So long Fignon

I just sat down to watch the Vuelta when they broke the sad news that Laurent Fignon had died aged 50 from intestinal and pancreatic cancer. I can remember well watching him win the Tour de France in 1983 and 84 and the drama as he lost the 1989 tour by 8 seconds to Greg Lemond on the final time trial into Paris. He was also only one of 3 people Merckx and Coppi being the others to win the Tour on their first attempt. His death is a great loss to the sport of cycling.

My Bikes

These are my 2 bikes. My road bike is a Condor frame which I bought back in the early 1980's, nothing fancy good old steel. When I got her she was metallic blue, but after a major coming together with a car I had her resprayed pink, hence her nickname 'The Pink Panther". I rebuilt her again after a second accident and kitted her out with a Campagnolo chainset and changers. I have a lovely old Brookes Saddle which after about 20 years is just about broken in. I also built the back wheel from scratch, or rather a rim and a pack of spokes! That was fun and a sort of personal challenge at the time. I love riding this bike and have done many thousands of miles on her over the years which is why I have never thought seriously about changing it.

My other bike is this Carbon framed Claude Butler which I bought just after we moved here. It's a lovely bike to ride but is slight over kill for the area where we live. The opportunity for off road riding is very limited around here and being East Anglia there aren't many mountains! The only bridle track near here is about a mile long and ends at a fence. I actually pay one of the local farmers to be allowed to cycle on some of his farm tracks but again this is limited.

Sutton Gault

The first ride on the site took me out of Woodhurst east toward Bluntisham along the Wheatsheaf Road. I carried on across the Somersham road down through Bluntisham and Earith.

Woodhurst

After crossing the Ouse at Earith I turned left towards Sutton. This is a long road that runs alongside a dyke, cycling in this direction you are sheltered from the winds that blow across the Fens. After climbing the short hill into the village I turned left towards Sutton Gault. The road had recently been resurfaced and was covered in loose gravel so great care needed to be taken. The road drops down to the river and crosses it next to the Anchor pub.

Sutton Gault

On the way out of the village along the drove road I was passed by a car, now I am used to having lorry wing mirrors passing close to my head as I am riding but a harp was a new experience. Actually it didn't come that close but it was unusual The road goes on for about 5 miles across the fen toward Chatteris. It's a really nice road very quiet and being across the fens dead flat.

Harpist

At the end of the Drove I turned left along the Chatteris road towards Somersham. This can be a long drag if the wind is against you, luckily today it was nice and still.

Chatteris Road

After about 4 miles you reach Somersham, I passed through the village and then turned left along the Somersham road towards St Ives and returning home to Woodhurst.