Ride report for 17th October
Stourhead to Tilshead 17 October 2020
Despite knowing that we would rather overdoing visits to NT Stourhead this week we had a good turnout.
Jill –“ could have done better” but had ear problems. Roger could have had a bent ear had he deserted Jill. Jenny, obviously off for a far more exhausting sport. Ben who has trouble keeping up anyway!
After the compulsory photo shoot the following bunch came on the ride;
Henstridge Bill who cycled to & from the meet. Dr David who did likewise. Charlie who cycled to the meet-more later. Mary who came to Tilshead & returned before lunch. Ron and Alan who left at the old Bath Arms, Crockerton. Major Dave who was recovering from a cold and returned home after lunch via Heytesbury. Yours Truly motored to Stourhead like a the Old Boy I am!
So we left the NT café and went the usual way to Maiden Bradley, Crockerton then up that steep climb to Sutton Veny for a TL for Heytesbury then on to Salisbury Plain and that amazing concrete road where there were surprisingly no other cyclists – wonder if they knew something we didn’t?! Any way we kept our heads down and rode past the Chitterne exit and on to the Tilshead exit which left us about two miles of public road to the Rose & Crown Inn. This is now an Italian Restaurant of some repute only serving light lunches in the bar. Being the only customers we were well looked after – they must have thought Dr David looked hungry as his pizza was humongous and our pasta dishes were excellent though the best part was prosciutto on toast as a freeby starter – delicious.
By 2pm we were back on the road and returned again via the tank road. There is a steep hill along the way and 40mph was reached, a record for me. Major Dave gave us the lowdown on passing military hardware though he knew we could hardly disagree! We passed the Heytesbury turning and headed on for Warminster with superb seedbeds being prepared and healthy cattle. This is where my memory returned to it’s blurred state as we took a road signed for Warminster Garrison but on arriving at the end we realised that we had come off too early and had to consult a young lad for directions. Eventually we ‘hit the town’ via the large army camp and took a right turn for Longleat Forest where we went via Heaven’s Gate and the testing hill in Horningsham where Charlie was struggling with cramp. On arriving at Stourhead Doc David and Bill cycled home (ugh) whilst I was able to offer Charlie a ride home.
Most enjoyable ride, my computer zeroed twice but I guess 50 miles. Thanks all, Ed