Author: Brian Connellan

Thursday again and the week-long heatwave was finally breaking. Thunderstorms threatened and were heard distantly from The Pheasant car park. Oo-er!

Seven Windmillers – Andrew, Maurice, Chris, Ken, Lawrence, Sandra and Brian – were gathered at Great Chishill for a 35 mile tour of North Herts.

Maurice led us out through Therfield, Sandon and Rushden to Cromer where we stopped to admire Hertfordshire’s sole surviving mill, much restored since our last visit. Then it was on to Ardeley and a welcome coffee stop at Church Farm.

Refreshed and back in the saddle once more, we made short work of the return leg via Nasty, Buntingford and Anstey before labouring up the those three damned hills to The Pheasant; it’s a good job we are so fond of the place! And, apart from a light shower early on, we had managed to stay dry all the way.

Halfway through a blissful beer, however, we realised that Maurice and Andrew were missing. Much rumblings of “Where the hell are they?” and “We just want our bloomin’ lunch”. Mobile phone calls went unanswered and there was consternation all round that two of our most senior members had gone astray. Their wives would give us hell!

Thankfully, the missing pair eventually showed up, somewhat sheepishly, and not before Sandra and Brian had gone out in the Shedmobile to search for them. Their excuse was they’d stopped at Nuthampstead to enquire after John Tarrington, whereupon Bridget opened a bottle of wine . . . and you just can’t rush a good aperitif.

Lunch may have been delayed – but was no less enjoyable – and it capped a great morning’s ride. Our thanks go to Maurice and Andrew for organising everything. And this week’s prize for the smallest carbon footprint goes to Ken who’d cycled from Ickleton.

Brian

Exactly why the Windmillers were doing the hokey cokey outside Andrew’s front door escapes me; maybe we were showing we had the legs for the 44 miles on hot roads that lay ahead.

We had gathered at Andrew’s house in Wendens Ambo: Ken having pedalled from Ickleton and Brian from Shelford, plus Maurice, Rod, Sandra, Vernon and, of course, Andrew himself.

Maurice had planned a route – via Steeple Bumpstead, Long Melford and Lavenham – to Stowmarket. We set off heading for Saffron Walden and were soon on our way into deepest Suffolk. Stopping in Clare for refreshment we discovered a new – and very good – café in the disused railway station. They do homemade cakes and very good coffee in the delightfully restored Victorian building; it’s a little gem of a place and definitely worth supporting. We shall return.

Refreshed and back on the bikes once more we headed for our next stop, lunch at Lavenham where, an hour or so later we pulled into the garden of The Swan, hot, hungry and thirsty. Most of us devoured platefuls of sandwiches and swilled pints of Adnams, while Maurice – with his more refined palate – sampled the panéed cod cheeks, which looked like a few fishy morsels served with a teaspoon of rice. Lean pickings indeed, though Ken thoughtfully shared a sandwich with him.

Then it was back in the saddle for the final leg to Stowmarket and the train home. As ever, our bikes proved a challenge for the guard who made us re-distribute ourselves and our machines in a way more to his liking. We finally settled down for the ride to Cambridge where, tumbling out on to the platform in the middle of rush hour, we felt glad our commuting days were behind us.

Thanks, Maurice, for planning things – and Andrew for organising things. We are looking forward to the next one!

Brian

It’s polling day every Thursday, or so it seemed as six Windmillers set out from Widdington to exercise their democratic rights yet again. We were off to hold up the traffic in the safe seats of Saffron Walden and Hertfordshire North East.

Keith, Ric, Maurice, Vernon, Chris and Brian clocked up 28 miles – without a coffee stop -and returned to the Fleur de Lys early for a slap up lunch and a well deserved pint.

 

Thanks, Maurice, for planning and organising another great outing.

Brian

PS: What’s the difference between Nick Clegg and a bicycle? A bicycle has a seat.

It was such a lovely day, we hadn’t thought to bring our galoshes. Maurice was leading us on a circuit from Widdington to Puckeridge and back – but he had kept quiet about the river beds and farmers’ fields that lay ahead. We must have crossed at least five fords, maybe six, we lost count.

