Tribute to Billie Pre-Christmas ride

This will be a ‘Tribute to Billie’ ride, one of the many taking place this year to celebrate Billie Dovey’s (nee Fleming) phenomenal tally of 29,604 miles in 1938 when she was just 24. Billie died in 2014 aged 100. The ride will start at Wombourne Railway Station car park and before we set off we shall do some warming up of ‘Laughter Yoga’ for 10-minutes or so, which will comprise deep breathing exercises along with role-playing everyday activities such as chatting on a mobile phone with laughter. The ride will then set off in the direction of Swindon Golf Club along a fairly busy lane and this will diminish as we continue on towards Bobbington, passing the edge of Halfpenny Green Airport. We shall then turn right towards Claverley. So far the terrain will be fairly easy but when we turn left towards Beobridge, the road narrows, the surface becomes muddy with frequent potholes and climbs for getting on for 1.5 miles. We shall then have to take care on the winding descent, again on a road with a poor surface for around .5 miles. At the bottom of the hill there will be a sharp left turn along a slightly wider lane with a left turn at the next T-junction. Again there is quite a deceptive but short climb followed by a gentle descent to meet the A458. Turn left for approximately 50 yards and then turn right, with CARE, on to Duken Lane. Descend for a short distance and take the next left turn where Stables Tea Rooms will be almost on the corner. Refreshment stop here. We shall then continue along this lane, skirting Tuck Hill and then turn left on to Batfield Lane and then Morfe Lane where you will be pleased to know is gently down hill. When we meet the A458 again we shall cross straight over, keeping on Morfe Lane and descending quite some distance until we reach the edge of Enville Golf Course where we shall go on to Enville Common Road and climb a steep hill to the cross road at the top of the hill. Going straight over on to Chacepool Road and into Swindon. There may be some temporary traffic lights where some new build is taking place along Wombourne Road. Continue to the major traffic lights and cross straight over to Common Road. At the T-junction turn left and join the one-way system around the cricket pitch passing shops on your left to a set of traffic lights. CARE – the lights are at the top of a short, steep climb – ensure you are in bottom gear when you set off again. Straight over on station road and continue to the bottom of the hill where take care crossing Bratch Lane and back into Wombourne Railway Station car park. Distance: 19.5 miles - http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6753138