Sunday, 21 August 2016
John F writes: Six riders (of four nationalities) assembled at Brookside for the 2p departure of today's afternoon ride to Wicken Village Hall. This is one of three places in Wicken which take it in turns to serve Summer Sunday afternoon teas offering excellent value-for-money.
The start at Brookside
Simon, today's leader, led us out of the city by way of the Carter Bridge, the Tins and the Old Drift into Fulbourn. Turning right at Queen's farm we were now in the country. Hot dry weather had allowed the harvest to be completed and there were now no fields of standing corn. We reached The Bell at Bottisham at 3pm and continued through the Swaffhams and Reach into the straggly village of Burwell. Turning left into Dyson's Drove we touched the edge of Wicken Fen and reached the Village Hall at 3.50pm. There was still a good collection of cakes on offer.
Tea at Wicken Village Hall
After an enjoyable three-quarters of an hour we set off taking the fen route into Upware, Lode and Quy. The gusty wind which had been largely favourable on the way out was now predominantly adverse with little vegetation to shelter us.
We entered the city on the traffic-free route from Fen Ditton and across Ditton Meadows and Stourbridge Common. I was home shortly after 6pm after a very enjoyable ride of
40-45 miles and excellent value tea. Thanks to Simon for leading.
John Ferguson