Wow, what a route Keith conjoured up for this lovely ride through quiet and beautiful Essex lanes! Starting from The Bell Inn in Castle Hedingham the route took us clockwise through countless pretty villages and included a new coffee stop in the middle of nowhere, Greenstead Green.
And what a treat it was to have Deborah riding with us again after her recent hip operation, with thanks to Jenni for loaning her e-bike.
Castle Hedingham brings back fond memories for me. Stopping there for coffee on my first ever Windmill ride, I padlocked my bike to Vernon’s but forgot to bring the key. 30 minutes later and despite Maurice’s best efforts the owner of the café was able to cut through the cable. ‘Who invited this plonker?’ Vernon was heard to say, and how accurate he was. Somehow or other I was allowed to ride a second time under strict orders not to mess up the ride again.
And so it was an on-time departure on this ride for 15 Windmillers, who set off in 3 groups of 5. Besides Keith and Deborah the others who gathered at The Bell were Maurice, Brian, Andrew, Rod, Martin B, Paul, Simon, Howard, Victor, Ric, Jeremy, Alan and myself. Ken joined us after the coffee stop by cycling in the opposite direction.
Martha’s Tea Room turned out to be the focal point of the local area – a farm yard converted into a myriad of small businesses including Martha’s and even a Post Office, which is more than we have in Ickleton. The coffee and cakes were fine but Maurice and I, having arrived first, were served last not knowing what we had done to upset the staff.
Returning via the outskirts of Braintree and skirting Sible Hedingham we were soon back at The Bell in good time for some excellent beer and lunch.
Many thanks to Keith for organising the ride and to photographers including Keith, Brian and Simon. This is where we went:
Martin W
The Windmill Cycle Club 