Around Ely

[johnsie]

I have a weekend in Ely planned later in the month and me and her are thinking about a 20ish mile ride around the fens.

Any recommended routes?

Cheers

 

[Wobbly John]

There's little to reccommend about cycling in the Ely area, apart from no hills. It is flat, open farmland so any wind hits you and in this weather, goes through you.

You could take a ride out to Welney wildfowl centre - Head out towards Little Downham, and follow the NCN route 11 signs. there is a cafe at the Welney centre, and from there you can keep on route 11 to Ten Mile Bank, where you can turn right along the river to Littleport & then to Ely.

 

[ufkacbln]

I have done several of these but as with above - weather is an issue on these large open areas.

 

[Alien8]

Also note that some of the minor roads can be rather bumpy. Take a route to the south/west of the city if you want to avoid the open fenland.

 

[wafflycat]

Also note that some of the minor roads can be rather bumpy. Take a route to the south/west of the city if you want to avoid the open fenland.

^ understatement of the year

 

[wafflycat]

I have a weekend in Ely planned later in the month and me and her are thinking about a 20ish mile ride around the fens.

Any recommended routes?

Cheers

If you are up there on 14th Feb, you could watch the Ely Hardriders 25 mile time trial - even cycle the course (reverse direction so you don't get in the way of competitors) starting 10am.

It's a tough one out on the fens in those February headwinds and driving rain... It may not be hilly but it is *hard*

 

[scott s10]

If you are up there on 14th Feb, you could watch the Ely Hardriders 25 mile time trial - even cycle the course (reverse direction so you don't get in the way of competitors) starting 10am.

It's a tough one out on the fens in those February headwinds and driving rain... It may not be hilly but it is *hard*

im going to be doing that. i think anyone can just go in. its as flat as a pancake but so hard its unreal. the wind really gets you.

 

[Alien8]

Oh yes, if you need to refuel I can thoroughly recommend: Alan Fish Bar, 21 Broad Street, Ely, CB7 4BD. Hmmmmm, I can taste them chips as I type.

 

[Crankarm]

Also note that some of the minor roads can be rather bumpy. Take a route to the south/west of the city if you want to avoid the open fenland.

And muddy. You will get covered in muck if at all wet or damp if you don't have mudguards. It was awful a few weeks ago on the club ride.

 

[wafflycat]

And muddy. You will get covered in muck if at all wet or damp if you don't have mudguards. It was awful a few weeks ago on the club ride.

And shi**y when going past farm/field entrances!

 

[Wobbly John]

If you are up there on 14th Feb, you could watch the Ely Hardriders 25 mile time trial

im going to be doing that. i think anyone can just go in.

It's an open time trial so you'll have to enter at least 2 weeks before the event on a CTT form if you intend riding the Hardriders.

 

[wafflycat]

Digressing... John, I'm not filling in entry forms these days, as WCMnr is no longer competing, but there was talk of *some* events having a bit of provision for online entry - can't remember if there was going to be some EOL. Did that ever progress?

 

[Glow worm]

You could join the Sustrans route (11) from just the other side of the river from the railway station at Ely, heading south along the river (traffic free), then down through Barway and Padney then Wicken Fen (cafe). On to Burwell, though the Swaffhams to Lode. Anglesey Abbey is there (another cafe). From there, head north west down Station Road and take a right down a tiny lane (just before pylons) - this takes you on to the new bridge over Swaffham Bulbeck Lode, then on to Upware (pub). Then you rejoin route 11 and head back to Ely.

See the Sustrans website for more detailed route info http://www.sustrans.org.uk/map?searchtype=attractions&searchkey=MA111

The last few miles are going back the same way but at least the route is all lanes or tarffic free and offers a bit of variety and Wicken Fen is great.

 

[Glow worm]

You could join the Sustrans route (11) from just the other side of the river from the railway station at Ely, heading south along the river (traffic free), then down through Barway and Padney then Wicken Fen (cafe). On to Burwell, though the Swaffhams to Lode. Anglesey Abbey is there (another cafe). From there, head north west down Station Road and take a right down a tiny lane (just before pylons) - this takes you on to the new bridge over Swaffham Bulbeck Lode, then on to Upware (pub). Then you rejoin route 11 and head back to Ely.

See the Sustrans website for more detailed route info http://www.sustrans.org.uk/map?searchtype=attractions&searchkey=MA111

The last few miles are going back the same way but at least the route is all lanes or tarffic free and offers a bit of variety and Wicken Fen is great.

 

[gbb]

Also note that some of the minor roads can be rather bumpy. Take a route to the south/west of the city if you want to avoid the open fenland.

As a colleague once said..'how come the fens are so flat, but the roads are so bumpy ?...you'd be better off driving in the fields'