Sunday, 05 November 2017
Nigel writes: I often hear the view within our club that members don't like going north. I don't mean to the
real north. I just mean to Ely. It's set in a rather flat and bleak landscape and there are few decent options to get there. So I was surprised that when Sheila led our last foray into the fens on
15th October we had a decent turnout and a rather pleasant day. But I was even more surprised when, only three weeks later, we returned to Ely with an even bigger turnout.
Our leader on both occasions was Sheila, though our route (and our coffee stop) would be different this time. Today was a rather fine sunny day, which encouraged nine other riders to join her on a foray into the northlands.
Brookside
Our morning coffee stop was in Fordham, and with a 9.30am start there was really only one route to get there: east along the river to Fen Ditton and the "old" NCN51 route through Bottisham, the Swaffhams, Reach and Burwell. With bright sunshine and a very slight tailwind this was a pleasant and very easy ride.
Passing Quy Church
Reach
After coffee at Simpson's Nurseries in Fordham we set off north to Ely. There really is only one sensible route to take, along B-roads via Isleham and Prickwillow, which we had another easy to Ely. Here we stopped for lunch at the same place as last time, the Cutter Inn by the river.
After lunch Sheila decided to abandon her planned route home via Wicken because NCN11 south of Ely was expected to be muddy. So at Sheila's invitation I took over the lead for what is in practice the only alternative route, via Wilburton and the B1049. After crossing the River Great Ouse we turned off onto Long Drove and returned to Cambridge via Landbeach, Milton and the A14 cycle bridge. I arrived home at about 4pm, having cycled 84 miles (52 miles).
Nigel Deakin
Download
GPS track (GPX).