The Windmill Cycle Club

The last ride for 2018 would see Graham out for his first Windmillers Monday outing (still in the recovery period from recent surgery), riding up from Ickleton to join Sandra, Simon, Maurice (back on the repaired E-Bike) and Andrew (5) for yet another great ride. Arriving early and sampling the beer prior to the ride proved to be a good choice, as you’ll see later!

We set off towards Nuthampstead before veering off to Anstey, Meesden, Langley (Lower and Upper), Duddenhoe End, up to Elmdon and then heading back via Heydon, Gt Chishill, Shaftenhoe End back up to Nuthampstead. On route discussions of one of Graham’s favourite routes being from The Woodman to Anstey known locally as ’21 bends’, never counted them but I’m not sure that’s the correct number! With time and daylight in hand, we set forth along this delightful route. Andrew stopping abruptly, having seen an unusual dog being walked along with another dog and a couple of handlers, he knows the way back from here, so we carried on regardless. Graham and Sandra carried on to Anstey and then back to The Tally Ho, leaving Simon and Maurice cycling together (or so we thought!) and Andrew somewhere behind. By the time we got back to The Tally Ho we were ready for some more refreshments but total darkness, NO! Sign on the door, clearly crossed out 6pm closing and replaced with 3.30pm!!! A quick Google to see if anywhere else would be open proved disappointing, nothing obvious. We were soon joined by Andrew, in a rush to swap bike for Range Rover to go back and collect Maurice, the E-Bike had failed again, AH! At this point we realised Simon was missing and it was getting quite dark too, dilemma, do we go in search or wait and hope he finds his way back. Waiting was the chosen option and with Andrew heading back to fetch Maurice, thankfully they found him on his way back, having gone into The Blind Fiddler, Anstey to get directions, all’s well that ends well but still no beer, this is where Maurice would be our saviour and invited us back to his for some delightful Abbott before he was due to go out partying the night away and welcoming in the New Year. Much appreciated Maurice. While at Maurice’s, Simon told us of exploits and then realised, that with The Tally Ho being closed, that would be why he recognised so many people in The Blind Fiddler and they recognised him too!! If the locals go there too, maybe it’s worth a visit too soon.

Thanks Maurice for organising the ride and Andrew for organising us.

Sandra

With most windmillers on their travels to family or to find more festive weather and maybe a bit of Apres ski or last-minute buying and wrapping presents, this afternoon/evening would only yield three riders, Maurice, Simon and Sandra.

And what a lovely ride it would be, almost clear skies and very little wind. Having arrived early at the The Tally Ho, the festive party atmosphere was in full swing, after a swift half and some words of caution from the locals regarding cycling in this area, into the evening sporting faux antlers (rutting season is in full swing)!!

We set off for the 19 mile circuit before heading back to a warm welcome from Saleesha and some delightful refreshments, there also seemed to be a bit of a competition involving Xmas jumpers, the winner was a rather dazzling one with flashing lights, sadly no pictures, as we could only cope with a few seconds at a time!!

Thanks to Simon and Maurice for joining me, Maurice for opting for and guiding us around the gentler route with less hills. (Sadly no E-Bike).

Sandra

We had just completed Thursday’s ride and were back in The Fleur when we heard the dreadful news that our good friend and cycling buddy, John Tarrington, had died. John had suffered a stroke while on holiday in Spain and, sadly, did not recover. Our thoughts were with Bridget and his family.

Over lunch we reminisced and swapped John-stories. For one, he had a fine singing voice; something we only discovered last year when, over a beer after a Monday evening ride, the conversation somehow got around to Rogers & Hammerstein. John professed to being a big fan and, before we knew it, launched into Some Enchanted Evening. A few beers more and he’d done all the big numbers from South Pacific, Carousel and Oklahoma.

A very fit cyclist with a head-down-and-go-for-it style of riding, John was also known for falling off his bike more than most, to the extent of sometimes needing medical attention.