To be fair, some of the off road sections were more John’s doing – in particular, a very bumpy one which Martin dubbed prostate path – but we followed resolutely and the occasional stretch of tarmac came as blessed relief.

It was another good turnout – twelve riders in all – a Dirty Dozen of Windmillers, namely: Chris, Martin, Maurice, Ken, Sandra, Lawrence, Vernon, Keith, John B, Brian, Andrew and special guest Garry – a pal of Andrew’s who’d come all the way from North Queensferry, Fife.

When it came to fording rivers, each rider had his or her own particular technique, though Andrew’s was particularly notable. Then there was Garry on his electric bike making the rest of us fearful of electrocution.

We pulled into our favourite tea room in Puckeridge, partly to dry out, but mostly for the excellent coffee and cake.

Restored, we set off on the return leg, but alas, just outside Braughing, we heard what sounded like a pistol shot followed by a very rude word from Lawrence; his rear tyre had blown out.

While those ahead carried on to Widdington – they could smell lunch and didn’t even look back – the rest of us did the decent thing and stayed with Lawrence. Maurice got to work and did the best he could with a tyre seemingly composed of perished rubber with a horsehair underlay. Lawrence had had them since he was a boy and they’d never let him down before.

On the road once more, we did our best to catch up with the others and made short work of the final stretch uphill to Widdington and the very welcome sight of the Fleur de Lys.

Birthday Boy Ken bought the beer; good man!

Thanks to Maurice for planning and leading us on another delightful and truly varied route. We are looking forward to the next one, honestly.

Brian

The prospect of a gloriously sunny day had tempted Sandra, Ric, Tom and Brian to leave their cars at home and cycle out to Great Chishill where they met up with gas guzzlers Andrew, Chris, Keith and Vernon for the Windmillers regular Thursday outing.

Maurice was away in Scotland, so Andrew was in charge and had planned a route – taking in Therwell, Odsey, Steeple Morden and Wendy – to Wimpole Hall.

The air was thick with the smell of sun lotion as we applied generous dollops of the stuff to our exposed parts before heading off, bikes and bodies well oiled.

Along the way, Chris reminded us there was to be a minute’s silence across the country at 11am in support of the people of Manchester. When the time came, we duly stopped on a quiet lane to pay our respects and reflect on the freedoms we all take for granted.

Crossing the Wimpole estate, we found the footpath blocked by a herd of rare breed cattle. Magnificent creatures they were but – with horns as big as our front forks – a pretty intimidating sight. Not wanting to spook them, we hung back while Tom – brave chap – threaded his way through. The rest of us followed timidly through the horns and cowpats. Phew!

Arriving at Wimpole tea room, we enjoyed coffee and cake in the garden before, having applied yet more protective oils and lotions, we set off on the return leg, heading back via Shepreth and Fowlmere before tackling the long, hot hill climb back up to Great Chishill.

We returned to The Pheasant for a very welcome beer and an excellent lunch under a shady tree in the garden. Alas, the Green Team were still several miles from home on a baking hot afternoon; so we decided on another restorative ale before setting off.

Thanks, Andrew, for planning the route and leading the way.

Brian

Rumour had it today was John B’s birthday. So there was a quite natural, if unspoken, assumption that he would be buying the beer, possibly in prodigious quantities. It was on this basis that a goodly number of Windmillers gathered at the Fox & Hounds in Steeple Bumpstead on Thursday morning, anticipating a jolly outing and an even jollier lunch.

Alas, there was no John B to be seen; cue glum faces all around. Crestfallen but determined to make the best of things, we set off across the Suffolk countryside for a 32 mile ride taking in Glemsford, Cavendish and Clare.

Our party comprised Andrew (last week’s birthday boy and very generous with the beers, thank you), Ken, Chris, Keith, Maurice, Martin, Tom, Rick and Brian. Notable was Chris, astride a brand new bicycle; a sleek and gleaming machine in a natty shade of red. So you can imagine his dismay when Maurice led us down some particularly muddy lanes, yesterday’s downpours having washed topsoil off the surrounding fields. Never mind, Chris; it washes off.

