Thursday, 02 August 2018
Edward writes: When we met in Great Shelford for our ride out to Clavering and Ware it was a surprise that there were only six starters. That needed some working out. Could it be the forecast of another roasting hot day? Possibly. Holiday season? Also possibly. A major televised sports event? Well the world cup has been over some time, the Tour de France finished on Sunday. Not them, then. That leaves a test match - but only Andy and Dr J are known followers of cricket so it couldn't be that. Did everyone know the way to Great Shelford? Conclusion, mystery unsolved. None of this bothered the six who started out with Sheila leading us on our way to Clavering.
The start in Great Shelford
We left at regulation pace through Little Shelford and up to Newton, Thriplow and Fowlmere. Obviously it was pretty warm but there were no problems from the wind which was only light breeze coming from the south. We crossed the A505 and made for Chrishall Grange and the beginning of the north Essex hills and in view of the rising temperature discretion was the better part of valour so there were no heroics on the climbs.
Chrishall Grange
Elmdon was followed by Duddenhoe End and Langley Upper Green. As we neared Langley a Cambridge CTC top was spotted ahead and it looked like Adrian. Of course it was Adrian and like the Pied Piper he had collected three others - Peter W, Ian B and Susan who it is believed is equipping herself with a new set of muscles. From Langley it is only three miles to Clavering and the Christian Centre where we found the city group, getting in first again with the cakes, and several others who had cycled out independently. At least we had accounted for four others who might have started in Shelford and Peter's story is worth recounting. He set off from West Wratting and arrived early at the start and sat down to collect his thoughts but after a short while he realised he was still alone. Odd, that. It would have been odd if he was meditating in Great Shelford rather than Haslingfield. Happens to the best of us, Peter!
After all that our coffee break was good with many being tempted back for another helping. The City group set off to Ardeley and our village group, now eight, started out for Ware. This took us through Berden, Stocking Pelham and down to that junction on the A120 with its very long wait and we weren't disappointed. This took us to Little Hadham and Much Hadham where began a really lovely ride through the country lanes in this part of Hertfordshire.
Leaving Much Hadham
Finally we reached Ware arriving at 1pm. Bit of a problem here as the cafe was closed until 28th August. John S used the next door Taverna, Ian and Edmund went to Lulu's! Sounds alright. Actually they said it's been renamed Heroes.
Lunch in Ware
At 2 pm we started our return journey which entailed a climb out of Ware which was bit hairy on the busy road. We reached our turning in one piece and turned onto the quiet roads again and this took us through Cold Christmas, Barwick Ford and the road to Standon and Puckeridge. This was all very pleasant on these narrow lanes and the tree cover gave us protection from the rising temperature which by now was reading 33C. In Puckeridge voices could be heard calling for an ice cream stop but in the town we drew a blank.
Approaching Puckeridge
Next was Braughing and John thought he would chance his arm and veered off into the village and the rest of us pressed on thinking Barkway would be our best bet. We did even better because as we came into Hare Street we thought it worth asking at the March Hare Tea Rooms and Bingo! Iced water was served and then a special treat ice cream and frozen berries and it was just great!
Ice cream and frozen berries: much needed!
Just as we were starting out John came along having drawn a blank in Braughing so we left him to enjoy his ice cream and berries. With a following southerly breeze we sailed along the B1368 comfortably maintaining 15 mph. We soon passed through Barkway and Barley and then downhill to Flint Cross, Fowlmere, Thriplow, Newton and back again to Great Shelford.
We cycled
65 miles and had a lovely day out and our thanks to Sheila for making it special.
Edward Elmer
Download
GPS track (GPX).