Thursday, 22 November 2018
Sheila writes: I arrived at Shelford Recreation Ground with the intention of not cycling as my temperature gauge in the car was showing 0C. However, there ready and waiting, assuring me the roads weren't icy, were Sarah, Andy, Ian B, Edmund, Sharon, Greg, David W, Mike C, Eddie, Yasmin and Tony. Ian sprung into action and quickly unloaded my bike from the roof of my car so how could I possibly wimp out?
Eddie suggested a diversion onto the DNA path to avoid busy roads which seemed a good idea - except for that awful junction near Addenbrookes. That is such a major fault with cycle paths. One is left to dice with death when they drop you off.
In sub zero mist, and with Sharon reminding me that we were having fun, we picked up Susan as we cycled through Fulbourn, Great Wilbraham, Bottisham and Swaffham Bullock to Anglesey Abbey. The warmth which assaulted us as we walked through the doors was heaven! I don't know which is worse, freezing fingers or the pain when the blood starts to flow again. Susan took pity on me and give me some hand warmers which were great for the remainder of the ride.
Standing in the coffee queue David S arrived and it was only while in conversation with him I remembered receiving an email informing me he would meet us at the Babraham Road/Hinton Way roundabout. Because of our diversion we had missed him. After a 40 minute wait David had made his own way to the Abbey and arrived shortly after us. I apologise unreservedly for this oversight, lessons have been learned and I have reviewed my processes to ensure that it won't (hopefully) happen again.
It wasn't long before we were heading out into the cold again minus Greg on some pretext of work - but then someone has to fund our pensions and who better than our Greg? Over coffee it had been decided to shorten the route slightly but we hadn't realised Sarah and Andy hadn't been part of the discussion. Fortunately we met up again en route after we had lost them. I can't wax lyrical about the scenery as it was shrouded in mist and it was too cold to take photos - although in truth, I forgot. (Can someone please remind me at the coffee and lunch stops?) It would seem this is another lesson to be learnt and processes to be put in place!
La Hogue Farm Shop Cafe in Chippenham was warm, with tasty food and a quick service.
The temperature seemed to have risen ever so slightly for the first hour of the journey back through Cheveley and West Wratting before dropping again by the time we got to Balsham.
We arrived back at Great Shelford having done 60 miles with no incidents - thank goodness there were no punctures. I don't know how we would have changed tubes with frozen fingers. I suspect we all wondered at some point of the ride why we we were out cycling in such conditions but after coffee I enjoyed the day and was pleased I had gone. I hope this was the case for everyone.
My Garmin recorded
60 miles with 1600 feet of climb.
Sheila
Download
GPS track (GPX).