Sunday, 28 May 2017
John F writes: Seven riders set off at 1.30pm from Brookside for this most popular of Sunday afternoon rides. The weather was warm and humid with a light south-westerley breeze. We followed the B1368 from Harston through Fowlmere, where Phil joined us, to the A505. We left the B1368, minus John E who left the group, and climbed to Great Chishill and thence through the quiet lanes of Shaftenhoe End, Nuthampstead Anstey and Great Hormead rejoining the B1368 just South of Hare Street for the final run to Braughing.
We reached the Church Hall at 3.45pm to find it crowded including Mike Stapleton from Melbourn. This is the earliest by half an hour that I have managed to get there and shows a rapid pace despite the hills!
The day-riders turned up, led by Alex, a few minutes later. The tea was as excellent as ever.
We (minus David S who returned home along the B1368) left at 4.30pm taking the rural route through Furneux Pelham, Clavering, Arksden and Littlebury Green to Catmere End. There was one minor hold-up just after Berden where the group helped Phil to replace a shredded inner tube.
After Duxford we dispersed, taking different routes to our homes. The outward journey recorded by Greg's GPS was 26 miles (I having forgot to switch my Strava app on) and the homeward leg 29 miles. An afternoon ride of
55 miles in total, with 2350 feet of climbing, made for a most exhilarating outing.
Future riders to Braughing would be well advised to get there early: a late arrival might mean no tea!
John Ferguson