Thursday, 29 August 2019
Edward writes: This morning there were thirteen riders who gathered for the run out to St Neots and Kimbolton, one of our longer Thursday rides. After the excessive heat of the last few days it was a welcome relief to arrive in Haslingfield feeling rather more human. It was nice and sunny with a lovely temperature for cycling. In fact earlier in the morning there was just a touch of an autumnal feel as a mist suddenly appeared over the fields - for those up earlier enough!We left Gamlingay by the Cinques and the road past Abbotsley Golf Club and arrived in St Neots a bit late at 11.25am. Not surprisingly we found a large number already there including Peter (West Wratting), Doug (Stevenage), Richard M (Bedford) and also Stuart from Stevenage. Although I didn't see him his Strava feed showed him to be there.
After the city group had left Rupert was still with us as apparently he had run out of puff and wanted to ride at the Village group's pace. Now we don't want any rumours spread that Rupert is losing it because we know that he is very fit for a man of his...Oops, not saying anymore! Of course we welcomed him into our more sedate group as we set out on the delightfully undulating countryside in this part of west Cambridgeshire.
The breeze was against us but with all the hedgerows to protect us it didn't impede progress at all and we made good time to arrive in Kimbolton at 1pm, thirteen miles after St Neots.
Lunch, however, was a little slow and it was 2.30pm before we were able to leave. With the wind behind us we quickly arrived at Perry despite a couple of stiff climbs and from there it was more or less downhill all the way to Buckden. We were held at the level crossing to see an impressive looking new Azuma high speed train pass through and a couple of Offords later we were on our way to Graveley.
After Hilton we crossed over the new A14 where so much work has been done including rows of trees already planted.
We turned for the five mile climb through Connington and Knapwell, the St Neots old road and then Bourn.
We finished the ride through Kingston, the Eversdens and Harlton, arriving back in Haslingfield at 5pm after a regulation but highly enjoyable 65 miles. Our thanks to Ian for a splendid route. Edward
Download GPS track (GPX).