Clarion call to the hills

Mr Pickwick’s High Summer Meander is a 214km circuit through the rolling hills and valleys of the Cotswolds – the ride named for its association with Dickens’ Pickwick Papers, writes Tim Wadsworth Clarion call to the hills

TIM WADSWORTH WORDS & PICTURES

WITH AUDAX UK’S reinstatement of permanent events in the summer, members of the Cotswold Clarion Cycling Club were keen to take advantage. On Saturday 5 September, our peloton of four members and two prospective members, rolled out of Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and set off to ride a loop around the top of the Severn Estuary, down through the Forest of Dean and back home across the Severn Bridge. With about 2,700 metres of climbing, in our neck of the woods, it qualifies as “lumpy”.

The opening pace over the flat lanes of the Cotswold Water Park was lively, with Tommy Loft and Andrew Trudgian setting out their stalls early. After 52km we arrived at our first control in Bourtonon-the-Water, sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the Cotswolds” due to its attractive bridges crossing the River Windrush.

We breakfasted at the acclaimed Bakery on the Water but were soon back on the move. A long climb up to the village of Guiting Power followed. Then we either enjoyed (or endured) a nervejangling descent of a heavily-pitted Sudeley Hill into Winchcombe.

After Winchcombe, the peace and quiet of the countryside was disturbed by the throaty roar of cars assaulting the Prescott Speed Hill Climb, owned since 1938 by the Bugatti Owners’ Club. Stirling Moss made his hill climb debut here in 1948 finishing fourth out of twelve drivers.

In Tewkesbury we passed the Royal Hop Pole, a grade II listed building mentioned in Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers. It also happens to be famous in the Audax world – the legendary organiser Mark Rigby’s regular calendar events begin and end at the pub.

After coffee and snacks, we headed for Newent. Buffered by a brisk headwind on exposed roads, we were grateful for the cover provided by the narrower, but hillier lanes.

With Newent being only 24km further along the route, we made just a brief stop for our proof of passage. For some, this meant buying a reasonably priced cake at the Crusty Loaf bakery.

The Forest of Dean Heritage Centre, where we could obtain a brevet stamp, was due to close at 3pm. A wrong turn and the never-ending climb up to Littledean, meant we were 15 minutes late. A member of staff, alerted by our frantic waving, unlocked the door and obliged us with his signature.

Peter Cattermole was aware of a café at the nearby Mallards Pike Lake. The name has nothing to do with a fish or a duck – the pike refers to a turnpike, while the mallard comes from Mr Maller, who until the early 1950s lived in a toll-keeper’s cottage. Originally known as Maller’s Turnpike, it eventually became Mallard’s Pike.

We soaked up the sunshine and devoured our assorted cakes, pastries and ice creams. Fortified, we left for Chepstow. After St Briavels we were treated to a glorious fast-running drop all the way into Wales and the centre of the town.

There’s always something special about cycling across the Severn Bridge. It’s a magnificent structure and the views are breath-taking, but there’s also a feeling of danger. The bridge moves as the traffic passes, and it’s only the railings that stop you falling into the swirling currents below.

Returning to England, there were only 44kms to go, but we were facing the dreaded 17 per cent climb to the Somerset Monument at Hawkesbury Upton. The stone tower commemorates General Lord Somerset, who at Waterloo lost his hat. Improperly dressed, he went to retrieve it. A cannonball tore off the flap of his coat and killed his horse. He later became the MP for Cirencester.

With much grinding of gears and gnashing of teeth we summitted. All credit to Mike Greer, who, at over 70 years of age, was able to show a clean pair of heels to some of the younger riders.

A useful tailwind helped pilot us back to Malmesbury, where we arrived just after 8pm with our Garmins and a Wahoo registering over 140 miles.

That bridge again… the team cross the Severn at Chepstow