Sunday 22nd February 2014

The forecast was heavy skies with a blustery SSW wind (again) but that didn’t deter a reasonable number from forming at the square with six of us setting of on the long route, perhaps an opportunity for some last minute cramming before the opening NCRA race on the following weekend.

It wasn’t long before the headwind was met square on and we decided to go “through and off” but reverted back to normal once we started heading west to Bedford. Richard was happy with the climb by Mowesbury Golf course and I’m surprised he didn’t make us all turn around and do it again.

Joining the B660 at Bedford meant we had a good chunk of wind assisted mileage ahead of us and it was along here that we met the medium group coming the other way. It’s a lot easier to smile and wave with the wind at your back and going downhill.

Along with death, taxes and strong winds another given is that Tim will attempt to refuel at the most inappropriate time. This time it was just as the hammer went down that left him choking on not only banana but dust.

The drag to Yelden can be a chore with the wind in your face and it lived up to expectations today, but the routes zig zaggy nature meant that we were not too far away from a tail wind, however brief. We then took in a good 3-4 miles of the chain gang route from Chelveston to Hargrave that enabled some leg stretching before we turned into Hargrave and past an empty village hall and on to the 3 sisters, who were looking quite ugly this time of year.

The remainder of the ride was fairly uneventful with Wayne deciding to go straight back to St Neots along the B645 from Kimbolton whereas the rest of us chose strict adherence to the route (WWGD) up Agdengreen Hill before we said goodbye to Richard and Steve at Dillington.

Wayne probably made the right choice with Gt Staughton to St Neots via Bushmead Rd being a bit of a chore into the wind with no records being set although Joe took the honours for the sprint to the sign.
There are days this time of year where spring is definitely in the air but this wasn’t one of them. The post ride coffee was very welcome.

Gary N