JOY RIDING THROUGH SPRING
OK… so we know it feels like spring decided to give us a miss this year and we’ve fast forwarded straight from February to July, but we had two spectacular Joy Rides in February and March. Delighted to say we’re having a fantastic turnout… there were 14 cyclists for the February ride, and pretty soon, no corner of Cambs will be left unexplored (so that last bit is rather an exaggeration but…). Esther is really on the ball and writes these fab blog posts after each ride – and then I fail to get them up on the blog… so here is a double whammy, Joy Rides Special reviewing the February and March rides! Take it away, Esther…!
March - A Blooming Lovely Joy Ride
Mother Nature has been so kind to the Joy Rides so far, and the March ride on Sunday 25 March was no exception. The day started with a pea souper fog, but by the time we were pedalling, the skies had cleared to reveal a bright, cloudless blue with brilliant sunshine. Which was very timely as this ride was all about celebrating the glorious arrival of spring.
We started from the visitor car park at Imperial War Museum Duxford (already filling up quickly as visitors arrived to enjoy a day out at the museum) and cycled up to Whittlesford, turning into picturesque Newton with its thatched cottages and expansive fields. From there we cycled to Thriplow and already started to see hosts of golden daffodils as we reached the road sign welcoming us to the village and saw the church spire in the distance.
We also had more than one occasion to enjoy the freedom and thrill of whizzing downhill in the spring breeze – there really is nothing to better it!
After a gentle tour of Thriplow, we cycled back to Heathfield and then finished back at Imperial War Museum Duxford where, laden with tea and cake, we sat outside in the sunshine and watched one or two historic aircraft practice flying. We could happily have stayed there all day!
A blooming beautiful daffy joy ride was enjoyed by all! Thank you so much to Malcolm for the fabulous cycle route and to Kay and Malcolm, Bea and Mel, Niki, Lizzy, Sarah and Vicky for making the ride so enjoyable.
The next ride is on Sunday 22 April. More details to follow soon …!
A Springtime Sunday in Cambridge and Grantchester - The February Joy Ride
What a wonderful way to spend a gloriously warm and sunny spring Sunday! 14 of us met at the Trumpington Park and Ride and then cycled in the sunshine along the guided bus route, into Cambridge and along the Backs. We could not have picked a better day for a bicycle ride – it was warm, sunny and everyone we passed seemed to have a smile on their face and a spring in their step.
We cycled along the river, passing the great eclectic architecture of the boathouses and taking in the traditional sight of the rowing crews practising on the river. From there, we cycled down to Newnham and saw the first appearances of spring flowers – snowdrops, daffodils, and a carpet of lavender crocuses. Just beautiful, and gave us a great sense of the calm and wellbeing that comes from connecting with nature when meandering gently along on a bicyle on such a seasonal spring day.
Next destination on the ride was Grantchester Meadows, where we joined the dog-walkers and walkers enjoying the lovely weather. By this time it was very balmy and such a pleasure to feel the warmth of the sun. We reached our tea stop at The Orchard feeling invigorated and lively but in need of refreshment and sustainance. So, tea, cake, scones (The Orchard is rightly famous for its scrumptious and generously-sized home-made scones) and other goodies were purchased before we joined the many other partakers of English tea in the lovely Orchard gardens.
After refreshment and a jolly good gossip, it was all too soon time to wend our way through the lovely Grantchester village, and back to the Park and Ride. A blissful way to spend a Sunday and a lovely memory that will stay with us throughout the working week ahead..
With many thanks to Malcolm P for devising the ride, and to Sarah & Nick, Jess,Kay & Malcolm W, Keith, Bea & Mel, Vicky, Louise & Steve and Sarah R (my cake afficienado!) for taking the time to come along.
