Double Dutch, Ship of the Fens 200

[GdS]

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

[slowfen]

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

[GdS]

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.

[Lightning Phil]

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.

[GdS]

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

[tom_e]

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.

[Diesel]

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!

[Lightning Phil]

According to my mapping that bridleway from Rampton is 800m. Suppose it depends how bad the stones on it is.

[tom_e]

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.

[Lightning Phil]

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.

[dod]

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 

[tom_e]

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.

[drossall]

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.

[dod]

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.

[GdS]

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!

[Lightning Phil]

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.

[felstedrider]

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. 

[drossall]

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.

[αdαmsκι]

GPX track from when I did Boudicca's perm a few nine years ago.

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/1219250

[Pedal Castro]

My plan is to go through Cottenham straight down to the bus way.

[felstedrider]

My plan is to go through Cottenham straight down to the bus way.

Will follow you if I can keep up.

[Lightning Phil]

Fantastic, looking forward to seeing the tulip field.

[freeflow]

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?

[dod]

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.

[dod]

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 😂