Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Nigel writes: Despite a duller evening than of late we still had seven riders for this evening's ride to Newton: Julia, Ian, Daniel, Peter, Tony, Damien and me. We rode to Newton exactly
two weeks ago., which was superb ride, and I could not think better than to repeat exactly the same route.
We headed south out of Cambridge by the familiar route along the Cam valley through Trumpington to Great Shelford and then via Little Shelford to Whittlesford and Ickleton. We then climbed Coploe Hill. With my Airnimal Chameleon still off the road awaiting repairs I was riding my backup Marin Kentford town bike. This was rather harder work, but I just about managed to keep up, though I was grateful for the rest at the top.
We continued south to Catmere End before dropping down to Littlebury Green and descending further to Wenden Lofts. That was the point where we turned north again, climbing back up to Elmdon and then down once more to Chrishall Grange and the final few miles along the flat to Newton.
As the sun got lower in the sky the clouds parted and the sun came out (a common phenomenon I've noticed on several evening rides in the past).
We arrived at the Queen's Head in Newton just after 8.30pm. With sunset not until 8.52pm it was still quite light.
Waiting for us in the pub was Ian D. After a pleasant half-hour chat over a pint and a ham platter we rode back to Cambridge via the Shelfords and the DNA path. I was home by 9.45pm after having cycled just over
33 miles.
More photos by Julia below:
View this GPS track on a larger map