The overnight rain had stopped by 10.15 so we prepared for a good ride. Zac unfortunately arrived with a valve puncture, so Michael fixed one of his spare 700c tubes only for Zac and Ash to break the end off the presta valve when they were pumping it!

For a change we rode up Pennywell Hill, which please Callum O’B as he didn’t think he’d ever been up that way. On the way up, however, he got stung by a nettle and spent ages hunting for a dock leaf while Ash waited at the top.

After a photo shoot at Rattery we rode on down to the viaduct and along the lane to Blue Post, delayed only by Ash coming off on the sharp corner and grazing his knee. The main road brought us quickly to Avonwick where only three took the Cobbly Walk shortcut – the others didn’t want to get muddy apparently, although there was precious little mud between the cobbles.

We climbed the hill to South Brent, spent some time playing in the park and chatting, then called in to the Coop where three bought refreshments. We returned home along the Harbourneford road by 1.15 in bright sunshine. This had been a very enjoyable ride that took our members to new areas, so we’ll try to be similarly adventurous on future rides, pushing for more distant destinations.

We concluded the ride with a Lord of the Rings game at Crofters.