28 Feb - 2013 Thursday Ride, Sandy

Much nicer day with sun at times. Still a cold easterly wind, particularly in exposed areas.

Met at Haslingfield with about 10 setting off round through Newton and Thriplow on the way to coffee stop at Malton. Several more there and eventually 19 went on to the lunch stop.

Much the same route as a couple of Tuesdays back, Gamlingay, Tempsford, Blunham and round to Sandy. Lunch at Gunns Bakery, chilli and rice, and grumpy lady serving.

Back through Langford and Ashwell, with 11 in the final group. Riding into the cold wind much of the time so a bit hard work.

66 miles.

26 Feb 2013 - Tuesday Ride, Waresley - St Ives

Cold day, up to 5 deg but feeling colder as grey and easterly wind.

Met Sue and Mike Stapleton at top of Malton Lane and set off for Waresley. Around 15 people there in total, coming from all directions. Only 7 continued, Averil, Sarah and her son Will, Mike C, Jacob, Eddie and me.

Comfortable ride to St Ives and lunch at Nuts Bistro, a little tea shop. Had nice hot panini whilst most of the others just had cake, bit cheerless on a cold day.

Stayed with the others on the route back into Cambridge, leaving them on Fen Causeway and heading back over Barrington Hill.

64 miles on odometer.

21 Feb 2013 - Anglesey Abbey and Newmarket

Cold morning promised, and delivered, easterly wind.

9 set off from Greta's. Nice ride to Anglesey Abbey where the numbers doubled. Cooled down there but soon okay again as we headed off on some great tracks, missing the traffic.

Nice lunch at the Horse racing Museum in Newmarket, and quick too, so back on the road at 1.15 heading off towards Dullingham. The party became very spread out and at the last catch-up point Jacob and I decided to carry on because we were likely to get cold. Comfy ride back via Fulbourn and the A10.

63 miles

19 Feb 2013 - Tuesday Ride Waresley to Southill

Lovely day, sunny and almost no wind.

Took route through Wimpole and Gamlingay to get to the meeting point. Big group there including some riders who didn't go any further, Greta and Dave W who'd come by car.

Seven went on, taking almost the same Tempsford route as Sunday's but turning left at the end and over the A1. On through Blunham, Moggerhanger and Thorncote Green to lunch stop at the little Tea Shop in Southill. Sat outside for lunch, enjoying the sunshine and having a lively chat.

Back through Langford, Hinxworth and Ashwell.

Great ride, one of the most enjoyable so far.

54 miles.

17 Feb 2013 - Pete & Tony to Tempsford

Nice bright sunny day but quite a wind for the homeward stretches. met at golf club and set off on my planned  30 mile route out to Gamlingay. Course change there when Tony suggested going to see Tempsford Airfield, which turned out now to be a farm. Extra loop amounted to 20 miles with some nasty bits on fast roads like the A428. Stopped at Waresley for a nice cuppa and toasted teacake.

Kept up a faster pace than on CTC rides, over 2 mph more. Bit tiring on the final stretches with the wind against.

52 miles

14 Feb 2013 -- CTC Ride to Swavesey and Houghton

Tony's first ride with the CTC. Early rain but not too heavy, soon clearing to a sunny morning, several degrees warmer than recent cold conditions.

Big turnout with about 16 starting from Haslingfield and six more waiting at the coffee stop in the Church Hall at Swavesey. Lovely home made cake for 50p a slice.

On to the lunch stop which was very nearby but Adrian took us on a very intricate route of back roads and narrow paths. The Ouse was in full spate and there were lots of puddles along the route. Nice lunch of jacket potato and a beer before setting off back.

Most came on the same route up to the point where Barbara, Sue, Tony and I turned off right across the A14, heading for Bourn. Heavy rain just as we made our way over Barrington Hill.

62 miles

12 Feb - Waresley

Cold and grey but not much wind.

Went over to recce the Waresley group and meeting place. Warm welcome from them, about 10. Stayed just for cuppa because had to get back to ring Danbury Fencing.

34 miles

7 Feb 2013 - CTC to Horseheath

Bright day and not too cold or windy despite the 4 deg C, 11 mph forecast.

Met up with Barbara on her new bike, and headed off directly to Saffron Walden rather than the Hauxton meeting point. Intercepted the group near the turning to Littlebury and went on to The Temeraire, swapping anecdotes with Sue about our skiing holidays. 13 at this stage but Sue and Barbara decided not to carry on to the lunch stop.

The rest of us did, having a decent steak sandwich and chips before setting off back. Beginning to cool down towards the end but an interesting route to circumvent the M11, A505 and A11.

55 miles

4 Feb - Hatley Circuit

Nice day but very windy.  Felt like hard work after a few weeks of not riding, despite the skiing.

28 miles.