Thursday 6 September 2018. Mangotsfield station to Tormarton. Report from Shirley Hume:

When Martyn posted on Facebook that his route was ‘a bit lumpy’ I did suspect that this might be a bit of an understatement, in fact just how big an understatement was only finally revealed by the time we got to the 4th significant hill of the day. Before that, however, we had the slight issue of the start – with Martyn appearing to vanish off the end of the platform at Mangotsfield at a fast pace with quite a fewof us not realising that he had gone. After a full out sprint to catch the last rider I counted 10 in the group, which by the top of Coxgrove Hill had grown to 14 as a few stragglers managed to catch the rest of us. Heading towards Hinton Hill we swung off on the road to Doynton and were soon down to 12 as Catherine and Mike Chouings decided to make their own way to Tormarton. Crossing the A420 at Wick we headed along Bath Road towards Lansdown, regrouping in a layby. Here Martyn informed us that as a reward for our labours we wouldn’t need to touch the pedals for acouple of miles on a steep descent. He also mentioned the potholes, blind corners, gravel etc so

we were at least forewarned.

First left turn off Lansdown and we were indeed more concerned with the brakes that the pedals – shooting down past Langridge Church to reach the T junction at Ashcombe. A leftturn up towards Nimlet Hill took us through Tadwick and ever upwards to the A46. In his FB post Martyn had also said that these roads hadn’t been used by BTOTC before – we were beginning to understand why!!. Left and right took us off the A46 quickly and once more we were precipitously losing all our hard gained height as we hurtled down past Monkswood Reservoir [at least I believe it was there, I could only watch the potholes on the road ahead of me] into St Catherine’s Valley. Our leader was waiting at a small left turn and we were duly warned that only about half the width of the road was rideable so it might be very hard to pass anyone in front. The road wentdown steeply to cross the river and then climbed equallysteeply away, on a road surface as bad as any I haveseen. It did improve as we continued to climb [and climband climb and then climb some more]. Just as I wasbeginning to wonder if oxygen would be provided the roadlevelled out heading towards Fuddlebrook, so we were ableto stop and catch our breath before rolling into Marshfieldby the cricket club, re-crossing the A420 and taking thedirect route to Tormarton.

Everyone took off as if the hounds of death were snappingat our heels and continued the great BTOTC tradition ofarriving more or less on the stroke of 12.00noon, to find themoderate group just getting off their bikes. The pubmanaged the pre-orders for food reasonably efficiently,although bar service was quaint rather than speedy. WhenI asked for a pint of diet coke I was informed by the

landlord that he ‘didn’t like those squirty things’ but the beer was good and the helpings of food enormous. Seeing the large number of slug trails on the carpet under our table we did inspect the salad garnish rather carefully but nothing appeared to be amiss.

Thanks to Martyn for introducing us to some new roads, even if I don’t think I will be trying any of them in wet conditions, and to Peter [Toft] and Guido for stopping at junctions to make sure we all made the turns. A variety of different routes were taken back and it was a good turnout again with about 30 of us in the pub for lunch. It felt quite Autumnal this morning and the first long sleeved shirts are starting to appear, but we got some good sunshine and only a few spots of rain on the way home.

Thursday 6 September 2018. Mangotsfield station to Tormarton. Report from Don Ford: 14 of us set off on today’s alternative ride to Tormarton. It was a leisurely start along the Ring Road Path to pass under the dual carriageway and along the cycle path towards Yate. Where it ends at the Westerleigh Road, there is now a helpful stretch of new cycle path to Broad Lane. From here we took Besom Lane and up the nagging little hill to Wapley where we were glad to pause for a regroup by the church.

Wapley is one of those remote and forgotten hamlets but 1000 people gathered at the church in 2015 to commemorate the Battle of Agincourt fought in 1415. The reason for the strange choice of Wapley Church is that Sir John Codrington was buried here. He carried the standard into battle alongside Henry V and this seemed sufficient excuse for a jamboree in Wapley 600 years later. Not a lot of people know this and even fewer want to know it but I told the group anyway. (Ed's note - they should learn to be interested in an English victory!)

From there we briefly joined the B4465 before turning left on the pleasant and winding laneto Chipping Sodbury. Its broad main street is impressive for so small a town. Our turn into Hatters’ Lane soon brought us to the Common which is a grand open space to cycle across. Cattle wandering into the road are often a hazard but they were nowhere to be seen today.

