Thursday, 30 May 2019
Edward writes: A nice warm day greeted the twelve riders who assembled in Great Shelford for today's ride out to Newport for coffee and Great Bardfield for lunch. This was a late change to the lunch venue. which had to be changed from Andrew's Field in Great Saling to the Blue Egg near Great Bardfield as the former would not have been able to accommodate us due to an expected visit by a large number of motor cyclists.
Today the honour of leading us fell to Sheila, which is not an uncommon experience as she nobly steps in on many occasions to fill vacancies in the runs list. We set off from the '
Square' and headed through Little Shelford towards Whittlesford - where Sheila apparently incurred a Garmin failure. This was a serious setback when trying to navigate between Little Shelford and Whittlesford! Anyway it seemed to get over its little tantrum and we were able to continue without too much delay.
Little Shelford to Whittlesford
Little Shelford to Whittlesford
After we had crossed the A505 into Duxford we were caught and overtaken by those speedy types from the city who took the direct route to Ickleton whilst their country cousins took a more leisurely route through the Duxford factory area into Hinxton and then Ickleton. Before disappearing from view, however, those who had recently been in France were able to compare notes on the comparative state of the road surfaces in the two countries. No prizes for knowing which way that discussion went!
On with the journey: we climbed Coploe Hill and paused at the usual place to take in the beautiful views before heading up to Catmere End. This was followed by a bit more climbing to Telegraph Hill, then a downhill to Wendens Ambo and finally out to the main road to Newport. Not trying to contradict the earlier comment but this stretch of road has been transferred from third-world to excellent which shows it can be done: well done Essex!
We all arrived at Dorrington's by 11 am for coffee and cake and afterwards, as expected, a few returned home. After the usual difficulties of assembling everybody (it's never easy for the leader) we finally set off to Great Bardfield by 11.40am.
After the climb out of Newport we turned towards Debden and already we were in three distinct groups: each followed different routes after Debden Green. Sheila with the main group were stopped from going through the roadworks at the Broxted Hill turning and had to continue down to Henham, but when Gerry and I reached it we were cheerfully waved through. Normally Sarah is able to charm (negotiate) our way through road works so it must have been a particularly strong-minded man to have withstood her charms! Meanwhile Mike and Averil had continued to Thaxted.
Newport
Despite all this the ride through the countryside was lovely with the fields quickly growing their crops and of course the sound of birdsong. We passed through Great Easton and and Lindsell and the final run-in to Great Bardfield up to the Blue Egg, arriving at 1.15pm. Already there, not surprisingly, were the city group, Mike and Averil and soon afterwards Sheila arrived with everyone else after their slightly longer than planned route.
With the weather so good it was extremely pleasant sitting outside and a chance to catch-up on progress in the cricket world cup opening day. Not everybody, of course! After lunch the city group set off and, finally all together, Sheila started the journey home with a group of twelve which stayed together all the way home until the various breaking off points nearer Cambridge.
Our route home took us through Finchingfield, Helions Bumpstead, Castle Camps, Bartlow and Linton before finally finishing in Great Shelford at 4.15pm after
63 miles. Thanks to Sheila and Dr John for leading these rides and for a good day out.
Edward
Download
GPS track (GPX).