Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: GdS on 24 November, 2021, 02:29:28 pm
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I'll start a new thread as my former self owns the old one which says CANCELLED (it's not)
Just putting together a card logo for 2022 to give a flavour of the new route
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/8f7/8f7031875ce435f58a4a1301646fe68d.jpg?ts=1637752246)
Notice daffs not tulips but I'm hoping to take the ride past the Tulip fields assuming they are visible from the road. If not it's still a completely new 2nd half with more waterways Denver Sluice the Isle of Ely and historic St Ives
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I've reserved a slot in my diary :thumbsup:
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Date blocked in diary 👍
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Route approved just waiting for it to go live :)
Ely Cathedral is the final scene in the 1996 Jonathan Meades Double Dutch documentary, he describes it as "The Fen Ark", being 70ft above sea level certainly made it a safe place to be in the days before Cornelius Vermuyden drained and turned the whole region into agricultural land
http://meadesshrine.blogspot.com/1997/01/efa.html#ep5
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Looking to ride it this year, having been on the Easter arrow shenanigans for most years.
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entries now open :)
https://audax.uk/event-details?eventId=9586
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Entered.
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Me too. Hopefully a better showing than last year when my bum and saddle sued for divorce at Spalding.
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I'm entered, too.
Never ridden this part of the world before but retirement allows you to redefine your horizons.
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I have entered although I have no idea whether I will be OK to travel up by train by Easter but there must be a good chance. I rode it in 2019 when the weather was fantastic - short sleeves from the off! I hope Martin can arrange that again. The different route looks interesting, and avoids that stretch up near the Wash where I was struggling to make forward progress last time.
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I’ve entered, having done Easter Arrows in previous years
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I'm entered, too.
Never ridden this part of the world before but retirement allows you to redefine your horizons.
It’ll give you a view of what LEL passes through (further south) with St Ives being a control. Plus what the wind is like when there’s nothing to slow it down.
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Looking forward to seeing the new route. I've seen the information on the AUK page about that.
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I have entered although I have no idea whether I will be OK to travel up by train by Easter
Yesterday I was on the train to Peterborough (which stops at Huntingdon) with a bike. Train was pretty empty, two of us in carriage, though of course this was a mid week lunchtime, not Easter weekend.
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Just bought my train ticket which was £10 return, only takes 30 mins, and arrives 11 mins before start time. Perfect. Plus means I won’t need to fill up car till May now as can’t see how driving and paying for all day parking would beat train. Win win.
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I live on that line. I can't see why anyone with easy access to it would drive. Trains out to this event have never been significantly occupied, let alone full, at that time.
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That's how the ride came about; as a DIY in 2009
1. See bulbfields
2. Cheap train with no need to book bike
3. 200k
4. 1 hour from London
:thumbsup:
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Not really worried about train up as that is so early that it will be pretty deserted. The concern is getting back (and no I am not riding home!)
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Not really worried about train up as that is so early that it will be pretty deserted. The concern is getting back (and no I am not riding home!)
Never had any issues with that either. Mind you, I'm a full-value rider ;D
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In the interests of geographical balance - I'll mention that not all trains start in that London ;)
This is an easy ride to get to from anywhere in the Midlands that routes via Peterborough. I have a choice of trains from Derby, so it's probably doable from further afield.
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@GdS
Would this be available to do as a DIY or perm at a different time, starting /enf from Ely control? Unfortunately the scheduled event clashes with a FnRttC I'm doing.
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@GdS
Would this be available to do as a DIY or perm at a different time, starting /enf from Ely control? Unfortunately the scheduled event clashes with a FnRttC I'm doing.
yes DIY only please PM your email
Ok, thanks - it will probably be in a few weeks, so will drop you a message then if that's ok? :) :thumbsup:
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The tulips are growing just need to find out where they are ??? it's Norfolk's best kept secret. If I find them I'll update the route so riders can enjoy the spectacle
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2 fields of Tulips spotted on route today
They require a dismount but well worth it 8)
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Ship of the Fens was a question on the Mastermind final tonight.
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Route sheet amended to avoid 2/3 of the A148 section, the info is now at the tulips although there's a much better view by taking a 10m footpath off piste 1km before
apparently the section between Haddenham and Earith is closed although will check on Friday if it's passable by bike, alternatives will be advertised on the day either the A142 (with cycle path) via Sutton or via Cottenham for even more (mis)guided busway
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apparently the section between Haddenham and Earith is closed although will check on Friday if it's passable by bike, alternatives will be advertised on the day either the A142 (with cycle path) via Sutton or via Cottenham for even more (mis)guided busway
Local sign says closed until 13/05/2022, but always worth a check with fen roads
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apparently the section between Haddenham and Earith is closed although will check on Friday if it's passable by bike, alternatives will be advertised on the day either the A142 (with cycle path) via Sutton or via Cottenham for even more (mis)guided busway
Local sign says closed until 13/05/2022, but always worth a check with fen roads
a few years ago the whole road S of Crowland was closed but it was just one bridge that hadn't been surfaced yet. It was passable by bike and indeed I met a group of Easter Arrow riders coming the other way.
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This is the info for the works
Description
Road reconstruction works, place to place under 24/7 road closure and diversion route
Location
Place to place carriageway repair and reconstruction work between junction with B1381 and Long Drove Haddenham
Additional description
Major carriageway works being carried out on the carriageway.
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Thanks; if it's anything other than a passable properly surfaced section for bikes I will re-route. Got some local advice who says the best alternative is via Cottenham and Rampton from where there is a tarmac bridleway onto the busway.
from the description it looks like it may be possible to divert via Aldreth but that's longer than via Rampton
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Thanks; if it's anything other than a passable properly surfaced section for bikes I will re-route. Got some local advice who says the best alternative is via Cottenham and Rampton from where there is a tarmac bridleway onto the busway.
According to complaints on a local facebook page, the tarmac path from Rampton to busway has been covered with loose stones in the last few weeks. Something to do with the wrong kind of tarmac and vocal horse-people.
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apparently the section between Haddenham and Earith is closed although will check on Friday if it's passable by bike, alternatives will be advertised on the day either the A142 (with cycle path) via Sutton or via Cottenham for even more (mis)guided busway
Local sign says closed until 13/05/2022, but always worth a check with fen roads
a few years ago the whole road S of Crowland was closed but it was just one bridge that hadn't been surfaced yet. It was passable by bike and indeed I met a group of Easter Arrow riders coming the other way.
Yes, it was great to bump into you. Not sure who was most surprised! but takes more than an advertised road closure to stop audaxers trying to get through!
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According to my mapping that bridleway from Rampton is 800m. Suppose it depends how bad the stones on it is.
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According to my mapping that bridleway from Rampton is 800m. Suppose it depends how bad the stones on it is.
I haven't actually re-ridden it since, just seen the argument on fb. Might be able to get out to it tonight.
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from the description it looks like it may be possible to divert via Aldreth but that's longer than via Rampton
Nope, the closure is after the Aldreth road rejoins the Earith Road according to the road works mapping.
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According to my mapping that bridleway from Rampton is 800m. Suppose it depends how bad the stones on it is.
I haven't actually re-ridden it since, just seen the argument on fb. Might be able to get out to it tonight.
The stones are the tiny grey variety and I'd say it's a pretty sparse covering of loose ones. I rode it this morning on 25mm tyres and as long as you're not doing 20mph and trying to make sharp turns it should be no problem at all. Cuckoo Lane is a little rough in places where the concrete paving slabs join but there are far worse roads in Fenland :-\
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Just ridden out to it before I saw dod's report! I agree - small grey stones, don't do anything daft and you'll be absolutely fine. It is only 800m long. The tarmac from the end of it to Rampton is if anything slightly more irritating but again nothing special.
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Looking at the map to follow these discussions, I've suddenly been reminded of the event that used to go out to Chatteris, and back via Somersham - Earith - Willingham - Over - Swavesey. Not been that way for a bit, I think.
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Looking at the map to follow these discussions, I've suddenly been reminded of the event that used to go out to Chatteris, and back via Somersham - Earith - Willingham - Over - Swavesey. Not been that way for a bit, I think.
I'd be interested to find out which event that was (as I live in Chatteris) - I know Tomsk uses Chatteris for some of his routes.
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Looking at the map to follow these discussions, I've suddenly been reminded of the event that used to go out to Chatteris, and back via Somersham - Earith - Willingham - Over - Swavesey. Not been that way for a bit, I think.
was that Tomsk's Flitchbikes?
I did the 200 a couple of times
There was another classic Fen 200 the Bungay Roger which started near the chicken roundabout is it still there? (or rather are the chickens?) that inspired me to create DD when it stopped
we could start a whole thread about lost calendar rides of East Anglia!
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Looking at the map to follow these discussions, I've suddenly been reminded of the event that used to go out to Chatteris, and back via Somersham - Earith - Willingham - Over - Swavesey. Not been that way for a bit, I think.
Boudicca’s Revenge 200 goes that way, turning at Chatteris. Was done as a group perm in August 2020. I rode it in reverse, starting at the Buntingford control.
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Flitchbikes was a calendar version of Boudicca’s Revenge.
I ride past the end of the closed road on Saturday on a DIY 200 from Lincoln back to Essex. I didn’t put 2 & 2 together at the time.
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was that Tomsk's Flitchbikes?
Yes, with your prompt on where to look, I've just dug out a route sheet from my files. Dunmow - Buntingford - Potton - St Ives - Chatteris - Earith - Boxworth - Bourn - Chrishall Grange - Debden - Dunmow. Looks like I last rode it in 2013, although for unknown reasons I scratched from the 2015 event.
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GPX track from when I did Boudicca's perm a
few nine years ago.
