Sunday, 08 April 2018
David writes: The wise, fair-weather cyclists stayed at home, whereas Mike K, Tom N, Liz G and David S set of from Brookside in the rain and picked up Lali and Mark in Rutherford Road. The forecast of 40% chance of light rain turned out to be 95% of moderate rain. (Was there a five minute respite as we climbed to Elmdon, or was I dreaming?)
We took a traditional route to Ickleton via Shelford, Newton, Thriplow, Fowlmere and Elmdon. The Riverside Barns Café was open(!) and now claims to be open till 6pm and provided a welcome 30 minutes out of the rain. Some riders bemoaned the lack of variety of baked goods, but we all enjoyed a warm cuppa!
Straight home via Hinxton, Duxford, Whittlesford and Shelford (having checked the flood reports for Hinxton).
No photos. Who wants to get their phone wet - or smile - in the rain? We went our own ways to hot showers at the end of DNA path, but there were no regrets about turning up for a friendly ride that tested the waterproofness of our clothing and GPS.
The ride had been advertised as one suitable for newcomers. Fortunately none turned up, so I was relieved not to have been responsible for putting any novices off returning for a second ride! The stats (for me from Brookside) were 30.2 miles, average 11.9mph and 1171 ft of ascent.
David Secher
Download
GPS track (GPX).