A 77km cycle ride with some steep climbs on Day 2 of the South by Southwest to the Sea holiday with Steve and Ian.Route: leaving Cheltenham on Leckhampton Road and climbing for 5km though luckily shaded from the growing heat of the day. Turning left near Ullenwood and crossing A436 to inspect what turned out to be an un-navigable muddy track so, instead, heading south east to Cowley, climbing steeply and descending under the A417 and climbing again to Brimpsfield, along Calf Way through Bisley and descending steeply into the valley of Chalford for coffee at the Lavender Bakehouse and Coffee Shop. Slowly ascending out of the valley back onto the plateau and passing Avening to reach the Royal Oak at Tetbury for lunch. Then along the A433 before turning left to Norton to find the Fosse and cross under the M4 to stop at the The Salutation for L and T to have a further beer and watch the England vs Sweden World Cup Quarter Final whilst Ian and Steve drank tea and cycled on. Rejoining the Fosse almost as far as Bath but (L&T) turning right on Steway Lane and descending on a steep rutted grassy road to pick a way on roads into Bath (S&I staying longer on the Fosse and finding a canal path) and the (overpriced and shabby) Parade Park Hotel.
Conditions: another hot sunny day.
Pubs: Lunch at The Royal Oak, Tetbury for Moor Nor’Hop; The Salutation (watching the football) for Tiny Rebel Cwtch and Flying Monk
Elmers and, in the evening, The Salamander, Bath for Bath Ales Gem and Prophecy.
