Saturday, 01 September 2012
Ian writes: On an overcast but warm and not too windy Saturday morning, I was greeted by 4 other riders for the introductory ride to Burwash Manor at Barton. For 3, this was the first time with Cambridge CTC, so I was delighted to extend a warm welcome to all and the particularly lovely 80's Mercian one of the riders was on.
We headed out along Station Road to pick up the guided busway then the DNA path out to Great Shelford. With the weather brightening, we continued on to Little Shelford then the Whitlesford Road. Everybody had a bike with at least 32mm tyres, so to make a change, we turned off the Whitlesford Road onto the farm track that takes you to Newton. From Newton we were onto the only small climb of the day, the road to Harston where we crossed the main road to pick the quiet lane to Haslingfield.
Due to bridge repairs, the road from Haslingfield to Barton is closed to motor traffic, so we got enjoy this stretch without any cars, just a tractor or two bringing in the harvest.
We were soon at our tea stop in Barton where the usual offerings of good cake etc. was served, though unusually, they didn't seem interested in serving lunch until 12 (this was at about 11:30). Nevertheless we had our stop and a little nose around the shops before heading directly back to Cambridge on the Barton cycleway.
Ian Driver