Horton Road and King Lane are long, undulating and scenic. It is a very enjoyable way to reach Hawkesbury but this was followed by the steep climb to Hawkesbury Upton High Street. Once again we were grateful for a breather as we regrouped. Being almost opposite the Somerset Monument, and as we were soon to pass through Badminton, it seemed a good opportunity to explain that the monument was built in honour of Robert Somerset, a general who distinguished himself as the commander of the cavalry for Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo. His younger brother Fitzroy, also born at Badminton, fought with him in the battle and lost an arm. As he later became Lord Raglan he gave his name to the sleeve. He was promoted to Field Marshall but failed miserably as commander of the army in the Crimea, famously ordering Lord Cardigan to lead the Charge of the Light Brigade. Peter Metelerkamp was then able to give us a South African perspective on the Somerset family explaining that a third brother, Lord Charles, was Governor of Cape Colony from 1814 to 26. Peter grew up with streets named Beaufort andRaglan being familiar to him and clearly had a much better insight on British colonial rule.

Well the BTOTC light brigade were completely recovered after the climb and keen to presson after their history lesson. While not exactly charging, we went at a good pace downhill from Hawkesbury Upton across the A46 and on into Badminton hoping that we might beat the heavy brigade to the pub.

I always find the route from Badminton to Tormarton to be arduous. Old Down Road is uphill and exposed while the Acton Turville Road is just as exposed and has speeding traffic. Several of us were grateful to Alf as he shielded us from the wind on his electric

bike. We were glad to reach Tormarton and turn into Church Lane. It seemed very appropriate that after the military theme of our ride we should end up at the The Major’s Retreat. The heavy brigade had beaten us to it yet again but, given the look of fatigue on their faces after Martyn’s arduous ride, they deserved their beer first. The Major was not at his quickest behind the bar today but we all got our meals in reasonable time despite the large numbers.

Many thanks to all who came today and especially to Steve who did sterling work as back marker.

Touch here for Don's route with a sensible amount of climbing.

Thursday 13 September 2018. Ashton to Weston super Mare, Report from Peter Toft: A group of thirteen riders turned out at Ashton in superb early autumn weather for Chris Ludlum’s ride to Weston-super-Mare.

Chris briefed us on the day’s outbound ride: the usual route to Congresbury starting with Festival Way; then over the rise past Mendip Spring Golf Club to Sandford and Banwell, up‘a hill’ before dropping down to the outskirts of Weston. Chris promised there’d only be the one significant climb, at the top of which we’d be rewarded with views over to the Quantocks and Exmoor. Only one hill: what could be better?

We rode at a steady pace and the group kept together well, with Phil Hodgson acting as an effective back marker. Just make sure you don’t stop to answer the call of nature, as Phil has no time for such weak-bladdered nonsense.

The climb of Canada Coombe split the group a little: it’s a nice little hill: 1.6km long with 100m of climbing, hence averaging 6% but with a short, steep section that kicks up to about 20%. Max Robinson dropped his chain – with an almighty mechanical clatter – behind me during the climb, which took the pressure off my own climbing speed. (Thanks,

Max: always thinking of others!) We were indeed rewarded with lovely clear-day views as we regrouped at the top.

After an entertaining descent we were soon in the outskirts of Weston, merging onto its peerless seafront (although, of course, it has about one and a half piers) before rolling up to the Cabot Court ‘Spoons. The moderate riders claim to have been hiding around the corner, so they could allow us to arrive just ahead of them.

Wetherspoon’s was running ‘Tax Equality Day’, which I think means that men were able to enjoy the same reduced prices as women. This discount partly compensated me for the

Wetherspoon’s app not working, completely preventing me from electronically jumping the queue at the bar. Never mind: the food and drinks were delivered with alacrity, and my meal was both very good and very cheap. Keith commented that he thought he’d paid just the deposit for the meal, not the total amount! Andy Short is also keen that I mention his chivalry to a young lady, whose shivering on the pub balcony was ameliorated through the loan of Andy’s cycling jacket. Nice work, Andy.

Chris set a brisk pace on the north-west pull through the outskirts of Weston to the A370, to return to Congresbury. From there, we followed the normal route back to Aimee’s Winehouse. Not being an ice cream lover, I departed before I could find out whether Andy ‘went topless’ again. I hope not.

Thanks to Chris for leading a really enjoyable and well-organised ride, and to everyone else for the excellent company.

The route was flat, apart from going up Canada Combe.

