CTC Cambridge

Sunday 22 February 2026 

Peter writes: After a lot of grey, cold and damp weather, today's forecast was for a milder day with some sunshine. As I got up, it was raining but this passed off while I was eating breakfast and as I got ready to go, I even saw a bit of blue sky. A good omen!

Six of us left Brookside to head out south, and we were joined on the way by four more.

As we rode, I was struck by the early flowering plants. There are a lot of daffodils out and some willow trees in bud as well as the usual snowdrops and aconites at this time of year.

Crops in some of the fields looked like they had grown even since a few days ago when I last passed them. The sun came out and I had a definite feeling of riding into Spring. I felt more energy and my spirits were lifted by it. Others seemed to feel this as well, judging by their comments.

The group spread out rather as we climbed up towards Great Chishill (highest point in Cambridgeshire) and this meant I needed to take some care that I knew who was ahead and who behind. Leading a group ride is not hard, but this is one thing I find I need to be aware of. Everyone has their own speed at which they are comfortable and you have to accept that in larger groups the difference may be significant. It's easier if everyone on the ride is experienced and able to look after themselves if separated from the main group, as was the case today. It's important to notice if anyone is struggling or needs guiding around the route, and keep them in sight. However, anyone riding ahead of me is by definition responsible for their own navigation!

The Mixing Shed was not very busy when we arrived, so service was pretty quick. They always offer good food and coffee, and have plenty of outdoor seating, including a covered area where we sat today. Conversation flowed around the table, including pros and cons of different glazing companies and subtleties of German pronunciation.

Heading back into Cambridge, we climbed up Telegraph Hill and then on to the lane along Coploe Hill which is a favourite of mine. In another sign that Spring is coming, the skylarks were singing as we rode along. In Ickleton I noticed that someone had planted some primroses in a pothole (see photo), a comment on the sad state of Cambridgeshire's roads!

Back through Hinxton and unlike two weeks ago, the road was dry thanks to a few days with little rain this week. And home for a well-earned second lunch. Peter Hutchison