Category: Hertfordshire

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.

Pausing for a breather at Cockayne Hatley

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.

St John’s, locked and shuttered at Cockayne Hatley

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.

Saddled up and ready to leave Bean Theory

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.

Another view of Sutton Ford taken in December 2020. Wet or what?

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).

Tags Windmill cycling club

Great Chishill Hertfordshire

Hills, spills and thrills

Post author By Brian Connellan
Post date April 23, 2026
No Comments on Hills, spills and thrills

When Rod describes a route as picturesque what he really means is that we will be cresting a lot of hills in order to savour the scenery. Which is all very well for Rod himself, astride his souped up e-bike, but more of a challenge for those of us reliant on old fashioned pedal-power.

So it was that Thursday morning saw a gang of Windmillers heading away from The Fox & Duck, Therfield, bound for The Mixing Shed Café some 16 miles to the east. Sure enough, there were hills aplenty along the way. Indeed, by the time we returned for lunch we had laboured up some 500m of Hertfordshire hills and clocked up 32 miles. That is probably child’s play to Graham who seems to spend most of his time in mountainous terrain, but a challenge to those of us who live down by the Fens.

So much for hills but what about spills? Sadly, Ric took a tumble shortly after setting off. It was one of those freak occurrences as, running over an otherwise innocuous looking piece of wood, it somehow jammed in his wheel bringing the bike to a dead stop, launching Ric over the handlebars and pitching him face first on terra firma. Ouch! We will gloss over the gory details; suffice to say he left blood on the road and we hear his dentist is looking forward to a very good year.

This is why they call us The Windmill Club

So where does that leave us? Hills, Spills and . . . ah yes, Thrills. It was otherwise a special day; first and foremost it was Rod’s birthday and – top chap – he was buying the beers. Secondly, not only was this St George’s Day but also William Shakespeare’s birthday; he was 462 years old this very day. So, apart from the odd Scotsman and Irishman in the peloton, the English contingent were feeling pretty self satisfied. Rod, indeed, had affixed a George Cross flag to his bike! Might he be the guy who’s been tying them to lampposts in Royston?

Mid-way and pulling in at the Mixing Shed for coffee and cake we were delighted to meet up with Deborah who reports that her new hip is almost peloton-ready. We look forward to her joining us on two wheels in the near future.

Bluebell woods between Chrishall and Elmdon

To be fair to Rod, it was indeed a picturesque route. Highlights on the return leg included Great Chishill Windmill and the bluebell woods between Chrishall and Elmdon.

Special thanks go to Tom for driving Ric home, and Rod for his excellent route, not to mention the beers.

For the record the turnout was: Andrew, Brian, Charles, Gareth, Geoff, Howard, Keith, MartinB, Maurice, Neil, Paul, Ric, Robert, Rod, Simon, Tom and Victor.

Tags Fox and Duck, Therfield, Windmill cycling club

Hertfordshire

Climb every mountain

Bloody Hell, Keith! . . .

. . . was just one of the many oaths heard from the peloton as we crested yet another hill, Keith’s route proving quite a workout as we effed and jeffed our way up ascents totalling some 600m.

Robert, Nigel, Jenni and Rod pause for a breather before the next hill climb

Oaths aside, it was a delightful outing as, blessed with good weather, each hilltop afforded fine views over the north Herts countryside. We were equally impressed with Keith’s choice of refreshment stop, the hitherto unknown Lolleywood Café, tucked away on Fairclough Hall Farm, just a stone’s throw from Halls Green.

Along the way Martin spotted this Commer Q4 lorry, a 3-ton, 4×4 general-purpose workhorse looking very smart in its AFS (British Auxiliary Fire Service) livery.

Martin spotted this Commer Q4 in AFS livery

It most likely dates from the 50s and was used for various tasks such as hose laying and foam and water tendering on military bases and airfields. Many were subsequently converted for civilian use when the AFS was disbanded in 1968.

Other highlights included pulling up to admire George Orwell’s house in Wallington where the blue plaque declares he lived from 1936 to 1940. It’s just down the road from Manor Farm, the name he gave as the location for his Animal Farm.

Much grunting in front of Manor (aka Animal) Farm

Having clocked up 34 miles we returned to The Woodman for lunch and a round of beers, courtesy of Robert this week’s birthday boy.

Some say we’re as much a lunch club as a cycling club

Our thanks go to Keith – for planning and leading the outing – and to Robert for the generous round of drinks.

And – for the record – the turnout was 15 Windmillers: Alan, Andrew, Brian, Geoff, Graham, Jenni, Keith, Ken, MartinW, Maurice, Nigel, Ric, Robert, Rod and Simon. Well done, team!