Friday 29 March 2013

29 March - Good Friday. Ashwell and Sandon with Hilary

Only 2 to 3 degrees but very little wind. Both of us warm enough except for cold feet towards the end.

Parked at the Golf Club and rode over through Litlington to Ashwell. then across to the A505 and over onto the Sandon road.

Back via Therfield and the hill down through the golf course.

19 miles.


Thursday 28 March 2013

28 March - Thursday Ride to Reed & Baldock

Still very cold, no more than 2 degrees and a sharp wind in places. Twelve at the Haslingfield meeting place.

Set off back over Chapel Hill, going through Haslingfield to Fowlmere. Up on the Barley road, turning towards Great Chishil. Then across through Shaftenhoe End to Barkway and on to the Silver Ball.

Several more people already there, including Nick from Oakrits. Sarah and Jacob turned for home because of the cold but eighteen went on via Sandon and Wallington to Baldock. Some confusion about the eating place because the website had said Baldock Fish & Chips. Instead the others had gone to the fish place further back towards Tesco so we joined them there. Very busy so a bit of a wait for food,

Late starting off home, some having done so before all had had their meals. Bit cold starting off back but soon warmed up despite the cold breeze.

48 miles on the odo.



27 Mar - Solo to Gamlingay

Out on the Ridgeback again, up past Wimpole to the A1198. Along to Longstow then down the bumpy road to the Gamlingay turning.

Back via the Hatleys and Wimpole, then a rear wheel puncture near Trev's house. Didn't have the tools to get the back wheel off so had to push the bike home. Did try pumping the tyre up three times but only managed a short distance each time so just walked.

 26 miles riding, 4 walking.


 

Monday 25 March 2013

Monday 25 March - First on Ridgeback

Still very cold and a nasty wind against on the way up to Barrington and over Chapel Hill.

Ridgeback running very smoothly, few gear slips maybe because of the thick gloves, just getting the feel of it. Found the other orthopaedic saddle a bit uncomfortable, again maybe because it might take a few rides to get accustomed to the shape.

16 miles and okay average of 13 mph.


Saturday 23 March 2013

21 March - Short Ride Before K's Funeral

Cold day again but wanted to get out for a short ride before catching the train at 1 pm down to Seaton for Kathleen's funeral tomorrow.

Standard loop through Wimpole and Croydon, across to Bassingbourn and back.

18 Miles.


Tuesday 19 March 2013

19 Mar - Tuesday Ride, Southill


Set off with Tony on a pleasant day, not cold and getting more sunny as we went along. Overtook Mike Stapleton along the way and arrived at Waresley just as most of the others were arriving too.

Nine continued form there, usual route out through Tempsford (level crossing again closed, sixth time out of six), Blunham and round to Southill and the favourite tea shop. Quite full inside so we sat outside, marginally warm enough except for Sarah with her poor circulation. Relief provided by the waitress in the form of a hot water bottle for her!

Continued back through Biggleswade and Dunton, then straight on to Shingay and the A1198. Took the short cut onto the old A603 road, missing out the roundabout.

60 miles.


Sunday 17 March 2013

17 Mar 2013 - Sunday Ride With Tony

Sunny to start but then a sharp shower, clearing fairly quickly.

Collected Tony and set off through Fowlmere. Then across to Elmdon and Duddenhoe End, heading back into Barkway. Decided against going across to Therfield because of rain clouds gathering as in the forecast.

33 miles on the odometer.

 

Thursday 14 March 2013

14 Mar 2013 - Thursday Ride, Swavesey, St Neots

Nine of us set off from Haslingfield, still quite cold but for once without much wind. Even so, found it quite cold starting again after coffee stop and lunch.

Took route up through Great Eversden and Highfields Cadecote with Dave W leading. Usual jolly crowd at the Church Hall in Swavesey and about as many riders waiting there. Nice chunk of cake and tea to help us on our way.

On through Fen Drayton, Hilton and Graveley towards the Ambiance Cafe in St Neots. Quite a long stop and slow to get everyone mobilised for the ride back. Some left at this point while the rest of us came back via Gamlingay and Wimpole. Still very muddy in places and lots of scraping noises from the front mudguard. Took the front wheel off when back home, finding the mudguard caked solid underneath, probably an accumulation over the last few rides.

65 miles on the odometer. Used the heart rate monitor for the first time, pulse averaging 98 and peaking at 130 bpm.



Friday 8 March 2013

7 Mar 2013 - Thursday solo to Steeple Morden

Didn't go out with CTC group because of Addenbrookes appointment at 1.30pm

Heavy atmosphere and some spots of rain as I finished, later becoming steady light rain. Tried the new handlebar position with the stem inverted. Seems comfortable.

Roads very muddy, particularly the small ones where tractors had come out of fields. Mudguards filling up so having to ride through puddles to help clear them.

Heard when I got back that Kathleen had died this morning.

22 miles


Tuesday 5 March 2013

Tue 5 Mar 2013 - Cardington and Southill

Lovely day, non-stop sunshine and very little wind.

Met at Waresely then nine set off for the longer ride, Mike C, Eddie, Bill, Jacob, Sarah, Averil, Mike CC, Dave W and me.

Out through Tempsford again but right after Blunham rather than doubling back on the cycle track. Great off-road route beside the river and Priory Lake, emerging near the road to Southill where we stopped for lunch.

Quite busy but some people left one of the outside tables as we arrived, so we all congregated round it. Lunch served up with commendable speed for a small kitchen.



Continued back into Biggleswade where Sarah left us to catch the train back home. Back via Bassingbourn, arriving home at about 4.30pm.

64 miles

Sunday 3 March 2013

Sun 3 Mar 2013 - Gamlingay

Decent day, some sun and only a few degrees but wind less strong than of late.

Met David W at the golf club and headed off via Litlington and Steeple Morden round to Gamlingay. Then back through the Hatleys and Wimpole, over to Fowlmere and Barley then back down into Royston.

Stopped for a welcome drink and panini in the bar.

40 miles


View Sun 3 Mar - Gam in a larger map