CTC Cambridge

Thursday 5 December 2024 

Another Thursday, another gathering, at the Square and Compasses, writes Greg. The eager participants milled around exchanging the usual pleasantries. Sarah was wondering where Andy was since he was right behind up to 50 metres 50 yards before their arrival. Peter was discussing Arsenal with Richard and Ed. Sharon was ruminating over whether to add a hat before setting off. Susan was still puzzling about where she had gone wrong in her Sudoku. Tony was introducing himself to Nick.

Waves of enthusiasm

The time for the grand départ arrived and so Greg called for order and set off.

After just 1 km half a mile he had already lost three participants. This is a new CTC Cambridge record for shedding ride members. One wonders whether a Len Nice category for leadership incompetence is possible at this year's Christmas bash (all tickets sold!): Greg was making a good initial claim (see later for another even more impressive potential entry...)

It transpired that Tony had seen the gathering gloom and the start of the rain and decided today wasn't for him. Next time Tony! Andy was trying to fix Sarah's puncture which revealed itself as she set off. She passed the message on that they would catch us up (which they subsequently did but in a more creative way than initially intended.)

So on the remainder went (though I'm not sure a stylish peloton wants to be described as a 'remainder', but since I am in charge of this ride report that is my chosen term.)

We passed through Whittlesford and Duxford, with Greg enlightening Sharon that there were originally two parish churches in Duxford - which is a great rarity in England. Although Swaffham Prior also shares this phenomenon there are actually very few other places. Sharon was duly amazed at the sheer quantity of mindless data that appeared to be retained by yours truly.

At the level crossing in Hinxton we were held up by the lights and learnt that Andy had broken his 'tyregettererofferer' so they were walking to Shelford and getting the train home. Richard then proceeded to amaze everyone as we cycled through Hinxton by announcing that his 'tyregettererofferer' was unlikely to break – it was really strong, blue and made in France.

'France?' exclaimed Greg as he brought the ride to an emergency stop. Did you say your 'tyregettererofferer' is French? I took a poll of the rest of the 'Remainders' and, despite the affections of his fellow Gooners, it was agreed that this was simply unacceptable behaviour. He was very lucky that we permitted him to carry on with us, though he rightly, in self defence, did point out that the criticism of his failure to support "British tyregttererofferers for British cyclists" would be somewhat moot if we actually needed to use his French tool in an emergency. (Note that this entire paragraph has been written with the sole intention of driving the editor's spellchecker mad.)

We continued in the drizzle up Quickset Hill — the harder route to Elmdon. Then along the Ridgeway to Great Chishill where, by great good fortune, Uwe was still waiting in the bus stop for us. He had carefully looked at the Shelford departure time and route and calculated a 15 minute window (9.45am-10.00am) when we should arrive at Great Chishill, after which he would hare off on his own. Reader: you will be thrilled to learn that we hove into view at 9.59 and 55 seconds!

We duly set off together, for once turning right to pass the Chishill windmill and head on to Barley up a nasty 11% hill and then a longer drag back up and over the extended ridgeway before dropping down into Royston and through town to the welcoming coffee break at the Heath café.

Now some of you may be noticing a pattern here. Last ride I led had the coffee stop at Haverhill — aka Havervalley because the first thing to do from Haverhill is climb a hill back out of town. Yet as nothing to Royston where the haul back up across the Heath after coffee is a long steep drag. If you are Nick (young!) or Uwe (young and only just started the day) then you can fly up the hill, accompanied by "Leccy Ed" as he is now know. The rest of us mere manual mortals laboured up to Therfield where we arrived warm and puffed.

The next leg was on to Reed, and then on the usual ridgeway road but going the 'wrong' way. Peter was confused until he worked out he did know the road — just going the other way. However, things livened up when we took the turn to Little Chishill. Sharon expressed her relief since 'This looks less hilly.' Memo to Sharon – first appearances can deceive!

Indeed the hill up from Little Chishill tops out at 13%. This route was the hilly option, in keeping with the theme for the day! However, once crested, there is a lovely long run gradually downhill past the rally school until we turn left at the Bull pub, now closed.

Bizarrely at that turn was a SpudULike van, lit up and serving. Total potential passing trade for the day was doubled by our ride by. Odd! Uwe was keen to stop, just in case there was limited refreshments at the lunch stop and, anyway, it against his creed to pass on food when available. I insisted we press on...

Uwe, Susan, Sharon and Peter thus resumed the lead up towards Langley. I was held back by Naturalist Nick (that's "Naturalist", not "Naturist"...) as he had spotted a herd of fallow deer across the field. Richard and Ed also stopped to observe.

I was now caught in no man's land as the leader between a stationary rear group and a disappearing fast front group. I decided to head on up the hill.

At the split in the road for the hamlet church I took that option. I was now on my own, as there was no sign of either of the other two groups. This was raising leadership woes to new levels but since, all the available roads led on to the Wendens Road and so to The Mixing Shed, I wasn't unduly concerned that I had now lost all of my riders and felt no need to start making calls.

Indeed I soon saw Nick and crew (still clothed) emerging from a turn and when I got to The Mixing Shed Uwe and co had just arrived. We all soon reunited (sans Richard and Ed who headed straight back – hey Richard, note my use of the French word sans just for you!) because, lo, Andy and Sarah on her now-repaired bike had come back out to join us for lunch.

A lively discussion over many subjects ensued – not least a check on whether Uwe had enough food to eat, and of the right quality. His thumbs-up whilst chewing indicated an affirmative response. Phew!

We left lunch in the gathering gloom of a December afternoon, much cheered by the fact that Greg had explained that from 13th December, St Lucy's Day, the nights draw out even though the daylight period continues to contract until 21st. There was some head scratching from folk as they tried to process this new fact (new to them: this change has actually been happening on 13th December ever since the Gregorian Calendar superseded the Julian calendar in 1752!

We soon made it back over Littlebury Hill and then Coploe Hill. These were the last two big climbs of a hilly ride, but we now had a tailwind to help which was now picking up markedly. We turned our lights on and pressed on as the drizzle threatened to become proper rain. We were back by 3.30pm after some 76 km 47.5 miles and a pretty impressive 820m of climbing.

Extra Christmas Bonus: Cyclist's Festive Breakfast

Cook a portion of porridge in microwave the as per normal. Stir though half a dessert spoon (5ml) of mincemeat to add interest and flavour without adding too much sugar. Add dried cranberries if looking for real festive pzazz. Enjoy!

Note: This is a great way to use up those last bits of mincemeat left in the jar after the annual mince pie making. However, this is so good that you will then find yourself cycling all over Cambridge and its environs trying to find more mincemeat, so be warned. Stock up before you try it!

Happy Christmas! Greg