Wednesday, 03 July 2019
Yasmin writes: There was a good turn out for my first ride as a leader: when I got to Brookside (early!), Geoff was already there, talking to Sally on his phone. Others arrived: Paul on his e-bike, Alan and Tom M. David G and his partner had already texted me, and we'd arranged to meet on Wort's Causeway.
Town was predictably busy and smelly, and it was a relief to get to Wort's Causeway bang on time to meet David and Beate. I hadn't met them before, and had assumed that they were Sunday regulars, but they explained that they had ridden a few Saturdays and Sunday afternoons.
Up the hill past the beechwoods. Beate and I couldn't quite decide if we could see Ely Cathedral in the distance? It seemed the right shape, and the right direction thinking about the orientation of Ely Viewpoint at Wandlebury. Not sure.
Down the hill and into Fulbourn. Great Wilbraham was busy - we guessed we were passing through as the primary school play finished, as we rode past Friar Tuck. Sadly his was the only costume we saw, as the rest of the children were escorted into cars.
On the long straight to Six Mile Bottom (hur hur) a cyclist on the horizon turned out to be Tom N. Yay! He and Simon are planning on doing the Pork Pie 200km Audax on Saturday - from Girton to Oundle, to Melton Mowbray, to Oundle and back to Girton.
David and Berta were hoping to get some hills in, and this route doesn't disappoint. We slog up to Brinkley, and are passed by some young riders
- one jersey says "British Triathlon Club" or similar. The lad in the middle is really puffing. We joked that Paul could have turned his bike up to the max and given them a run for their money - but, sadly, he explained that it doesn't work like that; "over 16 mph and I'm on my own!".
The light is just beautiful as we wind through Carlton. I can see that people who are clever with painting would make this landscape really sing.
Towards Carlton
The Black Bull in Balsham arrived just as our bellies start to rumble. Inside are further visitors - John S and Nigel. Lovely to see them both! Although their food arrived rather before ours, which is character-building...
Good conversation and good grub is had. A quick photo on the way out to mark this auspicious occasion, and the others head back into town - it's
downhill all the way, except for the little uphill bits - while I peel off towards Hildersham.
Outside the Black Bull, Balsham
I catch a glance of the tail lights off the returning riders, and take a quick photo of the turbines and the sunset.
Sunset and wind turbines over Balsham
Download
GPS track (GPX).