A large troop of 17 Windmillers descended on The Weeping Willow in Barrow, Suffolk for coffee before their ride to the Anglo-Saxon village of West Stow, near Bury St Edmunds. It was a ride steeped in history, legends and an incident or two.
Setting off in 2 groups comprising Graham (our leader), Jenni, Howard, Ric, Charles, Keith, Andrew, Geoff, Simon, Martin B, Martin W, Paul, Jeremy, Ken, Maurice, Brian and Victor, the attractive route took us through quiet lanes and woodlands on a pleasant Spring day with blossom and leaves busting out all over. This is where we went:
Coffee was had in the café of the Anglo-Saxon village, built in the 5th century AD but there is evidence of previous occupants going back as far as the middle stone age which began around 8,000 BC. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Stow_Anglo-Saxon_Village
Paul reports: Jeremy felt that the first group would appreciate a more scenic route post coffee through the Anglo Saxon village grounds. His careful pre-ride research (using Google Earth at the cafe) suggested all would be fine. The undulating terrain and various gates were navigated with relative ease (including a bonus glimpse of the actual village). The rather rubbly (is this a word?) path towards the end meant Paul’s new gravel bike was in its element but was perhaps less appreciated by the more delicate road bikes – but any moaning was well suppressed. Paul [sent from a poolside in Marathon, Florida Keys ☀] (Alright for some! Ed.)
The return leg took us through more of the Breckland countryside strewn with yellow gorse bushes, created thousands of years ago for agricultural purposes but discarded because of the dry sandy soil and little has changed since. The vast expanses of pine forests to the north were only introduced in the 19th and 20th centuries.
A loud bang whilst riding next to Brian on the Icknield Way resulted in another puncture, poor chap, but such is his experience and his club record of 4 minutes the rear wheel was soon ripped off, the source located and a new tube fitted in next to no time.
Passing around Kentford, Group 2 stopped to take a look at the massive mountain bike course at Phoenix Bike Park, a great destination for MB enthusiasts. There are rides and jumps for all abilities.
Back at the pub an excellent lunch was enjoyed by all:
Thanks go to Graham for organising a superb route and the pub, and to photographers including Charles, Simon, Howard and Brian. But this is a pic that Ken won’t be too keen on remembering!
Martin W
The Windmill Cycle Club 