Rain? What rain?

Early summer rides can see a goodly turnout of Windmillers and, should favourable weather coincide with someone’s birthday, the additional prospect of free beer can mean a bumper turnout.

This particular Thursday, however, saw many a Windmiller deterred by the bleak weather forecast and, despite news of this being Neil’s birthday, a low turnout was in prospect (good news for Neil as it made for a more affordable bar bill).

So it was that just eight riders departed the Three Horseshoes in Hinxworth sensibly clad in wet weather gear. We were to follow a route of Graham’s devising, a 31 mile loop around the lanes where the Bedfordshire / Cambridgeshire / Hertfordshire borders meet.

Pulling up for the obligatory photograph near Cockayne Hatley, it occured to Martin that we had passed the village church many times and yet never taken a peep inside. With the prospect of an imminent downpour this seemed an excellent idea. Alas, the church was locked, albeit with an informative note tacked to the door teasing would-be visitors with a list of the treasures inside; the references to Long John Silver and Peter Pan’s Wendy were particularly intriguing. We resolved to go back sometime for a proper tour.

Pausing only for another photograph beside St John’s, we got back on the bikes and headed for Potton, Gamlingay and Waresley. Thankfully, the downpour did not materialise and, apart from the occasional light shower, we stayed dry all the way to the refreshment stop at the excellent Bean Theory coffee shop. Sure enough, once inside, the heavens opened.

Refreshed and back on the bikes we set off on the return leg, thankful that the worst of the rain had passed while we were enjoying our coffee and cake. Mid-way home, Graham advised against braving the ford at Sutton, though the 13th century packhorse bridge, allegedly Bedfordshire’s oldest footbridge, provided pause for a photo opportunity.

Delighted – and not a little surprised – we arrived back at the Three Horseshoes bone dry having encountered very little in the way of rain and, peeling off our superfluous waterproofs, we enjoyed a beer, courtesy of birthday boy, Neil, in the garden before sitting down to lunch in the pub.

Thanks go to Graham for organising things, Martin for the many photographs, and Neil, top chap, for the beers.

For the record, the turnout was: Alan, Brian, Graham, Martin, Neil, Ric, Rod and Simon (plus Ken who joined us after the coffee break).