13 Nov: Thursday ride to Ickleton and Hadstock

Edward writes: For today's ride out to Ickleton and Hadstock 23 cyclists met in Hauxton under a very autumnal sky. Although still relatively mild, at least for this time of the year, there was a stiff south easterly breeze and this was to be a feature of our ride for most of the day, and with the cloud cover it seemed there would be little prospect of seeing the sun. Ickleton is only a few miles on a direct route from Hauxton and so we had to plan a rather large loop to put in a worthwhile ride before coffee.

Thus we went out via Little Shelford and Whittlesford and then on to Newton into the face of the wind. After travelling through Thriplow and Fowlmere we made our way out to Flint Cross on the A505 and the turning up to Great Chishill. Now we faced a severe test as this was a two mile climb and into the very teeth of the wind and by the time the first riders reached Great Chishill there was quite a wait for the back markers to catch up; it did, though, give us the opportunity for a well earned breather.

Flint Cross to Great Chishill

Flint Cross to Great Chishill

Great Chishill

We proceeded into Heydon and then a bit more climbing on the approaches to Elmdon, but now came the reward of a couple of miles downhill with the wind more or less behind as we descended into Ickleton and the Riverside Barns for coffee.

Elmdon

Ickleton

We arrived here at about 11.20am, a bit later than planned, but against the wind progress couldn't be too rapid, and here we found other members who had cycled out independently. We always enjoy this coffee stop and today its warmth was very welcoming as riding into all the wind had made us feel quite cold. Needless to say there was the usual exchange of personnel after coffee but still a large group assembled for the next stage of the ride. We used the farm track to join Coploe Hill and more fighting against the wind especially after reaching the top as there is not so much hedgerow protection.

Coploe Hill

Catmere End

This brought us to Catmere End and the approach to Littlebury Green where we turned for more climbing on the twisting roads before the rapid descent to Wendons Ambo. We crossed the B1383 and climbed up to Saffron Walden and negotiated the town's busy streets and took the Ashdon road for another climb.

Saffron Walden

Ashdon turning from Saffron Walden

When we reached the top of the hill we decided to shorten our route as the plan had been to go via Sewards End to Ashdon but instead we took the direct route and this gave us some relief from the wind as it was no longer head on. Now with the worst of the climbing behind us we made rapid progress through Ashdon and Bartlow where we turned for Hadstock and the very welcome sight of the King's Head.

Already there we found Jacob and Adrian, who had left us at Ickleton to indulge their off road skills, Doug, Mike S and Vic F. It was nice to be in the warm again and we enjoyed a very satisfactory lunch. The early arrivals, joined by Sarah and David M, left before the main party so when we left we were a group of nine.

After lunch at Hadstock (Photo: Belinda Borneo)

Hadstock is only about twelve miles from Hauxton and as it was about 2.15pm when we left we expected to be home before requiring lights. With the hills now behind us and a following wind we soon reached Linton and Hildersham and the B1307. We crossed this road into Great Abington and soon after on to the new cycleway along side the A505 until the Babraham turning and then into Sawston.

Babraham to Sawston cycleway

We finished the ride using the cycleway to Whittlesford and finally into Little Shelford at 3.15 pm, and those going back to Hauxton would have completed 52 miles, being just about right for a Thursday winter ride. Edward Elmer

9 Nov: Sunday ride to Newmarket and Chippenham

Nigel writes: We're now well into autumn, and with the days rapidly getting shorter our rides on Sundays have now changed to their winter format, with our separate all-day and afternoon rides being merged into a single, shorter, ride. This starts at Brookside at 9.30am and stop for morning coffee and lunch before returning directly back to Cambridge. Today was the first combined ride of the winter season, and when I arrived at Brookside I found a crowd of about ten other members waiting to start.

Brookside

Our leader today was Eva, repeating a ride she had led in the summer. We set off east from Brookside, crossing the city centre to Midsummer Common and then along the river to Stourbridge Common and Ditton Meadows.

Ditton Meadows, Cambridge

We continued along the Wadloes Path to Fen Ditton and then crossed the busy B1047 to High Ditch Road which we followed east to Quy.

High Ditch Road, Fen Ditton

The day had started dull and cloudy but the weather forecast had promised sunshine and after a while the clouds parted, the sun appeared, the temperature rose, and the day turned into a beautiful sunny autumn day. We rode on to Bottisham following the familar NCN51 route to Swaffham Bulbeck and Swaffham Prior.

