Thursday morning was cold. Some indeed, likened the weather to wintry. Not so Simon, our hardy annual, who turned out resolute in Empire shorts. Joining him were a dozen or so more delicate, some might say effete, types kitted out in an assortment of cold weather apparel, not to mention the odd item of ski wear.
Setting off from The Three Horseshoes, Stapleford, Jeremy led the peloton via Haslingfield, Barrington and Melbourn to Shepreth, where we pulled in at Hot Numbers for coffee, cake and the usual lively conversation.
Overhead at Hot Numbers, we think it’s a c.1929 Raleigh 350cc Sports
Back on the bikes, we were pleasantly surprised, nay bemused, by a white van driver slowing down, hailing us with compliments and, in particular, commenting favourably on Tom’s shiny new helmet.
Heading back via Fowlmere and Duxford, Martin suggested pulling in at Whittlesford’s Church of St Mary and St Andrew to see the new stained glass window. Villagers raised the princely sum of £20,000 for this striking artwork depicting scenes from the Covid-19 pandemic and celebrating 1000 years since the church’s founding. It is indeed a magnificent addition to this fine old building. There’s more here as reported by the BBC.
The new window at St Mary and St Andrew’s Church, Whittlesford
Back in Stapleford, we enjoyed a Greek-themed lunch, not to mention a beer or two, at The Three Horseshoes.
For the record, the turnout was: Alan, Andrew, Brian, Charles, Jeremy, Martin, Nigel, Paul, Ric, Simon, Sandra, Tom and Victor.
Our thanks go to Jeremy for organising and leading another splendid outing.
Eeee, when I were a lad, my idea of a Saturday teatime treat was a Frey Bentos steak & kidney pie in front of the telly while my dad, glued to the Grandstand footy results, ticked off the score draws on his pools coupon. As the years went by there came an awareness of other pies and, wonder of wonders, some weren’t even tinned! Who’d have thought, eh?
These days, with a somewhat more sophisticated palate, I know what constitutes a prize winning pie and, to my mind, that accolade goes to Pat at the Pig & Abbot, whose delicious steak & kidney, served up with sumptuous gravy and tangy red cabbage, is the one to beat.
Chris, Andrew, Deb, Jenni and Jeremy
So it was good news to hear that Maurice had planned Thursday’s ride to start and finish at Pat’s pub. Blessed with unseasonably warm weather, he led the way out of Abington Piggots and, via The Mordens and Potton, on to Waresley where we pulled in at the garden centre for light refreshment, mindful not to overdo the cake lest we spoil our appetite for lunch.
Back on the bikes, we made short work of the return leg, via Hadley St George and Shingay, to the Pig & Abbot and the prospect of some fine pie. Sipping our pints, the conversation was lively and wide-ranging, everything from ailments to the rugby world cup, not to mention Jeremy’s unusual spreadsheet obsession.
For the record the turnout was: Andrew, Brian, Chris, Deborah, Jenni, Jeremy, Maurice, Paul, Ric, Rod, Roger and Simon – and back at the pub we were delighted to see Howard, Ken and Ann join us for lunch.
30 miles clockwise from Abington Pigotts
Our thanks go to Maurice and Andrew for planning another excellent outing – and to Pat for the stonkingly good pies.
Being a fairly senior bunch, many’s the Windmiller toting a longish medical record. Some indeed have more than a passing acquaintance with hospital wards, having had worn out parts replaced or unwanted parts removed. It is to this elite group of scarred and stitched Windmillers that we now admit Simon.
Just weeks on from having surgeons rifling through his innards, Simon was back in the peloton looking chipper and regaling us with the gory details. Guts, lots of ’em, plus a stout constitution had seen him through a challenging time – and here he was back in the peloton as it set off from West Wratting bound for Lidgate.
So it was that Alan, Brian, Charles, Gareth, Geoff, Ken, Martin B, Martin W, Maurice, Ric, Rod, Roger, Simon, Tom and Victor – some 15 Windmillers in all – rolled up 12 miles later in the bar of The Star in Lidgate. Mid-morning being a little early for ale, we tucked into coffee and some excellent cake the chef had made specially for us.