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/1219250
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My plan is to go through Cottenham straight down to the bus way.
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My plan is to go through Cottenham straight down to the bus way.
Will follow you if I can keep up.
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Fantastic, looking forward to seeing the tulip field.
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For those of use who enjoy a bit of off road is Aldreth to Willingham a reasonable alternative. Th off road section is marked as a Byeway at both ends?
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For those of use who enjoy a bit of off road is Aldreth to Willingham a reasonable alternative. Th off road section is marked as a Byeway at both ends?
That's the Aldreth Causeway, it should be rideable although the grass sections might still be pretty muddy.
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A clubmate has just tried riding the Haddenham-Earith road, he regretted ignoring the road closed signs after half a mile of loose hardcore then 200m of dirt track 😂
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A clubmate has just tried riding the Haddenham-Earith road, he regretted ignoring the road closed signs after half a mile of loose hardcore then 200m of dirt track 😂
Thanks :thumbsup: saves me a journey on Friday the alternatives will be the A142 / Sutton or Cottenham / Rampton to the busway
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For those of use who enjoy a bit of off road is Aldreth to Willingham a reasonable alternative. Th off road section is marked as a Byeway at both ends?
That's the Aldreth Causeway, it should be rideable although the grass sections might still be pretty muddy.
And very rutted in places
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Who'd be an organiser? All this seems to have caused a lot of extra work, so thanks for all your efforts.
In case anyone is as easily confused as me, I've merged the modifications for the GPX and PDF into the originals. Any use? Your risk of course if I've made any mistakes...
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In case anyone is as easily confused as me, I've merged the modifications for the GPX and PDF into the originals. Any use? Your risk of course if I've made any mistakes...
That sounds extremely convenient. Are you going to share them? I'll trust you, and it saves a bit more work.
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Who'd be an organiser? All this seems to have caused a lot of extra work, so thanks for all your efforts.
it's a picnic after last year with allocated socially distant Covid bubbles of 6 in the car park (and the improvised unmanned motorised post box at the finish not to mention a 120 mile drive home after)
I've changed the route sheet and GPX for any new entrants please email if you want one :)
the chocolate bunny raffle will also be running although with a slight twist the winners will be drawn randomly from those who start so it won't favour the fastest. And had a few DNS so those bunnies will also be up for grabs.
Anyone know if there is still a cafe at the station? was thinking of emailing some local enterprising business with a Citroen van / pop up trailer etc. Ramsey is your best bet for a quick refuel.
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Picked up my train ticket for Sat, thus I can go straight through barriers rather than faffing with the ticket machine (not working) in morning. Looks like I’m planning on getting on the train that will have passed through St Pancras. Arrival at 7:49am in Huntingdon.
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Picked up my train ticket for Sat, thus I can go straight through barriers rather than faffing with the ticket machine (like not working) in morning. Looks like I’m planning on getting on the one that will have passed through St Pancras. Arrival at 7:49am in Huntingdon.
They may not close the barriers at Huntingdon until 0800 so anyone in the W car park can walk over to the other side to use the cafe / loos etc , if they do you have to walk around under the old former A14 flyover and over the road bridge which is a big building site.
There are a couple of gpx glitches coming out of Huntingdon just take the main A141
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That sounds extremely convenient. Are you going to share them? I'll trust you, and it saves a bit more work.
Happy to share if you want to PM me with an email, but it sounds as though GdS has it covered.
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I've changed the route sheet and GPX for any new entrants please email if you want one :)
I’ve plotted the Rampton bridleway option, since it’s just a few fine stones. This may or may not get me ahead of others if I’m riding with them at the time the routes diverge!
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just put together a Dutch mix for the car stereo at the start. No prizes for guessing which 2 70's bands feature....
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Picked up my train ticket for Sat, thus I can go straight through barriers rather than faffing with the ticket machine (not working) in morning. Looks like I’m planning on getting on the train that will have passed through St Pancras. Arrival at 7:49am in Huntingdon.
Looks like I'm joining that part-way up. See you then.
Edit - no, it's cancelled. Looks like I for one am going to be late >:(
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Enjoyed that once we got on the train after the cancelled one. I wasn’t the only one looking at the numbers that got off in Huntingdon. Everything worked perfectly including my body. Good start on my first audax in shorts this year. I’ll post a write up tomorrow. Time to eat.
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just put together a Dutch mix for the car stereo at the start. No prizes for guessing which 2 70's bands feature....
Focus was one ?
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Golden Earring probably the other - Radar Love
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Golden Earring probably the other - Radar Love
correct as well as Focus, Hocus Pocus and Sylvia. Also Eye Level.
Tulips were splendiferous! easily visible from the road although apparently we attracted
some questions as to how we knew about them
Back to The Guys Head route next year
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Thanks to one and all involved in organising and helping yesterdays DD, cracking day out in the Fens - Happy Easter
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A great day out, very enjoyable, perfect weather.
I'm used to spending the second half of an audax dreading the next hill! Next stop: a similarly flat ride in the Netherlands.
Good to catch up with Phil W. His bike intrigued the owner of the One Stop shop on the return leg, never seen anything like it.
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Thanks Martin for a great day out, the tulips were a real highlight and Ely cathedral always looks good in evening sunshine :)
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Coming into Kings Lynn with my fellow recumbent rider
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ALcjRrZ20jPZ72i1W78Y4qGHSlmeTX3kYjlUqxSuv85zJLtO00Udo9bK90Y5kSgQPHesTGgcYzwhA6b3FcEh3Duuqb-bQ-PHXKMVNvSDn0ecyn3AIhHr1VgLvHeqiG3LYTVKJQAoNA=w2400)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zNdFszuqvGNcUrubS9nrMrkykIuC5PQOKCn-UrktDYNdMdonK57gYj8PiuqlYywWx1fSjdi85MUzD8-g0IWNOkeSK5K4F_IpB-U4vJLdIDC707ajiOd4Zgpx-s00CTnmNT70FVHmSw=w2400)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/69aOR4nqAJj3zdg9jW72hQSsyjGbtbaZf41wtdDWR4Wgeu4qQhrxiHs3WlXP1IMkDOqKb0NrquVEwXwZU-QTg8xUmq6ZhNLemI9uZIUaP53ZtCet6eLa-QFenF_5kq7AGfjclsYM3g=w2400)
Fens stretching to infinity
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/K-FhEnkw3Ow-gvWQA_FZXpbxxAPLVUbDdJwWCEr--gGRboGiokrkSHF5ga7sHmHdbdojDY5CQtXAY-BGXx92-C6gpkaqB1iBdb68E4J5jqmM9lJeF2Va_X1xyUkgsS7yJLsJ1JTGcA=w2400)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6D3uXxEccFx9eeVHD6rD2A-yhEnNC_C43XoELJqjAkS6YDCGUoSBWDAGwO2iJTQ9IPJBS-rNg5OKSZo16CU898iBzwmhJ23V0nGrBK1ZmZlK4yYE5fXBvcJ7FLN-COgM7xxRH8Zw7Q=w2400)
Leafy lanes and some shade after Grimston
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/W-uBX4DDSJkTHv7FeopMhyONEZDC3FU7xpDISwP8kh6OM8sm_EwGKJYSrqCAUt3Gcn-Q0_yjpbpD9HO_xWhD7iKgXRrR52q1OcJkM5L4MZaeZo14Rb8o0VBqVngcdJ_JsK8_tFkkZw=w2400)
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That was a great day out. Thanks Martin for organising.
Great pictures Phil ;D It was fun to ride briefly in a recumbent convoy, until my rear bag broke my mudguard and I had to stop to sort it out. I guess I should pack a bit lighter :)
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Ah wondered what had happened to you. I thought I'd see you pulling in to the ASDA shortly after me.
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When I got back to the carpark I found a very neat, covetable, small bike tool near my car. So please check if you lost anything yesterday and pm me a description. If it matches I'll pop it in a jiffy bag for you.
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Ah wondered what had happened to you. I thought I'd see you pulling in to the ASDA shortly after me.
I spotted another petrol station down a side road while I was stopped so went there for supplies/POP. I didn’t realise the Asda was only a few hundred metres up the road :facepalm:
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Great pictures Phil ;D
Feel free to grab copies for yourself.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/A12CNo3DrkQRA6XC8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oLh6KXNZrDBtaY4B7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bgGBpK9zHnkD84zt7
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Feel free to grab copies for yourself.
Thanks :thumbsup:
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Mixed day for me. It was a really good ride, but I bailed out at Ely station, after basically blowing up somewhere after Downham Market. I'm going to blame the Covid from which I had only recovered a few days before :-\
I enjoyed both the run out to Kings Lynn, which was quite quick, and some new roads on the way back. I'll have to go out and do the last section, or maybe the whole thing, properly some time :thumbsup:
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So disappointed I couldn't make this one, especially as I think the weather was as good as in 2019!
