Clare Castle was first built in the 11th century by Richard FitzGilbert, who was estimated to have been the sixth wealthiest non-royal layman in England at the time of Domesday Book. The Castle flourished for three centuries until the death of Elizabeth de Clare in 1360. The picture below shows the Windmill club posing in front of the castle before departing for their ride.
Unusually for us, there were many photographic contributions in and around the ride this week so this blog is picture heavy and trivia light (yay !). As you can see, dusty straw colour dominated in the dry landscape, but at least the riders were adding a splash of colour.
The ride was one of Keith’s excellent Suffolk outings starting at the Swan, Clare with coffee (and marshmallows) at Willow Tree Farm café near Glemsford. Fourteen riders set off (with Ken joining late on for lunch) for a largely incident free cruise through the countryside, past pretty villages and many fine historical manors and farms.
The first part of the ride was mostly flat and down wind, through the Belchamps and past the gliding club to our halfway stop at Willow Tree Farm and its menagerie of unusual pets.
The second part of the ride was a hillier and breezier affair looping up past Hawkedon, Stansfield and Denston before finally arriving back in Clare for lunch.
Lunch at the Swan follows a cheap and cheerful formula with great value sandwiches and chips in a basket meals. Today there was no temptation to eat indoors with riders squeezed onto two tables in whatever shade we could muster.
Thanks to Keith for a most enjoyable ride and thanks to the numerous photographers.
Riders: Martin B (welcome back !), Keith, Victor, Maurice, Andrew, Paul, Alan, Rob, Rod, Charles, Graham, Simon, Howard, Brian, Ken for lunch.