There were lots more John-tales: how he didn’t know how to put on a duvet cover; he was the scourge of countryside fly-tippers; too many to mention here.

We shall miss John – a much loved Windmiller and true friend – and the many happy times we shared.

With the hedge flailing season in full swing and the roads strewn with thorns, it was a miracle nobody had a puncture; not even Deborah!

Eleven Windmillers – Maurice, Rod, Ken, Nigel, Lawrence, Andrew, Chris, Geoff, Deborah, Graham, and Brian – had set off from The Sword at Westmill on a very cold Thursday morning. Maurice, astride his shiny new e-bike, guided us around a 29 mile circuit, stopping for coffee at Ardeley, before returning us all safely to the pub for lunch.

Nobody got lost and nobody fell off; a fine start to the New Year.

Brian

‘Twas the second day after Christmas – which probably explained the low turnout; there were just five Windmillers on Thursday morning’s ride.

Maurice had picked a new venue – The Three Hills, Bartlow – as our starting point. Joining him were Sandra, Graham and Julia (both had cycled from Ickleton) and Brian, who turned up on a particularly muddy bike, having taken an off-road route from Great Shelford.

Setting off towards Castle Camps and, with hardly a mile gone, Brian pulled up with a puncture; a thorn in the tyre, no doubt a result of his off-road escapades. But this was soon fixed and we were on the road again.

An uneventful seventeen miles further on and we pulled in for coffee and biscuits – remarkable value at £1 per head – at the Red Lion, Great Wratting.

Back on the bikes we made short work of the return leg to Bartlow.

Weather-wise, it had been an unusual outing; starting warm (for the time of year) but ending decidedly colder – so we were glad to tumble back into the cosy bar at The Three Hills, something of a gastro-pub, where we enjoyed a fine lunch washed down with a few pints of Woodforde’s Tinsel Toes.

Thanks, as ever, to Maurice for picking the venue, mapping the route and leading the way. Thanks too, to Sandra, who deputised for Andrew as communications manager.

Brian

E-bikes are great but, boy, when they go wrong they are difficult to fix, as Maurice found to his cost again today. And without a bike AA to call out who do we rely on in times of a breakdown?  An off-duty Windmiller of course, which was indeed the case  in the middle of Elmdon when Maurice’s rear hub disintegrated resulting in an extremely wobbly wheel that stood no chance of getting back to Barkway.

And so it was that having set off from the Tally Ho! at 2.30 pm on what could prove to be the darkest ride of the year, Maurice, Andrew, Sandra, Keith and Martin had time to take in some fine views before Maurice’s hub began to complain.

On we went without a hitch until Elmdon where Sandra, Keith and Martin waited for  some time before Andrew appeared announcing that Maurice had suffered a hub failure. But then Maurice arrived, gingerly, saying that his steed would go no further.   Initial thoughts were that a volunteer might head back to Barkway and rescue Maurice and his bike but that would have meant leaving him in a bus shelter for 45 minutes in the cold December gloom. But then thoughts of local Windmillers Ken and Elmdon Simon were had and after a couple of phone calls Ken was found delivering Christmas cards in Ickleton which he promptly finished and rushed back home and sped up to Elmdon to offer his services, having not removed his golf clubs from the back of his car. Before  he arrived who should drive past but Simon who also offered to help but as Ken was already speeding towards Elmdon, Simon decided to take advantage of Ken’s taxi to the Tally Ho! and climbed in with Maurice leaving Maurice’s sick steed to be collected at a later time.

Whilst all this was going on the remaining Windmillers carried on towards Duddenhoe End , spotting a fine herd of deer en route including an Albino, and then through the usual lanes to the Langleys, Meesden and Anstey.

Here is the route taken:

It was almost dark when after 19 miles we entered the Tally Ho! to find Maurice and Simon (who we were of course surprised to see) already propping up the bar but no sign of rescuer Ken who had to get back, presumably to deliver more Christmas cards. A convivial evening it  turned out to be, with possibly two new recruits from behind the bar, Pete and his wife Maggie, who were helping out whilst Saleesha and her husband were away.