Swaffham Prior

As rode through Swaffham Prior we met a Scout parade heading the other way towards a Rememberance Day service. We continued north to Reach before returning back south to Burwell and Exning.

Heath Road, south of Burwell

AFter Exning we continued to Newmarket, arriving at Coffee and Co in the town centre at about 11.10am. After a pleasant half hour of coffee and cakes we picked up a few new members and set off again. Eva led us east along Moulton Road, a gentle climb thjat offers fine views back towards Newmarket.

Moulton Road, Newmarket

AFter our first climb of the day we dropped back down to Moulton and then climbed a second, slightly higher hill to reach Gazeley, where we paused to regroup.

Gazeley

We turned north to Kentford and then followed a series of very quiet, flat, roads to Herringwell, Tuddenham and Red Lodgewhere we stopped to cross the A11 at a very busy surface crossing.

Waiting to cross the A11 at Barton Mills

We didn't have to wait long and were soon back on our way. We continued through Freckenham and Chippenham before reaching La Hogue Farm Shop and Cafe where we stopped for lunch.

La Hogue Farm Shop Cafe

After lunch we set off back towards Cambridge in order to get home before sunset. The clouds had cleared once more, giving us a beautiful sunny afternoon for our return journey. After a brief discussion of possible routes Eva led us around the edge of Chippenham Park and then via Snailwell to Exning.

Chippenham Park

From Exning we retraced our morning route to Burwell and Reach before turning north into the fens for a diversion along the Lodes Way to Lode. We crossed the B1102 to Bottisham and again retraced our morning route to Quy, Fen Ditton and along the river back into Cambridge. I arrived home at about 4.10pm with the sun still shining as it prepared to set. Today had been a beautiful autumn day and I had cycled 66 miles.



Download GPS track (GPX).

6 Nov: Thursday ride to Gamlingay and Old Warden

Edward writes: Overnight temperatures fell, at least outside Cambridge, to -2C but this gave us a beautifully clear and crisp morning for today's ride out to Gamlingay and the Shuttleworth airfield at Old Warden.

Although cold about 18 members met for this ride which was being led by David M and so we left Haslingfield in two groups but within less than half a mile Martin, in the second group, had a puncture. We were not able to alert the lead group but this was not a problem; in fact it was probably a help as it would enable LJ's, our coffee stop in Gamlingay, to be not quite so overwhelmed with so many cyclists descending on them all at once. It didn't take long for us to be underway again and we progressed through Harlton out to the A603 for the crossing into the Eversdens.

Haslingfield

Then came Kingston and Bourn where we took the route via the fords before going out to Caxton. Now that the immediate chill had gone from the air and with blue skies above and crystal clear views all round and the wind not too daunting cycling was a real pleasure. As we approached Great Gransden we turned into Sand Lane and detoured into Little Gransden past the old windmill and then took the road into Gamlingay where we found the first group still being served.

Gamlingay

At LJ's our numbers grew to 24 and as there is limited space inside most of us were able to sit outside and enjoy the sun. As usual plenty took the opportunity to indulge in their ever-popular bacon sarnies. After coffee there was the usual exchange of personnel but still about 18, albeit a different 18 from those who started at Haslingfield, carried on to the lunch stop.

Gamlingay

Thus we left Gamlingay using the heath road into Everton and then down through the woods, over the railway, into Sandy where we followed the cycle way around the town to join the track along the railway alignment on the former Bedford to Cambridge line. Next we came to Moggerhanger for a crossing of the A603 before entering more lovely countryside as we made our way through Northill and Ickwell and soon after to the Shuttleworth airfield for our luncheon interval.

Shuttleworth Airfield

Although the clouds were beginning to form there was still enough sun for it to be pleasant enough for those with sandwiches to sit outside in reasonable comfort before joining those who were having a meal inside. With the reduced light in the afternoons we set off for the return leg at 1.30pm. The blue skies had given way to cloud but with the light breeze in the south west it was mostly on our right shoulders. After leaving the airfield we came to Broom and then south along the B659 to Langford where we turned for the long climb up to the water tower where the A1 passes underneath.

