The Broadway Grinder

Looking out the window today, I was glad I pulled this ride a day forward to yesterday. The forecast had been pretty static all week. Dry Saturday, rain Sunday. Cotswold byways in the rain are a messy business so I’m glad I avoided it.

I woke up at 8am, grabbed some breakfast and popped the bike on the car. It was 45 min drive to Broadway however I was pretty annoyed with myself when I got to the car park because there was a max headroom barrier so I had to take my bike off the roof, dismantle it and pop it on the back seat.

Claire, ride partner for the day, was putting her bike together and getting ready. I reassembled my bike and fitted my saddlebag, took a spin round the car park and we were off down to the war memorial on the High St.

Initially it looked like it was just the two us then John turned up on his MTB and then Nick and Neil rocked up just as we were leaving which prompted a selfie. We rolled out of town, dropped onto the Cheltenham Rd and picked up Mike (?) from Solihull CC (I’m rubbish with names!) which meant we had a nice group of 6.

It wasn’t long before we were turning left and heading straight into the first climb of the day up Buckland. It’s initially a steep broken tarmac road that gives way to a gravel plateau then the you climb again on some nice trails with a smattering of single track. All bone dry and rideable, it was a nice way to warm up for the rest of the day. Everyone was smiling over the top.

At the top we crossed a lane and straight onto the next gravel sector. The last time I rode it, it had a couple of gates to navigate but it was nice and open this time. We met some nice horse riders here who politely asked Claire to turn off her flashing front light as it risked spooking the horse (who knew?) and a little further on I watched a bird of prey swoop down into the field beside us. It was fantastic.

After a brief foray on a lane we crossed the summit of Stanway Hill and began the Campden Lane sector. A great trail that was really overgrown last time but was completely clear, dry and flowed well. At the end we popped out of the trees and waited to regroup. Here we met Martin & Co who were completing the loop down to Hailes Abbey and back up from the same point. Lots of smiles despite the climbing so all good.

We headed off up a draggy road climb then right to begin the super fast descent down to Hailes Abbey. It’s such a fab descent as it opens up and allows you to go full gas around the bends reasonably safely. With a pin straight road to finish on you can stay off the brakes too. Loved it.

From here we literally turned right and headed straight back up The Costwold Way via Farmcote. A steadier gradient this one but quite rocky and bumpy which required a bit of care choosing your line. At the top the trail pops out the trees and opens up before the gravel transitions back to tarmac.

All the early trails were in the bag so we had quite a while to recover now which included another fab road descent of Stanway. We all regrouped at Toddington and the lads opened the taps for a few km to Alderton where we got baulked by a bus driving gingerly around the lanes in front of us. It left us in the village and were free again only to stop for a horse rider and watch a convoy of vintage tractors drive past. A nice spectacle.

After negotating the A46 safely we dropped into Beckford and then began the Yellow Brick Rd climb which takes you half way up Bredon Hill. The views looking back down were stunning. We regrouped at the top and dropped off a bridleway which was peppered with rocks and roots to keep us on our toes. After a short tarmac rest we began the steep climb to the top of Bredon Hill via Kemerton and Westmancote. This was the first really steep, technical test of the day. Trying to pick a line on a loose rocky path on a 20% incline is a skill. At the top of steepest section we regrouped again and began the steadier top section of the climb to the tower.

Here the views west out towards The Malvern Hills were stunning however we didn’t hang around too long as it was pretty windy and chilly up there.

Being so dry isn’t always great. We found out as we skirted the edge of the summit and dropped off. I think we all had sore wrists after that rock hard, boneshaking descent. With the penultimate climb done is was another tarmac transition now to the last climb of the day and a chance to recover a bit. I think we could see the top of Stanton with every pedal stroke as we approached it. Just one more climb.

The road into the beautiful Stanton village starts off nice and gentle then as you approach the appropriately name pub, The Mount, the road kicks up sharply and you reach an even steeper trail with steps. I managed to ride the first section including the steps and opened the gate but beyond that for about 50 yards it’s too steep and loose and we all got off and pushed. Some more than others. Towards the top it eases off but it is still quite a technical test. In hindsight probably a little too extreme for some so I’ll leave it out next time.

The major climbing was now done for the day as we dropped into Snowshill. Only the drag out of the village was left before the third and final superfast road descent of the day. As we rode back into town I noticed how beautiful the Autumn colours in the trees were. As we finished the high street was rammed with tourists so we found a coffee shop up a side street and had a break there before departing home.

I was really pleased with the route. Just a couple of tweaks needed and it’ll be a banger and a permanent fixture on the calendar.

Thanks to my ride buddies for the day, thoroughly enjoyed it

Adios and see you at The National Forest Explorer next month

PS my unedited gallery of the ride is here