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21 May 2026. Planes, lanes and wood spirits. 31 miles.

All ears for Graham’s safety briefing

Fifteen Windmillers gathered at The Cock in Henham on a nice warm day to hear birthday boy Graham’s safety briefing before a ride to the Blue Egg café and back, in three groups of five – at least that was the plan. He didn’t mention ear defenders whilst we crossed the line of planes approaching Stansted Airport, the main focus once again being on avoiding potholes. Just think of how many potholes could have been filled had successive governments not made such a hash of HS2, now reckoned to cost more than the Artemis mission to the Moon. Cut the crap and get on with the blog I hear you say……

This is not a knobbly knee contest between Andrew and Martin. It’s the team socks they wore in the recent Giro d’Italia. But whose knobbly knees are whose?
Birthday boy Graham and Ric before the start
Simon, Alan and Rod before the start

So three groups of five set off, (or was it one of six, one of five and one of four, I’m not sure?). All I know is that I was in Group 2 and happily stayed there the whole time with Geoff, Paul, Deborah and Ric as companions, and eventually Ken. No, hang on, I think Ric eventually joined up with Group 3… The route took us firstly to Thaxted via some very pleasant lanes and then through to Little Bardfield and Great Bardfield, home of many famous painters, before enjoying good coffee and substantial cakes at the Blue Egg, so substantial that my sausage roll also fed Howard and Andrew. But who got the prize once again for the largest cake and creamiest coffeee of the lot? None other than our dear friend Charles of course!

Charles the calorie man about to tuck in. No wonder he chose a slower group for the return leg.
The famous five – more anon
Simon
and Andrew checking in at the Play Paddock

Well fuelled, three groups of Windmillers set off on the return leg more or less in the order they arrived, passing a wonderful display of wood carvings outside a pretty cottage on the way.

Howard and Andrew making the acquaintance of a wood spirit, to bring them safety and luck on the return leg. In the 15th century in Europe when men went out into the woods to hunt and did not return their relations believed that the evil spirits had taken them. They believed all these evil spirits lived in or beyond the forests. They also believed that the trees had spirits that were wise and the most powerful spirits of them all. So when the men went into the forests to hunt they would knock on the trees to wake the sleeping spirit in order for him to protect them. That is where we get the saying “Knock on Wood” or “Touch Wood”. Anyway, that’s the legend and Howard and Andrew got back safely.

Tootling along in my Group 2 we heard a rush of wind and the famous five of Group 3, plus Ric, whizzed by at quite a speed, clearly keen to get back to the bar first or perhaps the need for Graham to find a cash machine for his imminent bar bill. Group 1 was also overtaken and then I think we overtook Group 1 who had stopped before Dunmow for a breather, so 1-2-3 at the start became 3-2-1 by the end but we all had a great ride.

Ken joined us towards the end, having cycled anti-clockwise to meet us, and soon we were all back in the garden of The Cock enjoying a good lunch and wishing Graham a very happy birthday in the usual Windmill manner, with other diners joining in. Top chap Graham! Thanks for the beers and for organising the ride. This is where we went:

Thanks also to photographers Charles, Simon and Andrew and well done to the several members who rode to the start and back, including Robert, Graham, Alan, Paul and Howard. That’s stamina for you!

Martin W

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