Probably the hottest day of the year saw probably the biggest turnout of cyclists ever in the Market Square. The weather had tempted out the hordes, and with the Breeze ride also running, it was difficult to make an exact head count in the melee.

Suffice to say that more than 50 riders showed up. Mr Colmer had a bit of a tough time organising us into appropriate groups in the heat, shouting, sweating and waving his arms about, but he did a sterling job and soon the various groups rolled out of the Market Square.

The Long Route

The long route was planned by Cambourne Mark and it was a cracker.  Heading pretty much due south over the A505 and up onto the North Hertfordshire ridge with amazing views all round to the Bedfordshire valley. The fast and medium pace long route groups arrived at the foot of the Sandon climb together, where the fast group decided to stop for a comfort break. Your correspondent, who had been enjoying riding with the fast group but knowing that he'd struggle to hang on on the climb to Sandon, continued on up with the medium pace group expecting to jump on when the fast guys went by, but they were never seen again. Apparently they had a puncture (or the rumour of one) and some other mechanical. After Sandon, the route continued very lumpy with fantastic views, eventually heading back over the 505, past the RSPB headquarters to Everton, where for the second week in a row we went down the hill. By this time, the distance, the climbing and the heat were taking their toll and the group split for the final run to the Market Square where everyone enjoyed a well earned drink. About 65 miles at something over 18mph and just under 3000 feet of climbing.

The Short Route

We welcomed three newcomers Ashton, Ian and Martin to the Club Short Ride and they were joined by new members and regulars including Argo and Flo.  With Colin M away cruising the fjords of Norway, it was Dave W who offered to help lead the 8 strong group with Andy H.  We left the Market Square in blazing sunshine and headed out through Eynesbury and onto the Club TT Course and the stunning Cambridgeshire/Bedfordshire countryside.  The Long Route Group swept by us at Abbottsley Golf Club as we headed towards Gamlingay and the short ascent of the Col de Tetworth. We then made for Sandy where we were surprised to come across a mobility scooter in the middle of the road cruising into town.  The climb outside the RSPB Headquarters stretched the group a little but we were soon all back together for the return leg to Potton.  We were told (erroneously, as it transpired) that Tempsford Level Crossing was closed so we modified our route to pass through Waresley and Abbottsley on the return to St Neots.  The day's route had included a complete lap of the TT course, albeit taken in two bites.  Back to the Market Place we were joined for coffee by the girls of the Breeze Ride and shortly afterward the Medium Route Group.  27 miles completed at an average of 14.5 mph.  We had no incidents on the run but Dave W reported 2 punctures on his return home.

There are no rteports from the Medium Route this week.