Note: I am not creating clickable links to the routes in RideWithGPS. Just copy the URL and paste it into your browser.
12th October - Charfield, Leighterton, Luckington, Hawkesbury Upton, Rangeworthy
This was an interesting and varied ride to the Cotswolds, but first a stop at the Vintage Birdcage at Charfield for coffee and cake! Then via Nind and up the long hill from Alderley to Tresham ... one of the steepest we have done for a while! Turn south at Leighterton, through Sopworth then lunch at the Royal Ship in Luckington (really good food). Back through the Beaufort Estate to Hawkesbury Upton, but instead of the usual descent to the common, we went along Highfield Lane and down through Horton, Yate Rocks and back via Rangeworthy. Thanks to Alan for a really good ride. 43 miles (with a few hills)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44783212
28th September - Cam and Slimbridge
We went via Damery to Cam for coffee at "Frothy Coffee". Then took a new (to all) route to Slimbridge via Ashmead Green and Coaley ... it's a bit of a hill, but avoids the busy road through Cam towards the station turning. Good lunch in the Tudor Arms as always and then back via Berkeley. A pleasant 34 miles.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44783225
24th August - Yate, Acton Turville, Hawkesbury Upton
This was a very enjoyable ride, led by Trevor. The route was basically one we have done several times, but with a few twists thrown in! We met at the Slad and via Iron Acton and the back roads/paths to Yate. We had coffee at Esquires Coffee across the road from Tesco's ... a new one for most of us and a good cafe. Then through some Yate back roads to join Claypit Hill out of Chipping Sodbury. Then to the Doddington Estate and up the long-ish hill to the A46 (they are putting traffic lights at that crossing!). Along to Acton Turville, Badminton and then lunch at the Beaufort Arms. Good grub as usual. Trevor chose to go down to the common via Hawkesbury (past the church), rather than down Cold Change Hill (which was a first for me!). Home across the common and via Wickwar. An excellent ride ... thanks Trev.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44252147
10th August - Almondsbury, Avonmouth, Pill, Clevedon
Probably our longest route (if you start from Thornbury). We all met at Lower Almondsbury then made our way to Kings Weston House for coffee. They've done it up and service was good. Then down to Avonmouth and across the bridge and through Pill (congrats to Moira for leading the way ... it's a bit of a maze in places). Via Portbury and along Clevedon Lane ... the road that winds it's way along under the M5 ... to Clevedon. It was a gloriously sunny vista when we arrived by the pier, followed by great food as ever at Scarletts. Then back the way we came until we got to Portbury where we went across the motorway and skirted the imported car lot to get to the Avon Bridge. Across the bridge then a ride through the industrial developments around Cabot Park to meet our outward route at Hallen. Thanks Moira for organising a great ride, after which we all deserved a rest and a cup of tea.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44120036
13th July - Tetbury, Minety, Sapperton
Peter led the ride this week and we started from Tetbury. This is a great jaunt around the Cotswolds, heading towards the Water Park. We had coffee at the interesting JK's Bistro at Ashton Keynes ... good cakes and a nice garden to sit in. Lunch was at the Daneway Inn near Sapperton ... really good food here and a good area to re-visit! The only drawback is that it is at the bottom of a steep hill which we had to climb back up after lunch ... no problem really for our hardy bunch! A spot of rain, but a great ride (34 miles). (I shouldn't mention that Steve and I cycled from Thornbury because that would be showing off, but I just did).
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43714366
22nd June - Wentwood
This is a classic route from Thornbury organised by Tony. Across the bridge for a coffee stop at the Chepstow Garden Centre then heading west along cycle route 42 via Shirenewton to the top of Wentwood Forest. It's a longish hill up to the top, but then a great descent to Llanvair Discoed ... but stopping off for lunch at The Glade Tea Rooms. This is a quirky place but very friendly and Henry rustles up a tasty vegetarian pasta dish, cake and drinks for a good price. (The Glade is worth a visit but you need to note the infrequent opening times). We avoided the heavy showers that were a feature of this day and had a great ride (39 miles). Thanks Tony.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43714349
8th June - Wotton and Slimbridge
Lovely day for a ride organised by Alan. Wotton Farm shop for coffee, then Stinchcombe, Cambridge and the Tudor Arms at Slimbridge for lunch. 37 miles. A bit hilly. Enjoyed by all.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43376218
25th May - Tormarton and Hawkesbury Upton
A variation on the classic Cotswold ride. Out via Chipping Sodbury (Coffee No1) and up the gentle hill to Tormarton. Then east as far as Luckington and back through the Beaufort Estate to lunch at the Beaufort Arms. Good food and service as usual. Back across Inglestone Common and Wickwar. Good weather. 37 miles
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43373985
11th May - Cam, Stonehouse, Epney
Quite a long ride for us ... about 46 miles from Thornbury, but a good one. Coffee at Leaf and Ground. Then via Stonehouse up to Epney for lunch at The Anchor. Back via Frampton, Cambridge and Berkeley. Includes a stretch along the canal. Thanks for a good route Steve.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43375918
27th April - Wickwar with a stop at the Art Trail
We had to cut this ride short due to heavy rain, but Trevor took us to Holy Trinity church at Wickwar to see some of the Art Trail exhibits and have a nice coffee and cake. Lovely morning out.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43373944
23rd February - Chepstow, Llanfair Discoed
This was a nice variation of the Chepstow Garden Centre / Wentwood ride. Alan led it and the weather was kind to us. We met up at the bridge and split into two groups again as numbers were high and all met up for lunch at the Rock and Fountain Inn near Penhow (a nice pub with good food ... service a little slow on the day). The route veers left in Shirenewton and avoids going to the highest point in Wentwood. 36 miles from Thornbury and 1700ft ascent.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42045390
9th February - Cam, Slimbridge, Purton, Wandswell
The weather was kind to us on this 35 mile ride. We split into two groups since we had 16 cyclists. Half started from Shellards Lane/Earthcott Road , stopped at Leaf & Ground and the other half started at the The Hackett and stopped at Frothy Coffee in Cam. We all met up for lunch at The Salmon Inn (good food, quick service). An enjoyable ride.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41931670
26th January - Severn Beach and Aust
This was the first ride for a while ... bad weather had caused us to cancel previous ones. It was good to be out in a group again and having started in Thornbury, we all met up in Lower Almondsbury. Then we headed to Shirley's in Severn Beach via The Magic Roundabout (new to some of our members). Good coffee and cake at Shirley's then over to Aust for lunch at the Boar's Head. The route to Olveston via Redham Lane was new to me and it's quite a nice stretch. It would have been better to get a longer ride before lunch but the The Boar's Head is the only sensible option for simple but good pub food. It was the first ride of the year for some (me!) and most of us cycled straight back to Thornbury.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41940393
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