Saturday, 05 January 2019
Ian writes: First of all I'd like to write a quick thank-you to everyone who supported the 2018 Socials, come rain or shine. This was much appreciated! Overall I believe we had a good year, with just one cancellation, and soakings were a rare event (not that my memory is that reliable!)
Today for our first ride of 2019 there were thirteen of us heading to Pippins in Hardwick. This included three guest riders: so welcome to Elizabeth, Andrea and Pankaj.
Pippins, at Hardwick Community School, is generally on the first Saturday of the month and is invariably well supported so it pays to arrive in good time prior to 11am. We therefore took a direct route from Brookside to get there. I took the cycle path to Barton, from where we continued through Comberton to reach Toft and where we turned right for the gradual climb to Hardwick.
Upon arrival, initial demand had been satisfied so it was perfect timing: just a case of an extra table or two being provided so we all had a place to be served our refreshments.
Unbeknown to me John had been suffering from a slow puncture which required attention on arrival, hence being further back in the queue, though in due course Julia and Flo appeared, having set off later and taken an even more direct route to join the throng.
The time was soon approaching midday and it was time to be on the move again - especially to keep warm (though at first Flo took a bit of convincing!) Having already done most of the climbing, my return figure-of-eight route was expected to be plain sailing. However this was not to be since as we approached Madingley Mike K casually mentioned we were missing a few riders, John's puncture having thwarted progress. Thankfully Mick and Adrian were on hand to assist, so we offer our gratitude to them and hope things worked out in the end without too much delay!
In the meantime I was able to continue with the rest of the group, passing the back of the American Cemetery to the crossroads and and on through Coton village to first Grantchester and then Trumpington where we picked up the busway back into town. When we arrived at the railway station,
20 miles completed, we dispersed to go our separate ways home.
Ian