Thanks to Maurice for planning the route even though he was unable to complete it, Andrew for his organisation and Ken for his sterling rescue service.

Martin

Barely a week had passed before the Windmillers were back at Braughing, gathering once again in the car park of the Golden Fleece. Notable this week were Sandra, in festive headgear, and Peter the Birdwatcher, a new recruit who we had met last Thursday at Amwell Nature Reserve. Joining them were Maurice, Andrew, Vernon, Lawrence, Geoff, Ric, Rod, Keith, Roger, Nigel and two Brians; fourteen Windmillers in all.

It’s not often that we lose riders but somehow – and within minutes of setting off – fourteen became twelve as Peter and Brumme Brian, having missed a turn in Puckeridge, sallied off alone into deepest Hertfordshire.

It was another two hours before we all met up again at Church Farm, Ardeley; Brian and Peter having enjoyed a relaxing 9 mile cruise in the sunshine – whereas Maurice had cracked the whip and driven the others at pace to clock up nearly twice that distance. Brian and Peter were chatting over a second coffee as the main peloton arrived, looking distinctly warm.

Back on the bikes – and now making a special effort to stick together – we completed the 10 mile return leg to The Golden Fleece where Landlord Peter served up another excellent lunch.

Thanks, Maurice and Andrew, for leading the way (even if you did lose a few of us for a while).

A Merry Christmas to all our readers!

Brian

Maurice, Andrew, Martin, Graham, Sandra, Bruce, Roger, Lawrence and both Brians – ten Windmillers in all – turned out on a chilly Thursday morning to cycle from Braughing to Stanstead Abbotts and back.

Twelve miles in to this hilly 30 mile circuit, we pulled in for refreshments at the Ware Café. Locals looked askance as we commandeered and rearranged tables, stripped off our outer layers and generally got the place all steamed up – but the coffee was good and the mince pies were a real treat.

Back on the bikes we continued south along the Lee towpath, pausing to admire the famous 18th century Gazebos on the far side.

Further along the river we stopped again to take in the view at Amwell Nature Reserve.

Leaving the river at Stanstead Abbotts, we headed northwards through Hunsdon and Widford before stopping off at St Thomas’ Church, Perry Green, where we visited the grave of Maurice’s grandparents. Reflecting quietly at this peaceful spot, Maurice reminisced about Annie and Harold. Harold – who used to drive a steam traction engine – passed away in 1993, aged 101.

Setting off on the final leg, Maurice led the way through Hadham Cross, Barwick and Puckeridge, before returning at last to Braughing and The Golden Fleece. Standing around the bar, we teased Landlord Peter – who has ridden with us in the past – about not seeing him on a bike for nigh on two years. But he took it well and served us up an excellent lunch at the long table.

As ever the conversation was wide ranging; we were particularly impressed with Yorkie Brian’s knowledge of 1960s Formula 1 racing drivers.

Thanks, Maurice and Andrew, for planning and organising things, and for generally looking after us so well.

Brian

This year we decided to make a change and go to a new venue, The Red Cow at Chrishall, where 29  Windmillers and their guests met to celebrate Christmas and to review a year of cycling in 2018. As it was such a lovely day, albeit a bit chilly, Andrew rode up from Wendens Ambo, Sandra rode up from near Royston, Simon came from Littlebury Green and Ken, Graham and Martin climbed up from Ickleton. All needed brandy after getting back home.

Meeting at 12.00 for 1.00pm gave everyone a good chance for a chinwag before sitting down to an excellent lunch with dishes including starters of parsnip soup, chicken and ham terrine, and smoked salmon; mains of turkey with all the trimmings, pheasant and pork casserole, sea bream and a chestnut and onion tart for the veggies; followed by a selection of puds including the Christmas variety, and cheese for those without a sweet tooth. And a very good lunch it was considered to be too, with good service, all washed down with some fine wines and beers.

