Swaffham Bulbeck and Back

Monday morning saw six socially distanced riders heading for Fulbourn; Alan - energised by a hearty breakfast - setting the pace ahead of Hilary, Phil and three Brians.

Great Wlbraham, Little Wilbraham and Bottisham came and went before we pulled up for a breather at  Swaffham Bulbeck. Thence it was on to Lode and, via a somewhat hard-to-find cycleway, Stow-cum-Quy and Fen Ditton.

Approaching Cambridge from the east we were curious about the melee outside the Abbey Stadium; why  queue here at midday on an August Monday? Stopping for a chat, we learned these were the true believers queuing for their season tickets; a friendly bunch of ever hopeful, die-hard Cambridge United fans. We wished them well.

Traversing Coldham's Common we headed for the Tony Carter Cycle Bridge over the railway. Named after a Labour councillor of the day, opened in 1989 and listed for a time in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's longest covered cycle bridge, this is a wonderful shortcut. Its only drawback is the greenhouse-like design; it can be stiflingly hot in summer.

The Carter Cycle Bridge near Cambridge Station; a hot ride in summer

Crossing Mill Road, now remarkably car-free, thanks to the recent traffic restrictions, we were soon on the  home straight, the DNA path back to Shelford.

It had been a relatively long ride - 25 miles - without refreshments and so Brian H, top chap, welcomed us into his garden for well earned coffee.

25 miles anticlockwise

Willingham Auctions

A fine Monday morning saw Jenny, Jeremy, Phil and three Brians pedalling to Cambridge along the DNA cycleway. Crossing the city via quiet backstreets and picking up the guided busway near the Science Park, we headed out towards Histon and on to Willingham, where we pulled in at the Auction Rooms for refreshment.

Coffee at Willingham Auction Rooms

This being an August Monday, Rishi Sunak's Eat Out to Help Out lark meant we got coffee and a stonking great slice of Victoria sponge for just £3; thank you, Rishi. And Brian H called up an ex-colleague and cricketing mate - Alan, who lives in Willingham - inviting him to join us for coffee.

Back on the bikes, we wound our way south through Longstanton, Oakington and Girton - and thence back to Shelford via Grantchester and Trumpington.

A tad longer than our usual Monday outing, we clocked up 30 miles, arriving back in the village just before a downpour. Alas, poor Yorkie Brian still had 3 miles to go to Sawston and got a good soaking. 

30 miles anticlockwise

Starting with six - but finishing with four

Monday's outing started with six riders but ended with just four. Alan - with an appointment elsewhere at 10.30 - could only join us for a few miles. Lewis - poor chap - had a bad knee and decided to turn back at Haslingfield. One of BrianH's cycling mates passed us - going the other way - turned around and tagged along for a while. And poor old BrianH himself was suffering from post-weekend heatstroke - but somehow managed to keep going to the bitter end.

The final four - Brian, Brian, Chris and Phil - pausing for a breather at Kingston

At the finish, it was just Chris, Phil and two Brians. We had clocked up 23 miles visiting Harston, Haslingfield, Harlton, the Eversdens, Kingston, Toft, Comberton and Barton. As ever, the highlight was coffee and cake, this time at Burwash Manor where the cherry galette is highly recommended.

23 miles clockwise from Great Shelford

No coffee at Balsham

Monday morning saw Hilary, Chris, Alan, Lewis and two Brians pedalling out of Great Shelford, headed for Balsham where BrianC had assured us of refreshment at the Old Butchers Coffee Shop.

24 miles clockwise

It was a leisurely start, along the cycleway to Sawston and thence on to Babraham. There followed some upper body exercise as we hauled the bikes up and over the A11 footbridge between Babraham and Abington; not a problem for those of us on pedal bikes, but Hilary's e-bike required considerably more man-handling.

Our next challenge was the long ascent from Hildersham to Balsham, but the prospect of coffee and cake saw us crest the hill in anticipation and roll up in front of the aforementioned Old Butchers Coffee Shop. Alas, it was closed for refurbishment! BrianH suggested trying the Black Bull - where we similarly drew a blank. Humph! What's the point of a ride leader if he can't even organise a coffee stop.

There was nothing for it but to make the descent into Linton where - glory be - we were warmly welcomed by the ladies at the Linton Kitchen. Sitting outside, we sipped our coffee and samplied some excellent cakes while swapping stories of school governorship. Several of our riders bear the scars on their backs from that experience.

Back on the bikes, we headed for Hildersham and Great Abington, from where we took the cycleway alongside the A505 back to Babraham and on home, clocking up some 24 miles in all.