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from the Norfolk Tulips website but they looked the same on the day
(https://le-cdn.website-editor.net/s/6ad8fb63067e4fb2bd2f45ab3d4e1996/dms3rep/multi/opt/20210428_095745-1920w-367w.jpg?Expires=1652712904&Signature=gI8FrxwEf~iuUeCRs9YrdsT9Bd8dnyFSPuM5Qp8c9HnUyHxp-4aJLdyVzbljAeKQXpPXCZPmSEhT5xDyzV04zoRsi8kBjp12taNg0gmLfXc8kseF5zTemD181ZBHhEZQEHf4H-9AytnhAml-7ow0GlSs808RkYTLOPsGXYhhnVQBt4SKKT~loSuAq6gS~6RblAbxUt-a9fuY4H849fPEZND6pzveSLu2BxyM6cf7v98qKMcGBjHbes9oYctis5XKm7hd-p6GT-y6KMDYx7X09IZYO4BYagCzknc9tmT66~ENmYut5eaeIRHCPIrYMmXcZXoY3mFvF9mSegYMx4~Gjw__&Key-Pair-Id=K2NXBXLF010TJW)
These should be ready in a few weeks (S of A47 in East Winch)
(https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.d322ecac83600659d5ec25c416e731e9?rik=6LJfdQNGBx7WqA&riu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.picturesofengland.com%2fimg%2fX%2f1195990.jpg&ehk=JkEuWMah%2bndkO2eSm6zhmIzScbxnOJTeCbVkegNHvD8%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0)
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I've changed the route sheet and GPX for any new entrants please email if you want one :)
I’ve plotted the Rampton bridleway option, since it’s just a few fine stones. This may or may not get me ahead of others if I’m riding with them at the time the routes diverge!
a few of us used that diversion it was fine just 800m of fine gravel no problem for road tyres (if anything the proper road before even Cuckoo Lane was worse very rutted) it will be used on the next Ship of the Fens event
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Agree the concrete road before was worse, bump bump bump….
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Ah wondered what had happened to you. I thought I'd see you pulling in to the ASDA shortly after me.
I spotted another petrol station down a side road while I was stopped so went there for supplies/POP. I didn’t realise the Asda was only a few hundred metres up the road :facepalm:
I didn’t know the ASDA was there (on the right) till I saw the petrol price sign. I was just hoping that something would be on the A148, at least by that roundabout at top of hill, to get some water and a receipt. I was starting to get receipt anxiety!
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Coming into Kings Lynn with my fellow recumbent rider
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ALcjRrZ20jPZ72i1W78Y4qGHSlmeTX3kYjlUqxSuv85zJLtO00Udo9bK90Y5kSgQPHesTGgcYzwhA6b3FcEh3Duuqb-bQ-PHXKMVNvSDn0ecyn3AIhHr1VgLvHeqiG3LYTVKJQAoNA=w2400)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zNdFszuqvGNcUrubS9nrMrkykIuC5PQOKCn-UrktDYNdMdonK57gYj8PiuqlYywWx1fSjdi85MUzD8-g0IWNOkeSK5K4F_IpB-U4vJLdIDC707ajiOd4Zgpx-s00CTnmNT70FVHmSw=w2400)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/69aOR4nqAJj3zdg9jW72hQSsyjGbtbaZf41wtdDWR4Wgeu4qQhrxiHs3WlXP1IMkDOqKb0NrquVEwXwZU-QTg8xUmq6ZhNLemI9uZIUaP53ZtCet6eLa-QFenF_5kq7AGfjclsYM3g=w2400)
Fens stretching to infinity
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/K-FhEnkw3Ow-gvWQA_FZXpbxxAPLVUbDdJwWCEr--gGRboGiokrkSHF5ga7sHmHdbdojDY5CQtXAY-BGXx92-C6gpkaqB1iBdb68E4J5jqmM9lJeF2Va_X1xyUkgsS7yJLsJ1JTGcA=w2400)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6D3uXxEccFx9eeVHD6rD2A-yhEnNC_C43XoELJqjAkS6YDCGUoSBWDAGwO2iJTQ9IPJBS-rNg5OKSZo16CU898iBzwmhJ23V0nGrBK1ZmZlK4yYE5fXBvcJ7FLN-COgM7xxRH8Zw7Q=w2400)
Leafy lanes and some shade after Grimston
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/W-uBX4DDSJkTHv7FeopMhyONEZDC3FU7xpDISwP8kh6OM8sm_EwGKJYSrqCAUt3Gcn-Q0_yjpbpD9HO_xWhD7iKgXRrR52q1OcJkM5L4MZaeZo14Rb8o0VBqVngcdJ_JsK8_tFkkZw=w2400)
One of my regular routes is Ely to KL, so I recognise all of those views. Looks like you had great weather for it, not so welcoming in the winter with the wind from the north
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apparently the section between Haddenham and Earith is closed although will check on Friday if it's passable by bike, alternatives will be advertised on the day either the A142 (with cycle path) via Sutton or via Cottenham for even more (mis)guided busway
Local sign says closed until 13/05/2022, but always worth a check with fen roads
a few years ago the whole road S of Crowland was closed but it was just one bridge that hadn't been surfaced yet. It was passable by bike and indeed I met a group of Easter Arrow riders coming the other way.
Think that was us :D
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So disappointed I couldn't make this one, especially as I think the weather was as good as in 2019!
Weather was as good as it gets. I did wonder if I’d catch you having started late. But now know that wasn’t ever a possibility.
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Coming into Kings Lynn with my fellow recumbent rider
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ALcjRrZ20jPZ72i1W78Y4qGHSlmeTX3kYjlUqxSuv85zJLtO00Udo9bK90Y5kSgQPHesTGgcYzwhA6b3FcEh3Duuqb-bQ-PHXKMVNvSDn0ecyn3AIhHr1VgLvHeqiG3LYTVKJQAoNA=w2400)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zNdFszuqvGNcUrubS9nrMrkykIuC5PQOKCn-UrktDYNdMdonK57gYj8PiuqlYywWx1fSjdi85MUzD8-g0IWNOkeSK5K4F_IpB-U4vJLdIDC707ajiOd4Zgpx-s00CTnmNT70FVHmSw=w2400)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/69aOR4nqAJj3zdg9jW72hQSsyjGbtbaZf41wtdDWR4Wgeu4qQhrxiHs3WlXP1IMkDOqKb0NrquVEwXwZU-QTg8xUmq6ZhNLemI9uZIUaP53ZtCet6eLa-QFenF_5kq7AGfjclsYM3g=w2400)
Fens stretching to infinity
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/K-FhEnkw3Ow-gvWQA_FZXpbxxAPLVUbDdJwWCEr--gGRboGiokrkSHF5ga7sHmHdbdojDY5CQtXAY-BGXx92-C6gpkaqB1iBdb68E4J5jqmM9lJeF2Va_X1xyUkgsS7yJLsJ1JTGcA=w2400)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6D3uXxEccFx9eeVHD6rD2A-yhEnNC_C43XoELJqjAkS6YDCGUoSBWDAGwO2iJTQ9IPJBS-rNg5OKSZo16CU898iBzwmhJ23V0nGrBK1ZmZlK4yYE5fXBvcJ7FLN-COgM7xxRH8Zw7Q=w2400)
Leafy lanes and some shade after Grimston
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/W-uBX4DDSJkTHv7FeopMhyONEZDC3FU7xpDISwP8kh6OM8sm_EwGKJYSrqCAUt3Gcn-Q0_yjpbpD9HO_xWhD7iKgXRrR52q1OcJkM5L4MZaeZo14Rb8o0VBqVngcdJ_JsK8_tFkkZw=w2400)
One of my regular routes is Ely to KL, so I recognise all of those views. Looks like you had great weather for it, not so welcoming in the winter with the wind from the north
Wind was weird, seemed to be from east in the morning and south in the afternoon. But the wind was just a light breeze anyway. Weather about as good as it gets.
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Entries into the mid 70s expect they will nudge 100 by the date, I'm not planning to close entries until the night before.
Looks like the Huntingdon station work is finished so the usual start on the WEST side car park.
Judging by my front garden the daffs should be at a peak around the time.
The Kings Lynn ferryman is also on board!
https://www.audax.uk/event-details/9866-double_dutch_infinity_beckons
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What are the roads like? I think it's going to be a dry week, so they may recover from recent weeks? The Essex & Suffolk Borders route was pretty skoggy, as they used to say about the Norfolk Nips.
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I've only been through Ponders Bridge and Ramsay Forty Foot on the route in the last week or so, they were fine. A local rider route checked at the weekend and didn't report anything apart from road closures due to roadworks (passable by bike and updated to all riders). The road was advertised as closed by flooding at Sutton Gault when I rode but had no problems other than skog.
But I would be prepared for Skog; did the Nips use similar roads around The Wash? I'm optimistically hoping that the planning by Cornelius Van der Whatsit will have helped
the wind is looking like a moderate Easterly (I always add 10 knots to the BBC estimate) which should help after Kings Lynn
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Thanks. Skog seems likely. The Nips ran from Norwich and were only 100km events. They tended to loop north-west and north, so didn't really reach the Wash - I don't remember their getting past Fakenham, though I'd have to check.
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I did a one way ride from Watlington to home on Sunday; taking advantage of the north easterly blowing. No floods or skog what so ever encountered. Sixteen foot bank is subsided on quite a few sections, but that’s on the south side, we will be going opposite way this Sat, and thus that’d be fine. My route only overlapped Double Dutch there, and can’t speak for other roads, but it was bone dry, though I could see flooding away from roads. Daffodils along some banks were looking great. I went through Chatteris before heading south west to east of St Ives. All dry and clean roads round there.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uhTfAMdFm2ianByU7Hji7vpBWJpvgoXPkxyWrbVQkhggloXgmzewrLXF3F70H6mNFinIwV-TbS1hGkYa9Uq2tqtZGE5lq07NyKcr2XcsU54Z34j0oyqqwOb7mREhwRNEggbd0wpJDA=w2400)
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Another excellent ride, thanks for organising perfect weather. :thumbsup:
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My first attempt at this ride. Thanks to the organisers for a lovely route with plenty to see. We were blessed with sunshine almost all day as soon as the early mist burnt off and the sun warmed the initial chill. The fens produced a bit of a headwind but nothing to what they throw at you. All very benign. Thanks also to the bunch that towed me back for the last.60km, I reckon they shaved best part of 40 minutes off of my time.
