Thursday, 11 August 2022
Some Like It Hot! Greg writes: Well, I have been told that Some Like It Hot. This is not a review of a 1970's sitcom, nor a review of a Marilyn Monroe film (though the latter is far better than the former, if you're interested.) Instead it is a sad tale of struggling against adversity."What!", I hear you cry? We come onto the CTC Cambridge website to read ride reports as a momentary escape from the miseries that beset our nation: "We're doomed!" (Stop with the sitcom comments right now — Ed)
No, the struggle against adversity is my efforts at leading a ride to the cafe at Ash Valley Golf Club near Much Hadham. The last effort was thwarted by power failure at the club, and this time the ride was hastily rescheduled due to the extreme heat. It seemed a wise precaution to have a ride that was finished by 1 pm, before the real heat of the day was fully upon us.
Despite the forecast showing a peak of some 33°C there was still a cast of over a dozen assembled at the Square and Compass in Great Shelford, ready for the off.
Luminaries included Andy (who attempted to garner extra housepoints from his leader by loudly wishing me "Happy Birthday" as soon as I arrived — points duly awarded) and Sarah (who was miffed at being upstaged so early in the ride: see later for her dramatic reclaiming of the limelight.)
Ed popped round the corner from home and was in good form: also see later. We were graced with a new attendee: Mike D. Despite living and riding in Little Shelford for 26 years he was amazed when he came out with us to discover that there were local cycle paths unknown to him that were CTC Cambridge favourites. "Join us and learn the highways and byways" was the best advice we could offer!
Edmund had dug out his snazziest top. If we weren't already blinded by the sunlight then his sartorial choices would dazzle.
Jeff was making a welcome return to the village rides along with Ray: there was no ride from central Cambridge today. Susan was seeking any spare bikes for her Ukranian support charity (especially any women's bikes – you all know how many brownie points you can get at home by reducing your net bike ownership by one). Phil roared in at the last minute having had a slight mechanical. There's nothing like starting the day with a raised pulse! Ian was looking cool and suavely confident in the heat – ah, the joys of an e-bike.
Finally Richard was making an apology for Jerry being late — something about him having to attend to his hair! When Jerry arrived at 9.31 am (teacher being late is always worth noting!) Richard suddenly realised he'd left his helmet at home and he zoomed off to fetch same — headgear issues obviously runs in the family! Meanwhile the rest of us started the ride proper — down to Whittlesford and onto the cycle path across to Spicers level crossing. Mike D was duly amazed: how did he not know this even existed?
The ride was now being led from Sawston to Babraham by Ed and Richard (who had taken the main road and caught us up) a dramatic example of the oldies showing us how things are done as they styled along in the growing heat without a care in the world — elegantly done, chaps! Ian and Edmund opted for the A1307 route to avoid bike portageing on the Abington Bridge whilst the rest of us duly followed Ed and Richard on the Babraham and bridge option. The track to the bridge was dry and dusty – gosh we could do with rain!
After Abington we crossed the A1307 and took the left turn at Hildersham crossroads to head up the hill. Half way up we passed John S who was having some severe and colourful words with the chain on his bike and no he didn't require assistance!
So it was that we fetched up at The Old Butcher Cafe, a club favourite, but we had made good time and it was only 10.40 am.
People had the option to bail out now and avoid the building heat — my Garmin already showed 29°C. However, such was the enthusiasm for the ride that, well, Carry On Cycling was the theme. After herding the cats (a favourite and accurate description of trying to get the club members to leave any venue) we made a bang on schedule departure at 11.15 am.
The roadworks that closed the Balsham to Linton road were skillfully navigated by Phil and Greg at the front (well, OK, we just rode on the pavement for a short bit). We both clocked a motorist who seemed somewhat "Confused" by the roadworks and was attempting a 27 point turn: we gave a wide berth.
The wizz down to Linton gave a nice cooling breeze and we managed to negotiate crossing the A1307 once again. At Bartlow we made a right turn and cycled through Ashdon. Jeff was complaining about the hills in the heat but I helpfully pointed out that I had arranged for this particular hill to be in the shade, just for him. He was mollified (briefly).
Mike D was once again amazed at the "Great Shortcut" through Saffron Walden which he hadn't previously known about. In fairness said shortcut is more impressive when the leader finds it first time and doesn't take people on a random 50m diversion down the wrong turning...
We managed to weave our way through town and left to head back into the hills via Chestnut Avenue. Things were really hotting up now and my Garmin was showing a healthy (or rather unhealthy) 34.9°C. We all got somewhat strung out on the ascent to Catmere End — Phil noting that his pulse was at an impressive 132 which was going some!
After a conflab at Catmere End most people opted for the direct route back home. Just four of us — Jeff, Phil, Ian and myself took the left turn onto Royston Lane and flogged once more up a steep incline. Jeff had a point when he asked why the ride leader who claimed such kudos for organising shade for a previous hill was now taking the remaining riders up the steepest hill of the day in blazing sun and no shade. Answer came there none, probably because said leader was puffing too much! However, Ian powered by and led to the top – Phil wryly noting that after the energy price rises we could all at least enjoy the thought that next year such power-assisted pace uphill would cost Ian at least a tenner!
Now we were on the final few miles and after crossing the A505 we fetched up at Cafecito — all except Ian who decided to get home before it got any hotter! It was 1 pm when we arrived and Garmin was showing 35.9°C. Not surprisingly the remaining three of us cowered in the shade of a tree and rehydrated.
So, the ride ended here. Phil headed back home in one direction and Jeff and Greg headed homewards in another. Today's ride had been a foreshortened effort, designed to give everyone a ride that was doable in the extreme heat. We had only cycled 68 km42 miles but that was quite enough given the conditions.
Many thanks to my playmates for venturing out on such a hot days. I continue to look forward to visiting Ash Valley Golf Club in due course. Perhaps next time... Greg