Last ride before lockdown

Little did we know this was to be our last outing for some months.

The Great Lockdown was just a week away as Hilary, Jenny, Janet, Paul, Lewis, Jeremy, Alan, Christine, Phil and two Brians set off from Cara Coffee. 

Alas, poor Phil sustained an early puncture on Trumpington Meadow and opted to turn back, leaving the rest of us to clock up 25 miles visiting Grantchester, Coton, Cambridge and Milton.

Pausing for a breather on Garret Hostel Bridge

Notable moments included BrianC's muddy off-road excursion around Hauxton, sipping coffee in the café that Alan built, BrianH's impromptu pub crawl, and Christine's close encounter on the guided busway; though we think the Cambus driver got a bigger fright than she did.

The route was mercifully flat, give or take the odd bridge approach, and nobody fell in the river. Well done all!

25 miles clockwise

Coploe Hill Climb

A windy Monday morning saw Jenny, Hilary, Janet, Lewis, Jeremy, Ric, Alan and Brian clock up 22 miles visiting Little Shelford, Whittlesford, Duxford, Hinxton, Ickleton and Coploe Hill.

Taking in the view from Coploe Hill

Hinxton Ford footbridge

22 miles

Our first outing

Brian's advert in the Village News did the trick, four Great Shelford stalwarts turning out for the club's inaugural ride on a chilly Monday morning in March.

The Millennial meridian marker at Orwell

Setting off at 09:30 from Cara Coffee in Great Shelford, Jenny, Hilary, Lewis and Brian clocked up 22 miles visiting Newton, Fowlmere, Shepreth, Orwell, Barrington and Haslingfield.

We stopped for a photo astride the meridian at Orwell and, having laboured up Chapel Hill, it seemed only right to pull in for refreshment at The Moringa Tree, a delightful little café opposite the church in Haslingfield. It was here that we bumped into Iain and Biddy, who were on a similar ride but going in the opposite direction.

Brian, Jenny, Lewis and Hilary

Returning to Great Shelford, there was general agreement that the club had a future and we should meet again for a similar outing next Monday.

22 miles clockwise