We stopped for coffee and cake at The George in Cavendish before setting off on the return leg to Steeple Bumpstead where we were joined by Vernon for lunch.

All in all, another lovely outing and an excellent route; thank you, Maurice.

We look forward to helping John B celebrate his birthday next time.

Monday evening and, despite the chill, it was another good turnout for the Windmillers. Our team roster was: Maurice, Martin, Ken, Anne, Andrew R, Andrew G, Steve, Chris, Keith, Sandra and Brian; enough for a football team.

Keen to get us warmed up, Maurice led us out of the Pheasant car park at a fair old clip; we were off on a 20 mile jaunt taking in Elmdon, Littlebury Green, Arkesden and Langley Lower Green. And indeed it was at Langley, while passing The Bull, some innocent was heard to say, “Never been in there; what’s it like?” That was it; quick as a flash and in unison we had dismounted, abandoned the bikes and trooped inside to order pints all round. Even better, Martin declared this was to be his round; a belated birthday celebration. Good man!

Then it was back on the bikes for the short return ride to The Pheasant. We like to keep well refreshed!

Thanks Maurice for leading the way.

Brian

It was unseasonally chilly for May, and yet another polling day – they’re coming thick and fast now – that saw the Windmillers gathering in the Fleur de Lys car park in Widdington. There were ten of us – Maurice, John T, John B, Sandra, Martin, Chris, Rod, Keith, Andrew and Brian – saddled up and ready to head out on a 34 mile circuit of north Essex.

Maurice led the way from Widdington through Wimbish, Ashdon, Helions Bumpstead and Little Sampford, to Thaxted where we answered the perennial question; how many bikes can you chain securely to a lamp-post? After several attempts we came up with the answer; four!

We stopped for refreshment at Parrishes – a quirkily timbered tea room, cum bar, cum restaurant right in the middle of Thaxted. But despite the limited bike parking facilities, Parrishes got the Windmiller Seal of Approval; the coffee and cakes were excellent.

Then it was back on the bikes for the return leg via Debden, with Chris setting the pace on the bike he’d borrowed from Tom. We really must check that machine for a hidden electric drive.

As ever, Fleur de Lys landlord Chris served us an excellent two course lunch at our favourite fireside table. A few pints of Wherry later and the conversation was flowing freely; everything from how to fish an errant cyclist out of a river (ask Martin), through to how to remove port and brandy stains from a carpet (ask Andrew).

Thanks, Maurice, for organising another great outing.

Brian

 

With Maurice away, Andrew was to be our Routemeister for the day, starting us off from his place in Wendens Ambo. At least that was the plan, until Martin and John B phoned to say they’d join us down the road at The Fighting Cocks. It’s a bit like herding cats.

It was a fine, if chilly, Spring morning and bare knees were in the majority; 5 pairs exposed versus 4 pairs still under wraps, evidently abiding by the old ‘Ne’er cast a clout till May be out‘ rule.

Notable was Chris on a fancy new bike; although on closer inspection, we realised it was, in fact, Tom’s bike, Tom being on holiday and having generously lent his machine to Chris.

Then we were off, picking up Martin and John along the way, and heading out through Saffron Walden, Hadstock, Bartlow and the Camps – before stopping for a breather at Helions Bumpstead. Usually, when we say “stopping for a breather” we mean “Where’s Chris?” But Chris was there in our midst looking cool and unhurried, Tom’s bike having propelled him to the front of the peloton. We were impressed.

So it was that we spent the rest of the outing trying to keep up with Chris, chasing after him to Finchingfield for coffee, and then on to Thaxted and Debden, returing at last to the The Fighting Cocks for a slap up lunch and a couple of well earned beers.

Thanks, Andrew, for planning everything and guiding us around a lovely 37 mile route.

Brian

Daffodils, birdsong and Windmillers’ knees; it must be spring!