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Good day out, ridden with Howard all the way round. Lots of daffodils 🌼 seen, some of which will never get picked. Weather brighter than I was expecting, nice surprise. Pie and chips at Kings Lynn. Didn’t try ferry as thought could be awkward to carry my recumbent. Went over the bridge instead. Winds about light as they get in the fens. Really liked the other worldly feeling out near Holbech St Matthew / The Wash. I was just waiting for banjos 🪕 to start up. Sat on logs 🪵 at Welland bank in the sun, enjoying a feed whilst gazing over river and landscape. Had pint and crisps at finish before catching train home.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6NW-6_ugjcU5G7N0HQbZQ42eO7q_plTbAtyBfXgwWmFkNjhORZAkYErdo43CqLuDeGhnDgjGMA4z24Tn88hq-2RlQfVmPzE7B08KXf2mWx0BI0NSstEsKQex7c7y7NwWiRpqaY__tg=w2400)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CHRYxQeT9Oom6bH9X9fkMpRM1JyagHpncMWtKEntL7a5Wi3KgvBKEOPkCGoStzZb9redk8qc4tGGcrGSynOSqHBGgo3y77X0oxUQBoTv51gUl2dxMzxONwWONPr-wH0ZiBXvT4G_eA=w2400)
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One of the best DD's ever! Many thanks Martin and Ann for superb organisation.
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Really sorry to have missed this owing to a bout of sickness, especially given the weather. The photos just make it worse :P
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Next year will be on Saturday 30th March, I may consider moving the start to a more user friendly car park in town than the tortuous apcoa system at the station :(
Firstly thank you for organising this event. It was a great day out (made so much better by the benign fenland wind that day) and a lovely route.
I drove down from Lincoln and avoided the station car park because of the apcoa system. I used the Mill Common car park instead as I knew that I could pay by coins - although it accepted cards as well. It was mostly empty when I got there just after 7-30am and was about the same when I returned. There was a nice bike path across the common which avoided using the main road to the station and was only 1km away.
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I enjoyed that, thanks to all involved. Just about perfect weather, which might have contributed to me finishing with plenty of daylight left, rather than in the dark as last time, about 5 years ago... Really beautiful route, loads of interest, a proper touring ride, the sort I like best. Missed out on a daff field photo, rode passed a couple that would have been OK, but assumed there'd be more later on, last time the best were between Spalding and Crowland, but the only daffs along this stretch were well passed their pick date.
Stopped over at the Swavesey Travelodge, which was 30% cheaper than the one three miles closer, TL pricing is a mystery. Rode home yesterday mostly with the wind on my back to make a great Easter.
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Stopped over at the Swavesey Travelodge, which was 30% cheaper than the one three miles closer, TL pricing is a mystery.
I bet they've got some kind of algorithm running that adjusts prices according to bookings and capacity, against a baseline price that takes account of whether it's a premium location. So if you actually asked someone at TL HQ to explain why the price for a particular hotel is X on a particular day, they probably couldn't do it without taking the algorithm apart :-)
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The parking was no different to almost any other station car park I have ever used. The negative feedback wouldn’t be for you as the event was superbly run but firstly for APCOA as the car park management company in that their app and their instructions are far far less user friendly than any of their competitors and secondly for Network Rail or whoever runs Huntingdon station - you really need to review your car park management arrangements.
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No I meant I have personal negative feedback for the parking system, especially as they ripped out the expensive new ticket machines from a couple of years ago which I was expecting to still be there and had advised riders of in the welcome email. I just think it's unfair to have riders arriving from all over wanting a quick park and then ride to have to download apps etc, which may be different for different train operating companies (my online statement says I paid GTR who run the trains)
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I know, I was trying to say I wasn’t put off in any way as it was no different to any of my local stations or shopping centres which have all gone the way of no machines, pay by app or text only with a different app needed for every place. I wasn’t expecting you to feedback to apcoa, just expressing out loud my frustration at their (cr)app. Clearly I didn’t phrase it well though!
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A great ride, thanks to Martin and Ann. For me, with a childhood spent in the Fens, this was a nostalgic trip. My account:http:// https://www.sunsetcyclist.uk/200km-rides/double-dutch-infinity-beckons (http:// https://www.sunsetcyclist.uk/200km-rides/double-dutch-infinity-beckons)
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Thanks for that. Fixed link by the way: https://www.sunsetcyclist.uk/200km-rides/double-dutch-infinity-beckons (https://www.sunsetcyclist.uk/200km-rides/double-dutch-infinity-beckons)
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FYI the map on the AUK page is showing the route via Spalding rather than Ely.
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No it's not a mistake the ride is not on Easter Saturday but 3 weeks later on 20th April.
I have my man on the ground to find the fabled tulips. No promises but we found them 2 years ago and even had riders climbing under the fence to get better photos.
Plus the unparalelled and probably highest thing in the whole of the region Ely Cathedral (which was free to walk in last time when I arrived) and the Cambrige (mis)guided busway
and a start in a proper car park* with a proper meter 5 mins ride from the station so no need to download any apps :thumbsup:
* or even free for the canny 5 mins ride ;)
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Did a route check yesterday although hopefully we won't have the strong NW wind on the day which made for an interesting ride after Ely :'(
I located 2 tulip fields en route which should be out on the day 8) and a 3rd one which is newly planted so maybe not....
Diversion away from the flooded Cambridge busway after Swavesey via all quiet roads, fingers crossed this might not be required in 4 weeks
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GdS If you do Facebook then there’s a group that people update with whether the Guided Busway is passable. This winter seems to have been particularly bad https://www.facebook.com/groups/1451358095081889/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=3513310125553332
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... and if you prefer Strava, there is a club called "Cambridge Busway Passability". People have been posting updates every few days. The last flooded bit should have gone down in time...
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Hopefully the residual debris will have been cleared too. I made the mistake of trying to cycle through that last year.
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Hopefully the residual debris will have been cleared too. I made the mistake of trying to cycle through that last year.
Thanks; the FB page said it was 1.5m deep last week so fingers crossed! it was about 30cm on Saturday. Bit of Googling suggests the charity field (which I think we pass) will open on the 28th so the tulips should be pretty good on the 20th.
This is the location I'm pinning my hopes on
(https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.d322ecac83600659d5ec25c416e731e9?rik=6LJfdQNGBx7WqA&riu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.picturesofengland.com%2fimg%2fX%2f1195990.jpg&ehk=JkEuWMah%2bndkO2eSm6zhmIzScbxnOJTeCbVkegNHvD8%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0)
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Entered! Will ECE - I'd get the train, but there's a busway in the way... Do you have someone local to check the busway path status? If not, am happy to go and check on the Thursday before the event if that helps.
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Entered! Will ECE - I'd get the train, but there's a busway in the way... Do you have someone local to check the busway path status? If not, am happy to go and check on the Thursday before the event if that helps.
Yes including another rider who's entered and another OTP, it's more the washed up crap on the path I'm concerned about but thanks for the offer :)
Ps entries over 100, still have a source of Lindt bunnies but that could change this weekend.
The railway line closed to passengers in the 60s! I did travel on it on a special train in about 1990; I remember it taking a g e s due to having to open and close all the crossing gates. I presume all the level crossings now have car traps to stop people driving down, and if so not sure how the bus driver knows? ???
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All the crossings have traffic lights, with automatic triggering when a bus approaches. They also have car traps to stop cars getting on to the busway, although that doesn't always work and the one at St Ives has its own Facebook page, with regular photos of it catching dozy drivers ;D
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Entered! Will ECE - I'd get the train, but there's a busway in the way... Do you have someone local to check the busway path status? If not, am happy to go and check on the Thursday before the event if that helps.
according to the FB page it went down completely but is now flooded again and there's still crap all over the cyclepath even if it's rideable. From an org's duty of care POV I'm still advertsing the diversion route until I get confirmation that the cyclepath is rideable inna Audax stylee. I'm certainly not happy with sending riders along the embankment cm away from the (inaudible from behind) buses.
Not sure if part of the busway scheme but the normal route now includes a serene new Path of Righteousness lit up with marker lights to Rampton before ending abruptly...
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Do you intend to keep entries open till close to the date? Hoping to enter, now I’ve seen you’re running it 3 weeks after Easter. Awaiting some replacement brake parts to ensure I’ll have a suitable working audax bike before entering.
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Just done 2 hours into the headwind in Kent today so I hope that will be good practice :demon:
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Do you intend to keep entries open till close to the date? Hoping to enter, now I’ve seen you’re running it 3 weeks after Easter. Awaiting some replacement brake parts to ensure I’ll have a suitable working audax bike before entering.
yes aiming to close 1500 on the 19th unless I get a sudden deluge. There's no limit on parking space at the start I'm just hoping riders will keep their bikes nice and tidy at the finish :)
I have 116 entries so far with a limit of 158 (that's how many cards I have or can re-purpose)
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Planning on train, all being well.
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Busway cyclepath is apparently clear :thumbsup:
unless there's another storm before then ::-)
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Looks like I lost a post. I was asking about the state of the road from Littleport to Queen Adelaide. The last time DD went that way there was quite a lot of subsidence at the side of the road, effectively forcing riders out to the middle of the road, much to the chagrin of cars trying to pass. Having looked at Google street view I'm not seeing any significant improvements, so I was wandering if the alternative of Ely road from Littleport was acceptable.
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Looks like I lost a post. I was asking about the state of the road from Littleport to Queen Adelaide. The last time DD went that way there was quite a lot of subsidence at the side of the road, effectively forcing riders out to the middle of the road, much to the chagrin of cars trying to pass. Having looked at Google street view I'm not seeing any significant improvements, so I was wandering if the alternative of Ely road from Littleport was acceptable.
I didn't notice it much if at all on the route check I was also distracted by a C-17 leaving RAF Mildenhall so it can't have been bad, not sure if the road's been resurfaced. No problem to go through Littleport if you prefer. I didn't find that main road too busy at that time of day.
