All week, the talk has all been doom and gloom in the world: The increasingly nationalistic stance of countries; the upsurge in misinformation through social media; the apparent alignment of Trump and Putin against the (mineral rich) Ukraine on the edge of Europe; little sign of reconciliation in Gazza. The world lurching towards apparent crisis …..
Thursday, at least, provided a welcome respite from the doom and gloom for the Windmill club. Their own little bubble that day contained only sunshine, good company, good food, snowdrops and daffodils, talk of puppies and welcome back professor. Crisis? What Crisis?
16 riders congregated at what has become a firm Windmill favourite: The Red Lion at Great Sampford offering Italian style pasta cookery and fine beer. With many white knees on display, two groups of 5 and one group of 6 headed off in a South Easterly direction in the direction of Great Barfield.
Here group three encountered an unexpected traffic jam near the narrow bridge. The combination of numerous of parked cars, a HGV heading one way and a tractor with an enormous trailer in the other plus a few increasingly frustrated car drivers provided a brief source of entertainment. No particular rush for us, enjoying the sunshine.
On our way again and even the oft wet and dilapidated Waltham Cross road was kind to us.
A surprisingly up and down stretch up to Great Yeldham followed. Some slight discord (but only slight) was sensed once it became apparent that it was still a little way to coffee! The coffee and cake stop was well over half way round the route at the newly extended Tarka’s café at Baythorne End. The new extension meant the café was even busier than usual and so we settled ourselves in for a leisurely break.
A relatively short (but hilly) return leg passed without incident and the time lost at the cafe was soon made up for a timely beer (outside in the sunshine) and lunch stop.
There aren’t many venues where the majority of riders opt for a main menu choice rather than a sandwich option but the pasta and risotto dishes here proved irresistible ride recovery fuel to many.
Thanks to Maurice for organising this ride and laying on the perfect riding weather.
Martin, Geoff, Brian, Graham, Rod, Charles,Tom, Simon, Deborah, Victor, Howard, Maurice, Nigel, Andrew, Alan, Roger
Crisis? What Crisis? is the fourth album by the English rock band Supertramp, released in 1975. Personally, I don’t think its anywhere near their strongest work.
The Windmill Cycle Club 