A10 Corridor 3rd Annual Awareness Ride, Sunday May 17th 2015

Despite an uncertain forecast, Sunday morning was bright and sunny and 45 riders, including many adults with young children in seats and tag-a-longs gathered at The Cross in Royston.

Some riders from CycleHerts representing various cycling organisations in Herts had even arrived by train from Welwyn to offer their support. Herts County Councillors, Fiona Hill and Tony Hunter waved the group off down Kneesworth Street, past the station, making a right turn to follow the cycle route down Gower Road, across the park to the railway underpass, emerging at the end of Green Street. The official cycle route ends here and riders followed the wide pavement beside the A10, arriving at the tree-lined crossing point over the A505. Visibility here is very limited and cyclists have to watch for vehicles turning left from the A10 as well as those travelling west along the A505 who are already accelerating out of the wooded roundabout before they come into view. This is a difficult split second decision for adults to make and quite out of the question for any children wanting to access villages north of Royston – a mere 20 -30 minutes ride away. Traffic was particularly busy this morning and there were long waits in between safe gaps in the traffic flow.

North of the A505, the ‘path’ has deteriorated badly in the last couple of years, in places a series of potholes, held together by threads of tarmac – dangerous for cyclists, runners and walkers alike and impassable for a mobility scooter. The people with younger riders on small wheeled bikes and tag alongs had particular difficulty, sadly saying they would not attempt it again.

Trying to cross (note the width of the path):

The next crossing of the busy A10 also proved frustrating with heavy traffic in both directions and without a central ‘refuge’, people may have to wait for up to 5 minutes before it is safe to cross. The final part of the route, through a wooded cutting and along Melbourn High Street, although on road was much more pleasant and relaxing, but it was a relief to arrive safely at Phillimore’s Garden Centre to enjoy refreshments. Cambridgeshire Festival of Cycling had joined forces to provide a memorable event with opportunities to try out a wide selection of bikes, trikes and other wheeled machines and fun was had by all.