Feeling the heat, Ken . . .. . . and Victor
Back on the bikes, Maurice’s scenic route returned us – via Moulton, Cheveley and Dullingham – to West Wratting where we slaked our, by then considerable, thirst at The Chestnut Tree. Considering it was September, it had been a hot and humid ride, touching 30°C towards the end, but there were no complaints as we supped our beer and tucked into a hearty lunch in the garden. As ever, the conversation was wide ranging; everything from re-inforced, autoclaved, aerated concrete to Martin mooting a French trip next year.
Thanks go to Maurice for planning a superb route and getting everyone organised. And Simon, welcome back!
Thursday saw Jeremy leading some eighteen Windmillers out of Duxford headed for Cambridge. Along the way some of us popped in to look at Jesus Green Lido which only the previous day had celebrated its centenary. Alongside the River Cam in central Cambridge and open all year round, the unheated (brrr!) pool is 100-yard long and, together with Tooting Bec Lido in London, it shares the accolade of being the longest pool in the UK. Regulars pride themselves on year round, daily dips, many donning wetsuits in winter.
Cambridge Lido . . .
. . . celebrates its centenary, with a little help from Hazel
From there we pedalled off along the Cam towpath pulling in some five miles further up river for refreshment at Grounds Café in Milton Country Park.
Returning through Cambridge, weaving through the tourists thronging Trinity Street and the colleges, we headed back via Grantchester, Hauxton and Whittlesford to Duxford and a well earned lunch at Café 19.
We had a bumper turnout: Alan, Brian, Charles, Hazel, Geoff, Howard, Iain, Jenni, Jeremy, Ken, MartinB, MartinW, Paul, Ric, Rod, Roger, Sandra and Victor – and we were delighted to see Maurice joining us for lunch.
Our thanks go to Jeremy for organising another excellent outing.
It was Graham’s turn to lead the outing and, given the large turnout of 15 riders, he very reasonably asked that we form two equal-sized groups. How hard can that be? A seemingly impossible task for Windmillers, we ended up with one group of five and another of ten. Nice try, Graham.
Ken, Ric, Gareth, Howard and Roger
Setting off from The Three Horseshoes at Hinxworth, Graham led us over the border into Bedfordshire for a 30-odd mile loop around Biggleswade. Fine weather, beautiful countryside and quiet roads made for a very enjoyable outing, the only hairy bit being the hundred yard stretch along the pavement bordering the busy A1 at Sandy.
Alan leads MartinB, Maurice and Rod up and over the A1
Mid-way we pulled in at The Cowshed Café in Northill for coffee and cake. Our first visit and certainly not our last, it’s a lovely place that works really hard to attract passing cyclists.
Gareth, Charles, Deb and Roger tucking into sticky bunsMaurice, MartinB and RodRic, Andrew, Graham, Howard Keith and Ken
For the record the turnout was: Alan, Andrew, Brian, Charles, Deborah, Gareth, Graham, Howard, Ken, Keith, MartinB, Maurice, Ric, Rod and Roger.
Rod visits Ireland, a little-known hamlet in Bedfordshire
Our thanks go to Graham for planning and leading an excellent outing.
Boasting an abundance of grandfathers, the club has hitherto suffered a shortfall in grandmothers. But that all changed on Thursday when Deb announced she had become the proud grandma of Fraser, the latest addition to the Goodman clan. Congratulations, Deb.
Ready for the off, proud Grannie Deb to the fore
There was good news too from Simon who is out of hospital and on the mend following his successful surgery in London. We look forward to seeing him again soon.
So it was in high spirits that the Windmillers set out from The Chestnut Tree, West Wratting, on a 30-mile jaunt to the The Star at Lidgate and back. A pub-to-pub-to-pub outing; what larks!
Maurice led the way, followed by Alan, Andrew, Brian, Charles, Deb, Graham, Howard, Iain, Jenni, Jeremy, Ken, MartinB, Victor and Rod; fifteen Windmillers in all.
Doing our bit to support the 500 year-old bridge at Moulton
We were very impressed with The Star, Maurice having arranged for the landlady to open up specially for us. Not only was the coffee good but she laid on sausage rolls and cake too. We really should plan a ride from there soon and try the place for lunch.
Andrew full of praise for the excellent cake at The StarToo early for a pint?, ponders Jenni
Thanks go to Maurice for planning the route, Andrew for getting everyone organised and Charles for the many photographs.
