Eleven St Neots CC riders met up for the Jubilee club run on Tuesday morning. We also welcomed Tim Parish, friend of Mark's and a St Ives rider. We would be riding the Autumn Breeze sportive route so it would be a good opportunity for members to try it out and give their opinions.

From St Neots we headed west to Kimbolton and Covington setting a brisk wind-assisted pace. The climbs through Covington and towards Raunds eased things up a little. Skirting round Raunds an inattentive rubbish truck driver nearly brought the ride to a premature halt, but fortunately we passed by with no incident. A fast descent took us into Thrapston where Phil had to leave us for another Jubilee event. With the wind still behind us the pace again picked up, although the climb through Tywell village briefly split the bunch. For the next 10 miles we crossed the Northamptonshire countryside, rolling along quiet country lanes. Every so often we slowed to pass a group of horses (I think the enforced change of tempo was welcomed by some - although others grumbled that it seemed busier than Newmarket!); motorised traffic was notably absent.

Brigstock is likely to pose the greatest navigation challenge of the route. It is a typical pretty Northampton village of pale honeyed stone. However, the road through is quite circuitous and there is a narrow, easily missed right turn just before the Three Cocks pub. It was suggested the route would benefit from marshalling here. Controversial beer-gater Steve was quick to spot the opportunity and, conditional on a lift, immediately volunteered for the task!

From Brigstock we headed to Benefield and a great section of road, which is a very narrow and gated road. The first gate was closed and several riders took the opportunity for a comfort break. Surveying the pastoral scene complete with sheep, someone was heard regretting not bringing their wellies… The land owner has promised the gates will be open on the day (this time of year they are closed to keep the lambs from straying), but hopefully we'll still benefit from its other charms. I won't give too much away, but after riding it a quick wipe of your bidon is advisable.
 
We took a brief diversion from the route to stop off at the Oundle Coffee Tavern. Bacon and egg butties washed down with coffee meant Southwick Hill was swiftly climbed. From there we headed to Apethorpe, Nassington and Elton. Now we were moving into a headwind and the pace slowed. The climb up from the Nene valley afforded some shelter, but the respite didn’t last long. Riding across the exposed Cambridgeshire plain the headwind steadily strengthened and scurrying clouds darkened and amassed. Through Great Gidding and Old Weston the rain held off, but by Catworth we were feeling the odd spots. Looking East to Grafham sheets of rain were clearly visible. We pressed on to Kimbolton, wondering if our luck would hold out.

The official route heads back to St Neots from Kimbolton via Pertenhall, Little Staughton and Bushmead, however, by Kimbolton there was little appetite to ride it. Rain was threatening and after last Sunday's deluge, most felt that it would be nice to finish dry. The wind roared through Kimbolton’s Jubilee bunting and we decided to split into two groups heading either towards Buckden or the direct route to St Neots. By the end of the day we had covered over 80 miles averaging a little over 18mph. The consensus seems to be it is a good route. We’ll ride it again before October, so don’t worry if you missed it this time, there’ll be another chance!