previous BTOTC ride when the sun was so low and bright you could not see a thing when the road went into darkness between the hedges. No problems like that today, the sun was AWOL all day. After half a mile on the main road a left turn saw us grinding up Dundry Lane before regrouping at the top opposite the church of Saint Michael the archangel - not just an angel, but an archangel. Quite appropriate as we were now at over 850 feet. There would have been impressive lake views on a clear day as we made our descent into Chew Stoke via the back lanes. I managed to grab a quick photo as we waited on one of the turns - it's not easy with wet gloves, wet clothing and wet glasses to get the camera out. Over the ford (luckily running below road level) into Chew Stoke, we then took the fork for Breach Hill where Martyn dropped out with a puncture. Most of us had not noticed that Chris Hume had also had the same problem back near the start. Well, good to have you back out on a Thursday Chris, better luck next time. The lanes were a bit muddy in places but Guido assured us that these were the clean ones. He had previously ridden the route and rejected several lanes as too mucky. Taking a loop to the south of Blagdon lake we had a couple of climbs that Guido did not even recognise as climbs but my poor old legs did. Through Blagdon we passed the Queen Adelaide and took the right turn lane that has a few ups and downs but mainly downs. At one junction a group of folk in overalls and welly boots checked that we had all passed, then at the next junction we had the same. A herd of cows was being moved along the road so we got through before they arrived. The smell of brewing beer from the Butcombe brewery met us as we entered Wrington and prepared for our final climb - up Wrington Hill and down Cleeve Hill. Not quite as severe as Dundry but I was glad to get back onto the flat of the moors and follow the leader as several junctions looked very similar and I would surely have taken the wrong turning on my own.

There are two Moorend Spouts in Nailsea. One is a nature reserve on the edge of the moors (Moorend) which contains a small waterfall (Spout). But the one we were interested in was the pub, and we were not the only ones as a fair number of seniors piled in as we arrived - the old folks know a good thing. Despite the large numbers the service was speedy and the meals were good. We had a big chunk of the restaurant area to ourselves with numbers swelled by a number of independents including John Killick who is looking very well. Back outside the weather was still dull as we set off through Nailsea. At one point I was near the back of a strung out line when some took a right turn and others went straight on. Crikey! Who to follow? I put my trust in Don and as we turned past the big Tesco a group came ttowards us from the other direction led by Guido. Ahh! Don took us through the park and along cycle route 33 back to Flax Bourton. I hope the others made it home and are not still circulating around north . At least two climbs and a direct route home, click here.