Thursday, 08 March 2012
Edward Elmer writes: This Thursday dawned fairly chilly with a touch of overnight frost, but the forecast was good and in complete contrast to Sunday in which only six people in two rides decided it was a good idea to go cycling. Today we welcomed back Greta who joined us for the first time since early January and it was very good to have her back with us and taking charge again! At Haslingfield we had eighteen riders and once again we had to divide into two groups.
At the start in HaslingfieldThe first group was led by Greta. This went off first and went through Harlton, the Eversdens, Kingston, Bourn, Knapwell, Boxworth and then Swavesey. The second group went a different route, mainly because in the past when we have had two groups the second group often catches the first group. Thus, the second group went by way of Barton where a kestrel was spotted, and then over the motorway to Coton, Madingley, Dry Drayton and then on to the busway for the run down to Swavesey and coffee and cakes.
On the buswayCoffee was at the Bethel Baptist Chapel and this week it was the turn of the church members to do the honours. This is a popular coffee stop with home-made cakes to enjoy with the generous mug of coffee, all for £1.50. The two groups together filled the room and some had to go to an adjoining room. As is often the case we were joined by riders who had gone directly to Swavesey and our numbers had risen to somewhere in the twenties. It was observed that all the ladies had gone to Swavesey and on to St. Neots with the first group bringing the suggestion that today being International Women's Day had been the influencing factor - well, maybe!
Coffee at SwaveseyCoffee at SwaveseyAfter an enjoyable coffee break we again set off in two groups, first taking in Fen Drayton and then Fenstanton where we used the underpass to gain access to the road to Hilton. After Hilton it was Graveley followed by Toseland, and here we turned into the wind and took the long straight road which leads to the B1043 and the descent into St. Neots.
GraveleyGraveleyToday lunch was at the Ambiance cafe on the common where some of us felt able to sit outside and enjoy the occasional sunny interludes. Lunch, of course, added to the numbers.
St Neots: Ambience CafeSt Neots: Ambience CafeNew FriendWe left St.Neots at about 2pm by going over the common where we joined the B1046 for a mile or so before branching off to take the road which leads to Waresley.
Towards WaresleyWaresleySomehow we managed to go through Waresley without calling into the garden centre and then headed for Gt. Gransden, followed by Caxton, Bourn and back to Haslingfield on the same route as the first group had taken in the morning giving a total of
51 miles. Another great Thursday ride and it is good to once again offer our thanks to Greta for another successful ride.
Edward ElmerPhotos 5,6,7,8 by
Lynn Brown. Other photos by
Edward ElmerView this route on a larger map
1 comments from old website
Thursday 8th Mar 2012 at 10.57pm
Another super day's outing, through a good variety
of our charming local English countryside, completed in mostly bright sunshine. Just the ticket to prepare us for the delights yet to come in our ride schedules later in the Spring/Summer. No punctures or mechanical problems & great companions. Thank you leaders.
Tired but happy - Michael B.