Many’s the time we have cycled across Trumpington Meadows oblivious to the dinosaur dung. Yes, really. Coprolite is the fossilised faeces of animals that lived millions of years ago and it was mined here in Cambridgeshire for use as fertiliser right up to the First World War. Admittedly, the Trumpington deposits are now thought to comprise mostly other organic material, but there’s plenty of real dinosaur poo elsewhere in the county.
Trumpington Meadows’ coprolite mine in 1914 . . .. . . and how it looks nowPlenty more fossils to be seen on Trumpington Meadows
But enough of pre-history, how about something more recent, like Madingley Hall, the picturesque 16th century pile where we pulled up for coffee on Thursday’s ride.
Idling away the time at Madingley Hall
It’s a lovely place but, boy, is the service slow. We must have spent an hour there, though that did include a brief foray into the magnificent walled garden where Gareth took this splendid picture.
Gareth’s botanical study
Back at Café 19 in Duxford, Ric, top chap, announced it was his birthday and bought us all a beer. We didn’t ask his age but there’s a clue in that 1970s hairstyle.
Lunch at Duxford’s Café 19Happy birthday, Ric
For the record our peloton comprised: Alan, Andrew, Brian, Gareth, Geoff, Howard, Iain, Jenni, Jeremy, MartinB, Paul, Ric. Rod, Roger and Simon; Victor joining us for lunch.
Thanks again to Ric; that was a big round!
Thanks, also, to Jeremy for planning and leading another splendid outing.
Jeremy’s route; a 33 mile circuit clockwise from Duxford
Brian
PS: If fossilised poo is your thing you’ll love this, but maybe not before dinner.
Café 19, so named after the no. 19 Spitfire Squadron* based at Duxford during the war, was once again the starting point for Thursday’s ride. This time however, not only were we booked in for lunch afterwards, but Martin had also hired a meeting room and arranged a talk on local geography and history; more of which later.
Roger, Ric, Alan, MartinB and Charles at Cherry Hinton Hall
Jeremy’s plan had been for a largely off-road jaunt but, given the overnight rain, he wisely opted for a mud-free, tarmacked circuit instead. So it was that twelve** Windmillers set out from Duxford heading for Hinxton and thence Ickleton, Fowlmere, Shelford, Cherry Hinton and Fulbourn.
Cresting the Gog Magog Hills south of Cambridge
Pulling in for refreshments at Stapleford Granary, we were warmly welcomed and treated to free coffee; this as recompense for our last visit a month ago when it took nearly an hour for everyone to get served. Andrew’s subsequent complaint to the management seemed to work wonders. It probably helped that Lindsey, his better half, has a business elsewhere on the premises.
Coffee on the terrace at Stapleford Granary
Sipping coffee and munching cake on the terrace, we reminisced about our first visit five years ago which was notable for Andrew touring the arts centre and concert hall – and playing some thundering chords on the Steinway grand. This got the management’s attention (Lindsey again) and he was firmly asked to vacate the piano stool and shoo.
Refreshed, our 12-strong** peloton set off on the return leg via Great Shelford and Whittlesford, back to Duxford where we were delighted to be joined by Maurice, Ken and Victor – the latter having taken an unfortunate tumble from his bike and needing a little attention to his abrasions. Glad to say, nothing was broken.
A 33 mile figure of eight route from Duxford
After an excellent lunch, we listened to a very interesting presentation given by Ken McDonald, Secretary of the Hundred Parishes Society. The society celebrates and promotes our home patch, a region of some 450 square miles ranging across northwest Essex, northeast Hertfordshire and southern Cambridgeshire. Largely unspoilt and richly endowed with some of England’s finest villages and rural heritage, few people, indeed not that many of its inhabitants, know much about the area, maybe because it has never been accorded a name – until now. Coined by the Society, the new name reflects the fact that the area comprises some one hundred administrative parishes.
Ken, assisted by his Janice, his wife, gave an excellent talk, all the more enjoyable as it referenced many of the places we visit on Windmill Club outings.
Our thanks go to Jeremy for planning and leading the ride, Martin for arranging the talk and, of course, Ken and Janice McDonald for a very enlightening and enjoyable presentation.
Brian
*No. 19 Squadron was stationed at RAF Duxford from September 1939.Notable among its pilots was Douglas Bader who was posted to the squadron in February 1940. Later that year the squadron provided air cover over the Dunkirk beaches and subsequently fought in the Battle of Britain.
