Sunday was dry, warm and relatively still and as a consequence about 45 riders turned up in the Market Square. The new regime is working well, but it means more separate groups on the road, so we can't expect reports from every group.

This week we had a fast, long group (aka Group 1), a steadier long group, a middle distance group (which split on the way round) and a short steady group.

The Middle Distance Group

There were about 14 riders in this group and we set off towards Abbotsley golf club and the TT course.  Just before the Cinques, the fast group went past, and one or two were tempted to jump on. If they did, they wasted their breath, because after a headlong descent of Everton Hill (why go there to go down, when you can go up?), both long and middle distance groups reassembled at the level crossing.

Once the barriers went up we headed over the A1 and off to Great Barford. Up the hill over the dual carriageway, we were caught by the long, steady group (are you paying attention?), and that is where things started to split. Half the group carried straight on through Wilden on the Ravensden Road, which was wrong according to the published route, and this author, who had hung back to help a lagging rider, volunteered to chase them down and show them the error of their ways. Well after a mile or so and well past Shrubbery Lane having not caught them, he decided he'd let them go and return to the rest of the group waiting at the bottom of the Renhold Road climb. Of course, they had long got bored of waiting for him and shuffled off into the distance, so the rest of this report is of a solo ride. Up Renhold Road to Salph End, turn west and then up Church Road to Ravesenden (where he met the long steady group coming down from the church, pulled over to the side of the road waiting for someone? - by this stage there were St Neots CC riders all over North Bedforshire). To Thurleigh (greeting a solo Leon Bradford on his way back to St Neots), past the airfield and through Pertenhall and Perry to home.  I guess the actual mid-distance groups got back to St Neots via a Bushmead sprint? One of us did 48 miles at 18mph. I've no idea about the others.

The Short Distance Group

A total of 11 riders left the Market Square in perfect Summer weather.  It was nice to be talking about sunscreen for once!  Regular Short Ride Leaders Colin M and Andy H were joined by a mixture of  members and non-members including first timers Sandra and James.  Special mention goes out to Ian who had completed 133 miles and Jon K who took part in an 8 hour mountain bike event, both on the previous day.

The route took us out through Eynesbury past Abbotsley Golf Club towards Gamlingay and then on to Everton for a fast descent of Everton Hill.  Tempsford Level Crossing did not delay us this week and we were soon over the A1 heading for Blunham and on towards Wilden.  Next was Bolnhurst where we followed a section of the Chain Gang route in reverse direction.  The return to St Neots was from the Bushmead Crossroads.  Gareth S took the town sign despite challenges from Jon and Colin.  It was nice to enjoy a coffee back in the sunshine in the Market Square having completed 27.75 miles at 14.5 mph average. It is pleasing to report that a number of former Intro/Short Run Riders have now progressed on to the longer routes and many more have joined the Club.  All in all a great Club Run with great company in lovely weather and a perfect route.