Here are some pics of the happy occasion (with apologies from the photographers whose cameras could not cope very well with the lighting conditions):

 

After lunch, Andrew rose to his (remarkably steady) feet and commenced the formal part of the proceedings by firstly thanking Maurice for all the planning he had done during the year which enabled many enjoyable rides to be had. Maurice then rose to his (fairly steady) feet and thanked all the members for taking part and contributing £3.00 per ride for the charities we support. This resulted in the distribution of a total of £2,000 to four charities:

£250 to Cystic Fibrosis, £750 to the Eve Appeal for research into womb cancer, £500 to EACH, (East Anglian Children’s Hospice), and £500 to Macmillan Cancer Research. This was greeted with much applause from the assembled gathering.

Andrew then asked Martin to rise to his (not so steady) feet to announce the results of his analysis of the year’s blog. He started by stating that the blog was in its 4th year and had been viewed over 5,000 times to date. In 2018 it had been viewed 883 times so far by 421 visitors from countries including the US, France, the Netherlands, India and the United Arab Emirates. He thanked his fellow bloggers Brian and Sandra, plus Andrew who helps out if necessary. Here is a link to all the blogs since it started: https://thewindmillclubdotnet.wordpress.com .

No. of rides since 4 January 2018: 77 (approx. 80 for the year as a whole to 31 December)

Total distance to date: 1,994 miles

Av. distance per ride: 25.9 miles

Longest ride: 51 miles (never again)

Shortest ride: several of 17 miles on Monday evenings

Largest mileage by members: Sandra (3,000 miles+), Andrew (2,500 miles), Ric (unknown but often rides to and from starting point) and new member Graham expected to be in fierce contention in 2019

No. of pubs visited: 22

Most frequented pubs: The Tally Ho! – 17 times, The Bull – 13 (+ a few visits whilst en route to The Tally Ho!), The Fleur de Lys – 9, The Fox and Duck – 5, and 3 times each to The Pig and Abbot. The Black Bull, The Fox and Hounds, The Bell and The Sword Inn Hand.

Largest no. of riders on a ride: 15 on Vernon’s birthday on 8 November, when he bought a round of drinks (was there a connection?)

Other birthdays celebrated: Brian, John T, Maurice, John B, Andrew, Sandra, Ric, Keith, Lawrence, Ken and Martin (apologies for any omissions)

Smallest no. of riders on a ride: 1 – just Sandra on a cold day on 8 Jan, when The Tally Ho! was shut too at the end of her ride. What lengths will some people go to in the interests of the club?

Deaths: None

Accidents, illnesses and ailments: No falling off ladders this year (Nigel, last year) but there was Ric’s nasty accident on 24 May when he hit a pile of loose gravel and fell off breaking his collar bone. But a quick recovery had Ric back on his bike, which needed straightening out by Maurice, by 12 July. Well done, Ric! Very few illnesses or ailments except for Maurice’s hip operation on or around 17 May followed by lunch a week later at The Fleur and back on an electric bike on 28 June. A remarkable recovery – well done Maurice!

Then came a few prizes ahead of the official awards ceremony which would come later:

Involuntary dismount prize 2018: Several candidates including Martin, Brian, John B and Bruce but the winner was Roger who fell off twice the same day and also subsequently fell backwards off a bench on 6 September whilst clutching his pint of beer without spilling a drop. He promised to repeat his party trick at the Christmas lunch but failed to do so (sensibly).

Top speed prize 2018: Andrew and Martin both claimed 33.4 mph on 3 September and will be awarded the prize jointly unless anyone else has a better claim.

Entertainment prize 2018: Entertainment is forever present in The Windmill Club but there is only one true enter’tenor’ amongst us and that is John ‘the Tenor’ Tarrington who twice entertained us in The Tally Ho! with his butcher friend Julian to wonderful renderings from South Pacific, Oklahoma and other Rogers and Hammerstein musicals. John gets the Entertainment prize.

