Aviation has been a recurring theme in 2024’s busy ride schedule, and it’s one to which ride leader Graham Maile & tail-ender Peter Grant return to for our final ride of the year. Graham has organised a visit to the Watch Office Bar & Kitchen, a Grade II listed building which served as the operations hub for RAF Alconbury during World War II. Note that the Kitchen has requested pre-orders, so please specify your choice from the brunch menu when requesting your place. Graham outlines the route as follows –

We start from a new departure point: the Shell petrol station just outside Fenstanton. Following the briefing we cross Fenstanton before turning right to skirt St Ives and pick up the A1123 to Bluntisham & Earith. We then follow B-roads through Pidley, Warboys & the Riptons to Alconbury Hill. A short ride south on the old Great North Road takes us to Alconbury Weald and breakfast at the Watch Office

With breakfast despatched it’s back to the bikes: we pass under the A1 and through Alconbury to begin a loop west through Old Weston & Kimbolton before turning for the Perrys and the southern shore of Grafham Water before reaching the A1 at Buckden. We finish our ride with a hop north on the A1 to Brampton Hut Services. The ride is a little shorter than usual at 55 miles in total

Start: Shell, Cambridge Road, Fenstanton, PE28 9LS    what3words
End: Brampton Hut Services, A1/A14, PE28 4NQ    what3words
Breakfast: The Watch Office Bar & Kitchen, Emery Crescent, Alconbury Weald, PE28 4XA    what3words

Briefing: 9:20am      Ride departs: 9:30am       Maximum 16 participants