Mystery tour: An organized pleasure trip whose destination is kept secret.
Oxford English Dictionary
With the first Thursday of the year fast approaching, Andrew was keeping us guessing as to whether or not there would be a ride. No doubt recovering from Hogmanay, it was Wednesday before he finally WhatsApped, “I’ll work out our mystery ride later today”, shortly followed by “See you at The Pheasant 10am”, followed by “Make that 09:30” and with a GPX route attached.
It was the GPX that, upon further inspection, caused some consternation as it included Violets Lane, officially the longest ford in England, where the River Ash runs along the roadway for half a mile or so. Not to mention the several off-road sections, some of which didn’t even follow footpaths; and all this after the wettest December on record. It looked more like a route for the Hertfordshire Hunt.
Undeterred, some fifteen Windmillers turned up at The Pheasant on Thursday morning, eager to work off their Christmas excess and curious to know what Andrew had in store.
Assuring us there was a drier alternative to Violets Lane, and that the off-road excursions were mere mapping errors, Andrew led the way out of Great Chishill heading for Anstey and the Pelhams.
There was indeed a lot of water about and at one point we chanced our way along a hundred yards or more of flooded road. Thankfully, no more than pedal deep, we got through ok, though Keith was miffed that his socks got wet.
We had hoped to stop for a coffee at Rickling Green but, alas, the Cricketer’s Arms was closed. The bench on the village green provided an ideal spot for Keith to remove his sodden socks and replace them with dry gloves.
Despite our caffeine deficit we made short work of the return leg to The Pheasant where we were delighted to be joined by Chris for lunch.
For the record, the turnout was: Alan, Andrew, Brian, Charles, Gareth, Geoff, Graham, Howard, Jenni, Jeremy, Keith, Maurice, Paul, Ric and Rod.
Our thanks go to Andrew, we never doubted you really and it was a lovely route. Also to Charles and Graham for the photographs.
Brian
The Windmill Cycle Club 