Punctures: 16. Martin had 4 of these and Deborah had 2 the same day and has only been a member since September. The Puncture Prize 2018 went to Martin and Deborah jointly.

Dodgy Bike Prize 2018: Several candidates – Tom had a problem with his nuts on 29 March, Keith with his spokes on 21 June but, for the second year running, Andrew had problems with his gears / chain and so won the prize once again.

Getting lost prize 2018: only one candidate – Maurice who gave us a tour of Bury St Edmunds’ suburbs when we were meant to be heading for Ickworth. Perhap’s that’s why the first lines in Maurice’s version of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘If’ read: If you can keep your head when all about you are lost And blaming it on you ……’  But could anyone do any better?

Stuck in the mud prize 2018: again only one candidate – Andrew, who led us off road down a mile of thick Essex mud on 31 May. Vernon’s language even frightened some ducks looking on.

Photographer of the year 2018: Brian, once again, for often lying down on the ground determined to get a good shot, David Bailey style.

Keeping cool in road rage incident prize 2018: Lawrence won this coveted prize for remaining remarkably cool whilst being screeched at by a large lady in Nayland on 25 October, whose husband had scraped Lawrence with his Ford Focus. But Lawrence got his own back having flipped their left hand wing mirror whilst being scraped and removing the car’s fuel filler cap in the process.

Martin went on to say how careful Windmillers need to be at all times when out on the road.

To wind up (not before time) Martin drew attention to the huge amount of admin that Maurice and Andrew undertake for the benefit of all members, assisted by Sandra and Brian who also plan rides at times, and thanked them all. Andrew sends out 100’s of emails each year and also organises events such as the Christmas lunch. This led up to the prize of:

The Unsung Hero of the Year 2018,  which was awarded jointly to Andrew for all his hard work and to Ric for recovering so quickly from his accident and hardly mentioning it, plus clocking up so many miles on his bike. Well done, lads!

Andrew then introduced Simon, ex-landlord of The Pheasant in Great Chishill, who was our special guest together with his wife Ollie. Simon recounted the early days of The Windmill Club when, out jogging, he happened to meet Maurice on his bike and that’s how it all started. He also regaled us with some great jokes in true Simon-style and threatened to join us once again on his new bike which has been waiting patiently in his garage for some time to hit the road. He would be more than welcome.

Finally, Andrew took to the floor again and thanked Simon for his and Ollie’s unfettered support for the club, presenting them with a bunch of red roses. He then announced the most important awards of the year:

The Golden Pedal Award : to Brian for his unstinting support as photographer, blogger, bike transporter and being willing to help out at any time.

The Clubman of the Year: to Sandra for hardly missing a ride, clocking up 3,000+ miles, making a massive contribution to the club in so many ways, from planning rides to mending punctures, and putting up with so many eccentric blokes.

The Super Clubman of the Year: to Maurice for his grit and determination in keeping going as his hip deteriorated and his equal determination to get fit and back on a bike as soon as possible after his operation, whilst all the time planning rides and helping us all to raise the handsome amount of £2,000 for charity.

Well done to all our special award winners!

Happy Christmas one and all.

Martin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So who popped a Viagra pill into Maurice’s battery this evening? Or was it just that he was in a hurry for a pint of Trelawney in the Tally Ho! and pressed the full pelt button on his e-bike? Or was it just the fading light at this time of year? Whatever it was, the four other Windmillers who thought they were out for a gentle ride had trouble keeping up.

The light was reasonable as Maurice set off burning rubber from the Tally Ho! in Barkway at 2.30pm, hotly pursued by Andrew, Sandra, Simon and Martin. The route was a figure of 8 via Anstey, Brent Pelham, Meesden, Roast Green, Stickling Green, Clavering, Arkesden, Duddenhoe End, the Langleys and back via Meesden:

There was hardly time to admire the landscape let alone ponder over whether it was a pair of buzzards or red kites flying overhead. By the time we reached Clavering we had a moving average of 13.2mph, about 3.0 higher than usual. A few hills then ensued but by the end of the ride the average was still 12.7mph.

