Sunday, 09 December 2012
John writes: Only three riders, John M, Tony from Meldreth and I joined Mike Kenny's ride. The weather although warmer than the previous Sunday was less pleasant because of a strong North Westerly wind, but the proverbial "ill wind" helped us to Coploe Hill summit where we stopped briefly in the full gale.
We now followed the same route as on 4th July Wednesday evening ride through Catmere End, and the charming villages of Littlebury Green, Wenden Lofts and Elmdon. Having switched on lights we descended into the wind but mostly downhill, re-crossed the A505 to Fowlmere and thence to Shepreth arriving at 4:00 p.m. We were the only customers at the Teacake Café, who were appreciative of our earlier telephone call to advise them of numbers and ETA. This was my first visit and it was a delightful tea stop with very good cakes.
Emerging from the café at 5:00 p.m. it was now pitch dark and cold. Tony left us for Meldreth and the three of us returned to Cambridge via Barrington (the hill-climb warmed us up), Haslingfield, and Barton.
This was a very enjoyable brisk route for a Winter's afternoon of about 30 to 35 miles with fine views from the top of the Hertfordshire hills. There was very little traffic (Christmas shopping, Manchester City v Manchester United on Sky?).
John Ferguson