Thursday, 08 March 2018
Edward writes: It wasn't a surprise when twelve members met in Haslingfield and ten gathered at Brookside. After last week's forced inactivity many must have been suffering the effects of cabin fever and were only too pleased to be outside on their bikes.
This ride would take us to Potton for coffee and Willington for lunch, with Rupert leading from the city and Sharon in control from Haslingfield. Despite the improvement in the weather from last week it wasn't all that great today with a blustery westerly wind under overcast skies, although by afternoon it had improved considerably.
Sharon led us away to Harlton with the knowledge that the morning's ride would be tough, but this held the prospect of an easy ride home. It wasn't long into the ride when the rain appeared, never heavy, but unwelcome nonetheless.
We passed through the Eversdens, Kingston and Bourn to Caxton. Here we turned south west and the two miles to the Gransdens was really hard work and it was a relief to get to the shelter of the village, albeit briefly. When we came to the road into Gamlingay, which rises and is exposed to the wind, the riding became even more difficult such that the downhill into Gamlingay was still hard work. From Gamlingay we took the direct route into Potton along the B1040 and it was to much relief to arrive at the Boundary Cafe alongside Rupert's City riders.
Along with the 'independents' there were probably about thirty for the staff to cope with and they did so admirably. Looking outside we could see that the weather was still distinctly unfriendly and this encouraged many to call it a day and head for home. Among them was Greg who had worried all through the break that his absence from work would have an adverse effect on the country's GDP figures and so decided to see what he could do to boost productivity. Other reasons for leaving lacked such credibility except that the weather was miserable, but they did miss out on a great ride home in the afternoon.
Sharon and Rupert led two groups away from Potton into still more wind and misty rain, with our next landmark being the descent of Tempsford Hill, but today there were no heroics and a sensible pace was maintained by all. This took us to the level crossing and for once we didn't have to stop and watch half the Virgin fleet of trains cross in front of us.
From there we continued over the A1 and down into Blunham and Moggerhanger. We were still riding into that wind but at least we were getting closer to our lunch stop.
Sharon, to our relief, decided against her planned loop via Northill and instead we pushed on to Cople which left just a short trip down the A603 to Willington and the Blossom cafe. For that short distance the wind was behind us, which made the afternoon something to look forward to.
Lunch passed and at 2pm it was time to get on the road again - and what a difference! The wind still blew, and that was good, but the sun also came out and we soon forgot the travails of the morning.
We made for Danish Camp and then ride along the old railway alignment all the way into Sandy. We now followed a familiar route home through Gamlingay, the Hatleys and Wimpole Hall and, needless to say, this was easy riding with the help of the sun and a rising temperature.
The ride finished with a climb over Chapel Hill at 4pm and after
56 miles for those who stuck it out a very rewarding day's cycling. As ever thanks to our two leaders Sharon and Rupert for taking us round.
Edward Elmer
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