There were nine of us – Ken, Keith, Ric, John, Chris, Andrew, Maurice, Sandra and Brian – setting out from Steeple Bumpstead for a trip into Gainsborough Country. The early morning chill meant there were only four brave souls showing a leg but we took it as a sign of better times ahead.

Pausing for a photo at Toppesfield, we carried on to Castle Hedingham, where we stopped for coffee and cake at the excellent Buckley’s Tea Rooms. Back in the saddle, we passed through Maplestead, Pebmarsh and Lamarsh, arriving at the River Stour where we stopped for a quick one at the Henny Swan.

 

Then it was back in the saddle for the return leg, via Bulmer and the Yeldhams, to the Fox & Hounds, Steeple Bumpstead, where we lunched in the garden in glorious sunshine. Spring had sprung!

37 miles in all. Thanks, Maurice, for another wonderful outing.

Brian

Thursday morning and the weather was set fair as the Windmillers gathered at the Pig & Abbot. The prospect of free beer – rumour had it Maurice would be buying the drinks – and sunny skies meant we had a good turnout: Keith, Andrew, Bridget and John T, Sandra, Rod, Vernon, John B, Ric, Brian – and the birthday boy himself, Maurice.

Lovely landlady Pat opened up specially at 9am, greeting us with coffee and biscuits and taking our orders for lunch.

Then we were off! Maurice led the way via Steeple Morden and Potten to Waresley where we stopped for yet more refreshment at the garden centre, basking in the sunshine while we watched the staff hoovering the lawn (yes, really!). Returning to the saddle we passed through the Gransdens, Hatley St George and Shingay before returning to Abington Pigotts.

Arriving back at the pub, we were delighted to be joined by Glenis and Lyn B for a slap up lunch plus – of course – a big round of drinks courtesy of the birthday boy.

Thanks to Maurice for another great outing.

Whose birthday is it next?

Brian

With the wind howling around The Pheasant car park, Martin and Brian were inclined to give the day a miss. But Sandra, being made of sterner stuff, insisted that we mount up and follow her off towards Wimpole. Today was Storm Sandra!

Refreshed with coffee and cake at Wimpole, Martin and Brian sheepishly admitted they were enjoying the challenge. In the teeth of a gale the outward leg had taken all of 2 hours – but the return leg to The Pheasant took just 1¼ hours. Windy or what?

Maurice joined us for lunch by the fireside.

Thanks, Sandra, for leading the way.

With Storm Doris uprooting trees and blowing over lorries on Thursday, Andrew sensibly suggested we shift our outing to the Friday.

We were a foursome: Andrew, Ken, Laurence and Brian, setting out from The Pheasant and picking our way carefully around fallen branches. The wind may have died down but there was plenty of debris left on the roads.

At one point, Ken narrowly avoided getting skewered by a man removing a pole from the back of a van. And we also passed the great Alf Engers out on his bike. Otherwise the outing was thankfully uneventful.

Returning to The Pheasant we were delighted to be joined by Sandra for lunch by the fire.

Thanks, Andrew, for leading the way.

Thursday morning in The Pheasant car park and Maurice was running through the health and safety briefing. Today’s hazards would be twofold: firstly we should take special care on the busy A505. Secondly, we should watch out for any more bits falling off Andrew’s bike and take avoiding action.

Sure enough, we had only gone 500 yards and Andrew was shedding metalwork; nothing critical this time, just half a pedal. “Don’t worry, everything’s fine, just leave it”, he yelled over his shoulder. We carried on.

The A505 was indeed busy but, thankfully, we were only on it for a few minutes. Pulling off, we re-grouped outside Ron Charlton’s scrap yard, Andrew ignoring our jibes about trading in his bike for something more reliable.

We were heading north on a 30 mile circuit taking in Thriplow, Haslingfield, Barton, Barrington and Fowlmere. And blue skies meant we had a good turnout – Maurice, Andrew, Rod, Vernon, Sandra, Tom, Ken, Ric, John and Brian – ten Windmillers in all.

Stopping for coffee and cake at Burwash Manor, we sat outside sunning ourselves and listening to John bemoaning the price of their fancy Italian craft beer.