**The twelve Windmillers were: Alan, Andrew, Brian, Charles, Deborah, Howard, Jeremy, MartinB, Nigel, Ric, Rod and Roger.
A fine Thursday morning saw Maurice lead a gang of fourteen Windmillers out of Braughing, heading for the Silver Leys Polo Club, some 17 miles distant. Nigh on two years since our last visit to the club, we were warmly welcomed despite past misdemeanours, notably Charles’ odd sock shocker and Simon spooking the horses.
Glad to say, this time around Charles was impeccably attired, Simon restrained his animal spirits and we had a jolly time enjoying good coffee and some particularly delicious cake.
Simon, our semi-aquatic WindmillerAlan sensibly takes the bridge . . .. . . as does Roger
We took the return leg, some 13 miles via Much Hadham, Barwick and Puckeridge, at a fair old clip, arriving back at The Golden Fleece in good time for lunch. And Alan, this week’s birthday boy, generously bought us all a beer. Many happy returns, Alan!
Hazel at Hazel End
For the record, the peloton comprised Maurice, Keith, Howard, Graham, Victor, Iain, Simon, Hazel, MartinB, Alan, Roger, Jeremy, Ric and Brian.
28 miles clockwise from Braughing
Thanks go to Maurice for organising the ride and arranging the polo club visit.
Windmillers are very familiar with the north west corner of Essex. Some, indeed, call it home, and hardly a month goes by without the peloton visiting Saffron Walden, Thaxted or Finchingfield. So it’s always good to get out and explore the further reaches of the county, in particular, its many inlets and estuaries, courtesy of Martin, who swears he’s from Sussex but who seems to have native knowledge of these parts.
So, looking forward to a long overdue and, hopefully hospital-free, return visit, eleven Windmillers gathered at The Square and Compasses in the tiny hamlet of Fuller Street ready for Martin to lead us coastwards. The route took us along quiet roads hedged with early summer flowers and, it seemed in no time, we were pulling in at Heybridge Basin where we sat on the terrace of the Lock Tearoom overlooking the Blackwater Estuary. What a delightful spot.
Dockside at Heybridge Basin
The return leg commenced with a two mile ride along the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Canal to Maldon and along its bustling High Street.
Not far from our destination we paused to admire the beautiful village of Terling, once famous for its International Trifle Festival, though that, alas, seems to have lapsed in recent years.
Saints and sinners at All Saints, Terling
Back at the pub we cooled off with some excellent beer and enjoyed a very convivial lunch.
Brian and . . .. . . Andrew tucking into their doorstep sandwichesCheers!
For the record the peloton comprised: Andrew, Brian, Graham, Iain, Jeremy, MartinB, MartinW, Paul, Rach, Rod and Simon – and our thanks go to Martin for organising such a splendid trip.
It isn’t often that we lunch in a café rather than a pub. Indeed, it is almost a year to the day since our outing to Ely when we last ordered lunch from a barista rather than a barman.
So quite understandably, there was some consternation in the peloton when Jeremy announced we would be lunching at Duxford’s Café 19. Would they tolerate our alehouse manners? Might Simon’s eccentric tearoom etiquette raise eyebrows? And, let’s not beat around the bush here, did they serve beer?
We needn’t have worried, not only did Café 19 serve up an excellent lunch, but they made us feel most welcome and we were warmly invited to return. What’s more, there was a decent selection of bottled beers on offer – and Simon was on his best behaviour.
Thanks to Jeremy we had enjoyed an excellent outing, riding once more through the Abington Land Settlements, climbing the stiff hill up to Balsham – where we stopped for coffee at The Old Butchers – before heading back down the hill towards Sawston and returning to Duxford.
Coffee at Balsham’s Old Butchers
Jeremy lost us only once – which puts him on a par with Maurice – but otherwise managed to get us all back safely and on time. Top chap!
Completing the 30 mile circuit were: Andrew, Brian, Chris, Deborah, Geoff, Graham, Jenni, Jeremy, Ken, Ric, Rod, Roger, Simon and Victor.
Graham, Victor and Roger cresting the hill at LintonSimon . . .. . . and Geoff at Linton water tower . . .. . . closely followed by Ken and Andrew, feeling the burnJeremy’s wiggly route, some 30 miles in all, taking in Duxford, Whittlesford, Sawston, Pampisford, Linton, Balsham, Great Abington, Babraham, Sawston and Shelford
Nine Windmillers – Simon, Roger, Rod, Maurice, Graham, Geoff, Charles, Brian and new recruit, Abi – set off from West Wratting on a 31 mile outing, stopping for coffee at Café 33 just outside HMP Highpoint.
