The warm weather of late has produced a record showing of knobbly Windmiller knees very early in the year. The photo above of Tom (hiding his from view), Simon, Alan, Andrew, Paul, Nigel and yours truly was just for starters at The Fox & Duck in Therfield as others joined the ride at various points on the route, also displaying an assortment of knobblies some of which might be better hidden from view.
Rod planned the ride to acknowledge that Ivan Titmuss, the landlord of The Fox & Duck, was moving on and this would represent a farewell from The Windmill Club. Ivan and his staff have looked after us very well over many years and we hope that the future management will be equally good.
Setting off in sunny but initially chilly weather, with non-knobbly Deborah, Maurice and Graham also in the group, the route took us via Reed and Barkway before picking up Gareth in Shaftenhoe End, the first of several of those who joined en route. Howard was next in Great Chishill and then several were met at the half way stage at Compass Courtyard – Ken, Brian and Victor.
The Mixing Shed Café at Compass Courtyard is fast becoming a very popular half way stop for coffee – excellent coffee, cakes and good service. What more could hungry and thirsty Windmillers desire? It’s also home to a fantastic bakery making an assortment of sour dough loaves. And if you haven’t tried their hot cross buns go there and fill your panniers; they are simply the best ever. (In case you’re wondering yours truly is not an influencer in receipt of free buns in return for plugging them.)
The return leg took us throughArkesden, Clavering, Meesden, Ansty and Barkway before crossing the A10 once again and heading back to Therfield.
Ivan was not behind the bar of The Fox & Duck but we asked the staff to wish him well. As usual an excellent and filling lunch was enjoyed by all.
Thanks to Rod for planning and organising the route. This is where we went:
Martin
The Windmill Cycle Club 