Challenging ride today...yet barely any more climbing than recent weeks (this week was 62.75miles & 1040m ascent, recent weeks were 70/971 & 75/1009). Wet roads to start, but not raining, despite the forecast, so kitted up accordingly, which ended up being too hot later, as the sun stayed out & the strong winds rapidly dried the roads.
I put in a pre-club ride loop as usual, squeezing in 17 miles in the hour before the start. The club ride headed out down the A38, peeled left at Whitminster & out to Frocester...headwind all the way so far. Up the 3 part climb from Kings Stanley to Selsley, then drop back into Stroud, picking up the road to Nailsworth very briefly, before peeling left & starting to climb again. The road quickly ramps up into a sustained 14% gradient, before levelling out, descending briefly & then turning right onto a tiny little lane that started steep & got steeper, peaking at over 20% before levelling out a little. We reached the main road & located the little lane I'd been looking at to traverse the hill. A delightful little lane that clings to the side of the hill, surrounded by woodland & the smell of wild garlic. The end of the lane earmarked another climb...this time the top half of Bear Hill, up to the Bear at Rodborough & onto another new lane for me, passing behind the pub & leading us through to Amberley - definitely another lane to ride again. Scoot across Culver Hill & climb up onto Minchinhampton Common, before descending the "W" back to Nailsworth - which is always fun trying to judge the 180 degree corners just right, then ensuring you scrub off enough speed to make the final corner into Nailsworth. Ruskin Mill was closed, so an Italian restaurant in Nailsworth become our cuppa stop. Off again & through to Avening, but taking the little lane above the pub to climb up the hill, before looping around to Cherington & a steep initial pitch to the climb to come through the golf course...fortunately it steadily eases in gradient all the way. Up into Minchinhampton with the wind behind us, dash across the 2 junctions on the common & drop a little way down Brimscombe Hill before another little lane to cut across to Butterow Hill. Down the hill, cross Stroud & Stonehouse, then via Standish to pick up the A38 & enjoy the tailwind home - 25mph whilst just spinning the pedals over.
I don't think it was the volume of climbing that was the killer, but the repeated steep gradients that take it out of the legs. Great weather, considering the forecasted dark cloud, great company & some cracking new lanes - just need a different way to get to the start of them!!
