14 April - Ride with Tony

Very windy!

Set off through Bassingbourn then a figure of eight around Guilden Morden, Shingay, Arrington and Orwell.

Very trying conditions riding into the headwind and side winds. took the Ridgeback because of the problem with the mudguards on the Trek. Lovely on the calm bits but quite hard work into the wind.

33 miles.

11 April - Thursday Ride To Grafham

Less cold and windy until after lunch. Set off from Haslingfield but had yet another puncture within half an hour, this time a large thorn in the tyre. Adrian and Mike set to and changed the tube quickly.

The new mudguards were troublesome too, clogging up with mud and rubbing constantly until cleaned out. One of the stays also became detached so another stop needed.

Then the Garmin froze up at the coffee stop in Hemingford grey and was almost impossible to turn off then wouldn't restart. The touchscreen seemed to have stopped responding.

Rode on to Grafham with some opting to go round the lake but I and a few others were hungry because it was already about 1.15. Called in at the bike shop but they weren't able to help with the Garmin and didn't have other bits I asked about.

Long lunch stop waiting for the others to reappear. Some then wanted to go to the bike shop after lunch, by which time it was getting cold and grey. Bit of clicking coming from the back wheel area, which Mike The Bike diagnosed as over-tightness of the spindle, making the bearings creak. Okay after he'd adjusted the tension. Also had to stop again to tweak the rear mudguard. By the time I arrived home the front one had again clogged up.

Altogether a turbulent day's ride of 63 miles, something like this.

 

9 April - Tuesday Ride, St Ives

Better day, still an easterly wind but not as cold as recently.

Met Sue and Mike Stapleton at Orwell and went via Longstowe and the Gransdens to the meeting point. Joined along the bumpy stretch by the Cambridge group who had decided to come a different way from normal.

Nine of us continued the ride, Mike C, Eddie, Jim, Sarah, Averil, Sue, Adrian, Brian Mynott and me. Went up the quiet route to St Ives, stopping at the Nuts Bistro for lunch - chicken and brie toastie.

Came back part of the way with the group afterwards, but Sue, Brian and I turned off to come down through Knapwell and Bourn. Sue needing the loo so we stopped at Brian's and had a cup of tea in the conservatory before the final push home over Chapel Hill.

60 miles

7 April - Ridgeback to Fowlmere and Great Chishill

A nice sunny day for our visit to Barbara. Back at about 4.30 so decided to have a short trip to make use of the weather.

It turned out to be quite cold still because of the wind. Went across to Fowlmere then up the hill to Crishall and on to Greta Chishill. Back via Fowlmere and Shepreth.

20 miles

6 April - Ridgeback to Gamlingay

Sunny afternoon, first for a very long time. Trek in the Letchworth shop for new mudguards and derailleur adjustment so took the Ridgeback on its second outing. lowest gears not quite engaging properly and overall impression that it was

Set off through Wimpole and up Hatley Hill on the way to Gamlingay. Then continued on to Potton and back  via the Guilden Morden road and Wendy. Out onto the A1198 thinking I'd cut across to Orwell but because of the cold headwind (still!) decided to go down to Whaddon.

30 miles

4 April - Puncture!

Set off for Hauxton with Nick only to hit a pothole whilst following him. Two splits in the tube and, stupidly, no spare tube in the bag. Puncture outfit not up to such a big repair and the old Peugeot pump pretty useless, so a wake-up call to be better prepared.

Intercepted Hilary on her way to tennis and she came to rescue me from Hauxton.

7 miles!

2 April - CTC Tuesday Ride, Southill

Nominally 7 deg and sunny but still a cold easterly wind. Comfortable enough for riding and no cold feet for once.

Big group at Waresely, including several non riders. Eight of us set off for the continuation ride, Averil, Sarah, Bill, Jacob, Eddie, Rupert, Tony H and me.  Usual nice ride through Tempsford and Blunham, stopping at Southill for al fresco lunch. Sheltered there but still a cold wind when we resumed riding, sometimes straight into it.

Had to wait a bit for Jacob, who then stopped off at Hattie's in Bassingbourn for more refreshments.

55 miles.