University Town

Norfolk Stage 02 – Letchworth to Cambridge 44 Km (Thu 5 May 2022)

Weather: 9⁰C min – 19⁰C max, partly cloudy

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“Wherever you are – be all there” ~ Jim Elliot

The substantial full English breakfast I had at the Broadway Hotel was a good start to the day, made even better when I looked out the window to see beautiful blue sky. I couldn’t wait to get on the road, so by 9:00 am I was on my bike rolling northward on my short (46 Km) ride to the university town of Cambridge.

For the first couple of Km there was a good bicycle path through lovely parkland, but then after leaving Letchworth I found myself on a rough gravel path (NCN12) that deteriorated until it was no better than a goat track. For about 5 Km I bumped along with my poor pannier bags creaking and groaning behind me. Riding on a mixture of wet grass and dirt track, my wheel rims and brake pads soon accumulated so much mud that my wheels were making a horrible scraping noise. Finally I came to a paved road that had some puddles after the rain last night, so I rode through the water a few times to clean my wheels.

Unlike yesterday when the roads were narrow and traffic free, today they were wider and busier. Also, the scenery was not as appealing … mainly barley and corn fields on both sides of the road. Nevertheless it was pleasant cruising along in the sunshine, and I made good time because there were few stops to take photos.

Even the little villages today were ordinary by comparison with yesterday and coffee shops were nowhere to be found. However, I did stop at Sarah’s Farm Shop where I couldn’t resist buying a delicious Plumb Tea Bread (which I demolished for lunch) and a Farmers Cake.

For the last 15 Km I enjoyed riding on a superb bike path that took me all the way into Cambridge. Arriving too early to check into my Studio Apartment, I rode into town where I am currently sitting in Jesus Park writing these few words (but not wearing my $9m “Hand of God” shirt).

Being a university town, Cambridge has a vibrant feel about it. I am assured it has an attractive town centre, so I am off to explore it now.