The bad weather this winter seems to go on and on...Wheelers have had to cancel a couple of rides because of ice, and the forecast wasn't looking too promising for this one. On the day Metcheck said wet, but not icy, and ride-leader Caroline, being made of stern stuff, declared that the ride was on.

On top of the Green Bridge, it wasn't actually raining and it seemed like plenty of other cyclists were itching to get back on the road. Thirteen left Mile End, another two joined in Hackney, and we were due to pick up four more at High Beach - a total of 19, which is a big number for a winter ride in the rain. We rode out to High Beach along the Lea Bridge and Woodford High Roads - a quick way out of London, and not too busy on a Sunday morning. We skipped the slightly off-road section from Warren Hill to Epping Forest (too much water) and after a swift dozen miles, now in slight drizzle, arrived at High Beach, just as the tea-hut opened (this was classed as a hard ride, but it was still a Wheelers' ride, so of course it was time for tea!).

Fortified and fully-assembled with nineteen riders (briefly twenty as we bumped into Wheelers ride leader and Olympics coordinator Steve Collins at the stop, but we weren't hard enough for him and got dropped pretty soon) we set off northwards along the lanes. The rain had increased whilst we were in Epping Forest, and was now well beyond a drizzle. We turned left just short of Epping, and headed through Roydon towards Stanstead Abbots, then right through Hunsdon and on towards the Hadhams. (Much, Ford and Little).

Nearing Bishops Stortford, a few turned off to head to the station - they had planned to get the train back from there. Unfortunately, a few riders who didn't intend to do that also took the turn, and Wheelers' Secretary Owen had to set off in hot pursuit to retrieve them. An excellent sprint effort sorted the problem, and the remaining fourteen headed to the Pelhams (Furneaux, Stocking and Brent) for lunch, with a choice of a pub at each. We chose Furneaux and the excellent Brewery Tap. It was a shame that someone had stolen a crucial signpost, which lead to the two breakaway groups both doing a divert towards Stevenage. Naturally our leader went straight to the target - no need for GPS on a Wheelers' ride - just make sure you're following the Rides Coordinator.

Arriving at the Brewery Tap we realised that we were *really* wet. The pub handled 14 soaked cyclists expertly - allocating us an area with a wooden floor (no carpet to drip on), an open fire (dry your gloves) and a hearty meal. Warmed-up and well-fed, we noted that the rain seemed to be easing. Three decided to head back to Bishops Stortford for the train, but the remaining eleven chose to go all the way. We set off towards Stocking, Brent (Pelhams) and on towards the Chishills (Little and Great). This took us over the highest points in Essex and Cambridgeshire (OK not all that high!) and some superb lanes with big open views - and the weather was steadily improving, with the sun making an unexpected appearance.

After the Chishills, the Shelfords (Little and Great again - there doesn't seem to be one of anything on this ride) and we were nearly at Cambridge. From Great Shelford we joined a new cycle track to Addenbrookes Hospital. For the scientifically-minded this is an interesting track - over 10,000 colour stripes have been laid on the path, representing the genetic code for a vital human gene - BRCA2, which was sequenced at The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in nearby Hinxton. From the hospital we followed the roads into town, and just near journey's end (and a combined total of 715 miles) the puncture demon struck, so Alan cycled 1/2 mile less than the rest, deciding it was quicker to walk to Cambridge Station than fix the puncture and ride.

All in all, an excellent ride, and the weather turned out far better than anyone had expected (eventually). Only thing is, we didn't actually see historic, picturesque Cambridge after all that effort - the train was warm and dry, and it seemed better to head back to London and the pub (with the ride finally ending in the Water Poet in Spitalfields). But the committee has decided that this is such a good route that we'll do it again, in the summer, in the warm and dry, and then we'll actually get to see the dreaming spires (or is that Oxford?). Anyway - join us next time, it should be a good ride