Thursday 13 September 2018. Ashton to Weston super Mare, Moderate Ride - Report from Shirley Hume:

For my first attempt at leading a ride for our alternative [or moderate] group I hadWeston as my destination. Hard to make this ride short without an unacceptable amount of busy road, so I went for the flat[ish] option as a way to ease the pain of 26 miles to lunch and about the same back again. Eleven of us were left soon after the main group headed off and with Arnold acting as my‘tail gunner’ we were able to keep moving most of the time with minimum regrouping. I had only found two points of moderate interest so the history lessons were short and rather basic, butat least I did my best to keep up the tradition. Normal route out via the festival way and the railway path towards Nailsea, but a left turn after leaving the cycle path took us up on the

sharpest hill of the day to the A370 opposite the start of Backwell Hill. A right turn on the A370, shortly followed by a left up Church Lane, took us to the beautiful Backwell Church dating from the 12th century and boasting a medieval font and two medieval bells in their peal of 8 [moderately interesting fact number 1]. A sweeping descent to the A370 and we were soon on the familiar homeward route on Chelvey Lane and Brockley Way, but to ring the changes a bit we ignored the turn to keep us on Brockley Way and continued into Claverham on the ‘back’ road – a quieter route dropping us out on the Yatton side of our normal route.

Up to Yatton and left to the traffic lights at Congresbury and we were soon on the Strawberry Lane down to Sandford. Once there we got back on the lanes and wandered through Puxton and Box Bush into a headwind to eventually cross the A370 and head towards the sea through Ebdon and Wick St Lawrence. Despite the new housing radiating

out from Weston we managed to wiggle our way through to Kewstoke on quiet roads and were rewarded with great views over Sand Bay and the Estuary. A second stop at St Paul’s Church in Kewstoke allowed time toadmire the view and listen to moderatelyinteresting fact number 2 about a reliquarycontaining [allegedly] Thomas Becket’s bloodwhich was taken there from Woodspring Prioryduring a period of persecution. Apparently it isnow in the North Somerset museum [thereliquary not the Church!].

Anyway we had a final two miles to completealong the coast road where, apart from theviews, the only things you had to keep an eyeout for were the five sections of rough uneven road – put in to slow the traffic up like giant rumble strips. Not a day to have loose fillings!! The descent into Weston from that road was wonderful on a sunny day and we arrived at the Wetherspoons just as the main grouparrived from the opposite direction. In a fantastic piece of planning we were there on ‘Tax Equality Day’ which meant that all meals and drinks were subject to a 7.5% discount plus of course it was Curry Club today. Food arrived almost faster than we could rearrange the tables and having arrived at 12.10pm we were ready to head off around 1.00pm.

A quiet route was found by both groups out of Weston, after which there was a bit of a splitbetween those who took the main road back to Congresbury and 7 of us who took a longerback road route to arrive at the same place eventually. Turns out it was the first time Nishahad been to Weston so she certainly saw it at its best, on a beautiful Autumn day.

Thursday 20th September. Amcor to Littleton on Severn. Main group report from BillBalchin: When I plan a new route, I like to follow it along on Google street view. No need today as I would be leading the group on very familiar roads to the White Hart at Littleton on Severn, but I had a peep anyway. Frampton End Road was wet when photographed in October 2012, but Nibley Lane, Tanhouse Lane and Damery Lane were all looking dry andinviting when they were photographed in 2009. Not much chance of dry roads for us today though as heavy rain before ten gave us all a thorough soaking. All except Moira who had driven to the Amcor start. After riding the Scotland 500 route recently with more than enough wet and windy days I think we can forgive her. I unveiled a cunning plan at the start for when we would need to do a bit of riding on a road that is often busy. The plan was to split the group of fourteen into three with me leading one group, two temporary leaders taking a group each, Roger continuing as back marker and leaving gaps for traffic between each group. With Shirley and Peter T deputised and sworn in let's see how it will work out in practice.

The rain eased right off as we set off along the Old Gloucester Road to Swan Lane although the sky was grey and the road surface was full of puddles. We did the usual wriggle through Frampton Cotterell and Iron Acton to Chaingate Lane and Tanhouse Lane.Taking it easy on the electric bike I picked up a few gentle vibes that maybe the pace was a little too easy so once on the more open lanes of Limekiln Road and Hall End we picked it up a bit. If you are ever out that way I can recommend Hall End farm for free range eggs.From a quid for a half dozen up to one thirty for extra large – with the lion stamp as well. Skirting to the east of Wickwar we took Cowship Lane to the junction with the Cromhall road where it was time to put the plan into operation. The group all behaved perfectly as our three small groups rode just over a mile to the Leyhill turning. As it turned out only one quarry lorry, two vans and one car overtook the last group. The lorry overtook the middle group and nobody overtook the first group but I think this could work well for us in future.

