Thursday, 14 October 2021
Edward writes: This Thursday's ride took us to St. Neots for lunch and as Swavesey Chapel had restarted their coffee mornings that was always going to be the coffee stop. The ride was un-booked so it was a lottery as to how many would turn up for a ride starting in Great Shelford. In the event we had ten which was just about right for a comfortable ride. In the past rides to Swavesey started in Haslingfield so by starting in Shelford it added another five miles to the ride. It was a conventional route through Harston, Haslingfield, Harlton, Eversdens, Kingston, Bourn, Knapwell and Boxworth.We arrived in Swavesey just after 11am, just as the Cam Rollers were leaving. Having got our coffee and cakes we were greeted by Sharon, Belinda, Ian B and John S and so commenced a very pleasant coffee break and subsequent ride to St. Neots. As usual we acknowledged the ladies from the Swavesey W.I. for their splendid cake making and generous hospitality. It was always a pleasure to visit the chapel and it still very much is now.
Going on from Swavesey was always going to be a bit harder as the wind became stronger and we had to pedal against it. Again it was a standard route to St. Neots via Fenstanton, Hilton, Graveley and Toseland. The long stetch from Toseland to the B1043 was hard work but we made it; John S was especially helpful acting as a useful windshield! We arrived in St Neots at 1pm and as at Swavesey we had a really pleasant lunch break at the Ambiance Cafe and the weather was OK for sitting outside.
After lunch Sharon and Belinda left us and Phil had to leave early leaving the remaining group to go home through Abbotsley, Great Gransden, Caxton and Bourn. We split here to allow for separate routes to home.
This was a very enjoyable day in good company so thanks to all for their contributions. Afterwards it was good to hear comments such as it was nice to be involved in a normal ride without the limitations of booking; people came and went as they pleased. Edward Elmer