Maurice, Geoff and Simon on parole . . . . . . while Abi, Graham and Roger do time inside
Along the way we had a soaking – three soakings to be precise – so it was good to be back in The Chestnut Tree where we dried out over a well-earned beer.
Abi and Simon . . . . . . do a rain danceMorning coffee at The Chestnut Tree31 miles clockwise from West Wratting
Thanks go to Maurice for planning the route – one of my personal favourites. Also to Charles for his excellent photographs.
It seems every other alehouse we frequent is at the top of a bloody great hill, so The Crown at Hartest gets my vote for best pub, if only because it’s at the bottom of a steep hill; which is blissful indeed at the end of a 30 mile ride. The hospitality is pretty good too.
The Hartest Stone
Deep in the Suffolk countryside, the villagers of Hartest claim there is no other town in the world of the same name. Their other claim to fame is the Hartest Stone a large boulder on the edge of the green, thought to have been placed on that spot in the early 18th century. Locals say the boulder turns over at the stroke of midnight and that sitting on it as the clock strikes twelve may bring you a wife or good fortune. I know which I’d prefer.
Jeremy, Andrew and Deb demonstrate some one-handed cycling
So it was that eleven Windmillers set out from The Crown in pursuit of Maurice who led us around some of the prettiest parts of Suffolk, taking in Glemsford, Brent Eleigh and Lavenham.
It was at Brent Eleigh that we made a long overdue return visit to Café Como for some excellent coffee and cake. It was here that Andrew went into recruitment mode and persuaded one of the patrons – Abi – to join us on a future ride. We look forward to seeing her in the near future.
Outside Café Como, Roger looking very relaxed on his birthday, while Simon, Graham, MartinB and Alan look on
Cresting Hartest Hill, we freewheeled back down to The Crown where Roger, top chap, bought us all beer. Happy Birthday, Roger.
Brent Eleigh
For the record, the turnout was: Alan, Andrew, Brian, Charles, Deb, Graham, Jeremy, MartinB, Maurice, Roger and Simon. No punctures, nobody fell off, and we didn’t get wet. Hurrah!
32 miles anticlockwise from Hartest
Thanks Maurice; excellent route. Thanks, Andrew, for getting us all organised. And thanks, Roger, for the beer.
Ready for the off; Windmillers brightening up a dull morning in Stapleford
We’ve had our fair share of tumbles over the years, and of varying degrees of severity ranging from the mildest (witness: The Alan & Roger Tango and The Simon Roll) to the more serious Full Hazel, which required a visit to A&E. And to my knowledge, there’s only one Windmiller who ever broke bone, our dear departed friend, John Tarrington, though I hasten to say his final departure had nothing to do with his tumble.
So it came as a relief when Chris and Brian were seen to pick themselves up having quite independently come to grief on the same patch of spilt diesel, just 50 yards short of our lunch venue, The Three Horseshoes in Stapleford. Happily, both riders, despite some bruises and torn cyclewear, responded well to treatment, ie a pint in the pub.
Madingley Hall
Tumbles aside, it was a good outing; Brian leading the way around a 30 mile circuit via Cambridge to Madingley Hall and back. This was our first visit to the 16th century Hall, though not a propitious one, as we gave up waiting for coffee and cake, pressing on instead to Coton Orchard Garden Centre for some 21st century service.
In all, thirteen Windmillers – Alan, Andrew, Brian, Charles, Chris, Deborah, Iain, Jenni, Martin B, Ric, Rod, Sandra and Victor – completed the ride and eleven of ’em didn’t fall off. And finally, we were delighted to see Maurice joining us for lunch.
Brian
Great socks, CharlesA baker’s dozen of Windmillers, if you include Brian behind the cameraRod on a mission30 miles anticlockwise: Stapleford, Cambridge, Oakington, Bar Hill, Dry Drayton, Madingley, Coton, Grantchester, Trumpington Meadows, Hauxton, Shelford, Stapleford
Thursday morning saw another good turnout; sixteen Windmillers gathering at the Fox & Duck, Therfield, all well-wrapped against the cold – apart from Victor, who was in shorts. Crikey, Victor, it’s 3°C!
