Sunday, 15 November 2009
Joseph Sugg writes: Today's ride headed east. We were very thankful that yesterday's wind had dropped off almost completely and that the sun had come out. It was also warmish - what more could you want? - and so there was a healthy turnout of ten at Brookside.
Bob was our leader today and led us out of Cambridge via the millenium cycleway. Just before we reached Bottisham, Simon had a puncture. Averil found a novel way of looking for the hole (see photo). It was at this point that we were thankful it had rained yesterday!
Having fixed the puncture we rejoined the main group and carried on through Bottisham and Swaffham Bulbeck, turning off onto the Dullingham road. I hadn't done this road for a while, which is a handy cross country route linking the Swaffham road and Dullingham. We had to turn off before Dullingham due to the time and head straight into Newmarket. It took an age to get served at Wetherspoons - apparently this is how they keep costs low!
When we left Newmarket there were six of us left, quickly reducing to two. Having been held up at the clocktower, Mike S and myself could not see Bob and his charges anywhere. We decided to carry on and took the direct route past Kirtling and through Cowlinge, reaching Tubby Ts cafe at Stradishall at 1 o'clock. Bob and co arrived fifteen minutes later after a tour of Newmarket. The wait to order was very slow here too. However once ordered, the food arrived in five minutes, which is pretty impressive.
Tubby Ts cafe, (see photo) has had a makeover. It is now much smarter than before and serves the type of food us cyclists like; with a comprehensive menu, including all-day breakfasts and a specials board, you can't fault it.
With the dark nights well and truly here, no-one fancied the ride back from tea so we all headed straight home. I set off with Averil and Ian and set a good pace home, going through Gt Bradley, Brinkley, Six Mile Bottom and Fulbourn. A thoroughtly enjoyable day.
Joseph Sugg.