Approaching the A1 crossing at Edworth

A brief stop here enabled us all to regroup before setting off through Edworth and Hinxworth and the four miles of twisting roads to Ashwell. Then, of course, it was all plain sailing on familiar roads back home passing through Steeple Morden, Litlington, Bassingbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth, a final flourish over Barrington hill and down into Haslingfield where the ride finished at 4.45pm and a regulation 53 miles.

Shepreth

Our thanks to David for a great ride and especially keeping us all together with nobody being left behind, a good example of ride leadership.Edward Elmer



Download GPS track (GPX).

5 Nov: Evening ride to Hemingford Abbots

Nigel writes: Tonight was the first of the monthly evening rides that we hold during the winter. These are held on the Wednesday nearest to each full moon, which this month meant that our ride was held on Bonfire Night, which this year turned out to be dry, clear and very cold.

My companions this evening were John R (our new secretary) and Paul. I met John at Brookside and we cycled north through the city centre and out towards Girton. Cambridge was very busy ands congested this evening because of the fireworks on Midsummer Common, so it was good to get out of the city and onto quieter roads.

When we reached the busway just north of Girton we met up with Paul and the three of us carried on along the busway to St Ives. It was already below 5C and with a gently but freezing cold headwind I was soon wishing I had brought thicker gloves. At St Ives we joined the Thicket Path to Houghton and then crossed the meadows to Hemingford ABbots, where we stopped for drinks and portions of chips at The Axe and Compasses.

After such a cold ride it was a relief to be in the warm and we spent a bit longer there than usual before setting off back towards Hemingford Grey, St Ives, and the busway back to Cambridge. John left us in Swavesey and Paul in Oakington, leaving me to ride the final few miles home on my own. I arrived home at the later-than-usual time of 10.15pm, having cycled 35 miles.



Download GPS track (GPX).

2 Nov: Afternoon ride to Hauxton for the AGM

John Ferguson writes: Eight riders met for the  1.30pm start at Brookside for the short ride to the AGM. The weather was perfect for winter cycling, the morning rain having ceased and the wind moderated to a south-westerly breeze.

Reaching Shelford by the DNA path we were joined by Conrad. Crossing the A505 at Whittlesford we took the Hinxton Road from Duxford. This road had been closed to vehicles so we had a delightful traffic-free ride.

John E recommended we take Mill Lane into Hinxton. This was the first time for me and it is a delightful rural road which brought us into the village near the Hinxton Lion. From Ickleton we faced the long climb to Elmdon reached just before 3 o'clock. Here we paused by the church to regroup and catch breath. The Elmdon Dial had obviously ceased to trade again!

 From Elmdon it was predominately downhill with a following wind to Chrishall Grange where we turned left to Fowlmere. Time did not permit taking the planned route through Thriplow but the traffic was light (the Manchester Derby on Sky?) so we rode directly to Newton, Little Shelford and Hauxton arriving at 3:40 p.m.

At Hauxton we enjoyed a sumptuous tea which was much appreciated. I also bought honey. My faithful Garmin Vista recorded a Brookside to Hauxton distance of 22.4 miles

Am I the only one to regret this was to be our last Sunday afternoon ride this Winter? Hopefully we may be able to organise some on an ad hoc basis having regard to the weather forecast, available tea stops etc. John Ferguson



Nigel adds: Tea at Hauxton Village Hall was followed by our AGM, where a new committee was elected for 2015. The new committee is listed on our contacts page.

AGM in session

The meeting was chaired by George Rich in his final act as chair of the club. George has now stood down from the commitee after decades of service to the club in a variety of roles. At the AGM George was presented with some framed commemotative photographs and a certificate from national CTC marking his sixty years as a member of CTC.

George Rich with his certificate of 60 years' membership

2014 AGM

All local CTC members are invited to our 2014 AGM, which is at 3.30pm on Sunday 2nd November at Hauxton Village Hall. Please bring your membership card if possible.

Tea (sandwiches, cakes, tea, coffee) will be served beforehand.

There will be elections for all posts. These are:

* Chair
* Secretary
* Treasurer
* Runs secretary
* Membership and promotions officer
* Up to FIVE general committee posts

Please consider whether you are able to stand for any of these posts. In particular, the current chair and treasurer are both stepping down so both posts will need new people to fill them.

