Stowmarket Trip, 11 to 13 August

Trip with Hilary, Sue, Chris and Tony, defying the impositions of Covid19. 

leaving at about 9.15 to rendezvous at the Cedars (Best Western) Hotel in Stowmarket.

Horrible weather forecast a few days ago, thunder and rain.  But blissfully sunny and very hot.

Checked into hotel and set off for Eye.  Lovely ride once away from the Stowmarket traffic.  Followed signs to The Pennings and what looked to be a suitable park for our picnic lunch.  Very ordinary, with just one table in the middle of an area away from the river.

A bit confusing to reach the hotel when the Garmin navigation stopped, and we took a turn too early into an industrial area.  Then back for a shower and rest before eating in.  Hilary not feeling great so didn't appear until after we'd finished eating.  Had been sick a few times, consequence of getting very hot during the day.

Noisy night, being beside the paint factory and industrial estate and being very hot, so window open wide.

Hilary not cycling so the four of us set off through Combs then along a lovely undulating road with almost no traffic.  Stopped at Kersey to admire the cygnets and met a walking couple who suggested we get refreshments at Kersey Mill.  Good stopping place for future rides.  On to Lavenham, coincidentally arriving as Hilary was walking out of the car park.  Lunch in the Cock Horse Inn, finding some shade outside.  Temperature well into the 30s so hot when we'd stopped biking.  Cut the return route short from the map below, going through Brettenham and Little Finborough.  Stopped for an ice cream in Combs, Tony's request.

Ate in again, limited menu but okay, making use of the government's 'Eat out to help out' scheme of £10 discount from each person's bill.

Not quite as hot so very comfortable. Hilary restored so set off on the first part of this route but cutting across to Elmswell.

Small incident with Sue running into my bike as I slowed for an oncoming van but with her glancing back to warn the others and not seeing me.  A bit bruised and scratched but okay to continue.  I'd unclipped from the cleats so was able to control my coming off.

Back to the hotel soon after 12, quick wash and change in the gents, then back home in a bit over an hour.

Very fortunate with our day selections because the weather then took a dive, temperatures down by 10 degrees and quite a bit of rain over the next few days.

Standard ride 13 May 2019

Destination pop-up coffee stop

Day 3 - Sudborough to Home

Strange mix-up for breakfast as not included in the overnight price but ordered separately by Hilary.

Landlord said not but did provide us with porridge, pain chocolat and tea.

Set off at about 9.30, rather later than intended.

Day 3

Followed route planned by Hilary and Sue as they didn't fancy the ride I'd got from Bike Hub.  More rural route but we overshot the intended turnoff an ended up having to cross the busy A6.  Okay again after that, stopping briefly on the road side near Melchbourne before continuing to St Neots and the Ambiance Cafe.

Decent baguette and Fanta snack among lots of other customers then on through the Riverside Park and onto the Gamlingay road.  Thought we'd stop at Wimpole for last refreshments but came across the Hatley Fete and had tea and cake there.  Then home

12 March 2015 - Trial run for Sue's new bike

Very sunny but a cold wind from the north, which made the return ride more tiring.

First long run for Sue's new Trek bike and my first outing for ages.  Headed off towards Gamlingay, stopping at the sandwich bar for tea and cake.  Started back along the conventional route to Longstowe but took a left turn through the Gransdens and out onto the A428, not by design.

Lots of container lorries along the stretch to the A1198 roundabout so uncomfortable riding. Similarly down through Caxton but then quiet from there via Bourn.

Feeling the effects of not riding for a while, compounded by the strong wind on the way back.

Potton and back - 1 July

Trying out the first part of the ride I'm leading on 31 July.  Lovely sunny day.

Baldock Event - 22 June

Lovely day for this.

Took Tony and the two bikes and met Richard, Pete L and Pete G.  Soon split up but then grouped again at the first stop, apart from Pete G who said he'd be pottering.

Nice route but signage not very good in places.  Fortunately I was with someone who knew the way for the early confusing bits.

Stopped at each of the checkpoints then had lunch at The Orange Tree in Baldock.

The second loop seemed quite long, maybe because it was hot.  Just about arrived back before the cut-off at 5.30.
 

Grafham - 10 June

Nice sunny day.  First trip on the Domane bike, meeting the others at Waresely.  Realised as I locked up that I didn't have the key.  The staff had heard it all before, saying a few cyclists had done the same.  They promptly despatched the lock with bolt cutters.

Lunch stop was at Graffam Water, with the 8 sitting outside but taking rather a long time to finish their meals. On to Huntingdon and Houghton Mill, stopping off for an ice cream.

Then made for the guided bus route.  Turned off thinking I knew the way but twice came up against the A14 with nowhere to cross.  Then found the Conington turn and turned for home into a stiff breeze.  Seemed to take ages and I was surprised to find it was 6.40 before I arrived home  -  to a livid Hilary.  Very tired!