John writes: Eight riders set off from Brookside at 1pm. The weather seemed almost perfect, being sunny but with a stiff south-westerly breeze and with no rain forecast. After the Trumpington Country Park cycle track, Hauxton and Newton we took the direct route to Fowlmere, slowed by a strong wind which headed us all the way to Chrishall Grange.
The original plan was to go to Chrishall and thence Littlebury Green and down Coploe Hill to Ickleton. However this would make us late at the café (although it does not close until 8.30pm!) so we cut across the rarely-cycled shoulder of Coploe Hill to Littlebury. The wide road to Great Chesterford, normally too trafficky for cycling, was not unduly busy: we sped along with the wind now behind us.
At Ickleton we were joined by Steve and Simon but were still only one eight since one of the original abandoned the ride early and another didn't stop for tea. Did they know what awaited us after tea?
After an enjoyable half-hour in the café we set off in the rapidly increasing gloom with lights through Hinxton, negotiating the ford by the footbridge. This was a nice part of the route because the road was closed to traffic.
At Whittlesford it came on to drizzle, then heavy rain at Little Shelford and torrential rain with thunder and lightning along the DNA path to Addenbrookes. I arrived home soaking wet and cold at 5pm, ready for a hot bath.
John Ferguson