Of course drivers should be passing on the other side anyway :-\
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Most local cyclists avoid the Branch Bank road between Queen Adelaide and Littleport because of the traffic speeds and number of accidents (one down there at the moment).
I cycle the Ely to Littleport road almost daily and it is much better, although the level crossing is frequently closed for 5mins if 2 trains are due.
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Most local cyclists avoid the Branch Bank road between Queen Adelaide and Littleport because of the traffic speeds and number of accidents (one down there at the moment).
I cycle the Ely to Littleport road almost daily and it is much better, although the level crossing is frequently closed for 5mins if 2 trains are due.
Thanks :thumbsup: I'll update the GPX and route sheet via Littleport and send out once I'm 100% sure of the status of the busway path. I chose that road as it looked quiet due to the new A10 bypass but I expect it can often be a rat run. It also doesn't have great views of the river so nothing lost
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I cycle the Ely to Littleport road almost daily and it is much better, although the level crossing is frequently closed for 5mins if 2 trains are due.
You can bypass the level crossing via the underpass can’t you?
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I cycle the Ely to Littleport road almost daily and it is much better, although the level crossing is frequently closed for 5mins if 2 trains are due.
You can bypass the level crossing via the underpass can’t you?
Not the one at Chettisham. Lots of goods trains because it is a East coast ports to midlands line.
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I cycle the Ely to Littleport road almost daily and it is much better, although the level crossing is frequently closed for 5mins if 2 trains are due.
You can bypass the level crossing via the underpass can’t you?
Not the one at Chettisham. Lots of goods trains because it is a East coast ports to midlands line.
I was thinking Littleport
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Most local cyclists avoid the Branch Bank road between Queen Adelaide and Littleport because of the traffic speeds and number of accidents (one down there at the moment).
I cycle the Ely to Littleport road almost daily and it is much better, although the level crossing is frequently closed for 5mins if 2 trains are due.
Yes I cycled northbound on Monday (Ely - Littleport), it would be easier to count the number of vehicles that didn't close pass me. Probably only go that way a couple of times a year as it's dreadful.
The main part I don't like about the Chettisham road is the really rough tarmac on the bends after the crossing.
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I cycle the Ely to Littleport road almost daily and it is much better, although the level crossing is frequently closed for 5mins if 2 trains are due.
You can bypass the level crossing via the underpass can’t you?
Not the one at Chettisham. Lots of goods trains because it is a East coast ports to midlands line.
I was thinking Littleport
There is an underpass there but as Mr Wobbly says you can wsyt awhile at the Chettisham crossing closer to Ely.
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Not an area I'm that familiar with, did the Ely North curve on a railtour in 1981 (which also did the former March-Spalding line which my other DD route crosses)
I was watching the 2021 Boat Race video which used the section of the river (Great Ouse not Ouse Beeb!)
They mentioned that the river at that point was all man-made, is that true or was it just enlarged rather than diverted?
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The stretch that the 2021 and 1944 boat race was held on is man made, and dead straight, much like the road along side it, which is why it also gets used like a racetrack…
The course of rivers in the Fens changed much in the past. Try to find satellite views when there aren’t crops and see the sandy, silt ancient riverbeds.
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As of today my audax bike has two working brakes, and I has now entered.
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As of today my audax bike has two working brakes, and I has now entered.
Thanks Phil; my TalkTalk webmail has had enough of sending today and is saying "too many recipients" (1) will try sending the route / gpx tomorrow
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Got your event email :thumbsup:
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Got your event email :thumbsup:
but from nhs? had to use that. I suspect sending out 48 BCC has raised concerns at TalkTalk
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Yes your nhs email.
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GdS I'm thinking about signing up for this year. Am I correct the route is clockwise?
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The sequence of controls on the AUK web page for the DD give you a strong hint.
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That's what I'd presumed but you never know!
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That's what I'd presumed but you never know!
Yes clockwise;
The tulip fields open to the public for charity are completely sold out and not on the route (I also expect them to be screened off as they seem to be in a very narrow lane; they are not where they were the previous 2 years)
I'm planning to take the ride past 3 other fields which looked like they would be tulips 3 weeks ago (and have either personally seen them or seen photos at those locations online) but as I live over 100 miles from the start I cannot be sure they will be a. tulips b. out on the day. In any case they are on private land but should be visible from the road :)
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A source found tulip fields on their bike ride today east of Kings Lynn so there’s hope ;)
Plus allegedly the Busway is nearly clear.
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@GdS, are you the organiser? Is it possible to get a route file with info controls marked? I am trying to put them myself based on the route sheet. But the route sheet seems rather vague and the distance is probably not exact. For example, for the last one Hemingford Abbots, 198km is already out of the village and on Google Street view there isn't a phone box there. I see a phone box (now a library) at ~196.7km. I am concerned I will miss the info controls or spend too much time looking for them if I don't know their exact location :/
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Yes I am the organiser :)
I sent the control distances and locations out with the GPX and route sheet as I know many people don't use route sheets. The Hemingford Abbots control is by a phone box (which probably isn't one any more). It is slap bang in the middle of the village!
Sorry I've not had much luck embedding controls within the GPX last time I tried people said they couldn't see them
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I’ve signed up this evening so will attempt to add the controls to the route file once received :)
What seems to work best is adding them as custom cues, exporting as a fit file and copying across to the Garmin (plugged into computer). A little tedious but also provides a cue sheet.
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I added the controls for myself here https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/261808609
If others want to use it, I think, this only works for Garmin devices and only using 'send to device'.
I don't take responsibility for misplaced controls! :)
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Thanks MsG and dace;
what seems to have evolved since Audax had GPX tracks to follow is that it's often assumed that everything a rider needs to negotiate the route and find conrols is the track. This is not the case! The route sheet shows the exact location of the controls, and the brevet card shows the location and distance (although this is approximate based on mapping software)
The standard format for AUK rides sent to riders is .gpx which is a "vanilla" track with nothing else shown
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I added the controls for myself here https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/261808609
If others want to use it, I think, this only works for Garmin devices and only using 'send to device'.
I don't take responsibility for misplaced controls! :)
I can't ride this year but, for what it's worth, you can download a GPX from that link. Most devices should be able to use that. Use the ellipsis (posh name for three dots) just along from the Send to Device button at the bottom of the screen.
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I tend to visit churches on my exploring rides, so am used to adding cues to my routes :) Will also have a copy of the route sheet in case.
It shares part of the route with my FNRttC Fen Bridges ride so have to make sure not to go off on autopilot the wrong way.
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I added the controls for myself here https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/261808609
If others want to use it, I think, this only works for Garmin devices and only using 'send to device'.
I don't take responsibility for misplaced controls! :)
I can't ride this year but, for what it's worth, you can download a GPX from that link. Most devices should be able to use that. Use the ellipsis (posh name for three dots) just along from the Send to Device button at the bottom of the screen.
It would only download the plain gpx route, not the control points! To get it with the control points from Garmin Connect, as far as I know, the only way is to 'send it to device'. Maybe it would work if downloaded as .fit file, but I remember some discussion that that did not work - controls were not there.
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I added the controls for myself here https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/261808609
If others want to use it, I think, this only works for Garmin devices and only using 'send to device'.
I don't take responsibility for misplaced controls! :)
Had a quick look and agree with your placements, apart from Denver Sluice info which needs to be earlier. I’d say between 131 and 132km where the Denver sluice is actually located and where I’ve put it in my own copy in Connect.
Personally thought the Route sheet described control locations well enough to place in online mapping software of your choice. East Winch info location is obvious if you bring up the track on the map and spot the short out and back. Ramsey info is after the town and is the first left after 19km. Nordelph info when you hit the left turn into A road with drainage channel on left and often loads of daffodils.
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Thanks MsG and dace;
what seems to have evolved since Audax had GPX tracks to follow is that it's often assumed that everything a rider needs to negotiate the route and find conrols is the track. This is not the case! The route sheet shows the exact location of the controls, and the brevet card shows the location and distance (although this is approximate based on mapping software)
The standard format for AUK rides sent to riders is .gpx which is a "vanilla" track with nothing else shown
Yeah, I know that's the traditional way. But I don't like the 'scavenger hunt' aspects involved. I just like to mindlessly cycle :) So for me, the best is a route file with control points and E-Brevet :) But a small part of me hates myself for these reasons, I'd like myself better if I liked the traditional way, but no, I like the modern way ;(
But thanks GdS for planning the route and organising! I look forward to the event! :)
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I added the controls for myself here https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/261808609
If others want to use it, I think, this only works for Garmin devices and only using 'send to device'.
I don't take responsibility for misplaced controls! :)
Had a quick look and agree with your placements, apart from Denver Sluice info which needs to be earlier. I’d say between 131 and 132km where the Denver sluice is actually located and where I’ve put it in my own copy in Connect.
Personally thought the Route sheet described control locations well enough to place in online mapping software of your choice. East Winch info location is obvious if you bring up the track on the map and spot the short out and back. Ramsey is after the town and is the first left after 19km. Nordelph when you hit the left turn into A road with drainage channel on left and often loads of daffodils.
Thanks! Yes, I was not sure about the Denver Sluice when I tried to mark it. I didn't realise there was an actual Sluice (didn't know what it meant to be honest, [blush]). I repositioned it now.
