19 December - Thursday Ride, Newport & Barley - 36 miles

Just a few degrees positive but not much wind so comfy riding conditions apart from wet and muddy roads everywhere.

Rode over to Dorringtons at Newport on my own, meeting up with quite a large group there.  Continued on to Barley via Clavering but decided to come straight home rather than stop for lunch, mainly because it would have taken a while and it would have cooled down.

17 December - Waresley and Moggerhanger - 48 miles

Calm day but only a few degrees above zero.  Not cold because very little wind.

Took the Ridgeback, which has the larger tyres and more robust mudguards needed for winter riding.

On from Waresley with 11 in total, most on a Tuesday ride for ages with everyone making the most of the mild conditions.

Down Tempsford hill to the crossing (closed, as usual) then round through Blunham to Moggerhanger.  First time there and a nice addition to the venues list.

Back via Sandy and Gamlingay.

10 December - Southill via Sandy - 57 miles

Rode to Waresley with Mike Stapleton.  Eight wanting to go on so took the normal route but didn't turn down towards Tempsford.  Instead continued on to Sandy, using the same cycle paths as recently.

Got my front wheel off the path just after a couple of offset barriers and landed on my left hip.  Okay at the time but sore later.

On to favourite Southill cafe.  Tables set with Christmas crackers so we thought there might be a reservation. Instead they said to take the places and use the crackers.

Continued on via Biggleswade where Sarah left us for the station.  Then back via Shingay-cum-Wendy and across the A1198, cutting the corner to the A603.

28 Nov - Thursday Ride to Jordan's Mill via Sandy, 45 miles

Mild and almost no wind.  Had to go to doctor first so went straight to Queen Adelaide.  About 15 riders.

Interesting route led by Jacob, out around Sandy and taking in several tortuous cycling paths.  Lunch at Jordan's Mill.

Took the Ridgeback for its first group ride, do or die on whether to sell it and by a cyclocross bike.  Really enjoyed the ride and no problems whatever in keeping the pace.

26 Nov - Waresley and back via Bassingbourn

Grey day but calm and promising 5 deg max.  Felt a bit cold coming away from Waresley and decided not to continue on for the longer ride.

Came back via Guilden Morden and Bassingbourn to pick up a prescription.

14 Nov - Thursday to Swavesey and Houghton

Pleasant day with fair wind from the west.  Big group, setting off for Swavesey coffee stop via Caldecote and Boxworth.  More at the stop and the usual big slabs of cake from the ladies there.

On via Fen Drayton, Hilton, Graveley and the Offords, then round to Godmanchester and the corner cafe in Houghton.  Back along the nice lane, leaving the group soon after to head down to Conington, Knapwell, Bourn and home.

Barbara didn't want to go over Chapel Hill so braved the A603 to the Orwell turn.

12 Nov - Just Waresley, on the Ridgeback

Out and back.  Only one bike there when I arrived at 10.45 so didn't hang about.