Sunday, 30 April 2017
Nigel writes: The dominant feature of today's ride was the wind, a fierce easterly that blew us easily to lunch, but offered a nagging obstacle for the ride home. Our leader today was David T, with seven others joining him for the first stage of the ride to Potton.
Brookside
Lammas Land
Barton Road cycleway
We took a fairly direct route via Barringon, Wimpole and Gamlingay, and with a strong tailwind I couldn't resist the temptation to take advantage of it and flew along, arriving at The Coach House in Potton ahead of the others at about 10.40am. I went in, to be told that the pub was closed and wouldn't open until 11am. I went back outside and waited for the others, who arrived a few minutes later. We didn't fancy waiting around for the oub to open, so Rupert announced that we would go to the cafe at the Potton Cricket Club instead.
Coffee at Potton Cricket Club
This was my first visit to Potton Cricket Club, and it seems very nice: probably a better choice than the Coach House, which is just a pub.
Afterwards we regrouped and carried on to lunch at Jordan's Mill in Holme near Biggleswade. This took us to Everton and then down Tempsford Hill, over the A1 and then south through Moggerhanger and Blunham to Holme. As soon we we turned south we became aware of a strong cross-wind on our right, and we were warned that we would face a tough ride home.
Lunch itself was very pleasant, though the cold wind made it a bit chilly to sit outside.
Lunch at Jordan's Mill, Holme
Over lunch we discussed our options for the afternon. We decided to abandon the planned tea stop in Waresley because it was very close to Potton and would involve visiting the same area as in the morning. So instead we decided to continue south to Langford and then return home via Ashwell and Knessworth.
Heading home after lunch
Rather by accident we divited into two groups: I rode with Mike S (on pedelec), Joseph, Ray and Dimitris. As expected the headwind made us a bit weary, so by the time we reached Meldreth I suggested we give ourselves a reward with a tea stop at Wydale Garden centre north of Melbourn. This proposal was unanimously accepted, and we spent a pleasant half hour drinking coffee and enjoying some rather huge cakes.
Afterwards it was a short ride home via Fowlmere, Thriplow and the Shelfords. I arrived home a little before 5pm, having cycled 118km (
73 miles).
Download
GPS track (GPX).
Nigel Deakin