Wednesday, 26 June 2013
Nigel writes: The longest day was five days ago, making this the ideal week to visit our most distant evening pub stop, the Axe and Compasses in Hemingford Abbots. I had three companions for tonight's ride: regulars Paul and John E and newcomer James, here on his second ride with us. Our route there was the same as on similar previous rides: via West Cambridge to Huntingdon Road and then via Girton to join the busway cycleway a little further on.
As we rode along Paul suggested that a route via Elsworth might make a nice change, and I agreed that this was something we should try next time. Despite a bit of a northerly headwind we made good progress as usual and soon arrived in St Ives.
We then rode through the town and followed the Thicket Path to Houghton. This path is now fully-surfaced (except for a few yards at the St Ives end), making this mile-long path through woodland beside the River Great Ouse one of the nicest cycle routes in the area. After crossing the river to Hemingford Abbots and stopped for refreshments at the pub there.
We left the pub at about 8.45pm. Afterwards we returned back to Cambridge via Hemingford Grey, St Ives and the busway cycleway once again. The ride back along the busway was fast and exhilarating; James demonstrated he is a strong and fast rider by giving me a tow at speeds of up to 20mph for much of the way. I returned home at 9.50pm, having cycled
36 miles.
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