With Maurice away, Andrew was to be our Routemeister for the day, starting us off from his place in Wendens Ambo. At least that was the plan, until Martin and John B phoned to say they’d join us down the road at The Fighting Cocks. It’s a bit like herding cats.
It was a fine, if chilly, Spring morning and bare knees were in the majority; 5 pairs exposed versus 4 pairs still under wraps, evidently abiding by the old ‘Ne’er cast a clout till May be out‘ rule.
Notable was Chris on a fancy new bike; although on closer inspection, we realised it was, in fact, Tom’s bike, Tom being on holiday and having generously lent his machine to Chris.
Then we were off, picking up Martin and John along the way, and heading out through Saffron Walden, Hadstock, Bartlow and the Camps – before stopping for a breather at Helions Bumpstead. Usually, when we say “stopping for a breather” we mean “Where’s Chris?” But Chris was there in our midst looking cool and unhurried, Tom’s bike having propelled him to the front of the peloton. We were impressed.
So it was that we spent the rest of the outing trying to keep up with Chris, chasing after him to Finchingfield for coffee, and then on to Thaxted and Debden, returing at last to the The Fighting Cocks for a slap up lunch and a couple of well earned beers.
Thanks, Andrew, for planning everything and guiding us around a lovely 37 mile route.
Brian
The Windmill Cycle Club 