Double Dutch, Ship of the Fens 200

[GdS]

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  saves me a journey on Friday the alternatives will be the A142 / Sutton or Cottenham / Rampton to the busway

[slowfen]

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

[drossall]

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...

[alfapete]

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.

[GdS]

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.

[Lightning Phil]

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.

[GdS]

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

[drossall]

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.

[Lightning Phil]

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!

[GdS]

just put together a Dutch mix for the car stereo at the start. No prizes for guessing which 2 70's bands feature....

[drossall]

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

[Lightning Phil]

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.

[felstedrider]

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 ?

[Slimline Saxon]

Golden Earring probably the other - Radar Love

[GdS]

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

[Suffolk Born]

Thanks to one and all involved in organising and helping yesterdays DD, cracking day out in the Fens - Happy Easter

[alfapete]

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.

[dod]

Thanks Martin for a great day out, the tulips were a real highlight and Ely cathedral always looks good in evening sunshine 

[Lightning Phil]

Coming into Kings Lynn with my fellow recumbent rider







Fens stretching to infinity





Leafy lanes and some shade after Grimston

[GavinC]

That was a great day out. Thanks Martin for organising.

Great pictures Phil 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 

[Lightning Phil]

Ah wondered what had happened to you. I thought I'd see you pulling in to the ASDA shortly after me.

[freeflow]

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.

[GavinC]

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 

[Lightning Phil]

Great pictures Phil

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

[GavinC]

Feel free to grab copies for yourself.

Thanks