Maurice and his posse
Rod’s route took us south from Therfield, with an early coffee stop just nine miles in at Ardeley – or at least that was the plan. Half of us did indeed stop there – but were bemused to see the other half sail by, seemingly oblivious to the prominent sign, ‘Farm Café & Coffee Shop’. You can only lead a horse to water,eh?
Graham, as captured by Charles’ rear facing camera
They did eventually find a café, though it was 10 miles further, on Buntingford High Street.
Buntingford High Street – and a late coffee for some
Back at the pub, we were delighted to hear it was Martin B’s birthday – and he duly bought us all a beer. Happy Birthday, Martin!
For the record, the turnout was – Alan, Andrew, Brian, Charles, Deborah, Geoff, Graham, Iain, Ken, Martin B, Maurice, Nigel, Rod, Roger, Sandra and Victor – and we clocked up 26 miles
Gathering in the car park on Thursday morning, there was an outbreak of jollity upon hearing that Martin – sadly in absentia – would be buying the beers at lunchtime. Top chap!
So it was that eleven Windmillers, led by Jeremy, set off from The Three Horseshoes in Stapleford heading for Wimpole. Along the way we pulled in at Barrington where we were joined by Alan.
Pausing for a breather in Barrington
The highlight of the ride was the 5 mile off-road trail around the Wimpole estate, taking in fine views of the 17th-century mansion, Gothic folly and Capability Brown landscape. The National Trust café was pretty good too and seemingly full of runners and other cyclists enjoying coffee and cake.
Cresting the hill at Wimpole
Back on the bikes we made short work of the return leg to the Three Horseshoes, where we promptly opened a tab in Martin’s name. Mid way through lunch we were surprised and delighted when the man himself joined us via a video call. There he was lunching with his family and raising a glass to us while we gave him a stirring rendition of Happy Birthday.
Victor and Andrew, all smiles
For the record, the turnout was: Alan, Andrew, Brian, Geoff, Graham, Hazel, Jeremy, Ric, Rod, Roger, Sandra and Victor – and we clocked up 30 miles.
Happy Birthday, old timer. Looking forward to you joining us again soon30 miles anticlockwise: Stapleford, Shelford, Newton, Fowlmere, Shepreth, Orwell, Wimpole, Orwell, Barrington, Haslingfield, Harston, Shelford, Stapleford
Thursday’s glorious blue skies were deceptive. With temperatures hovering around zero, we abandoned plans for a 30 miler, opting instead to meet up at Maurice’s mid-morning for a shorter ride of just 19 miles.
Feeling the cold – but ready for the off at Maurice’s
So it was that Alan, Andrew, Brian, Charles, Chris, Jeremy, Ken, Rod, Roger, Sandra and Victor set out from Heath Farm, heading uphill to Barley and on to the Langleys.
Cresting the hill at Little Chishill
Around the half way mark we pulled in at Poppy’s Barn and met up with Hazel, Graham and Ken for coffee and mince pies all round, except for Jeremy who had to feed his porridge addiction.
Charles’ cup runneth overPre-Christmas treats at Poppy’sCharles’ pics may be wonky, but they capture the moment
Back on the bikes, we rode the return leg via Meesden and Nuthampstead, returning to Maurice’s for mulled wine and yet more mince pies. And it was good to catch up with Geoff and Martin there too.
19 miles clockwise from Maurice’s
Thanks to Maurice and Lyn for their very generous hospitality; after such a cold ride, the mulled wine and mince pies went down a treat.
Thanks also to Andrew, Charles and Graham for the many photographs.
There’s really not much to report. 13 Windmillers cycled 31 miles – though Graham, as ever, did a lot more. Nobody fell off – and it wasn’t anybody’s birthday so, sadly, we all had to buy our own beer.
Gathering at The Cock Inn, HenhamCoffee at Finchingfield
The only drama, albeit a mild one, was Roger’s puncture – but even that coincided with pulling in for a coffee break at Finchingfield, so no time was lost.
Hurry up, Roger, our coffee’s going cold
For the record, the turnout was: Alan, Andrew, Brian, Charles, Geoff, Graham, Howard, Iain, Ken, Rach, Roger, Sandra, Simon.
Thanks go to Andrew for getting everyone organised, and to Charles for the many photographs; there’s lots more here in the club album.
