Brummie Brian always comes up with an interesting ride when called upon which usually results in a good turnout, and today was no exception. In addition there was the added bonus of it being Martin’s belated birthday booze ride, which he seems to have been celebrating for nearly a month since first cracking open a bottle to celebrate his ‘free’ ski pass on 12 January. Not exactly free as it turned out but €52 for a season ain’t bad. Canny Ken, on the other hand, wangled a 2 week pass free of charge and was told he could renew it for further periods also foc …..
Enough of skiing. Assembling at Brian’s local in Stapleford, The Three Horseshoes, (a former drug dealing centre it seems but Brian claims that’s not the reason that he, Tom and Chris have met there regularly over the years………..) the Windmill gang that controls the cycle county lines of North Essex, North Herts and South Cambs also comprised Andrew, Sandra, Rod, Roger, Tom, Simon T, Graham, Ric, Howard, Victor, Yorkie Brian, Neil and Martin, making 14 in all. Waving them off was Chris, who promised to return back at lunchtime.
This is where Brian’s route took us on this glorious day, albeit a bit chilly to start with at just 1°C:
Warning us that it was around 22 miles to the coffee stop at Wimpole Hall, Brian led the way via a short stretch of the Sawston By-Pass and then through to Whittlesford via the bike path, crossing the railway line miraculously all together (our recent luck must run out soon). There was very little wind and so we proceeded at a steady pace and gradually felt warm glows appearing on our extremities. No punctures or other unforeseen eventualities either but there seemed to be a race for the coffee queue as we approached Wimpole resulting in a few missing out on the ritual pic in front of the Hall:
In Orwell we stopped to take a call from Ken who was in the vicinity and who sensibly remained on the top of Barrington hill as we crawled up it about 15 minutes later. That made us 15 which meant continuing to cycle in two groups spread apart to allow motorists and other road users to overtake us fairly easily. Indeed, not a horn was noticed all day!
Tom and Victor bid us farewell on returning to The Three Horseshoes and Chris and Geoff joined us, making us 15 once again for an excellent lunch washed down with a fine selection of beers, including JHB which we believe is a favourite of John Bagrie? John’s hip operation had gone well the previous week and although a quick return trip to the hospital was necessary he was now getting around on his crutches. We all wished him well and hoped we would be seeing him again soon.
Thanks to Brian for a great ride and for arranging such splendid weather. Also to Andrew for all his organisation.
Martin
The Windmill Cycle Club 