Ride organisation acquired an extra variable with the train strikes, getting the ‘no news is good news’ only a fortnight before. With that out of the way, I could finalise the details. 120km or so, set off at midnight from Cambridge, 9 hours to King's Lynn. Then an optional ride back to Ely, another 55km.
Having recced the route in chunks incorporated into other rides to avoid repetition, the hazards seemed to be increasing in number. Mostly due to hot weather caused more subsidence.
28 signed up, a couple of drop outs beforehand, the ride team recruited, we were all set.
On the night, an eye on trains - would everyone make it? Would the
@Andrew Br , get stuck between Manchester and East Anglia?
@StuAff and
@newfhouse were at the meeting point when I emerged from the station, having already put some miles in.
Slight drawback with this location, the pub nearby was busy. Heaving - you could feel the music booming from the station!
Gradually riders appeared, until we were nearly quorate - with a whistle, more piercing than anticipated, sorry ears
.
Briefing was done with an emphasis on safety due to the 12 first timers
then I rang our missing rider for info. He appeared to have put off getting out until it was too late - we were leaving without him. Another time then maybe.
Easy by the colleges, the glowing Corpus Clock, past Round Church and the riverside, onto Midsummer Common to see Our Place in Space. Luckily someone kindly switched the Sun back on for us
Working our way through the galaxy to the Chisholm Trail Bridge,
quick pause then a turn for Fen Ditton and the cyclepath. No mechanicals this time. The village road into Stow-Cum-Quay, car spikes safely waymarked, then the solar light path to Lode.
I was keeping an eye on time, as it soon slips away, punctures and people drifting back, so decided to keep the cultural stops (TM AC) minimal.
NCN11 continued, the old Lode station lurking in the dark as we left street lighting behind until Ely.
Mists crept up, drifting over our heads approaching Swaffham Bulbeck Lode, distinct chill setting in.
The choice of armwarmers, thin baselayer and summer jersey were beginning to feel like they might not be enough after all.
A badger dashed across our path. Joy - first time I’ve seen a live one
More potholes as the droves crack, pedalling slowly, onto Upware; narrow lanes a miniature roller coaster. Over the sluice gate, regroup at Five Miles from Anywhere then off to Padney. Farmhouses and machinery forming uncertain spooky shapes in the dark. Goose Fen Drove with added sand, then off road proper to Ely, dirt and gravel, over cattle grids galore, dropping onto the road.
@CharlieB the Waymarking King
From the bridge we could see the extended peloton’s lights strung out back down the river.
Up Cherry Hill, mind the hedgehog, round old Ely, past the Ukraine flag-wrapped Russian cannon for a glimpse of the cathedral.
About turn, gathered up, we found our way out of Ely, through smaller villages, and bumpier roads. More wildlife than people. Owls, rabbits and foxes as fleeting reminders of life outside our Friday Night ride bubble.
At One Hundred Foot, a reminder of the potholes - keep left please; we negotiated these without trouble and soon found the glow of Welney Wetland Centre welcoming us through the mists. Almost, almost, bang on time at 4.02am.
Riders piled in for sandwiches and fantastic cakes. Warmed up by coffee, faces revealed out of the darkness. We see our pedalling companions for the first time. A massive thanks to Sarah - up at 2.30am to prepare for us, incredibly cheerful in the early hours of the morning.
CAKE!!
Settled in, but not too comfortable, for an hour of rest. Then jackets, legwarmers, hats layered on, legs stretched, prised out of the comfort, bikes restocked and packed. A tangle of shoes wedged back onto reluctant feet.
Trotting round there was a glimmer of sun behind the cafe building.
Somewhere around here we saw the second badger, galloping in front of us for a short while.
Traversing the Welney bridges, below sea level it’s so much colder - the legwarmers and jacket were appreciated. From here, a zig zag route, crossing waterways, surrounded by prairie like fields.
