Sunday, 04 February 2018
Nigel writes: Today was a dull and cold winter's day, with a gentle but cold wind blowing persistently from the north. However there was no rain forecast, and I arrived at Brookside to find ten other riders waiting, with two more arriving just after I took a photo. Alex was our leader today, and have gave us a warning us to look out for black ice before we set off. In the event we encountered no ice, but the temperature remained around 2C all day.
Brookside
We set off down Hills Road towards Addenbrooke's, where we turned left onto Wort's Causeway for the climb over the Gogs to Fulbourn. As usual I sprinted ahead of the group to get to a good vantage point to take photos, and just as I approached the Wort's Causeway turn spotted a familiar figure ahead of me. It was
Vic, one of our longest-serving members, and I was able to shout a greeting before our routes parted.
Climbing the Gogs from Addenbrooke's to Fulbourn
Climbing the Gogs from Addenbrooke's to Fulbourn
When we reached Fulbourn we turned onto the long road that climbs slowly towards Balsham. With a large group and good visibility this is an ideal road to ride as a two-abreast peloton. This made our group easier for passing drivers to overtake whilst allowing us a sociable - and wind-sheltered - ride, and what is sometimes a rather dull climb passed easily and pleasantly.
Regrouping in Balsham
From Balsham we continued east, through West Wratting, Weston Green, Carlton Green and Little Thurlow (where I passed John S), arriving at Cafe 33 in Stradishall at about 11.15pm.
Weston Green
As usual there were several members already at the cafe, and as usual about half our total number returned home afterwards, leaving about eight of us to carry on to lunch in Chippenham.
Approaching Lidgate
We reached La Hogue Farm Shop and Cafe at about 1.15pm. This is one of our favourite lunch stops, noted for good food and efficient service. We're not the only people who like it: as usual it was completely full (and it's a big place) and we would have been turned away if we had not had a large table booked.
After lunch we set off back towards Cambridge. This is a fairly short stage (about 30km), perfect for a winter afternoon, and completely flat, through Snailwell, Exning, Burwell and Reach before finishing the ride with Swaffham Prior, a short loop round Commercial End at the back of Swaffham Bulbeck, and the cycleway from Lode to Quy.
Commercial End, Swaffham Prior
On the Lode-Quy cycleway
As we approached the eastern edge of Cambridge the ride dispersed, and I arrived home at about 4.10pm, half an hour before sunset, having cycled 96km (
59 miles).
Nigel Deakin
Download
GPS track (GPX).