Simon’s legs were much in evidence again on this damp ride and at one stage near Furneux Pelham he almost regretted not wearing thick leather trousers and armour plated boots. He doesn’t usually shave his legs, as far as we know, but a lady with a gang mower nearly did it for him.
Starting from The Bull at Lower Langley at 3.00pm on an afternoon that threatened a downpour, but luckily held off, Andrew, Rod, Alan, Simon, Sanda and Martin set off on a spur-of-the-moment route that Andrew devised to take us around the lanes and back by opening time. That’s what good planning is all about.
Everything went well until the lady with the gang mower was encountered, mowing a verge on a Byway approaching Furneux Pelham in the same direction as we were going. Alan passed by safely but as Simon was passing the lady suddenly did a U-turn without looking behind her and both she and Simon screeched to a halt with the blades still spinning a few centimetres from his legs. The look of shock on both faces was considerable but at least Simon escaped unshaven.
Thereafter, things improved and we settled down into a pleasant ride around familiar lanes until we came across a Road Closed section between Great Hormead and Anstey, a situation which rarely deters Windmillers. Having been encouraged to give it a go by a workman at one end of the section, we soon encountered a large Tarmac lorry, spreaders, rollers and a gang of workmen who made it clear we were not wanted. So there was nothing for it but to follow Sandra and take the stubble field bypass alongside the road, give them a cheery wave, cross a deep ditch and we were soon back en route again.
As we passed through Anstey we gave Keith a shout and a wave and hoped we would be seeing him out with us again some time. The Blind Fiddler is a pub well worth visiting too, and it opens early.
Back at The Bull we were given a warm welcome and Rod and Sandra bought the beers – thanks both! There was some Crafty beer on tap which was excellent. Sadly, Alan and Andrew both missed out as Alan headed back to Great Chishill at Shaftenhoe End and Andrew had to dash off to cook a road-kill pheasant for supper.
This is where we went:
Thanks to Andrew for planning the route on the spur of the moment and for organising us.
Martin
The Windmill Cycle Club 