Ely by bike - and the train home

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

From Lode we took National Cycle Route 11, all empty roads, gravel tracks and bridleways, across the Fens. It's a lovely ride under wide skies, but there's always the challenge of hauling the e-bikes up and over the Cock Up bridge at Burwell Lode. Why did they make the steps so steep?

The notorious Cock-Up Bridge

Hetty, Dominic, Paul and Chris pausing for a breather on another bridge

Alan

Jenny

Paul

Hetty

Hilary

Dominic

Arriving at Ely, we made our way to the railway station and caught the train home. Well done, team!

 

25 miles from Shelford to Ely