Thursday, 28 February 2019
Edward writes: This morning out at Haslingfield fourteen village riders assembled for their ride out to Gamlingay and the Shuttleworth Airfield at Old Warden. After some balmy spring like days today's weather wasn't quite so good. Cooler, yes, but still above average for the time of year. The sun had gone and replaced with overcast conditions with the likelihood of some light showers later on. Back in the city with Dr John leading there were thirteen riders. Many from the two groups already tasting the bacon sarnies to come at LJ's in Gamlingay.
Ashwell (on the way home)
The village group set off in two groups and made its way through Harlton, over the A603 and through the Eversdens and on to Kingston. There are some people who just go out for a quiet ride with their friends and others who devise ways to get themselves noticed. On this occasion it was Greg who has featured before in blogs, mainly for going home to keep the economy ticking over. This time his entry into the blog was a bit more spectacular by coming off his bike at the sharp right-angled turning in Kingston suffering a sore shoulder, cuts and grazes forcing him to leave the pitch early and take an early bath. He later texted to say he was home and more or less in one piece. Continuing the football analogy our contingent of Arsenal fans were in particularly buoyant mood following last night's convincing victory. The rest of the ride to Gamlingay passed off uneventfully with the arrival at LJ's at 10.45. We were joined by Richard, joining us from Bedford, Bob from Potton and Bill doing another long ride over from Ely.
LJ's has established itself as a firm favourite with the Thursday riders. With the new seating area we no longer have to sit outside, the organisation is good and welcoming and we look forward to the food. As usual the friendly staff were on top of things such that before 11.30am we were on our way again.
It was thirteen miles to Gamlingay and another thirteen would take us to Old Warden going first to Everton and the steep descent to the East Coast Main Line. Believe it or not we got across just before the barriers came down, so no waiting for trains. The record wait, apparently, is seven trains. Next it was over the A1 and now the first shower of the day arrived, but it didn't last long. As an aside it's dispiriting to see so much litter in the hedgerows, but on the plus side those warm days have brought out a lot of blossom, so not all bad. We crossed the A603 at Moggerhanger and after Northill and Ickwell to arrive at the airfield at 12.30, which was lucky as it started to rain.
Old Warden
Old Warden
After lunch a group of eight village riders started for home. As the road through Broom was closed we went out via Old Warden village and through some nice roads through Clifton to Henlow. This put us briefly on the B659 as far as Langford where with a following breeze we were on the route for home.
On the way we passed through Hinxworth, Ashwell, Steeple Morden, a loop round Abington Pigotts, Bassingbourn, Meldreth and Shepreth. Instead of going over Barrington hill we opted to go down the A10 cyclepath. We finished the ride at 4.15pm after
56 miles.
Edward
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GPS track (GPX).