A: Someone’s obviously getting prepared for Tour de France fever to hit the city, and I don’t blame them. The promise of a good pub lunch makes the prospect of exercise far more appealing. And, let’s face it, getting out and about by bicycle in our flat county is hardly taxing – no time trials and mountain stages here. With the only target being a lazy stop-off in the sunshine, there are plenty of options for a slow pootle with friends or a full-on family peloton.
With the Cambridge landscape better suited to a sprint than a climb, make like Mark Cavendish and head west on the super-straight cycle path from Cambridge to Coton, zipping past the impressive laboratories of the University’s West site on one side and beautiful countryside on the other, before stopping for a bite to eat at The Plough. On sunny weekends you can grab a burger from the Garden Grill and relax on the laid-back terrace.
Novices will appreciate the easy route to Grantchester, where the peaceful leafy surrounds of Newnham give way to lush green meadows lining the river Cam, leading directly to the suntrap garden of foodie pub The Green Man in mere minutes. Local ingredients take pride of place here and saving room for desserts such as local strawberries, beetroot meringues and elderflower fizz is highly recommended!
For hardcore foodies it’s well worth finding the stamina to try out a circular route, starting from Fulbourn and taking in Great and Little Wilbraham. In the picturesque village of Little Wilbraham you can sample the exquisite pub food on offer at The Hole in the Wall. Book in advance for the superb Sunday roast and don’t expect to be keeping up with the stage leaders on the way home.
Join the well-ridden 12-mile route to the east Cambridge fens and the village of Reach where, in true Tour de France style, you can go off the beaten track and dine at a truly local pub. The Dyke’s End serves affordable, fresh home cooking, with menus packed with seasonal ingredients and inspired by the tucked away eateries of the French countryside. Settle down to steak frites and picture the peloton whizzing by… Allez, allez!
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For more top tips on eating and drinking in Cambridge, visit Heidi’s blog www.movingfoodie.com
