Yet another cold Sunday morning awaited SNCC outside Caffe Nero, but the skies were bright and clear and 17 Group 2 riders left the Market Square and weaved up through the pockmarked roads of Eynesbury to Little Barford. The Group 2 riders included three new faces - Martin and Simon from the introductory rides, and new member Steve Rook out for his first ride.
The air was filled with shouts of “hole” all through Little Barford, and there was so much pointing that some members of the group appeared to be dancing badly to Y-M-C-A. It wasn't completely unexpected then, as we reached Tempsford, that a puncture should bring us to an early rest stop, and David S was the unlucky man on this occasion.
We were shortly on our way again, turning onto the Tempsford Road and heading for the first challenge of the day at Everton Hill. A brief pause at the level crossing allowed a number of our more mature members to offer surprised remarks about trains running on Easter Sunday, but before anyone could say “It wasn't like that in my day”, we were on our way again. As expected, the group started to splinter as we made our way up to Everton, but order was restored as we made our way swiftly down the Drove Road toward Waresley. Everton Hill was notable for its swift ascent by young James T - perhaps an early warning for Richard and the hill climb?
Heading straight down the Waresley road to Great Gransden, we encountered some sketchy roads, and Chris seemed to take great delight in reminding Trevor of a low-speed incident that happened around the same time last year. Negotiating the road without incident, we made our way through Great Gransden and along the Caxton Road, which gave us an opportunity to enjoy some faster riding as we approached Caxton. We continued on through Bourn at a slower pace due to more potholed roads and patches of ice and water, until we reached the climb to Highfields Caldecote, which caused the group to split again. Regrouping just before the A428 crossing, we agreed it was time to break into two groups, and the pace lifted for the descent down to Knapwell, where Chris pinched the village sign (not literally!), and Conington, before we turned for home via Hilton.
Steve Lyons grabbed the Graveley sign unopposed, while others in the group kept their tinder dry for the short, sharp climb to Duck End and we headed down to Offord D'Arcy, rather than take the Toseland Road. This left one final lump of the day at Paxton Hill before we dropped back down into St Neots and Caffe Nero. The slower group arrived soon afterwards, as did Group 1, and we all sat outside enjoying the warm spring sun, until it disappeared behind some clouds and it was time to get home, get warm and marvel at the exploits of Cancellara and co.
41 miles at a decent pace. Thanks to Trevor for putting the route together and leading the ride.