Back on the bikes for the return leg, Maurice succumbed to a puncture in Barrington – but this was soon repaired and we were on the road homewards once more. Returning to The Pheasant, we were delighted to be joined for lunch by Martin, Glenis and Marguerite.

Another delightful morning in the saddle and a good lunch in great company.

And thanks again to Maurice and Andrew for organising everything.

Brian

Yet another chilly Thursday morning with the prospect of easterly winds and snow flurries; cold indeed, but not cold enough to deter hardy Windmillers.

So it was that Maurice, Sandra, Andrew, Tom, John and Brian set off from the Fleur to explore a new route to the east of Stansted Airport. We were well wrapped up, lots of layers, and John sporting a black balaclava with holes for eyes; a rather intimidating bank robber chic look.

Thankfully, this was to be an uneventful ride – no breakdowns, no punctures – and too cold even to pause for photos. We stopped just once, at Great Dunmow, pulling in for refreshment at Flitch Coffee, which proved a popular choice with John as it was next door to the Boar’s Head. We suggested he remove the black balaclava before entering.

Twenty minutes later and we were on the road again, Sandra having put her head round the pub door had summoned John with a jaunty, “Are you coming, darling?”

The return leg took in the Eastons and Pledgdon on quiet roads and through some lovely countryside. Returning to the Fleur we were delighted to be joined by Martin, still recovering from a nasty bout of flu, and Ken.

Thanks again to Maurice for planning the day and Andrew for organising things.

An exceptionally cold morning saw Sandra, Maurice, Andrew, Tom and Brian setting off from the Packhorse Inn at Moulton on a tour of the lanes to the east of Newmarket. This was to be a memorable ride, the mercury never rising much above -1°C. Indeed our extremities stayed numb for many a mile! But it wasn’t just low temperatures that we had to contend with.

First of all, Sandra had a puncture, though this was fixed quickly enough and she was soon back in the saddle. Our next breakdown, however, posed more of a challenge. While cresting a hill, there was a loud snapping noise from Andrew’s rear end. His chain had not only broken but the damaged end had jammed in his gears and ripped off the rear derailleur! We were a long way from home and, mechanically speaking, things were not looking good.

But we Windmillers are a multi-talented bunch. Tom, stepping forward, donned a pair of latex gloves, upended the bike and set to work. He removed the broken derailleur, shortened the chain by several links and – lo and behold – converted Andrew’s stricken machine into a fixie. How impressive was that?

Within half an hour we were on our way again – and intrigued to find that Andrew went even faster without gears. Indeed, he arrived back at the Packhorse ahead of the rest of us, though maybe he was just badly in need of beer and sustenance after the misadventure with his chain.

Who needs gears anyway?

All in all we clocked up 29 miles; not bad considering the low temperatures and mechanical challenges.

Thanks, Tom, for keeping our wheels turning and – as ever – thanks to Maurice for planning the route and shepherding us around the Suffolk lanes.

Sandra, punctured!

Our first outing of the year was a special occasion in memory our dear friend, Kell Ryan, who died last week after a long illness. We were really pleased to be joined by Kell’s daughter, Sinead, and determined to make this a celebratory, rather than solemn occasion; a wake on wheels. The day was sunny, but freezing, so any tears were likely to become icicles.

It was a good turnout: Sinead and Andrew, plus Maurice, Sandra, John B, Rod, John from Dunmow and Brian. Maurice had planned a route around some of our old haunts, setting off from Great Chishill at the slightly later time of 10.00 and heading out to Buntingford for a coffee stop and then back to The Pheasant for lunch. At least that was the plan . . .

But the plan soon went out the window; and it was all John Bagrie’s fault. He invited us to stop off at his place in Sandon, whereupon Lyn plied us with coffee, sticky treats and champagne, plus, of course, a beer for John himself. We toasted Kell while we thawed out around the Aga. We also agreed this was definitely the best coffee stop in Hertfordshire. Maybe we should return every Thursday?

