Hi all and happy new year. Back in the fall My wife Anna and i travelled about 135 miles from Chicago by car to Wisconsin to participate in the first London to Cambridge Rural Ramble organized by list member Peter Jourdain. We hadn't committed because of doubts about the weather, but it proved clear and surprisingly warm. We arrived about 20 minutes late but the group had yet to leave. The route was very nice w/ a few, fun hills and very little traffic. There were several surprisingly engaging points of interest. The group of many ages and all the popular genders mostly rode British 3 speeds, Peter rode a very appropriately spec'ed '30s 4 speed, i forget the make; sorry. Estimable list member Earle Young rode an on topic Gitane converted to fixed wheel. there was also an early '70s Falcon 10 speed nearly pristine and many others that i can't remember. It was a very congenial group and the pace quite pleasant. Along the way there was a stop at a bakery which offered a choice
variety of snacks and a celebrated 4 pound eclair [not sure of the exact weight but it was formidable and delicious]. Afterwards there was a picnic provided by the better prepared members to which we did not contribute but whose wares we shamelessly sampled. Next year we'll bring a cooler w/ some choice British quaffs, and perhaps some victuals. There were free Raleigh patches and Certificates of Merit. It was a great time, well worth the drive. If Peter can be prevailed upon to organize one in 2011 we'll go regardless of the weather and hopefully bring some chums. Peter has some pics and perhaps will make them available to the list; it was an attractive bunch. Cheers to all. Billy Ketchum; Chicago, IL; USA.