Senior Cyclists' Group: Rides in Nov and Dec

The Senior Cyclists' Group has revised its planned rides for November and December. Full details here.

8 Nov: Day ride to Malton and Old Warden

Joseph Sugg writes: I arrived at Brookside this morning for a 9:30am start. There were six other riders there, Myself, Mike C, Jacqui, Martin, John, Doug and Ian W. Mike C took over as our leader. We took the Barton road out of Cambridge and headed down to Haslingfield.

After the traditional climb up the lung-bursting Barrington Hill, we turned off towards Orwell. Just before Orwell we took the turning for Meldreth. We stopped along this road at the Malton Golf Club. It is well hidden along this quiet road, but offers a warm welcome and a reasonable cup of coffee. There is reasonably priced food for those that want it.

After coffee we set off on the longer trek to Shuttleworth, having covered just 14 miles to Malton, where we met Brian B. We went to Meldreth and Bassingbourn and Littlington before turning towards Steeple Morden. When we got to Ashwell we turned off towards Hinxworth. We went over the A1 at the Langford crossing and into Langford. Taking a left towards Broom, then a right and a left we arrived at Shuttleworth which is close to Old Warden.

For those who haven't been there, Shuttleworth is an air museum and a fully functioning airfield which has regular airshows. There was no airshow today though. We visited the cafe, which is always open on a Sunday. The food is fairly priced, but fairly standard fare, and you can have a hot meal if you want. Here we met Vic and Tony and two more from Bedford.

After lunch, Mick shot off early to get home, so I led the remaining group of three towards Mogerhangar and to Blunham before crossing the A1 at Tempsford. This led us to Tempsford hill, one of the steepest hills in the area. This took us to Everton. We cycled around Gamlingay and through Waresley to the Gransdens. I went home via Caxton, Bourne, Toft, Comberton and Barton arriving home in Grantchester just after 4pm having covered 65 miles. Joseph Sugg.

8 Nov: Afternoon ride to Waresley

Nigel Deakin writes: There were thirteen riders at Brookside for today's afternoon ride to Waresley. There had been some rain earlier but this had now passed and the afternoon was dry. It started dull but the sun soon came out and for most of the way to Waresley we were riding in pleasant late afternoon sunshine.

I was the leader today. We had to get to Waresley by 4pm so I took a fairly direct route west out of Cambridge, first along the Coton path to Coton (below) and then up Madingley Hill using the cycle path that runs alongside the A1303 (second photo). The ground was covered in leaves, making it sometimes hard to see the edge of the path, and causing it to be slippery in places.

At the top of Madingley Hill we rejoined the road and followed the old main road west past Hardwick until we reached the turn to Bourn.

In Bourn we turned right onto the road to Caxton and Great Gransden. When we reached Great Gransden we were only a couple of miles from Waresley, but it was only 3.40pm so we took in an extra loop via Abbotsley; the final few miles from Abbotsley to Waresley, along a lovely narrow lane which undulated pleasantly, were a delightful way to enjoy the final few minutes of afternoon sunshine.

We arrived at Waresley Park Garden Centre at 4pm as planned. The cafe was very quiet but there was plenty of food left and sat down in the comfortable chairs to drink large cups of coffee and eat hot apple pie and ice cream.

After tea it was now dark, so we put on our lights and returned to Cambridge via Great Gransden, Caxton, Bourn and the B1046 through Toft, Comberton and Barton. There must have been a bit of a tailwind, since we made rapid progress and I was back in central Cambridge by 5.45pm. Total mileage: 37 miles. Nigel Deakin


View this GPS track on a larger map

Rides planned for this week (9 - 15 Nov)

Tuesday 10th Nov: Senior Cyclists' Group. Meet at 10.00am (note time) at Trumpington Park and Ride. Bring your own coffee. Lunch is at The Chequers, Orwell. Leader: Peter Rowell.

Thursday 12th Nov: Meet at 9.30am at 50 Jopling Way, Hauxton for a day ride. Bring your own coffee. Lunch is at The Barnardiston Arms, Kedington. Leader: Greta Lumbers.

Sunday 15th Nov: Meet at 9.30am at Brookside for a day ride. Coffee is at The Golden Lion, Newmarket; Lunch is at Stradishall Cafe. Then we join the afternoon ride for tea. Leader: Bob Billingham.

Sunday 15th Nov: Meet at 2.15pm at Brookside for an afternoon ride. Tea is at 4.00pm (note time) at Ashdon Museum. Leader: Mike Kenny.

Senior Cyclists' Group: Rides in Nov and Dec

The Senior Cyclists' Group has revised its planned rides for November and December.

For more information contact Peter Rowell (01954 210692)

Tuesday 10th Nov: Senior Cyclists' Group. Meet at 10.00am (note time) at Trumpington Park and Ride. Bring your own coffee. Lunch is at The Chequers, Orwell. Leader: Peter Rowell.

Tuesday 17th Nov: Senior Cyclists' Group. Meet at 10.00 (note time) at Madingley Park and Ride. Coffee is at Peter's. Lunch is The White Swan, Connington. Leader: Peter Rowell.

Tuesday 24th Nov: Senior Cyclists' Group. Meet at 10.00am (note time) at Newmarket Road Park and Ride. Bring your own coffee. Lunch is at The Boot, Dullingham. Leader: Peter Rowell.

Tuesday 1st Dec: Senior Cyclists' Group. Meet at 10.00 (note time) at Madingley Park and Ride. Coffee is at Peter's. Lunch is at The Monkfield Arms, Cambourne. Leader: Peter Rowell.

Tuesday 8th Dec: Senior Cyclists' Group. Meet at 10.00am (note time) at Santon Downham in Norfolk for a car-assisted ride. Bring your own coffee. Lunch is at The Angel, Larling. Call Peter Rowell (01954 210692) before Sunday 6th to arrange transport if needed. Leader: Peter Rowell.

Tuesday 15th Dec: Senior Cyclists' Group. Meet at 10.00am (note time) at Newmarket Road Park and Ride. Bring your own coffee. Lunch is The Marquis of Granby, Stechworth. Leader: Peter Rowell.

Tuesday 22nd Dec: Senior Cyclists' Group. Meet at 10.00am (note time) at Madingley Park and Ride. Coffee is at Peter's. Lunch is at The Monkfield Arms, Cambourne. Leader: Peter Rowell.

Tuesday 29 Dec: Senior Cyclists' Group. Meet at 10.00am (note time) at Trumpington Park and Ride. Bring your own coffee. Lunch is at The Chequers, Orwell. Leader: Peter Rowell.

Club Christmas Lunch: Sunday 13th December

Book now for the CTC Cambridge annual Christmas lunch! This will take place at Bourn Golf Club on Sunday 13th December. The cost is £18. Please choose from the menu and make your booking with Joseph Sugg (joesugg72 AT yahoo.co.uk).

Lunch will be preceded by a ride starting at Brookside at 10:00am.