Politically Charged

General Election day. Horseheath is in the South Cambridgeshire constituency and therefore returned Lib Dem, Pippa Heylings, as MP. The specific significance of this for this ride will become apparent.

The village of Balsham extends mainly along one road and has the church at the highest point. Roman roads form the west and south boundaries, Fleam Dyke is to the east, and one of the Icknield Way tracks is the northern boundary. In the Domesday Book, Balsham is called Balesham: the village of Baelli. Of far greater significance to the less cultured amongst us is that Balsham supports two pubs. On our last visit here we started from the Bell, but this time the ride returned to a start at the Black Bull.

Welcome to Clive, who joined 16 other riders for coffee and to place their food order before heading off in 3 groups toward West Wickam, noting as we went that we would have to retrace our steps back up that hill and into the wind into Balsham at the end of the ride.

The vast majority of people on the road are very courteous to us cyclists, often calling us across when we look stuck at junctions and acknowledging friendly waves. As a group, we like to think we are courteous and law abiding in return. There is, however a tiny minority of people in vehicles who are deliberately antagonistic and dangerous – as discovered by our second group on the road as they were close pass targeted by someone in a black Audi (other antagonistic driver marques are available). Luckily no injuries but this sort of thing can take the gloss off anyone’s day.

From West Wickham we headed towards the crossing point of the busy Haverhill road at Horseheath. Here we encountered the handiwork of one of the more politically engaged citizens. Three or four immaculately prepared banners across vehicles and gateways proclaimed their views in no uncertain terms. Massive dedication to their cause.

After pausing to read the somewhat wordy banners, we pressed on South to Cornish Hall End before turning back North towards a welcome coffee and cake stop at Tarkas cafe. Although the breeze was a bit chlly, in the shelter to the cafe garden it was very pleasant.

The return via Boyton End is via very narrow lanes. Our next vehicle encounter can only be put down as a countryside thing, as a full lane width hedgetrimming tractor approached group 3, with no room to do anything other than press on. Luckily a small patch of grass gave us just enough room to allow the monster to pass by.

Back at the Black Bull we were treated to an excellent meal and beer. I can personally vouch for the seafood linguine ! Many thanks to Maurice for arranging. The impressive roll call of 17:

Maurice, Brian, Victor, Graham, Martin B, Tom, Simon, Ken, Paul, Gareth, Howard, Keith, Alan, Ric, Martin W, Jeremy and, of course, our newest member Clive.