27 December - Saffron Walden

Rainy start but decided to go, if only for part of the ride. Did in fact complete it. Only five at Greta's so set off at a decent pace, back much the way I'd come, en route for Phillimores. They turned out to be closed so went on the Country Homes where it absolutely poured while we were inside under the heaters, trying to dry off. Then dry but overcast all the way to Saffron Walden, for lunch at The Temeraire. Good ride back including the Road Closed to Hinxton. Saw a car that had been washed away in the flood, up to its windows in the river. Left the group just out of Whittlesford. 57 mile altogether. Must get better waterproofs!
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17 December - Solo ride to Wimpole and Littlington

Sunny and mild, around 8 degrees and not much wind to start. Up through Wimpole estate and Croydon, down to Abington Piggotts and Littlington. Called in on Lorna and David to see how their house renovations were proceeding. Clothing - HH body armour with thermal base layer under. New Endura jacket, cycling pants and over trousers, one pair of socks and overshoes. Warm enough but getting a bit cool on top after the stop. 24 miles.

13 Dec 2012 - CTC ride to Newport

Seven only because it was 0 deg and grey, but at least no wind. Arrived at Jopling Way to see no evidence of bikers at first, then realised they'd all gone into Greta's while waiting to start.

Nice ride across to Newport and a quick cuppa and doughnut in the excellent cafe there. Decided not to continue to the lunch stop as this was likely to edge the route north for the Cambridge people, and it was getting colder. Headed back along the road towards Clavering then turned towards Arkesden. Great little route turning out to be pretty direct too.

40 miles showing on the speedo.

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10 Dec 2012 - Solo to Ashwell, Sandon, Fowlmere

Bright day. Thought of going out earlier but put off by the wind. Then it seemed to drop so left soon after 10.30 and enjoyed good conditions apart from a bit of headwind on the final stretches, also cold by then.

Bassingbourn, Ashwell, across A505 and up to Buckland, not coming out at Silver Ball as I'd expected but a bit further down the A10.

About 32 miles.

8 Dec 2012 - Wimpole and Bassingbourn

Nice sunny afternoon so no excuse for not riding, after a week of snow, ice and high winds. Didn't start until after 2 so conscious of the limited daylight.

Went up Malton Lane, across to Wimpole then up to Croydon and on down to Bassingbourn.

1 Dec - Local

Almost like yesterday but into Orwell, round the loop, back to Barrington and down through Shepreth.

Within about a mile of home and the 100 mile target when the back wheel punctured. Spare tube also seemed to leak and my repair looked dodgy. Good enough to get me home and yes, it's 100.4 miles in the week, first time ever.

31 Nov - Local Ride

Short ride up Malton Lane across to Barrington and Fowlmere, heading for the 100 mile target. About 12 miles.

30 November - Short Ride

Decided to push for 100 miles this week by doing the short Barrington - Fowlmere circuit. Tried the Garmin for the first real time, yesterday's attempt not being successful - RTFM issue.

OK this time after discovering how to upload in Garmin Connect.

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29 Nov 2012 - CTC ride to Kedington

Looking bright and cold when setting off but some rain on the way to Hauxton. Went via Barrington then along the A10 but using the path instead of risking the road.

Fairly short ride to Ickleton for the coffee stop, after which a bit slow getting everyone going again. Nice ride to Kedington on small roads, spoilt only by the amounts of mud and stones left by flooding.

Inordinately long wait for lunch despite the few other meals being served. Most of the group decided to leave before we'd eaten, and it was 2.30 before our meals arrived. They were big, admittedly, and we ate them as quickly as possible in view of the shortage of remaining daylight.

Four of us headed back at a fair lick, eventually seeing the earlier party who had been held up by a puncture. Getting dark by the time we reached Fulbourn, where the others diverted off and I continued on my own. Went down past The Gogs and Shelfords, emerging onto the A10 at Harston and staying on the A10 rather than deviating off back roads. Totaly dark when arriving home, after total of 71 miles!




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22 Nov 2012 - CTC Ride Shortened to Caxton

Wild windy day but at least dry. 16 people out, heading back to Meldreth before setting off past Wimpole and up to Bourn. Stopped for tea and cake brought by Sarah.

Started the next bit but began to feel wheezy and streaming with cold so left the group a few miles later when I saw signs to Gransdens and Longstowe.

Very, very windy heading back, great gusts at every gap in the hedges, and unnerving on open ground. Glad I hadn't done the full ride to St Ives 'cos coming back would have been tedious.

Map created with Garmin Base Camp but missing the bits through Barrington and Haslingfield.

18 November - Solo Ride To Kingston

Nice sunny day. First go using the Mapometer app on the phone to record the trip.

