2012-08-19 52 0

Location

In a field just off the main road between Bar Hill and Longstanton, a little northwest of Cambridge. The hash itself should be accessible if the field is not full of crops.

Participants

This expedition was part of a multihash by Benjw. For the other parts, see:
	2012-08-19 52 -0		2012-08-19 52 0

Plans

Coincidentally, Ben will be driving up this very road the previous day to attend a friend's wedding in Longstanton village, so he will have a glance into the field to see if the crops are harvested and the hash will be accessible or not.

Assuming the hash is possible, Ben plans to cycle up from Cambridge in the late afternoon, once the temperature has dropped a bit (it's been 30 degrees this week). Probably route is up the guided busway from north Cambridge to Longstanton, then down the road to the hash. Then on to Bar Hill, and up the footpaths and bridleways through Lolworth to Boxworth, where the Northampton graticule hash also looks accessible.

Expedition

Benjw

Planning our route at the 52,-0 hashpoint, we decided that the shortest route, involving footpaths and bridleways, was not necessarily the best option, and that a nice road route would be better. Accordingly, we left Boxworth village to the north and crossed the busy A14 at the service station bridge. At the edge of Swavesey village, we turned right and headed up a much emptier minor road in the direction of Longstanton. We chatted about cycling time trials, maths degrees and stuff like that.

At the edge of Longstanton we turned south around the village bypass and pedalled into a head-wind for about 3 km. Turning off the main road into the driveway to some sort of business premises (completely empty this evening, unsurprisingly), and discovered we were less than a hundred metres from the hash. Pacing along the edge of the field, Ben's GPS suggested that the hashpoint might lie in or near some of the tractor tracks through the field, so we propped the bikes up against some young trees and headed into the field, being careful not to trample anything that hadn't already been squashed flat by a tractor.

And indeed, the GPS zeroed in to a point less than a metre off our ready-made path. Conveniently, there was a small bare patch here, which looked as if it had been made just for us. It was the right size for one person to stand in, so we did, in turn, with the other one taking a photo. Point recorded, we retraced our steps back to the bicycles.

It was now half-past six. Refreshed and ready to go, Ben set off, only to hear a resounding crash from behind him as Ali0sha had leapt onto his bike and straight off the other side. A long day's cycling in the hot sun obviously affects one's balance. :-)

We then enjoyed a steady cycle on quiet roads through Longstanton, Oakington and Girton villages, talking about this, that and nothing in particular, and finally reached the main road into Cambridge. Having previously discussed time trials, Ali0sha motioned Ben to tuck in behind him, and hit the gas (well, we were on bikes, but you know what I mean). At 42 kph Ben, feeling rather unfit, gave up, and since he had the speedometer, history does not record Ali0sha's top speed.

Cambridge city centre was less conducive to high-speed cycling, so we leisurely admired the many college buildings, and reached the station at about quarter past seven. The geohashers bid each other farewell, Ali0sha to catch his train, and Ben to cycle the remaining 5 km home.

Geohashing is fun. Bicycle geohashing is more fun. Double hashing by bike is even funner. But meetups on a sunny afternoon are definitely the funnest. I really enjoyed the day out; definitely a successful expedition.