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But thanks GdS for planning the route and organising! I look forward to the event! :)
yay, see you there! I'm ECEing - if you're riding to the event, we could ride back together? I'm using the A1307 path (old A14) for my ECE rather than the busway, just for a bit of variety. ;D
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Yeah, I know that's the traditional way. But I don't like the 'scavenger hunt' aspects involved. I just like to mindlessly cycle :) So for me, the best is a route file with control points and E-Brevet :) But a small part of me hates myself for these reasons, I'd like myself better if I liked the traditional way, but no, I like the modern way ;(
But thanks GdS for planning the route and organising! I look forward to the event! :)
Unfortunately the infos are required in order to a. bring the route up to distance b. avoid A roads in the area (there is just one after the start and a short section after Kings Lynn). I've tried to make them obvious, you pass a sign with the location just before each info. They've since renamed Denver Sluice Denver Complex although it's just 2 large locks where the Bedford Rivers join the Great Ouse. The info is very obvious once you see the question.
I also like the gpx aspect of routes, I found it allowed me to appreciate the scenery rather than a route sheet on the handlebars especially with lots of turns that I didn't have to look for and also at night. But gpx will never completely replace some sort of paper evidence (even if not actually printed) where instant validation is currently done using a brevet card.
I will try e-brevet next year but will check it works myself before the event.
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I was in shorts last weekend and 3/4s during this week. Looking at the forecast being northerly wind and temps not picking up much, think I might stick with 3/4s. First world problems.
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But thanks GdS for planning the route and organising! I look forward to the event! :)
yay, see you there! I'm ECEing - if you're riding to the event, we could ride back together? I'm using the A1307 path (old A14) for my ECE rather than the busway, just for a bit of variety. ;D
I plan to cycle to and back too, but not officially ECEing as I'd only have about 60km extra. As I understand, I'd need to get at least 300 total to have it as ECE?
Yes, would be happy to cycle back together and take an alternative to the busway. On my way there I plan to go on the busway though, as I live very close to Cambridge North station where the busway starts.
Will see how it goes, but see you there! :)
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I plan to cycle to and back too, but not officially ECEing as I'd only have about 60km extra. As I understand, I'd need to get at least 300 total to have it as ECE?
Correct; you can have 250k if you ECE a sub 200k event under the new roolz but it's a minimum 100k extension for 200k events sorry :(
(I'm also the ECE Man)
Note also, although the busway bit to St Ives is open it's still very skoggy with some shallow water, please take care when passing riders coming the other or even the same way
BBC weather suggests a gentle crosswind for the first half strengthening to a possible helpful N wind by Ely, but I always take their definition of wind with a pinch of salt for that region...
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The info control after Kings Lynn a week ago 8)
https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIF.hDFrfH80Zw4TTuRAWYfftg?rs=1&pid=ImgDetMain
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We will be at the church end of that field, correct?
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We will be at the church end of that field, correct?
no I think the photo is taken from the gap into the field where the info is. I would recommend going into the churchyard for a better view afterwards (I couldn't really put the info there), or there may be other gaps in the hedge. You won't see much from the A47 or the turn off it. I did see another large field on the route on the way to Wormegay after the A47 but it was literally being planted as I rode past.
I've never seen fully grown tulips at the location but there are many photos online with the church over the years
There also looked to be a field on the way from Gayton to East Winch (after Back Lane) on the right near an airstrip on the left. I have seen tulips here before (in 2019 and was going to send the 2020 route that way but Covid scuppered that). I think all the tulips are grown by Belmont Nurseries although not sure which fields they own if any. They may just rent the fields, not sure If they get used for anything else.
The Press only tend to show the field that's open for charity (and sold out within an hour) Although you can buy tulips at the open days I think all the ones in the fields get decapitated and they just keep the bulbs.
PS had an entry from Gavin so you won't be the only Darksider...
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Got it, so we head further up Church Lane for the info, then worth popping into churchyard on way back to get a better view. Train gets in about 7:50am all being well. Then round 1 way system to start for 8am.
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yes; I'm riding on the day but my helper will be at the start control for late starters until 0900 :thumbsup:
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yes; I'm riding on the day but my helper will be at the start control for late starters until 0900 :thumbsup:
Excellent :thumbsup:
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Having thought that wind only ever blows E or W looks like we are in for a N wind to Kings Lynn 17 kts :'(
But it's looking very helpful for the second half :)
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Classic headwind out, tailwind return kind of forecast.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczNVSCrpnbWAUiM5ur4DDk-3c8izFa_Xcskiral9Jyx-dsnmgvLSmqKdKOoox-ZKkb6qaIoSZyGAoZDIBbexqb_WK4wrG1RdEZvLRtqVMKAf5QD5fls=w2400)
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Ten Mile Bank is so much nicer with a tailwind :D
It’s been NE wind for a few days now. It’s mostly been SW so far this year.
Look out for the ROC post at the top of the hill descending from Littleport
https://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/threads/roc-post-littleport-sept-2015.31711/
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Ten Mile Bank is so much nicer with a tailwind :D
It’s been NE wind for a few days now. It’s mostly been SW so far this year.
Look out for the ROC post at the top of the hill descending from Littleport
https://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/threads/roc-post-littleport-sept-2015.31711/
Thanks Phil looks like the hardest bit is going to be from March to KL like my route check last month
nooo don't start me on ROCs, used to be in SubBrit
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PS had an entry from Gavin so you won't be the only Darksider...
I’ll be on an upwrong this time - chasing fixed gear points this season…
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Ten Mile Bank is so much nicer with a tailwind :D
It’s been NE wind for a few days now. It’s mostly been SW so far this year.
Look out for the ROC post at the top of the hill descending from Littleport
https://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/threads/roc-post-littleport-sept-2015.31711/
Thanks Phil looks like the hardest bit is going to be from March to KL like my route check last month
nooo don't start me on ROCs, used to be in SubBrit
Oh I’m a mine of useless information!
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PS had an entry from Gavin so you won't be the only Darksider...
I’ll be on an upwrong this time - chasing fixed gear points this season…
Hullo Gavin, you may remember me from night rides past :)
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PS had an entry from Gavin so you won't be the only Darksider...
I’ll be on an upwrong this time - chasing fixed gear points this season…
Hullo Gavin, you may remember me from night rides past :)
I do indeed MsG :)
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Yeah, I know that's the traditional way. But I don't like the 'scavenger hunt' aspects involved. I just like to mindlessly cycle :) So for me, the best is a route file with control points and E-Brevet :) But a small part of me hates myself for these reasons, I'd like myself better if I liked the traditional way, but no, I like the modern way ;(
But thanks GdS for planning the route and organising! I look forward to the event! :)
Unfortunately the infos are required in order to a. bring the route up to distance b. avoid A roads in the area (there is just one after the start and a short section after Kings Lynn). I've tried to make them obvious, you pass a sign with the location just before each info. They've since renamed Denver Sluice Denver Complex although it's just 2 large locks where the Bedford Rivers join the Great Ouse. The info is very obvious once you see the question.
I also like the gpx aspect of routes, I found it allowed me to appreciate the scenery rather than a route sheet on the handlebars especially with lots of turns that I didn't have to look for and also at night. But gpx will never completely replace some sort of paper evidence (even if not actually printed) where instant validation is currently done using a brevet card.
I will try e-brevet next year but will check it works myself before the event.
Suggestion for adding distance for future version. There’s a recently opened cyclepath from Landbeach to the Guided Busway. Turn left from Cottenham, down to Landbeach then a short section of farm road followed by smooth tarmac. The farm road is best avoided when the crops are lifted/ploughing but it’s currently rather pleasant. Under A14 bridge, and a wiggle by Orchard Park onto the busway.
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Looking forward to tomorrow! 🌷
Martin, will there be any tea / coffee at the start or do we sort our own?
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Looking forward to tomorrow! 🌷
Martin, will there be any tea / coffee at the start or do we sort our own?
no sorry I can't cope with over 130 riders :(
'spoons will be open from 7 but I don't want to swamp them without notice. Sainsbury's petrol station may have hot drinks; or there's a Greggs in the High St or at the petrol station on the first roundabout en route.
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There's an Amici at the railway station. Not much else open Saturday morning. Huntingdon isn't on my usual café stop list.
For anyone who may be in Downham Market early enough, Knicat Bakery is next to the station and does good traditional cakes, biscuits and filled rolls for a bargain price. Slightly off the route and open until 3pm on Saturday.
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Ok!
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Is the Amici on the London-bound platform? There was a coffee van on the W side when I started the ride there. It was a PITA to get from one side to the other once you had left the station, due to all the building works.
Greggs in the High St claims to open at 0700; I assume the one in the petrol station is 24/7?
Note also if you follow the track through Kings Lynn the only outlets you will pass are Spoons and Carluccios plus one on the quay itself; the High St is parallel just to the East.
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East side of station as you look at the map, apparently. I hope the building works have finished as I got stuck trying to find the entrance for a train home last time I was there 😬
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East side of station as you look at the map, apparently. I hope the building works have finished as I got stuck trying to find the entrance for a train home last time I was there 😬
yes they have; the L turn at the traffic lights now takes you straight onto the A1307 (old A14) with a right lane to go into the station.
Also there are loos at the start (I can see them on Google maps but not sure when they open), but not in March (they have been demolished not sure if they will be replaced) so either use Greggs or Spoons in Dartford Road.
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Marriott's is the main one on the Quayside, we do the FNRttC Cambridge to King's Lynn breakfast there. The service can be slow but the food is usually good.
I'd like to avoid entering the one way system in KL as it usually leads to me getting lost. :facepalm:
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Forecast temps looking to be 3-9C maybe 11C peak if lucky. Some forecasts have grey all day, Met Office has sun hiding behind clouds. On Monday it was forecasting a peak of 15C and I was considering shorts, then 3/4s, but now I’m just considering longs especially given the northerly winds.
Pie and chips and gravy from the chip shop in Kings Lynn like last time me thinks, for my hot food stop.
