After disappointingly grey and dreary weather for our ride down to the BikeSafe Day at the Castle Combe Circuit yesterday, today looked more promising from the start, and so it remained for my first proper outing of the year since I sustain a slipped disc in my neck back in January. Just two bikes: Dave and Lyn on their Honda Pan and me on the Blackbird.
First leg was down the A417 to Stratton and then up the A429 to Bourton-on-the-Water for a wander around the shops and morning coffee. Then up to Stow-on-the-Wold and on to the picturesque B4077 through typical Cotswold villages such as Upper Swell and Ford before stopping at the Pheasant Inn at Toddington for a very nice lunch.
After lunch we headed through Tewkesbury add up to Upton-on-Severn for a look at the new flood defences and a quick ice cream before going to the Lower Lode Inn for shandies by the river. Finally we took a spirited run through Corse Lawn and on home via Hartpury and Maisemore.
Thanks to Dave for pathfinding and to Dave and Lyn for their company.
Distance: 87.9 miles.