If you'd like to support the operation of the club but aren't sure how best to do it, why not stand for one of the five general committee posts? These have no specific duties which leaves you free to contribute in whatever way you can.

30 Oct: Thursday ride to Hare Street and Baldock

Edward writes: Another wonderful day greeted us when about twenty-two riders met for today's ride out to Baldock taking in Hare Street for coffee. Today we welcomed Rachel who was riding with us for the first time and, incidentally, her first contact with the club was our stall at the Freshers's Festival on Parker's Piece a few weeks ago. Averil was our leader and this was a ride that was certainly to have its moments.

Hauxton

They were for later on. We left Hauxton in two groups through Newton and Fowlmere up to Flint Cross on the A505. The following group were not able to stay in touch with lead group but this helped minimise our impact on traffic. Once over the A505 we climbed up to Barley and allowed ourselves a small break to recover our breath; meanwhile, the lead group sped on their way.

Barley

When we got going again both groups took the direct route down the B1368 going through Barkway before arriving soon after 11 am at the March Hare Tea Room. The weather was so good that we were able to sit outside and enjoy the sporadic sunshine with the temperature at about seventeen centigrade. Joining us for coffee were Sue, Mike S and Peter W.

Hare Street

Shortly before midday we set off again with the usual exchange of personnel but still about fourteen carried on to Baldock. We stayed together now and cycled at a more moderate pace as we took the short road into Buntingford where we joined the A507 which was an unnerving experience as all the cars seemed to be travelling so fast with scant regard for a group of cyclists. Fortunately this didn't last too long and we turned off for the relative quiet of the road to Throcking and then Cottered. More quiet roads took us past Cromer windmill and the steep climb to Luffenhall. This, of course, was through a lovely autumnal countryside still with its many colours.

Cromer

Now we approached Weston and events for the next three quarters of an hour went a little awry. We took a turning and joined a bridleway which was intended to take us to Clothall but somehow we missed another turning thus, unbeknown to us, took us away from Clothall and eventually back to a point on the road we had passed an hour earlier. Of course it was not all bad news as the track we were on would have been a delight to Adrian and Jacob but to us it was slow progress and we think we did about three miles in about three quarters of an hour.

Bridleway from Weston

Off-road near Weston (Photo: Belinda Borneo)

At this point Sarah, Sue and John J left us to head to Stevenage to take a train home. Once on the road again we had to go back to Weston and then down to Clothall.

Map-reading near Clothall (Photo: Belinda Borneo)

We crossed over the A507 and, via Quickswood, finally arriving in Baldock after 36 miles at 2pm where sadly the Fish and Chicken lunch stop and just closed. Because we were late we were happy to go to the the nearby sandwich bar and sit outside again to enjoy this autumn warmth.

Baldock

At 2.45 pm it was time to go again and we left Baldock under the railway bridge and joined the particularly nice route via Bygrave to Ashwell. This is very undulating with some fast downhills but also with great views.

The hill up to Ashwell (Photo: Belinda Borneo)

With what breeze there was behind us we soon arrived in Ashwell and then it was a familiar route home through Steeple Morden, Litlington, Bassingbourn to Meldreth.

Arriving in Ashwell (Photo: Belinda Borneo)

From Meldreth we went through Melbourn and past the bird reserve to Fowlmere once again where we retraced the morning ride through Thriplow and Newton and back to Little Shelford. Those who completed the full circuit would have cycled 62 miles. This was our first trip out since the clocks changed last Saturday and we just about got back in daylight, finishing about 4.45 pm. Our thanks to Averil for a great ride and also for the unexpected adventure through the fields. Edward Elmer

2014 AGM next Sunday

The AGM of CTC Cambridge will be held at 3.30pm on Sunday 2nd November at Hauxton Village Hall. All committee posts will be up for election. More information here.

26 Oct Morning ride to Ickleton

Nigel writes: The clocks went back this morning, allowing us an extra hour in bed, so I had no difficulty in getting to Brookside in time for the 9:30am start of today's ride. My companions today were Pete, Greg and Tony. There was no designated leader today so I suggested a route via Barton, Chapel Hill, Shepreth, Fowlmere and Chrishall Grange which I knew from experience would get us to the cafe in Ickleton at about 11am.

Today was dull and overcast with a south-westerly breeze, but it was dry and mild which prevented the day feeling as wintry as it appeared.

