Sunday, 31 July 2011
Tina writes: Four men and four women made up the group of cyclists, led by Bob B, setting off from Brookside this afternoon down Trumpington Road, cutting through Porson Rd to Long Road and then picking up the cycle path beside the guided busway and across to the DNA path.
Just before Shelford Station we turned left into Mingle Lane, following NCN 11 through to Sawston, turning left past the Village College and heading out on the Babraham Road along the 'new' cycle path.
In Babraham village we branched right on to a surfaced farm track, pausing to admire a classic car that had turned in ahead of us. Concrete pavers gave way to the rutted track leading to the bridge over the A11 where we paused for a drink and group photo.
Back on smooth surface, we turned left past the Cambridge Language School, stopping briefly to see the giraffe and then cycled on, enjoying quieter country lanes with the A11 safely behind us, through Little Abington and on to Linton. Crossing the A1307, we headed on to Bartlow with ripening fields of wheat on either side, bordered by a selection of colourful wild flowers – flat heads of white yarrow, purple knapweed and blue scabious.
From Bartlow we followed the gently undulating 'Camps' road, branching right uphill towards Steventon End and then sweeping downhill to Ashdon and ever-popular village museum. Day riders Nigel and David W had already arrived, joining George who had cycled direct and were just carrying their trays round to the garden. Large pots of tea and delicious home-made cake never disappoint hungry cyclists and luckily there were just enough slices of coffee and walnut to go round!
The main group set off towards Cambridge, taking the road via Bartlow, West Wratting, Six Mile Bottom and back along the A1303 cyclepath. David was cycling back to Haslingfield and I joined him on a scenic route via Saffron Walden, Littlebury, Catmere End and then across to Ickleton Granges. We parted company as he turned north at Chrishall Grange towards Duxford, while I toiled uphill through Heydon, Great Chishill and then across to Barkway and Therfield, with a final freewheel down over the Heath to Royston.
Thanks once again to Bob for a very enjoyable ride. Total mileage (for the group):
41 miles.
Tina FilbyView this route on a larger map