Friday, 12 October 2012
Edward writes: This Thursday the weather had taken another step into its autumnal phase. Gone were the sunshine and blue skies and in their place we had overcast skies and a weather forecast predicting a fine morning but with rain moving in for the afternoon. Consequently numbers were down on previous weeks when we met in Haslingfield with nine riders ready for the day's outing. However, we had the opportunity to welcome Dave who was making his first ride with us and of course we look forward to seeing him again.
Near Heydon
In order to get proceedings underway we started off with the climb up Chapel Hill into Barrington where we turned left to go to Foxton via the railway and the A10. After a wait for a train we went through the village and out on the road to Fowlmere and then the other main road, the A505. This took us to Chrishall Grange and the climb up to the Elmdon turning where we did the usual regrouping. We went through Heydon and Gt Chishill in the highest points in Cambridgeshire and now followed the fast downhill via Shaftenhoe End to join the B1368 just outside Barkway.
Near Barkway
This left us with the steep climb into the village where we turned right and took the road where the views over the countryside are magnificent and makes us value our hobby. We were soon into Reed and our coffee stop at the Silver Ball transport cafe. Already there were Tina, Brian B, Doug and Mike S and Adrian who had left from Haslingfield slightly earlier.
Near Barkway
After coffee there were the usual comings and goings but those going on turned down to Reed End followed by the quiet roads into Sandon, almost to Wallington before turning off to head down to the A10 followed by the undulating road into Ashwell. (In Sandon we saw a Kite and nearby were two Buzzards circling overhead.) Once again, a lovely stretch of road and already we notice the new crops in the fields creating a green sheen, another sign of just how rapid the changes in the countryside are. After Ashwell it was only about three miles before we reached Hinxworth and the mile or so run out to Farrowby Farm for our lunch stop.
Crossing the A505
Following the usual pattern some had brought sandwiches and others bought lunch at the farm. During lunch we were joined by Bob who had cycled over from Sandy. After lunch we said goodbye to Doug and Brian B and the rest returned to Ashwell. The weather started to have a very damp feel about it and the forecast rain didn't seem far away. We pressed on through Steeple Morden, Littlington and into Bassingbourn. We crossed the A1198 for the last bit of our journey, but by the time we reached Meldreth the rain started and became heavier the further we went. In fact the remaining few miles were really unpleasant, a far cry from our more recent rides. Next up was Shepreth and Barrington and another climb over Chapel Hill and finally Haslingfield. Our day out gave us
49 miles.
Edward Elmer
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