Have we heard the last of the whines about the cold weather experienced over the past 6 weeks? Can we finally shed a layer or two and stop discussing the merits and costs of heated bike gloves? Who will be the first to bare their knees? If this day was anything to go by we can look forward to some nice balmy days ahead. And with talk of infections coming down, lockdown being eased, pubs opening, birthdays being celebrated and even summer holidays being mentioned, this might explain why Windmillers were such a cheery, smiling bunch on ths ride (but isn’t this always the case?). Deborah’s photo above of Audley End House and happy munching geese sort of sums it all up.
A large turnout of 12 Windmillers for a Monday was also an indication of happier times, the others being Maurice, Andrew, Rod, Charles, Nick, Simon, Lawrence, Alan, Geoff, Suzanne and Martin, all joining a CAC circuit planned by Maurice and with Charles hosting the charity box, which collected the grand sum of £75 with more due.
This is where we went:
But despite the sun and warmth there were still signs here and there of the snow and ice that we have endured in recent weeks, with a surprising amount still surviving on the road from Elmdon towards Crawley End:
Further reports of snow near Poppy’s Barn were also heard but not enough to concern anyone as it was melting rapidly, and had probably disappeared completely by the time Deborah reached it, having started later than others.
The e-bike brigade of Maurice, Rod, Charles and Nick were seen whizzing around on their high powered steeds but Charles was happy to slam on his disc brakes in Elmdon to show off his fancy new Gazelle:
Thanks go as usual to Maurice and Andrew for organising the ride. Where would we be without those heroes?
Martin
The Windmill Cycle Club 