By Leyhill prison we were at our highest point of the day, albeit a miserly 260 feet. The drop into Damery could have been dangerous on the wet surface but we all took it steady. Descending over the motorway we took the left turn that is still Damery Lane to bring us to the A38 at Stone. With the rain just about stopped now it was still a pleasure to ride on wetlanes under dull skies. When I first rode on the lane from Stone to Rockhampton I got a bit excited to see a space centre on the right – until I realised it was a place to store the junk that you don't have room for in your house. Through Rockhampton and up to the road for Oldbury power station we put the busy road protocol into operation again. Again the group rode faultlessly but this time there was no motor traffic at all. Climbing Stock Hill, the last climb of any note before Littleton I remembered not to be fooled by the false flat at the top. It is easy to think that the drop into Littleton is at the top of the hill but there is another half a mile or so before the right turn bringing you into Littleton village.

Steve's group had already arrived when we turned up at twelve fifteen with twenty seven mostly flat miles covered. The pub had reserved the whole of the right hand dining area forus which was just the right size. Prices are at the top end of the scale here but service wasslick and meals good quality. Andy was so impressed with the muffins on display that he had one for pudding. I thought that his second pint of cider was pudding but what do I know. The weather was improving all the time as we left the pub. Jeff and Jenny turned right for Thornbury but the all the rest turned left for Olveston and the grind up Fernhill into a freshening headwind - except me who turned for Alveston and was home before two as the roads dried out and temperature warmed up to give us the best weather of the day.

Mainly flat today, click here for the main group.

Thursday 20th September – moderate-paced ride report from Steve Hicks: Just six of us this morning for our moderate-paced ride to The White Hart at Littleton-on-Severn. The day had started with a heavy rain storm which caught most of us on route to Amcor so we were resigned to a wet day from the off. We took a traditional BTOTC route north through Itchington, Tytherington and Baden Hill Road before encountering a herd of freshly milked cows crossing Rectory Lane to return to their field. With perfect timing the last cow crossedand we continued without delay into Cromhall. Up past the prison at Leyhill, we then crossed the B4509 and dropped down the hill, turning right to our first ‘point of interest’ close to St. Leonard’s Church.

The interest was not the church itself but the ‘Tortworth Chestnut’ which is located close by. Legend has it that this huge tree, a sweet chesnut, was planted around 800AD in the reign of King Egbert, however documented evidence exists only from the C12 when it is recorded as an ancient tree. Today it is considered one of the most documented trees in Britain and is listed as one of Britain’s 50 greatest trees. In 2013 its girth was measured at 12 metres and its spread of multiple boughs covers a huge area. http://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/gbr/england/gloucestershire/6526_stleonardschurch/12906/

From Tortworth we crossed the Little Avon and took the southern leg of Damery Lane to bring us to the A38 at Stone. From Stone we dropped down to Lower Stone, Rockhamptonand Lower Morton, cutting through the Morton housing estate to bring us to our second ‘point of interest’ – Thornbury Castle. These days Thornbury Castle is a luxury hotel and wedding venue but has previously been a top restaurant and before that a private house. Itis a Grade 1 Listed Tudor country house with links to King Henry 8th and Ann Boleyn. Alf was alerted to the fact the house once belonged to the Howard family (though probably a less affluent branch of that pedigree than his own?) http://www.celticcastles.com/castle-blog/a-history-of-thornbury-castle/ From Thornbury it was a short ride to Littleton where we arrived bang on midday to be joined by the main group a short time later.

Follow the similar route taken by Steve's group here.

Tuesday 25th September. "Lunch at Stourhead" - A Longer Ride. Report from Brian Trott: As I scraped ice off the car windscreen at 8am I did think of the 4 riders who were tocycle to the start. The thermometer at home showed 4°C which had risen to 6° at our starting point of Chew Stoke. 7 riders were ready for a 9am start with ¾ and long bottoms paired with a light jacket proving popular as the afternoon was supposed to be 17°C. Mike Finch was collected at West Harptree and we gradually climbed through Chewton Mendip and Emborough on route to Hartley's Bistro near Binegar for an early coffee stop atop the Mendip ridge at just over 800ft.

Down into Gurney Slade, then Oakhill, Stoke St Michael and Nunney where one clothing layer was removed. Under the busy A361 to Tudoxhill, then the climb of Gare Hill at over 400ft. A long straight slightly down hill towards lunch, confirmed by a smiley face on a speed check that indicated 22mph. With a choice of café/restaurant or pub for lunch, there were 4 takers for each and we sat outside in the sunshine to eat.

On departure the leader discovered a p******e in the rear tyre. The tube stayed inflated outof the tyre and Martyn could find no problems with rim tape, rim or tyre! A new tube was inserted anyway and fingers crossed.

People had commented at lunch about the "easy" crossing of the Mendips and asked where the promised climbing was - much like the Vuelta, it was mostly in the second half.