Following on from last week’s encounter with dogs, word must have got around the local dog population that the Windmillers were worth racing. Just after Langley Upper Green a young Labrador raced across a field ready to chase Simon but gave up when he realised Simon was doing about 25mph trying to keep up with Maurice. Sandra saw none of this happen as she was up front trying to dodge large deer leaping out of the hedgerow in front of her.

Skidding left by The Bull at Lower Langley and then sliding round the next right like a track bike, Maurice tore up the hill towards Meesden on full power leaving the others gasping for breath. Whizzing by the junction we had passed earlier and with the light fading we were then treated to a wonderful sunset, but there was no time to stop and capture it! But, finally, Maurice just had to ease up for a call of nature and so the remaining four were able to cruise past and get back to the Tally Ho! first.

Saleesha pulled some very good pints of Trelawney and it was good to see Sally turning up for duty smartly dressed in a Santa woolly outfit. Rumour has it that Sally might be thinking of joining us for a ride sometime.

Thanks, of sorts, go to Maurice for planning the route and leading the way. Only joking, Maurice! It was a great ride which allowed us to shed a few extra calories in time to put them all back on again with a vengeance at the Christmas lunch on Wednesday. And thanks of course to Deputy Dawg Andrew too for his organisation, not only for today but throughout a very enjoyable and successful 2018, with a few more rides still to go.

Martin

PS A printed version of this year’s blog will once again be produced early in 2019. The cost is unknown yet but, depending on numbers, should be in the region of £25 – £30 all being well. Place your orders now! Please contact: martin.woodhead1@btinternet.com

The Windmill Club territory borders on the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, South Cambs, Bedfordshire and Suffolk, with occasional forays to Norfolk, London and elsewhere. This means we frequently criss-cross county boundaries and can compare road surfaces, potholes, white lining, the behaviour of motorists and other fascinating variables. This ride, however, was a 100% Essex ride which meant that potholes should be generally mended but we should keep a watch out for mad drivers. It was also an opportunity to assess the myth that Essex roads were built by Irishmen who always worked with the wind on their backs, which frequently changed direction.

And so it was that the Fleur de Lys in Widdington was once again the start and end point of a delightful clockwise tour of quiet lanes for no less than 14 Windmillers, a record for a December day. After a safety briefing to ensure that our large group left several gaps to assist overtaking Essex drivers, Maurice led the charge followed by Andrew, Rod, Sandra, Keith, Ken, Brummie Brian, Yorkie Brian, Ric, Chris, Victor, Graham, Geoff and Martin. Ric rode to and from Widdington from Harston and Graham arrived just in time having consumed a large bacon butty in Saffron Walden whilst cycling from Ickleton – well done, lads!

Here is the route taken:

For a December day, the weather was pleasantly mild and not too windy which resulted in steady, puncture-free progress around quiet lanes through villages preparing for the festivities to come. Wimbish, Radwinter and Hempstead looked particularly festive.as did Henham later in the ride.

A large group needs a large coffee stop. Maurice must have known there would be a good turnout as he wisely chose Parrishes in Thaxted for refreshments – a coffee shop cum wine bar cum pub with ample space at the rear for 14 Windmillers.

Then it was back through more quiet lanes taking in Broxted and Henham, including a detour through Little Henham, before the final climb up the steep hill to Widdington and a Fleur de Lys brimming with customers enjoying lunch and some fine beers.

Grateful thanks are due to Maurice for leading us effortlessly around twisty Essex lanes, which only goes to prove that Irish workmen and the changing Essex winds were indeed to blame. Thanks also to Andrew for whipping us in.

