Sunday 17th November
The sunny skies of the last couple of Sundays gave way today to grey, drizzly conditions. Fortunately, it didn't (ahem) dampen the spirits of the riders who turned up for today's routes taking a northerly direction.
Those of us who plumped for the 'medium medium' decided to follow the route 'backwards' from the advertised direction as it saved us from the potential horror of trying to navigate the Huntingdon one way system at lunchtime so off we went through town, over Paxton Hill and through the Offords, Godmanchester and Huntingdon early enough not to incur any real traffic. Once over the A141 and a small navigational error, we headed towards Upwood and the Fens.
Onto the B660, all was going well until just before Holme a couple of members decided to stop for a comfort break which was fine but Simon had a momentary lapse of sanity which made him brake late into a brick and ended up turning him into an uncomfortable looking man/bike hybrid sprawled across the floor. Once we extricated him from the tangle and with everyone feeling suitably relieved, we pressed on over the A1, through Glatton and towards familiar territory.
This section of road was eerily quiet, and combined with the grey skies it made the for an atmospheric, reflective moment or two before we heaved our way up Glatton Hill. Through Great Gidding, we turned off the B660 and passed Hamerton Zoo before making our way down Belton's Hill. Previous to that though, Steve had an off while trying to make a turn on a wet manhole cover. It would appear that as both Simon & Steve were wearing Jeggings, using them on a club run should carry a health (and fashion) warning.
Over the A14 at Spaldwick, through Stow Longa and onto the B645 following well known roads towards home, no further mishaps so onto the market square and Nero's for a well earned coffee. An enjoyable ride combined with good company ensured a morning that not even the weather or jegging related tarmac eating could spoil.