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I agree. Full longs, base layers and gilet for tomorrow. Here (12 miles south of Cambridge, its been decidedly chilly the past two days. Stop at spoons for coffee and burger and chips. Possibly a BK just after Ely.
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Bib tights for me too and boots.
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thanks for the trivia MsG! Love a bit of derelict building trivia, and I had no idea that was there. However is that kept that free of water?!
Blimey, I hope this stormy weather passes through tonight. I'm just south of Cambridge - we had some really heavy showers this morning. Look forward to seeing you all tomorrow, I'm the one with a pink gilet and a loadsa badges on my carradice.
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I’ll be on my “green hornet” recumbent, yellow seat bag, orange bar tape, green (and yellow) windproof, plus my new Cinelli cycling cap is coming out for its first outing. Starting at 8am at earliest, or 8:30am if train shenanigans.
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thanks for the trivia MsG! Love a bit of derelict building trivia, and I had no idea that was there. However is that kept that free of water?!
Blimey, I hope this stormy weather passes through tonight. I'm just south of Cambridge - we had some really heavy showers this morning. Look forward to seeing you all tomorrow, I'm the one with a pink gilet and a loadsa badges on my carradice.
We had hail this morning in Ely too.
The ROC floods as people mucked about with the hatch. There were ROCs roughly every 15 miles. Some were removed or filled in but others remain. The ventilation / access shaft is easy to pick out once you know what you’re looking for http://www.roc-heritage.co.uk/underground-posts.html
The building to the left of the Chettisham level crossing has an interesting background too.
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I’ll be on my “green hornet” recumbent, yellow seat bag, orange bar tape, green (and yellow) windproof, plus my new Cinelli cycling cap is coming out for its first outing. Starting at 8am at earliest, or 8:30am if train shenanigans.
Likely to start about 0820. I won’t be on the Light Blue Robinson steel orange bike for a change but will be wearing mostly orange as usual.
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Good day out, winds fairly benign, at least from a bent perspective . There was a really good tulip field hiding behind hedge on right heading towards East Winch. Unfortunately no big enough gaps to get a good photo but had a good view from my bent. One by info likely has 2-3 weeks to go before it’s ready for show time. Almost had brevet card ripped out of hand by a wind gust at Denver Sluice info!
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Thanks to GdS and MrsGdS for a grand day out.
I'm not sure I would agree with Phil's headwind assessment for the stretch into Kings Lynn, but overall a fun day.
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Really good day out in the Fens. Massive thanks to GdS and Mrs GdS for organising. Thanks to Gav for the company round the first 2/3rds of the route, I enjoyed the company. The headwind out to Kings Lynn was nagging and sapped strength from my legs. The tailwind home was better!
The biggest thanks of the day have to go to City Cycles in Ely who supplied, and fitted for free, a rear tyre very late on a Saturday afternoon when a bit of road debris chewed a chunk out of my ageing Continental GT and left me running very slowly on chords for 15km into Ely. That delay put me in no man’s land and I hardly saw another rider all the way back to the finish so had plenty of time for my own thoughts.
Overall a good ride for my first 200km in some months and one I will definitely be back to do again.
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I couldn't take part in the end. Real bummer! My Di2 battery failed. Managed to get to the starting point, but too late, nobody was there anymore. Tried to make the gears work but couldn't. Considered doing the route anyway, but was stuck in a single low gear. Would have been a nightmare. Hope to have it sorted soon and do the route on my own in 2-3 weeks to see these tulips Lightning Phil mentioned.
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Thanks to GdS and MrsGdS for a grand day out.
I'm not sure I would agree with Phil's headwind assessment for the stretch into Kings Lynn, but overall a fun day.
Thanks; sorry I looked straight through you at the start :-[ I was in the Zone with a record number of riders and endless riders' texts / emails on the day, also trying to think of toilet alternatives for the riders as the ones in the car park have been shut since 2010 :(
It seemed that most riders saw the best tulip field (even though it was hidden) I daftly thought the ones behind the church (which were not picked they just need a couple more weeks) would be better and rode past.
Despite only seeing one sign with birds on for the info in Nordelph on the route check it appears there were at least 4 signs! (with swans, lovebirds and a chicken instead of the duck and 2 geese I was looking for)
Thanks for the Littleport route recommendation All, it was much nicer with a commanding view down to the river calmer traffic and much better view of The Ship. We also used the underpass by the station as the level crossing was closed but had to wait at the Chettisham one (just a short passenger train not a long container freight)
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I couldn't take part in the end. Real bummer! My Di2 battery failed. Managed to get to the starting point, but too late, nobody was there anymore. Tried to make the gears work but couldn't. Considered doing the route anyway, but was stuck in a single low gear. Would have been a nightmare. Hope to have it sorted soon and do the route on my own in 2-3 weeks to see these tulips Lightning Phil mentioned.
The best ones are in Gayton Rd before East Winch, they are at their best now 8)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/d2EHeqReog6R1cY56
The ones that need a couple of weeks are in Church Lane East Winch where the route retraces; off the A47 (there are 2 Church Lanes!)
Next Year's is the same route same weekend and it's also Easter Saturday :)
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Something that might be useful is that the public toilets on the main road into Downham Market are open until 5pm. You can just squeeze a bike into the ladies and the tap water hasn't made me ill (yet!).
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The Burger King after Wichford road, Ely was small, with seating for 8. Whopper and fries cooked well. Not busy at all. They don’t have toilets but the BP garage might. There is also a Starbucks there. Puts you in the right spot for joining the cycleway down right hand side of A142.
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The Burger King after Wichford road, Ely was small, with seating for 8. Whopper and fries cooked well. Not busy at all. They don’t have toilets but the BP garage might. There is also a Starbucks there. Puts you in the right spot for joining the cycleway down right hand side of A142.
For a large turnout of ladies I was aware of toilets (and lack of, the Ely ones were locked when I went past)
I sent the route R into Tower Rd after Ely in order to get on the right side of the Burger King roundabout, not a great cyclepath on the pavement until after the services but better than trying to cross over the RAB.
The previously flooded busway cyclepath was all fine
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Iiiiit's time for yet another overly long ride report!
Audax o'clock alarm a bit earlier than usual, for ECEing a 200km event: Martin's Ship of the Fens. I haven't done this event before, as the dates don't normally work out for me - so I'm very excited to do it today.
I wake up with a start - a strange scary dream about a train running on a path instead of rails near my mum's house (which is next to a railway line in real life). Oddly, it's a dream I have quite often. I wonder why. My direct route to Huntingdon is 42km, so a diversion to Haslingfield to get the miles up. The birds are tweeting already when I leave, and I pause to watch the sun rise over the radio telescopes.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/NDqbrIvO2BLsH4W0ceLpBTUJi7yStgimtJu1e0pe_Sw-2048x1537.jpg)
My ECE route is on the A1307/old A14 path - it's a bit more sheltered than the busway. In Hemingford Abbots, I take note of the location of the phone box for future use as a control. The common to Godmanchester is lovely at this time of day. A black squirrel watches me go past.
I arrive at the start in Huntingdon ten minutes before the official start, and join the queue. GdS looks like he's been busy with people all morning. The only other familiar face is Dod, and he waves hello. Then we're off! I had planned to avoid the A141, but it wouldn't be safe to peel out of the bunch. By Wistow, I am at the back with the stragglers. Music on; I settle into the landscape when Lightning Phil appears from behind. Hello! He'd started a bit late, due to trains, and had had a near miss of getting on the wrong train. Argh!
In Ramsey, we make a mental note of the control answer. The remains of Ramsey Abbey are quite spectacular, I must come back to have a proper look. Even the wall, presumably round the kitchen garden, is a stunner with little pretty pieces of the abbey embedded in the wall. Up to Ramsey Forty Foot, it becomes clear that I am slower than Phil today. I just don't have the strength in the wind, and it doesn't ever feel worth fighting it. Phil says he'll stick together to March, then carry on.
In March, a hefty group are outside the One Stop - I'd forgotten about this shop. I polish off two cream buns, ask for help opening my juice, and enjoy a sit before pressing on alone. On the way out of March, a sharp curve in the road allows a lovely view of oilseed rape in the foreground, and two audaxers pressing into the wind in the distance. I enjoy soaking in the landscape on my own, until I get to the B1098 where I wish I'd made the effort to stay with others. Two deliberate close passes and a fist-waving-toot. It's a relief to turn off.
At Nordelph, a few audaxers appear behind and we agree on the control answer. One of them turns out to be Felix, and we set off together. It turns out we have both been looking at similar things throughout the ride. We get to a section of road that clearly runs parallel to the river, pop our bikes down and scramble up for a look at the Great Ouse. Fantastic!
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/Agi_8hHTaKj1KS14p0-1VaEsG3O3-qkwEmxH5XZQoW4-2048x1537.jpg)
The first spots of rain start, and I pop my jacket on while taking a photo of passing audaxers.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/lwMH4p9A6aqTa2onntv4ZgbWjEgbmE1KEVG3AtMUxHg-1537x2048.jpg)
Through Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen. Is it pronounced "Maud-lin" as in the Cambridge college, or "Mag-del-en"? I remember that there is a Magdalen square and street in Norwich which is (or used to be) pronounced "mag-del-en". We admire buildings - Barnack limestone on the churches, clunch, Dutch gable ends, carr stone - and wonder about old railway lines. The wind picks up, and I start to drop back; Felix invites me to hop on his wheel and I accept gladly. Then the rain starts in earnest; it is heavy, but doesn't last too long. Peeling off to the cycle path into King's Lynn, Felix is full of all my favourite trivia; sand quarried locally transported by rail to Warrington for glass making, carr stone quarried at Downham Market, the Campbell's soup factory. We live in such a small and interconnected country; I love understanding how it is that things start off over here but end up over there. We think we modern folk are so smart, don't we, with our motorways and logistics hubs; but we forget that the move from water to rail to road is a recent development - and that people have been transporting heavy and difficult things for hundreds of years.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/yfWGHSftNSoX_SowTJcLUs5mz_6CuU-gqIrr7jcTyrI-2048x1537.jpg)
In King's Lynn, Felix presses on but I am gasping for a cup of tea and stop at the first cafe for a takeaway tea on the quayside next to the ferry jetty. People mooch around. The wind doesn't let up, and all my things need holding down. Chris texts; "looks like you're doing well!". I'm not feeling great; the wind has taken its toll and my belly is not happy about food. I manage to eat a sandwich by washing each mouthful down with tea. Come on, you'll feel a bit better with that tailwind.
