Sunday, 05 June 2016
John F writes: Perfect weather persuaded seven cyclists (including Arthur who was joining us for the first time) to set off from Brookside at 1.30pm for the long ride to St Mary's Church Hall in Braughing. This is one of our best Sunday afternoon tea stops albeit the most remote.
Brookside
Stan, recalling another engagement, left us after a couple of miles. The remaining six of us reached Elmdon via the DNA path and Ickleton. There we regrouped, drank water, discarded surplus clothing and had a photo shoot.
Elmdon
Afterwards we rode along quiet rural lanes through Duddenhoe End, Arkesden, Wicken Bonhunt and up the steep hill west of Rickling.
Rickling
Rickling
After a second pause for regrouping and a photograph of the black swan we turned south-west towards the Pelhams. This is a remarkably empty route, with the ride to Stocking Pelham broken only by the tiny hamlet of Berden.
We reached the tea-room in Braughing at 4.20pm. After our hot and hilly ride of 30 miles, mugs of tea and scrumptious cakes were most welcome. I bought an excellent jar of honey too. The quality and value for money were exceptional.
We left after half an hour and took the B1368 Northwards as far as Hay Street. Here Simon continued along the B1368 owing to a sore knee. The remaining five turned right onto Worsted Lane towards Great Hormead, thence Anstey, Nuthampstead, Shaftenhoe End, the triple climb to Great Chishill and the long descent to the A505 at Flint Cross. We reached Cambridge via Fowlmere, Newton, Hauxton and the excellent Trumpington Meadows path. I reached home at 7.10pm after a distance of
58 miles.
John Ferguson