Barton Road, Cambridge

After a gentle-paced ride we arrived at Ickleton on time to find numerous members already there including Mike, Edward, Doug, Eva, Jim, Adrian, Mick and one or two others.

After coffee Mike, Doug (and possibly one or two others) carried on towards Thaxted for lunch, whilst the rest of us returned home to Cambridge in separate groups. I stayed with Greg and Tony and after making a short diversion to bag the summit of Coploe Hill turned round to head back via Hinxton, Duxford, Whittlesford and the Shelfords.

Along the way we passed Hinxton Ford. The road was closed with signs warning of a flood but there was no flooding currently and we were able to cross the river easily using the adjacent bridge.

Hinxton Ford

I arrived back home just before 1pm, having cycled 33 miles.



Download GPS track (GPX).

23 Oct: Thursday ride to Swavesey and Perry

Edward writes: This Thursday would be our last ride out before the clocks go back this weekend thus bringing darkness to the late afternoon. We met at Haslingfield Green and we left with sixteen riders with Tony, our leader for the day, for our trip to Swavesey and then onto Perry at Grafham Water. The weather was fine, dry and mild with only a slight breeze from the south west. This was fortunate as the earlier part of the week was dominated by high winds.

Towards Boxworth

We left Haslingfield and made our way through Harlton and over the A603, through the Eversdens and on to Bourn. This gave us the gentle climb up to the St Neots old road beside the A428, all made easier by a following wind. We went through Knapwell and then turned right for Boxworth before our first crossing of the A14 where were able to enjoy our first experience of the new cycleway into Swavesey; a big improvement for us as this road is frequented by fast moving traffic.

New cycleway into Swavesey

New cycleway into Swavesey

Now in Swavesey we soon came to the Bethel Baptist Chapel which is well known as a club favourite and where we were to meet many other members, including Jacob, Howard, Kathy, Rupert, Sarah, Richard M and John E, and we settled down to enjoy the coffee and the lovely display of home made cakes, and what a display! Needless to say there were many who were tempted back for further helpings, and who could blame them. This week the ladies doing the honours were from the festival committee.

Swavesey

Swavesey

Too soon it was time to move on and there was quite a big exchange of personnel with some going back down the busway into Cambridge but this still left seventeen to go on to our lunch stop. This took us through Fen Drayton, coming in along Horse and Gate Street, and then on to Fenstanton (Ian left us here) where we crossed the A14 using the underpass.

Fen Drayton

We had now turned back to face westward and the breeze was head on but it was never difficult as we went through Hilton and Graveley (surprisingly not all the wind turbines were going) and into Offord D'Arcy and Offord Cluny where about half got across the railway but the other half had to wait for a passing express.

Offord Cluny

All together again we went over the little bridges and by the old mill and a mile or so later we came to Buckden to start the least pleasant part of the ride as we competed with busy traffic on the last two miles or so to Perry and lunch at The Wheatsheaf or sandwiches down by the marina.

Those who went to the pub were happy with what was on offer and also the friendly and prompt service. We started the afternoon session without Sarah, who headed for home, and about four others who apparently headed for the cycle shop on the other side of the reservoir. We left the pub and took the road beside the prison and it brought us to the south east of Dillington and soon after to the B645 at Great Staughton. We were only on the B645 briefly before turning off to more quiet roads via Staughton Moor, and past the airfield to Little Staughton. We now headed south before turning east and enjoyed four miles of tail wind into Eaton Socon and St Neots and here we observed a red kite circling overhead.

Staughton Moor

We left St Neots along the cycle route over the willow bridge and joined the B1046 to Abbotsley where it's possible to see four figures on each corner of the church tower.

Figures on Abbotsley Church

Next came Great Gransden and a familiar route home via Caxton and Bourn. In Bourn we spilt for the final time with some going back to Cambridge via Toft and Comberton and the others following Tony back through Kingston and the Eversdens where we saw two buzzards and nearby a kestrel sitting on a telegraph wire, so quite a good day for wildlife. After Harlton we came to Haslingfield again at about 4.40pm and 64 miles to our credit. It was good to get a long ride in before we lose the daylight and thanks to Tony for a good day out to be remembered for going at a regulation 12 or 13 miles per hour so we all kept together throughout with nobody miles in front and nobody dropped off the back. Edward Elmer



Download GPS track (GPX).