Thursday, 07 February 2019
Edward writes: It was certainly windy this morning, but with a trip to Balsham this would prove a help rather than a hindrance. Better news from the weather people was that the winds would decrease in strength during the afternoon which was more good news as we would be coming back from Dullingham. So, despite the wind, fourteen riders met in Great Shelford, whilst back in the city there were eleven - a good turnout.
Great Shelford
Ian B was at the helm today and we left Great Shelford and made our way to Whittlesford to join the cycle path over to Sawston. Now with the wind fully behind us progress was easy as we made our way out to the A505 and over Binney Hill to Abington.
A tree (not a massive one) was across the road in Abington which might have caused a problem for the No 13 bus which came into sight on its way into Cambridge. Unexpectedly in Hildersham we turned along Back Road to Linton followed by the climb up Rivey Hill but we were helped by that following wind all the way up to Balsham to one of our new favourite coffee stops at the Old Butcher's Shop. Already there, of course, were the city riders who in fact left soon after we arrived; it was probably something we said! Be that as it may, this helped the staff quickly deal with all our requirements.
Balsham
By 11.30am Ian was ready to assemble his troops, and with a helpful wind we made our way to West Wickham and then almost on a straight road to Carlton where we turned onto the busier B1061 for the short climb up to Great Bradley.
Still heading mainly eastwards on the quiet country roads the wind was still helping us but as we slowly turned in an anti-clockwise direction the wind started to make its presence felt. But not too bad, though, as the roads out here are well protected by hedgerows which helped break up the wind.
It was also nice to be out this way again after the winter which felt like coming out of hibernation. We ploughed on through Kirtling and Saxon Street into Woodditton where we found the Blackbirds pub still undergoing renovation after its devastating fire.
Then we were in Stetchworth and finally the run down to Dullingham and The Boot for our lunch break. Once again the city group was on the point of leaving soon after we arrived, again helping with the catering.
Some of our group skipped lunch and went straight home leaving seven to accompany Ian for the homeward journey which was abridged a little and knocked about four miles off the original route. The wind had dropped and riding was not too difficult - win win all round.
Dullingham
Dullingham
Once we reached Brinkley Road we went down to Six Mile Bottom and then onto that well known race track up to Little Wilbraham. This only left us with Great Wilbraham and Fulbourn before tackling the climb over the Gogs and the final run into Great Shelford which we reached at 3.30pm after
51 thoroughly enjoyable miles. A special thanks to Ian for devising a really good route especially the twenty miles between Balsham and Dullingham.
Edward
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GPS track (GPX).