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.



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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



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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.



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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.