Saturday, 15 January 2022
Edward writes: This week the southern group organised a ride to Baythorne End with a whistlestop call in Balsham for coffee. Early morning it was very cold but fortunately without the fog mentioned in the previous night's weather forecast. Andy led the ride and he was joined by eight others, including Rob who joined us for the first time.
When we set off towards Whittlesford it was directly into the sun making it difficult to see and one hopes that car drivers coming up behind are fully aware of the conditions. We crossed into Sawston and along the cycleway to Babraham, A505, Little Abington, Hildersham and the long climb up to Balsham.
In Balsham we met Peter W who was out for a ride. Interestingly he has written a book about his circumnavigation by bike of the coast of England, Scotland and Wales; should be a great read.
By the time we restarted the sun had brought a little warmth as we made our undulating way to Tarka's at Baythorne End, taking us through West Wickham, Withersfield, Great Wratting and Hundon.
We arrived for lunch at 12.30pm after 30 very pleasant miles. We had a very nice lunch break sitting outside in the sun. The service was very good such that we able to head for home by 1.30pm with 23 miles back to Great Shelford via the Bumpsteads, Castle Camps, Bartlow and Linton.
Unfortunately Andy had a puncture going into Steeple Bumpstead but he insisted that we should go on, and we did! We arrived back in Great Shelford at 3.45 after 53 miles.
The southern group meets again next Thursday for a ride out to LJ's in Gamlingay!.