Yes, that’s what 19 Windmillers set out to see for themselves what the developers state is a bold and ambitious vision for social and sustainable living in the heart of the Fens, and designed to create neighbourhoods that place cyclists and pedestrians ahead of the car, namely Waterbeach New Town East (WNTE) And were we impressed? Yes, in terms of cycle paths and the café but it’s early days to judge the architecture as only a handful of houses have been completed out of 4,500 planned. Overall, 11,000 houses are planned to be built on the site, a former RAF airbase.
Brian. who proudly became a Grandpa for the first time earlier in the day, was the guy who organised the ride, setting off from Day’s Bakery and Food Hall in Newton and heading north through Trumpington meadows and along the busway into Cambridge before heading up to Landbeach and WNTE, largely off road most of the way. Besides Brian, the large turnout comprised birthday drinks boy Charles, Maurice, Andrew, Rod, Simon, Keith, Martin B, Howard, Tom, Ken, Robert, Ric, Geoff, Alan, Jeremy, Paul, Neil and Martin W.
This magnificent bridge is 95m long and weighs 150 tonnes. It has a ‘flared parapet’ to act as a landmark for the development and connects with paths for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders in both directions. Thinking he might be riding a horse Keith couldn’t resist showing his method of mounting his bike:
Having already been rugby tackled by his small dog from behind earlier in the day, sending him sprawling on the ground, Jeremy had another unfortunate fall just before the coffee stop when he hit some gravel, which others avoided by following the correct route…….. But he was none the worse for wear, fortunately.
At least WNTE has got its priorities right with the establishment of a fine café-cum-bar, Brew and Basket, which also sold basic groceries for the few people already occupying their new abodes. It was run efficiently and the coffee and cakes were both very acceptable. Not so sure about the beers on tap, though.
Coffee at Brew and Basket, WNTE
The return leg took us initially through the wilds of the former airbase before heading down to the River Cam and past the station, which is being relocated to WTNE in 2027, which makes sense. Following the towpath down to Baits Bike Lock and on down the Cambridge Bumps course watching rowers at work and being coached is always a delight, but heeding Brian’s warning of dodgy wooden rails that have dismounted past member Vernon and Martin W previously. Luckily there were no dismounts on this occasion.
Taking the Chisholm Trail back into Cambridge and through the side streets to the bridge over the railway line soon got us back on the busway to Trumpington and thence to Harston where Neil’s bike decided to give up the ghost and refused to propel him the short distance back to The Queen’s Head in Newton for lunch. But a Good Samaritan, i.e. Maurice, soon whizzed back in his car to pick him up. Apparently the inner gearing of the cassette had decided to break without warning.
Lunch was simple but excellent, as always, at The Queen’s Head. The brown soup was dark brown, the sandwiches were superb and the sausage roll was to die for, and all washed down by excellent beers from barrels behind the bar courtesy of birthday boy Charles, who received an unusually loud rendition of Happy Birthday (was that Rob’s influence by any chance?).
Thanks, Brian, for a great ride and for introducing us to social and sustainable living in the heart of the Fens, but I think I’ll stay in Ickleton for the time being. Thanks also to photographers Charles, Brian, Andrew and Rob who spotted ransoms (wild garlic to you and me) on the way home:
And this is where we went:
Martin W
The Windmill Cycle Club 