Thursday, 14 January 2016
John R writes: I had been checking the weather forecast over the last three or four days in the forlorn hope that the dreadful forecast might magically change – it didn't!
So it was no real surprise to me when I arrived at Haslingfield at 9:25am to find only two other riders there plus Craig in his car (bike in the boot!). Craig explained that in his home village of Clavering it had been snowing first thing and for Andy and Sarah in Saffron Walden a similar sleety day had risen. So large numbers of the usual stalwarts had either stayed at home from the start or had turned back after a few unpleasant miles – Andy even chose to go into work!
Craig also decided to head for home but having gathered another couple of late arrivals seven riders set off to head for one of our favourite coffee stops – the Compass Café in Swavesey.
The riding conditions did not improve and so although we all managed a few snatched conversations it was one of those days when you just "put your head down into the wind and ride".
The route we took was "the usual": Harlton, Eversdens, Bourn, Knapwell, Boxworth and Swavesey.
We caught up with David just outside Boxworth and so our party of eight arrived for coffee just before 11am. Thankfully there were already a couple of CTC members present who had made their own way to Swavesey and as the next 40 minutes progressed we added more making a final commendable tally for coffee of 17.
It was the Swavesey WI ladies turn providing refreshments at Compass café and as usual these were excellent and most welcome.
At the Compass Cafe (Bethel Baptist Church) in Swavesey
All too soon it was time to leave and with a definite majority (make that everybody) in favour of not getting caught in the forecast high winds and heavy rain showers we all set off to ride back to our respective homes – most Cambridge riders going back via the Guided Bus cycleway.
The round trip for most people would have been
30-35 miles. Many thanks to everyone who turned out in what were grim conditions.
John Ross
2 comments from old website
Saturday 16th Jan 2016 at 8.50pm
A wise decision! I headed back from Bikeability training in Sutton around 1pm and the westerly wind carrying rain and sleet certainly didn't make pleasant riding. I was very jealous that I hadn't had the pleasure of the WI cakes!
Saturday 16th Jan 2016 at 8.51pm
A wise decision! I headed back from Bikeability training in Sutton around 1pm and the westerly wind carrying rain and sleet certainly didn't make pleasant riding. I was very jealous that I hadn't had the pleasure of the WI cakes!