Off again. Round the customs house, round the market square, off onto a nice cycle path. Nice to pick up the cycle path that Chris and I did a year (or was it two?) ago, when we had a one-off night off and took the train to King's Lynn before cycling up to Hunstanton. On that occasion, the A1078 was being dug up - but now there is a lovely shiny new cycle path! Thanks GdS!
Roydon common is just lovely. Dappled light through silver birch trees and inviting grass glens. Woodland birds dot about. Yellow gorse interspersed with woodland. I think about this sandy streak that runs across East Anglia, between here and Dunwich. More and more carrstone in the houses - even modern new builds, which is nice. The older houses have huge chunks of carrstone. In Grimston, I stop to take a picture of the clock tower, and think about the prevalence of clock towers round here.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/cJlImt55jNY265WJ8di_-FWLTHJ2VA6YJ_Hhbf_hJCY-1537x2048.jpg)
Felix had pointed out the number of chapels - rather than churches - like in Wales. I'd said that I have a friend who is a methodist minister, and I had been very disappointed to learn that Primitive Chapels didn't consist of parishioners sitting round a fire, wearing animal skins, singing hymns that go "uuuuuggg, ugg ugg ugg". I wonder if the increased number of chapels round here - which don't normally have clocks, unlike churches - explains the increased number of clock towers too?
On the way down to Gayton, Amy and a few others come up and we ride together. A promising field of tulips beckons from behind a hedge; we turn into the next gap and are met with two enormous piles of muck, which amuses me greatly.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/UOEIEcfWGRAwOoVtcctL7jCF9CBoNB9LYURRxYLKRIw-2048x1537.jpg)
The tulips are astonishing, the colours so vivid against the huge blue sky.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/i2vjAh2w0OtZAcGzEb-lHPt2A6RZ9BtONgcLGQlcIQk-2048x1537.jpg)
We head off, collecting other people, and wiggle round to the control which is the site of the next tulip field. Sadly it's not quite as impressive. I head off again on my own, still not feeling fast enough to sit with others.
Denver Sluice is as interesting as I remember from last coming through here - I think not since our 2018 summer tour.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/Tsn1OS8xTJBYcwZNpUJhJZSc1uFc6NNBDxb2-z_JjrI-1537x2048.jpg)
A great-crested grebe dives, his beautiful snakey neck barely breaking the water. Round to the sluice where the Great Ouse and the Ouse relief channel meet, and there is Felix! We sit in the sun with our picnic. He has done some offroad to get here, past a church with a great doorway, and it sounds glorious. We ride off together along Ten Mile Bank, marvelling at the idea of living out here. I'm not sure if I could cope with living here, but it is glorious to spend time within this landscape. To feel the enormousness of the world, to see the size of the sky - a feeling of "you are here" with a big arrow, X marks the spot. We ride along contentedly together, trading trivia and tales of family life. Then there's Ely Cathedral, the ship of the fens! We stop to marvel at the stonework and gargoyles, some of whom seem quite new.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/Zj-l8WjtFQx9shCJEiatLgLbUaP_5rP7rQgnsYgKld4-1537x2048.jpg)
Joe is outside the co-op so we leave bikes with him. My stomach has revived and I am desperate for protein. Ooh, and coconut water - that'll perk me up and should be able to last until Huntingdon for a wee. Off we go again. I lead Felix onto the A142 cycle path; we drop into Witchford and through Grunty Fen. It always strikes me as a bizarrely empty place where anything might happen, like a little taster for the really big open fen landscapes in Lincolnshire. A road called Station Road and a row of railway workers cottages - hmm, what's that about? Later Wikipedia clicking reveals it was part of the Ely to St Ives line, calling at: Ely, Stretham, Wilburton, Sutton, Earith Bridge, Bluntisham and St Ives. A brief view of Berristead House in Wilburton has us marvelling at the huge frontage, and all those handmade bricks.
I'd been dreading Twenty Pence Road, but it passes quickly enough with company - and at this time of day, there's no traffic. We pick up Joe and Alex in Cottenham, and then it's off to the busway. Felix is thrilled at the expanse of tarmac; it's easy for locals to get complacent about the busway. At last, I have useful energy to sit on front, and tow our little band to St Ives. In Hemingford Abbots, I pull up by the previously-identified post box: another group turns up and says the control is the next post box, so I write down both answers. Through the common (look Felix, another old railway line!) bunnies leap about. I hold the gate open and end up at the back of our group - they all head off round the one-way system in Huntingdon and I nip through the town, and somehow I arrive at the pub first. A lovely welcome inside the pub, then a cup of tea and some food. Somehow the wind and rain is forgiven and forgotten, and everyone is happy and pleased to have made it. It's nice to sit with Felix and Joe, digesting the day.
(https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/Ep9scGFtHmjfKh6DgeZUaM0fmox2phSZ4cAmDnOQsP0-1537x2048.jpg)
Podcast on and my journey home is unremarkable until I get to near the Barton Road roundabout between Grantchester and Coton. By that stubby siding to a farm are a couple of cars parked half on the grass verge, half on the cycle path. No problemo, plenty of room for me. I round the corner, and there are three cars parked up blocking the whole path - and about twenty people milling about on the grass. Not wanting to lump down into a potentially potholey road in the dark, I charge through on the grass "'scuse me! Thank you!". Bizarre. Then at the end of the Barton cyclepath, another strange happening: in the petrol station, there are about eight cars all parked up, and another fifteen to twenty people milling about. One car is up on jacks, and they are changing wheels. I fully expect to be chased down the road, but see no more of any of them. How very odd.
Chug chug chug, home! Back inside 18 hours. I'm pleased with that, given the headwinds earlier. Lovely day out, lovely to spend time in the Fens. Thanks GdS! :-)
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Lovely write up, you capture so much more of the places we pass through than I do. I guess I was too busy watching the many birds of prey surfing the wind and taking in the big skies. Loved that you rode past the piles of muck, along the field dirt all the way down to the good tulip field. I should have done that in retrospect. One event, a hundred different impressions and stories.
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Excellent RR SF :thumbsup:
With such a lot of relative nothingness on the ride I suppose we all have things to look out for. The original route apparently crossed or paralleled 47 different waterways.
For me a highlight is looking out for consecutive number plates as old vehicles are common in those parts (also like the IOW) but getting rarer as they fail their MOTs or get replaced by newer agricultural kit and 4x4s instead of Land Rovers. I'm up to 513 having started in 2010, saw 512 on a Volvo estate on the way up on Friday. There's a good source on the road after Barroway Drove including a collector of Commer vans.
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For me a highlight is looking out for consecutive number plates as old vehicles are common in those parts...
I wish you hadn't shared that, I think I'll have a new obsession.
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Hah, those Commer vans were pointed out - I am a complete dunce on motor vehicle flavours and was only just about able to tell that they were a bit like VW camper vans but different..
On the birdlife front, I had forgotten that we had a superb display from a lapwing on Ten Mile Bank - it took off nearby, and turned around in the sky right in front of us, so we got a brilliant view of the shape of its wings. Lovely birds. Only saw a couple of red kites, but did have one good aerial display as it fought the wind!
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my first trip to Blackpool in 1971 (when we also just walked into a Div 1 Man U v Spurs match without tickets! and also parked in the closed (open now) Birmingham Snow Hill station) was in a Commer camper van, owned by my Dad's boss (Foyles Educational, different company but a brother of the bookshop founder)
Commers and Bedfords were the usual base; didn't see many Transits.
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It was another fine day battling headwinds and horizontal rain on the way out but enjoyable tail wind on the way home. So so once again many thanks to Martin and Co for the organisation[size=78%].[/size]
[size=78%] [/size]
I must admit I do prefer the return via Ely vs Spalding.
The fact that the tulips were thin on the ground got me wandering about tweaks to the route that could be more interesting/challenging. A route I came up with, which may be too much change, goes through Wicken/White fen after Ely ( which I've probably mentioned to Martin previously) on much more Audax friendly bike paths/roads.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46331162
I ride the Wicken/White fen route from Ely to Lode at least twice a year. You get down to sanded gravel for about half a km after the lumpy cycle path along the Ouse but it is a high use cycle path. Its also a lovely ride.
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Thanks ff;
The ride is in Spring to see bulbfields and the whole Dutch influence on the region and the route is either West for daffs or East for tulips, that's it. Having organised from the start I've had mostly very good feedback on both routes although not so good ones about the weather! There are only about 4 fields of tulips in the entire area grown by one company so we did well to see 2 even if they weren't both fully out.
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That path by the river (south of the lumpy, broken tarmac), after a gravelly bit (no problem) is now a sandy substance. When dry it is sand. When wet, it turns to paste, generously coating feet, bottle and the clearance twixt mudguard and tyre. Been like that for about a year. There's an optimum time after rain, when it's dried out enough not but not too much - good luck finding it. Sadly I don't use it very often now, having previously used it for commuting.
And I've stopped taking the FNRttC kings Lynn along there for safety reasons b