Birthdays come thick and fast in May, particularly Scottish ones. Last week it was Andrew’s and this week it was Alan’s.
Graham organised the ride which started from The Three Horseshoes in Hinxworth near Ashwell and circled Biggleswade in a clockwise direction, stopping for coffee at a cowshed, sorry The Cowshed Café, in Northill, having passed through Ireland en route which we have visited several times in the past. True! If you don’t believe me take a look at the map.
Besides Alan and Graham, the other participants were Simon, Roger, Martin B, Victor, Ric, Deborah, Brian, Paul, Andrew and Martin W – 12 in all making two convenient groups of 6 each.
The weather was not brilliant, a bit chilly but dry which meant huddling in the pub for most people after placing orders for lunch.
But there was mild panic outside when Victor said he had lost his spare set of car keys. He looked everywhere. They were nowhere to be seen but, hey presto, when it was remarked that they always turn up in 99% of cases, he found them in his jacket pocket, with a sigh of relief.
Setting off in a Westerly direction towards Bedfordshire we were reminded what a contrast there is between different parts of the county – some parts extremely busy, urban, even ugly some might say, whilst other parts are quiet and picturesque. We had a spot of the former but as soon as we had cleared Henlow and Clifton we enjoyed quiet lanes whilst cycling through picturesque villages.
Coffee at The Cowshed was brilliant. No wonder that Graham wanted to make a return visit. It can be busy, not surprisingly, but the weather was clearly keeping people away.
The return leg took us via a difficult bridge over the busy A1 and then through the beautiful Riddy Nature Reserve in Sandy, following the River Ivel on a bike path until we passed through the town centre and on towards another bike path through woods near the RSPB site. Then it was around the outskirts of Potton before heading back to Hinxworth via Ashwell due to a road closure.
A significant ‘burn’ initiated by Roger on the final stretch to Hinxworth, clearly desperate for a pint, and accompanied by Victor, Alan and Ric who took up the challenge, resulted in e-bikers Martins B and W trailing way behind in their wake. Rod and Geoff would probably have kept up.
Back at the pub we were treated to a round of drinks by Alan who received a hearty rendering of Happy Birthday in return. Thanks, Alan! And good choice, Graham – great pub.
And this is the Biggleswade circuit:
Thanks go to Graham for organising a great ride and Brian for the fine pic of birthday boy Alan. Roll on those birthdays.
Martin
The Windmill Cycle Club 