Sunday, 11 May 2014
Nigel writes: The last few days have been cool and windy, with occasional showers, and this spell of unseasonable weather continued today. Perhaps as a result of the unpromising weather, only five riders turned up at Brookside for today's ride: Neil T, David, Mark and Emma on her first ride with us.
There was no leader arranged for today, so I turned up with a route in mind and ended up leading the ride. With a strong south-westerly wind, and a coffee stop in Nuthampstead, I knew we would be riding into the wind all the way there. We therefore took a fairly direct route: south along the busway and DNA path to Great Shelford and then along roads to Little Shelford, Whittlesford and Duxford.
Posing on the DNA path, with DNA artwork behind
At Duxford we turned west towards Chrishall Grange. Progress was slow due to the wind, but we had ample time to get to coffee and could take our time. From Chrishall Grange we climbed up to Heydon and Great Chishill before descending down the hill to Shaftenhoe End and the final few miles along lovely quiet lanes to Nuthampstead,
Nuthampstead
We arrived at The Woodman on time at 11am. Neil was in a bit of a hurry so sped off without stopping whilst the rest of us went in for coffee. This is a pleasant, friendly pub in an excellent location. It is just a pity that they don't have any cakes or snacks other than chocolate or crisps.
Over coffee we discussed what to do next. Mark and Emma were ready to head back home, and I decided to go back as well. David was in the mood for a longer ride, probably returning back via Saffron Walden.
Mark, Emma and I set off south from Nuthampstead to Anstey where we turned east to Meesden, enjoying the wind on our back for the first time today. There we turned north, with the wind still mostly behind us, and continued through Langley and Duddenhoe End to Elmdon. After that we climbed our final hill of the day, crossing the county boundary back into Cambridgeshire and descending into Ickleton. From there it was flat all the way through Duxford, Whittlesford and the Shelfords back to Cambridge. I arrived home at 1.15pm, having cycled
44 miles.
View this GPS track on a larger map. Download GPS track (GPX).