Then it was back to The Pheasant where we were joined by Sinead’s mum, Glen, plus Lyn, Rod & Cath, Vernon, John T & Bridget. Simon and Ollie served up a delicious lunch and, of course, we raised another glass to Kell.

Thanks to Maurice and Andrew for planning the day and to John and Lyn for their hospitality.

And a special thanks to Kell for his friendship, wisdom, tall stories and happy memories.

Windmillers at Finchingfield

A gloriously sunny December morning saw nine Windmillers – Maurice, Andrew, Ken, Vernon, Keith, Tom, Sandra, John and Brian – set off from the Fleur de Lys for a tour of the lanes around Thaxted and Finchingfield. It was cold, very cold, but we were well wrapped and after a few stiff hill climbs we were soon warmed up.

Stopping for coffee at Finchingfield, we noted that Keith was on half rations (just one scone, plus cream and jam) and Sandra just couldn’t resist a slice of seasonal stollen. Mulled wine would not have gone amiss.

Revived and refreshed we set off on the return leg to Widdington, looking forward to beer and a good lunch at the Fleur. Arriving back, we were delighted to be joined by John Tarrington who had cycled the 12 miles from home. Landlord Chris, despite this being one the busiest days of his year, had kept us a table and served up a delicious two course lunch.

All in all we had clocked up a very respectable 32 miles under blue, sunny skies.

Thanks are due to Maurice for leading and Andrew for organising.

(Hey Kell! Get well – and back home – soon)

A frosty Thursday morning saw nine Windmillers set out from the Fleur de Lys on a 35 mile circuit taking in the Pelhams, Puckeridge and Farnham. Our gang comprised Sandra, Tom, John B, Vernon, Ken, Brian and Andrew, accompanied by his old school chums, Ronnie and Don.

The lanes around Widdington were white with frost and, after a couple of nasty skids, Vernon thought it wise to turn back rather than risk a return visit to A&E. The rest of us, having checked our winter sports insurance, decided to brave it. Braking and cornering gingerly along the country lanes, we eventually arrived unscathed at Puckeridge where we stopped off at our favourite tea room.

Refreshed and with the lanes now frost free, we set off on the return leg. But it wasn’t long before Ken was brought to a sudden halt by his chain jamming in the front derailleur. Brute force proved insufficient to pull the chain free but Tom, getting to work with a multi tool, managed to release the mechanism and Ken was back in the saddle once more.

Then Tom himself was brought to a halt with a rear wheel puncture. With Don’s help this was soon fixed and we were on our way again.

The next hold-up was down to Network Rail at Elsenham. This must be one of the few remaining level crossings with manual gates. Opening and closing them is such a palaver that they just keep them closed for much of the day, or so it seems. We gave up waiting and humped the bikes up and over the very high footbridge. It felt like the highest point in Essex.

What with icy roads, jammed chains, flat tyres and slow trains, we were late getting back to the Fleur. But landlord Chris kept our usual table and we enjoyed an excellent, if somewhat delayed (2.30pm!) lunch.

Many thanks to Andrew for planning and organising things.

Brian

Thursday morning saw seven Windmillers unloading their bikes in the car park of the Fleur de Lys at Widdington. The weather forecast was iffy – wind and a chance of rain – but we were up for it!

Maurice led us out – Andrew, Ken, John B, Chris, Ric and Brian – on an almost traffic free route through Henham, Thaxted and the Bardfields before stopping for coffee and cake at The Blue Egg. Popular with cyclists, the Egg is said to be Mark Cavendish’s favourite re-fuelling stop; and no wonder, the cakes are truly excellent. Brian’s piece of fruitcake could have fed a family of four.

Freighted down with cake, we took to the saddle again for the return leg through Great Sampford, Radwinter and Debden before the final killing climb (into a headwind!) up the hill and back to The Fleur. Landlord Chris had reserved our usual round table by the fire and served us up a superb two course lunch.

The conversation was wide ranging, everything from beer mixes of our youth (Black & Tan, Snakebite, etc) to paper cycle helmets (yes really – check out the BBC story).

Thanks as usual to Routemeister Maurice and Communications Manager, Andrew.

Brian