Graham’s plan to meet everyone over coffee in The Chestnut Tree took a knock when he sustained a puncture just outside West Wratting. So instead of warming himself with a hot drink in the pub, he was seen wrestling with tyre levers out in the garden.
How many Windmillers does it take to mend a puncture?
Pesky puncture repaired, we set off towards Dullingham and Newmarket, thirteen Windmillers looking forward to Graham’s new route and enjoying our first dry ride in a month.
Victor, feeling particularly welcome in Newmarket
It was in Newmarket that Graham introduced us to a new (to us) café in the town centre, albeit one hidden away up a side street, called Victor Victoria. The coffee, cake and, according to Jeremy, the porridge too, were all top notch. We must make a return visit soon.
Newmarket, by Bill Tutte’s memorial
Before resuming our ride, we paused to look at the Memorial to Bill Tutte, 1917 – 2002. A Newmarket man, Tutte is commemorated for cracking the code used to communicate with the German navy during WW2.
Back on the bikes, we headed for Moulton and thence Cheveley, Saxon Street and Kirtling – where we encountered the surprise of the day, a pair of emus peering at us through a wire fence.
Suffolk is full of surprises; a pair of emus photographed near Kirtling
Returning to the The Chestnut Tree having clocked up 32 miles and looking forward to a well deserved beer, we were warmly received by Landlords Peter and Rachel – and delighted to be joined by Maurice, Martin and Ken for lunch.
Victor leading the way, snapped by Charles
For the record our peloton comprised: Alan, Brian, Charles, Chris, Geoff, Graham, Hazel, Jeremy, Rod, Roger, Sandra, Simon and Victor
Thanks go to Graham for organising things, devising an excellent route and finding a really good venue for future coffee stops.
32 miles clockwise from West Wratting
Earlier in the week we were saddened to hear of the sudden death of Mick Thompson who, alongside his wife Pat, ran the Pig & Abbot, one of our favourite lunch spots. Our thoughts are with Pat at this difficult time.
On behalf of the Windmillers, Maurice will be making a donation to Cancer Research UK, Pat’s chosen charity.
Into each life some rain must fall, so goes the song. But we’ve had more than our fair share of the stuff this past month and it’s becoming difficult to write a blog without tedious repetition of ‘stair rods’, ‘cats & dogs’, ‘drowned rats’, etc.
El Cafecito, Fowlmere
Yet here we were again; another wet Thursday and a tricky go / no go decision for Simon, this week’s ride leader. On the one hand he wanted to avoid getting everyone soaked and – it goes without saying – to keep us all safe. On the other hand he’d booked 18 people in for lunch at The Chequers. It was quite a dilemma.
Being a ballsy sort of guy, Simon confirmed he would be waiting patiently at the start – where he was delighted to be joined by a foolhardy foursome, namely Sandra, Graham, Jeremy and Brian.
Wet at Wimpole
Rather than meet in a rain-lashed pub car park, we got together a little further down the road at the excellent El Cafecito – where Graham was already enjoying a hearty breakfast – before steeling ourselves for the ride.
Of course, once we got going there developed a sort of all-in-this together camaderie – resilience in adversity and all that – and before we knew it, sixteen miles had gone and we were pulling in at National Trust Wimpole for coffee.
Refreshed (and quietly leaving behind us five sodden NT chairs), we took to the bikes once more for the return leg. It was only 11 miles but the rain was heavier and the puddles bigger. Indeed, Jeremy endured a complete soaking when a passing truck sent a tidal wave of water his way.
So it was with much relief that we tumbled back into the warm embrace of The Chequers where we were greeted with a cheer by our drier, more sensible friends. Sitting down with Andrew, Chris, Howard, Maurice, Rod and Roger, we enjoyed a well deserved lunch.
Lunch at The Chequers, Fowlmere
Our thanks go to Simon for instilling in us his gung-ho spirit of adventure.
27 miles clockwise from Fowlmere
The very next day, many of us were back at The Chequers raising a glass to our dear friend, Lawrence, having earlier attended his funeral at St Mary Magdelene’s Church, Ickleton. The service was memorable both for Windmiller Ken Worthing’s excellent eulogy and for the wonderful voices of the Cambridge University Musical Society Choir.
Very fittingly Maurice donated £1000 of our charity collection to the Arthur Rank Hospice where Lawrence spent his final weeks.
