Thursday, 30 June 2011
Edward writes: This Thursday eleven cyclists met at Greta's house in Hauxton with the likelihood of good weather for our longish trip to Green Tye, close to Bishop's Stortford. Before we started it was a real pleasure to welcome Sue, back with us following her sking accident in the winter. As part of her rehabilitation back into cycling it was her intention to call it a day after the coffee stop. This unexpectedly provided her with extra miles as the coffee stop had been changed from Barkway Golf Club to the Tortoise tea rooms in Hare Street.
On leaving Hauxton we headed for the A505 via Little Shelford and Whittlesford and then into Duxford. Here we turned right to go over the motorway and ride parallel to the Air Museum with good views of the aircraft parked in the display areas. Then it was through Chrishall Grange and the long climb up to the turning for Elmdon.
From this turning we went through Heydon and Gt. Chishill before descending to Shaftenhoe End to be followed by the very sharp climb which precedes the run into Nuthamstead. As has been noted in previous weeks the views across the surrounding countryside were spectacular and especially as more and more wild flowers could be seen on the roadside, with mallow, scabious and knapweed very prominent.
From Nuthamstead we turned sharp left and took the road through Anstey and finally arriving at our old friend the B1368 for the short ride into Hare Street and our coffee stop. With the sun out we all sat outside and enjoyed our individually prepared coffee and homemade cakes.
After coffee we said farewell to Sue, who I think, enjoyed her first outing. We then went a little farther on the B1368 before turning off for Little Hormead and then Furneaux Pelham, villages, along with many others in this area, that seem to have an old world charm about them. We continued the rural theme by passing through Albury and more narrow lanes before arriving at Little Hadham and the regulation long wait at the traffic lights to cross the A120. Once over the A120 it was on to Much Hadham where we turned off the main road and took the very narrow lanes, over a ford, through Perry Green and into Tye Green and our stop at the Prince of Wales pub. Although they didn't know we were coming they responded well to our requests for food and drink.
At 2.15 we left Tye Green and retraced our steps for about six miles back as far as the turning to Farnham. This eventually took us twice over the A120 Bishop's Stortford by pass before turning north to head up to Manuden.
From Manuden we took the narrow and isolated road which climbs up to Rickling Green. We now passed through Arkesden and up to Duddenhoe End. Three or four riders were ahead of the main group and consequently took a different route to the main group of seven or eight.
By luck we all met up again in the Chrishall Grange area and we all rode together through Fowlmere, Newton, Little Shelford. Greta headed back to Hauxton having completed 68 miles. Again, thanks to Greta for another great day out.
Edward ElmerView this GPS track on a larger map