A fine autumn morning saw Keith leading the Windmillers once more around the route he pioneered several weeks ago, only this time we were doing it t’other way round. Setting off, we’d also noticed Keith sporting new footwear. Gone was the shower caps ‘n trainers combo – a look he had made all his own – here he was resplendent in shiny new gardening clogs. When it comes to combining function with cutting edge style, the man is a visionary.
So it was that we followed Keith through many a quaintly-named Suffolk village – Belchamp St Paul, Belchamp Otten, Belchamp Walter, Puttock End – along quiet lanes, many of which qualified for one of Maurice’s Nice Road Awards having little or no traffic and lots of grass growing down the middle.
It was certainly a hilly route. At the outset Tom’s satnav was forecasting 12 hill climbs totalling some 1500 feet, information some of us really didn’t want or need to know. In pre-satnav days, you never knew what was around the next corner and in many ways you were psychologically better prepared for the hard yards ahead; you just got on with it.
That said, whenever the going got tough, some of the pedallers were glad of the helpful push-alongs from kindly e-bikers. Step up Charles, top chap!
Once again, we pulled in for coffee at Willow Tree Farm Café, just outside Glemsford where, having slogged up seven of the twelve hills we were warmed up enough to sit outside and enjoy the pale autumn sunshine.
Arriving back at the Swan Inn, birthday boy Keith kindly bought us all a beer as we complimented him on his excellent route. Nobody mentioned his eccentric taste in footwear. Happy Birthday, Keith!
For the record, the twelve Windmillers turning out for the ride were: Brian, Charles, Deborah, Geoff, Keith, Maurice, Nigel, Rod, Roger, Tom and Victor. Well done, team!
The Windmill Cycle Club 