Set off past Wimpole, up the hill to the A1198 and on to the Bourn turning. Continued through Kingston and Comberton, across the A604 heading down to Haslingfield.

Back over the hill and home. Just over 25 miles.

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15 November - CTC Ride To Braughing

Foggy start to the ride. Met Barbara at 9.45 and set off through Melbourn to Barley and Barkway.

On to Nuthampstead where I had a puncture not far from the coffee stop. Found that the valve broke off when connecting the pump so put in the spare tube I'd brought. Came out after the stop to find the tyre flat again. Mike, Adrian and Doug set to, Adrian using a muddy puddle to test the tube for leaks, finding one alongside a previous repair. Mike then found a small flint embedded in the tyre and probably the cause of the new puncture, although it could already have been there.

Mike lent his spare and on we went. Sky now much clearer and quite mild with very little wind. Chain came off in trying to change down quickly, so another holdup.

On for a few miles before Mike suffered a puncture of his own. Then at Braughing Barbara had one! Nice lunch there before setting off back, only for Adrian to have a puncture this time. Now getting a lot cooler, but Adrian insisted we carry on which we did without much further mishap except Barbara's tyre seemed to be losing pressure. Pumped it up and she soon afterwards took a short cut home.

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13 November 2012 - Ashwell and Sandon

Lovely sunny autumn day, temperature up to around 13 deg and not much wind. Rode down through Bassingbourn to Ashwell, then across towards Bygrave. Over A505 heading towards Sandon then Kelshaw and Therfield. Emerged alongside Silver Ball garage, across to Barkway and cut through to great Chishill. Back via Heydon, Crishall Grange and Fowlmere. Bike showing 37.6 miles.




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8 Nov - CTC Ride to Swavesey and St Neots

Big group toady, 16 riders enjoying a sunny start, cooling down after lunch but no rain. Tried tights and the tracksuit bottoms, with thermal vest, roll neck and grey sweatshirt. Also the overboots. Nice and warm but added the luminous top for the return after lunch.

Met Barbara and headed over to Haslingfield Green. Good ride to Swavesey with the group dividing to allow traffic to pass more easily. Nice tea and cake served by jolly ladies at village hall before continuing on to St Neots.

 Established links with Rupert and Averil, both ex PA. Recognised Rupert's full name from the time we overlapped. Lots of mutual friends including Brenda and Jean. Also settled that Melbourn Mike is the one Mike Swann mentioned as being a neighbour.


Good lunch at the Ambiance cafe in St Neots. All started back but then someone had a puncture. A group of us continued separately as far as Gamlingay then some split off leaving four of us. Melbourn Mike whizzed down the Hatleys hill so Sue and I turned through Croydon and Wimpole. Sue came down to the end of Malton Lane then set off back to Foxton.

Total trip 61 miles.

Swavesey to St Neots

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6 November - Solo Ride To Longstowe

Sunny to start, spots of rain on way back.

Rode up past Wimpole to A1198, along to Longstowe then followed signs to Gamlingay. Soon after took left turn to Hatleys, down the hill and over towards Shingay and Bassingbourn Called in for a cuppa at Lorna and David's. 29 miles, feet getting bit cold so must wear the overshoes.


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1 November - CTC Ride

Started out nice after heavy rain overnight and high winds yesterday. Met up with Barbara so we could intercept the riders rather than go up to Hauxton and back again. Did a rather long cut, few miles further than expected, but still met up with the group at the Silver Ball transport cafe.

Rode on to Buntingford down some great country lanes except than one was flooded to several inches, over a long stretch. Had to keep going or get soaking feet. Sue had puncture in the middle but made it to the end, to be waited on by the bloke mechanics.

Arrived at Buntingford cafe just as the heavens opened. Nice panini lunch. Rain conveniently stopped meantime so a dry ride back. Bit of anarchy coming back with different clusters doing different things.

44 mile route, about 16 riders.

30 October - Solo Ride

Excitement after signing up for LEJOG with Tony and Dr W.

Nice autumn day, around 8deg, just getting a bit cool towards the end. Wore new over-booties, very cosy.

Good ride without too many hills, even so quite undulating. Didn't push the pace, average 13.5mph, similar to the CTC group and one that feels sustainable. Bit wheezy for second half, is this going to continue? Better take inhaler next time.

25 October - Cambridge CTC

Out in a group of 13 including Sue. Getting to know some of the names but it'll take time.

Nice conditions but getting a bit cool after the lunch break. Did 50 miles, dead on, nice and comfy. Coffee at Elsworth and lunch in Gamlingay

Here for the official blog http://blog.ctc-cambridge.org.uk/