March Critical Mass

March Critical Mass was the first ride of the year to start in the light, and also because of the change to British Summer Time, the last to finish in the dark. There were eight of us this month with an unusually good mix of genders along with a range of machines including my Brox Compact two e-bikes and at least one folder. We started out along the usual route round the back of the council house. 

 

We then emerged onto The Centre,

  

and along Lewins Mead, before turning left up Lower Maudlin Street, which is quite a sharp climb on my heavy machine.

We then turned right down Marlborough Street and left onto Dighton Street and Jamaica Street, past the People's Republic of Stokes Croft and onto Stokes Croft.

Then along Cheltenham Road.

Under the Arches and just before Gloucester Road we U-turned back towards town.

Here we encountered some mad motorist who overtook in an aggressive manner, only to get held up at the next traffic queue where we sailed past. 

We then turned left down Ashley Road,

and then sharp right down Grosvenor Road,

left down St Nicolas Road

and over the M32 on the cycle/pedestrian bridge.

We then turned right, alongside the River Frome.

Next down River Street,

St Matthias Park,

then down Redcross Street

and onto the cycle track alongside Temple Way.

From here we crossed Temple Way on the Old Market Street link, 

then though Castle Park and along the cobbles of Welsh Back before finishing in Queen Square.