Thursday, 27 June 2019
Edward writes: For a day that promised warm sunshine it was a surprise that only seven members assembled at the start in Great Shelford for today's ride to Saffron Walden for coffee and Great Dunmow for lunch. However it was pointed out the at least seven regulars were away on holiday.
We set off on the conventional and shortest route to Saffron Walden through Little Shelford to Whittlesford, where we were joined by Mike B and Greg. Further along the route we were also joined by Jerry B. With the arrival of Greg the conversation level picked up considerably and much of it whirled around matters European. Obviously being a politically neutral club no opinion can be offered here, but it was entertaining listening to the exchange of views.
This all brought us quickly to the A505, complete with its new (but short) cycleway approach opposite the central reservation. After going round the Duxford factory area and Hinxton we arrived in Ickleton ready for the climb over Coploe Hill. At the summit we found the city riders almost ready to leave - never the twain shall meet! At Catmere End we re-grouped, where Mike B left us and disappeared into the wilderness heading for who knows where. Meanwhile those who prefered a more sedate trip along the roads made their way along Chestnut Avenue and into Saffron Walden along the beautifully re-surfaced road into the town. (Essex doing its stuff again! Cambridgeshire, please note!)
Catmere End
The "country cousins" (us) took coffee in the Curious Goat whilst the "city slickers" had theirs nearby at the Mocha Cafe. When we left the two cafes we followed the same route (separately, of course) by taking the road out to Debden, which from the top of the hill out of Walden has been resurfaced all the way to the Debden crossroads. What an improvement when we remember how bad it was.
We progressed through Debden to Debden Green and on towards Henham. Along here the routes diverged, with the city people going on to Henham and our village group turning off at Hamperden End. Even this little road, which took us past Cherry Green to bring us out on the B1051 at Sucksted Green, has been smartened up.
A mile going towards Thaxted brought us to Folly Mill Lane and there began a delightful half dozen or so miles down to Little Easton along quiet country lanes through fields which are now starting to turn golden in colour: a reminder, if ever we needed one, that it won't be long before the harvest will be starting.
This brought us to the busy B184 and the final run-in of a mile or so to Great Dunmow and lunch. The usual arrangements applied: sandwiches in the park and the sharing of two cafes in the town.
After lunch the city group set off first (nothing new about that) followed a little later by our group. Adrian escorted us out to gain access to the Flitch Way cycle route. The beginning of this was a bit rough but once over that it settled down nicely for the mile or so into Little Dunmow with no harm done to bikes. This brought us out onto the B1256 for a hundred meters to the turning for Stebbing, meaning that we had successfully avoided that busy road coming out of Great Dunmow.
In Stebbing Adrian left us (presumably to do some "rough stuff") but we hadn't seen the last of him as he was to reappear later. We now joined the B1057 all the way up to Great Bardfield and Finchingfield where, somewhat to our surprise, Mike CC didn't advocate a stop for ice cream.
From Finchingfield we went past Spains Hall, now under new ownership, apparently by some well-known TV chef, and the five miles to the B1054 for the run-in to Helions Bumpstead.
Castle Camps
We paused in Castle Camps, where we were rejoined by Adrian, after which we enjoyed the lovely downhill sweep into Bartlow.
Our ride ended through Linton, Hildersham, Abington, Babraham and Sawston, finishing back at Great Shelford at 5.30pm after covering a very pleasant
65 miles - just in time for Mike CC to call in for a pint (just one, Mike) at the Square and Compasses.
Download
GPS track (GPX).