Ely to Cambridge: Lodes of fun

Today, I cycled with a friend from Ely to Cambridge. It being a Saturday, there were no time constraints upon taking our bikes on trains, so we set off early and got the train to Waterloo, then cycled across London to Kings Cross and got the train direct to Ely, arriving around 1030. It was a rather grey day, but the northerly tailwind was welcome.

The map of our GPS track is here.

After a brief excursion into Ely town centre to see the magnificent cathedral, we set off following the National Cycle Route 11 beside the River Great Ouse. Then, after a lunch snack at Wicken Fen visitor centre, where there was a sunny interlude, we continued on the NCN11, which has been routed along the Lodes Way (leaflet here), a joint venture between Sustrans and the National Trust to link the NT properties at Wicken Fen and Anglesey Abbey. This was an enjoyable off road route with a good surface.

When we reached Lode, we continued to the entrance to Anglesey Abbey, but decided not to go in. Instead, we retraced our steps to the disused railway track path behind the Abbey. Cycling seems to be accepted on this unofficial path, which linked to bridleways taking us north to the Horningsea road, and thence back to cross the River Cam at Clayhithe. Here we stopped for tea and cake at the Bridge Inn (Chef and Brewer), before heading down the towpath past Baits Bite Lock and thence on to Cambridge.

We wandered around the centre of Cambridge (beware other cyclists, it's a bit of a free for all), and made an excursion out to the West Cambridge site (where the Cavendish Laboratory is located), then made our way down to the station at around 1800, just as it was getting dark.

This was an enjoyable day's cycling, virtually traffic free (except the final mile to Cambridge Station) and totally flat. The scenery is hardly breathtaking, but the fens have their own attraction, with large fields of black earth, shelter belts of trees, big skies, lodes (drainage ditches), and I added another cathedral to my collection.

For further ideas for cycle rides in this area I recommend this very informative blog.