Very belatedly, here is a report on the Sunday club run almost a week ago. It was the morrning after the Awards Dinner, but nevertheless 16 riders turned up in the Market Square to enjoy the autumn sunshine.
The good turnout might have had something to do with the weather - after a week of rain and wind, we had unbroken sunshine and still conditions, though quite cold.
We decided to set off as a single group and so following the directions of the day's route master, Mark, we set off along the Bushmead road and then turned south towards Chawston. From there we headed west towrds Wilden and Ravensden where we crossed the B660 and headed up towards Thurleigh. Down the bumpy hill to Milton Ernest and across the A6 and the river which was almost in flood and up the hill towards Radwell, the group was beginning to split, so after Felmersham and on the road up to Odell, we decided to split into groups. Group 1 set off apace, but there were actually three groups on the road and Mark, the route master was looking after a couple of riders who had been dropped, so Groups 1 and 2 both turned right at Odell and headed north for Podington, whereas Mark and the others with him followed the official route south to Harrold.
Group 1 and the Renegade Group 2 continued north up past Podington to Wymington where Group 1 continued on through Rushden and Higham Ferrers and started back along the chain gang road. At Chelveston, rather than stay on the chain gang route, we turned right down towards Newton Bromswold (Steve stopping for the second pee break of the day along this stretch) and then back to St Neots via Swineshead and the Bushmead sprint. Renegade Group 2 cut out the Higham Ferrers loop but otherwise came back a similar way.
Mark's official Group 2 followed the advertised route back through Harrold. Are you confused? We were.
An excellent day that was about 50 miles for Group 1, and about 45 miles for Group 2, all at a good pace for the time of year and the temperature.