Sunday, 09 December 2018
Sheila writes: Despite threatening dark clouds and Greg's attempts to lure cyclists onto the afternoon ride (how does he write such entertaining narratives - should Greg decide to run a creative writing course I'll be the first to enrol), nine keen riders greeted me at Brookside, with four more riders turning up after the photo shoot - a mark of the true professional leader. As we now numbered eleven, two groups set off towards Comberton. Thanks to Dr John for leading the second group, and to Tom for being tail-end-Charlie.
At the start
I hate cycle paths. They are generally not fit for purpose. They have the lethal cocktail of cyclists and pedestrians and are not adequately maintained. The cycle path to Comberton is no exception.
The skies cleared as we cycled through Bourn, Great Gransden and Waresley. I had selected to avoid Abbotsley for a change but this was maybe a mistake as although a wooden carved dog sitting by a bench was a point of interest (spotted by the more observant) and it was a scenic route, it was also mucky.
My group arrived at the Ambience Cafe a few minutes after the second group, who had apparently taken a short cut - which they insisted was only because of time spent looking "for Mike CC's banana" and the more worthwhile cause of helping a man in a mobility scooter who had run aground on soggy, wet leaves.
Customary cyclist fayre in St Neots
After the usual efficient service we have come to expect from this coffee stop, and the regular chaos which follows as we sort ourselves out, twelve riders set off for St Ives.
On the road to Godmanchester I stopped to regroup, at which point Simon decided to change his socks. It was agreed we would ride on and he would catch us up. Mistake.
Continuing along the road we ignored a "road closed" sign, and after a while we did indeed encounter barriers across the road. The man on duty was asleep in his cab, so rather than selfishly disturbing him we quietly opened the barrier and tiptoed through. Further along the road a helpful man did point out that the road was closed but nevertheless he let us travel on our way.
A few minutes later Simon phoned Nigel to report that he hadn't been as fortunate as us. I think the helpful man had phoned through to the sleeping workman and issued firm instructions not to let anyone else through. Sadly Simon decided to call it a day and return directly to home.
We cycled on through the delightful Hemingfords and on to St Ives, where Will and David left us for Cambridge, and Mike for Swavesey. Those remaining decided to eat at the Swan and Angel, part of the Wetherspoons chain.
After lunch this left the busway back to Cambridge. I'm never keen on this route, particularly in a headwind, but today the sun was shining, we were wind-assisted, Nigel was playing Louis Armstrong's 'All the Time in the World' followed by Matt Munroe's 'On Days Like These', and all was right in
the world.
Photo: Geoff J
Photo: Geoff J
John Seton, Mia and myself left the busway at the Oakington turnoff while the others pedalled on to Cambridge. John showed us a delightful way back through Eddington and on arrival in Cambridge I realised that, contrary to my earlier statement, we had cycled virtually all the way back from St Ives on decent, fit-for-purpose cycle paths.
Our total distance cycled was
52 miles. This was a shorter Sunday ride but it was thoroughly enjoyable, due in no short measure to the excellent company. Thank you!
Sheila
Download
GPS track (GPX).
Photo: Geoff J