We retraced our route for just over a mile before turning towards Alfred's Tower, much loved by Audax Organisers for its steep hill. A cyclist had just reached the top and looked suitably puffed. We however descended for 1½ miles loosing 500 ft of altitude.Undulating now to Bruton, Wyke Champflower and Ditcheat to Pilton. Through narrow lanes to Dinder marking the start of the over 600 ft climb to afternoon tea at Maesbury where bread pudding was popular.

Almost half the days' climbing had been done since lunch, so a mostly downhill route the the Chew Valley found no detractors.68 miles ridden and the mapping software said 4800 ft of climbing.

2 riders set off towards Bristol to get in their 100 miles for the day. An splendid day with drysunny weather enjoyed by all. Thank you to David Clegg for kindly riding as back marker.

Thursday 27th September. Bitton to Hinton Blewett. Main group report from Bill Balchin: Ahh, this is shaping up to be a great day. Bit chilly to start but the sky is a perfect blue and I have just crossed the North Common Road on the railway path on target for an early arrival at Bitton station. What??? Oh no! My chain has jammed itself again! I was ready to abandon in tears but more and more BTOTC members turned up with offers to help, although I expected it to be a lost cause. Then Keith Shepherd pulled on a pair of surgical gloves and with a deal of heaving and wiggling managed to free it. Fantastic! I would have thought that was impossible. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. So resolving to get back to Giant I joined the rest of the bunch at about five past ten. My apologies to leader Mike Sennett for causing the delayed start, and to everybody because in my bamboozled state I forgot to do a headcount (there were a lot) and to start the Ramblr maprecorder. Keith put his hand up to be the back marker today – his scorecard is going to be full of stars.

Mike outlined the main group route which started with a ride into Keynsham, a trip past theBrassmill then the main road into Saltford. Mike likes motorists to be reminded that cyclistshave the right to road space as well as cars. He suggested breaking into groups of five with a gap in between but it soon reverted to a long straggly line. I think the only way to do this properly is to nominate sub-group leaders who must not be overtaken until we are off the busy stuff. Once into the outskirts of Saltford we got onto more familiar and pleasant lanes through Stanton Prior, Marksbury and Timsbury on an ingenious route that took us generally south through Clutton village and Paulton. The last time I saw Paulton on the TV was when the peloton of the Tour of Britain bombed through six abreast at thirty miles per hour surrounded by a cavalcade of motorbikes.

Our progress was much more low key as Mike deftly negotiated the towns and the lanes tobring us onto a westerly bearing through Ston Easton then north for our final approach to Hinton Blewett. At the last junction Mike Chouings declared “ah, the sensible route” as Mike S turned left for the open twists of Hook Lane rather than the leg busting straight ahead option.

We arrived at the Ring O'Bells a bit after twelve (caused by my mechanical) now in glorious sunshine which made it obligatory to dine in the garden for what could be the last opportunity this year (although hopefully there will be others). The staff quickly dispensed drinks and took food orders where you got a receipt with a number written on it. And shortly after the meals appeared in almost numerical order – sounds such a simple systemthat others would do well to adopt. The moderate-paced group arrived soon after us, Brian,George and Steve Fey all made their own way so it was almost a party atmosphere until we had to drag ourselves away.

A big group for Bristol left first followed by a smaller peloton for Bitton. We dropped off riders on the way until only Me, Mike and Keith were left back at Bitton where a final cup oftea was irresistible. Sitting in the warm sunshine we got chatting to an elderly cyclist who was riding a Rholoff equipped expedition bike that looked ready to tackle a round-the-world tour. Anybody remember Barry Smith? He rode with the BTOTC back in the days of Ernie Janes and Roy Williams and is still riding his bike and looking bright as a button.

Thursday 27th September. Moderate ride report to Hinton Blewett via Markesbury, Priston, Timsbury, Hallatrow and Cameley from Richard Harmon:. The friendly ride - maybe it was the beautiful weather that brought the best out of people. Helpful motorists that stopped to allow cyclists to cross the A4 at Saltford a friendly farmer at Stanton Prior and a cheerful tarmac crew on NCN 3 into Bristol who moved their fence so we could all get through. The friendly farmer incident did however delay the moderate ride resulting in us finding ourselves behind the main group on the approach to Markesbury.

The main ride soon turned off allowing us once more the freedom of the open road. Just before lunch a diversion to Stowey Quarry a geological site of interest with rocks marking the boundary between the Triassic and Jurassic periods 201 million years ago when the earth changed dramatically over a period of perhaps 10,000 years. Many marine creaturesdisappeared and dinosaurs started to become much more prominent.