Eight of us completed a 24 mile circuit taking us up the hill to Elmdon and back. Towards the end we stopped off at Duxford Community Centre for coffee (and repaired a puncture too!)
24 miles anticlockwise |
Cycling from Great Shelford, South Cambridgeshire
24 miles - 12 riders - coffee at Day's Bakery, Newton |
Mid-summer and the weather set fair; what better time to make our annual pilgrimage to Ely. Whereas last time we caught the train there and cycled back (see blog), this time with the wind from the south it made sense to do it t'other way round.
So it was that eleven riders set off from Shelford heading for Lode, gateway to the Fens. But we'd only got as far as Cherry Hinton when Brian pulled up with a flat tyre caused by a discarded drawing pin (possibly an act of malice by an ex-pupil, he thought). Brian looked on while Chris and Paul effected a repair and, fifteen minutes later, we were back on the road, Ely-bound once more.
Brian supervises his puncture repair |
Lime Kiln Hill - normally a no-go route for the safety conscious cyclist - was closed to traffic, so what better time to enjoy the view from the top and take a peek at Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits.
Then it was on to Teversham, Fulbourn, The Wilbrahams, Bottisham and Lode, where we pulled in at Anglesey Abbey for coffee and cake. And it was here that eagle-eyed Tiggr spotted the bee orchids on the edge of the car park.
Bee Orchid, Anglesey Abbey car park |
The natural world, eh? And so often it's hiding in plain sight, as with the knapweed broomrape Paul spotted near Newton some two summers ago.
Back on the bikes we made the return leg via Fen Ditton and the Chisholm Trail home to Shelford.
24 miles anticlockwise - 10 riders - coffee at Anglesey Abbey |
A pretty good turnout - 10 riders - for another Monday bank holiday. Local roads were thankfully quiet as there was no school-run to contend with. Close to home, we got a soaking in Sawston and Alan nearly fell over wrestling with his overtrousers.
25 miles - 10 riders - coffee at Duxford Community Centre |
Our annual visit to see the bluebells near Littlebury is by far the hilliest ride of the year. With the Shelfords at just 14m above sea level and Littlebury Green topping out at 118m, not to mention all the ups and downs in between, we end up climbing a total of 350m, or just over 1000 ft in old money. All the more reason to enjoy coffee and cake at Compass Courtyard.
Ann and her posse atop Coploe Hill |
Wild garlic and bluebells at Howe Wood on the Audley End Estate |
Enjoying a cuppa at Compass Courtyard |
Eleven riders was a pretty good turnout, considering the temperature was in single figures. Our destination was Milton Country Park and, given Brian's twisty route through Cambridge, we were fortunate to lose only one rider; sorry, Alan, but it was good to see you catch us up as we arrived back in Shelford.
Milton Country Park |
The U's latest signing, seen here at Cambridge North |
On the return leg Jim took us on a tour of the new and rather impressive Ironworks development just off Mill Road. Nearer home and on the busway, Brian H was heard shouting encouragement to the Cambridge United players we saw training at their new facility on Bentley Road.
21 miles - 11 riders - coffee at Milton Country Park |