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.
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| 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.
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| 25 miles anticlockwise |