Club run reports - 24th May

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight
 

With temperatures forecast to rise to the high 20s late in the day we opted for an 8:30 start. It felt quite cool at that time but with a cloudless sky, the day soon warmed up. We followed a route from the club's routing library (Grantchester Tea Rooms - Grantchester) which took us north from Hadham to Arkesden then along a pleasant road, less familiar to me, through Great Beckets to the B1039. There was then a hilly stretch through Elmdon before the exhilarating descent to Ickleton. From there we were on the Cambridgeshire flatlands on roads that were busier and increasingly urban as we neared Cambridge.

We found the Orchard Tea Rooms without difficulty (with assistance from Alex who, as usual, knew exactly where they were). So, we were able to sit under the same apple trees that Rupert Brooke sat beneath (possibly). Some pre-ride Pumble discussion on the state of the furniture at the venue made me wonder whether we would be sitting on the actual seats used by Rupert. Sadly, I don't think they were quite THAT old. Anyway, we were able to enjoy our tea and cakes; Barry venturing a concoction involving chocolate and Guinness which he described as "interesting". The place was busy - not surprising given the weather - and the service not super efficient, so there was a bit of a queue but it could have been worse.

The route back took us to Fowlmere, then on a familiar route to Puckeridge along the B1368. It was now quite warm and the stretch through Fowlmere was flatlands once again with little shade. Roads like these encourage fast riding but, with few changes of gradient, the effort required is relentless. For me it was a relief when we crossed the A505 and began rolling roads towards Barley. We were back by two o'clock, grateful to have enjoyed glorious weather at a time of the year when the countryside was still green and spring-like.