Tuesday 13 June 2023
Edward writes: Quite a few regular southern riders were away his week, either on holiday or nursing niggly joints or muscles. But at least we had eight which is a nice number to manage. This ride would take us to the Bonnefirebox cafe at Wimbish for coffee and then on to Petals Tea Room in Great Yelding for lunch.
We followed a standard route as far as Coploe Hill where the altitude seemed to have instigated a lively conversation/debate about a certain prominent politician (no prizes for guessing). At least it took the discomfort of the climb away, and at the end everybody dropped their differences, just as it should be, and got on with the task in hand to get through Saffron Walden and climb more hills to the Debden crossroads. (In Chestnut Avenue there is a wonderful poppy field: more about this later.)
This just left the last climb to Elder Street Wimbish and our coffee break. Unfortunately the Bonnefirebox cafe is closing at the end of the summer, but for now they provided us with excellent coffee and cakes. During coffee Peter W called and he would meet us for lunch and then ride back with us.
After coffee Richard left us but later sent a very useful text to say that in Linton the cycleway is now complete which we would try later in the ride. We set off and made our way on the quiet road to Radwinter and then on busier road to Great Sampford. We encountered a few more hills going through Cornish Hall End and Stambourne before reaching Great Yelding, arriving at 1pm. Petals is very attractive, with a good menu, but it's best not be in a hurry! We started the return journey at 2.25pm.
Our 42 km26 mile journey home took us a short way along the A1017 before turning off to Birdbrooke and Steeple Bumpstead where a new housing development is called Poppy Fields (no doubt where they used to grow). Anyway Steeple Bumpstead was followed by Helions Bumpstead and then the climb up to Castle Camps.
Our return journey was assisted by the wind so not too much effort required. From the Camps it was all downhill to Bartlow and then Linton where the new housing development is called Poppy Fields which begs the question how many new housing developments share that name. Greg, I know, is seriously concerned about this weird phenomenon. Once through Linton we branched off from the planned route and used the new cycleway extension which is a nice improvement. We finished the ride through the Abingtons, Babraham, Sawston and finally back in Great Shelford with 92 km57 miles under our belts. An enjoyable ride: thanks to all those who came along. Edward