Martin

 

 

 

 

The first ride of the meteorological winter brought five intrepid wind-millers out to test the roads. Maurice, Rod, Geoff, Simon and Sandra met at The Tally Ho, Barkway. The time is drawing closer to clean and put away the Summer bikes and bring out the winter steeds, sporting mudguards!! Having encountered a heavy shower on the ride up to Barkway, with Rod gleefully tooting his car horn passing by at this moment in time, I knew then that I had chosen the wrong bike for this ride but I sure wasn’t going back to change it now.

A little bit of confusion at the start, thinking Martin would be joining us but no sign, a few phone calls ensued and still no sign, with light fading we looked around to see that Maurice and Rod on their electric steeds, had set off, thankfully for the followers the wind was on our tails as we turned to head towards Nuthampstead and we quickly caught them up, passing Barkway golf course heading to Anstey, Geoff and Maurice drew the attention of an Alsatian being walked off leash in the field nearby, as it rushed over to say hello, apparently friendly but didn’t sound that way to those dashing off in front!! On to Gt Hormead, Furneux Pelham where we took the track from Whitebarns through to Hartham Common, this was where Rod had flashbacks to a previous ride on this route and the first outing with us on the EBike, thankfully the thorns had been washed away or squashed enough not to cause any punctures on this ride. On through various Greens (Walsall, Starling’s, Deers and Roast) to Meesden, again along this stretch Geoff would draw the attention of another dog being walked, this time on a leash but with enough rope to lurch at him as he cycled past, a warning to us all, if there are dogs around make sure you’re not cycling with Geoff!!

Back via Anstey to a warm welcome from Saleesha and a roaring fire at The Tally Ho. A mixture of refreshments this evening, selection of beers and even a warming pot of TEA.

Another great ride, if a bit damp and mucky. Thanks Maurice.

Sandra

 

It was gloomy only due to the time of year, not for any other reason, as four Windmillers in good spirits assembled in the Tally Ho! car park in Barkway at 2.30pm for what proved also to be quite a chilly 17 mile ride around the lanes. Maurice led the way followed by faithful Dawg Andrew, Deborah and Martin. Here is the anti-clockwise route taken:

Deborah came well layered, Martin donned ski gloves and both Maurice and Andrew looked as though they had a few layers on but were not admitting it, nor removing them. But Deborah was also minus lights and as it was already gloomy when we set off we agreed to keep her well sandwiched to avoid any possible danger.

It wasn’t long before we all began to feel the heat seeping through and, luckily for Deborah, Martin’s capacious rear bag swallowed two of her layers with space to spare for one of his own.

On we whizzed through Kelshall and on to Sandon, where a brief stop was made to admire the pond, before cycling past Lyn and John Bagrie’s lovely house on the outskirts of Sandon. Then it was down to Buntingford and left to Wyddial where we recalled that memorable vision of loveliness that some of us experienced on a hot summer’s evening earlier in the year – see Blog of 23 July for all the details! Or was it just the heat getting to us?

Less exertion was required on the homeward leg which meant some re-layering on Deborah’s part to keep warm but it wasn’t long before the Tally Ho! came into view. We bid farewell to Deborah, and the remainers (no Brexit pun intended) were then welcomed warmly by Saleesha who opened early specially for us, the log fire already roaring. And what a pleasure it was when Keith joined us along with John and Lyn Bagrie, who we hadn’t seen for a while. Much mirth and merriment was to be had.

Thanks go as usual to Maurice for planning the ride and to his Deputy Dawg Andrew for getting us to the starting line on time.

Martin

 

 

 

 

We didn’t go cycling; it was too windy! That said, Ric and Graham, being made of sterner stuff, did venture out on two wheels and met up with the rest of us at Balsham, where we enjoyed a hearty lunch at the Black Bull. Lawrence bought the beers; top chap!

Brian

Who were those grizzled men offloading bikes in the pub car park on a cold Thursday morning? Shifty looking types; maybe the Hatton Garden Gang? But then Sandra arrived and all became clear; it was the Windmillers, gathering for their regular weekly outing.

Eleven strong – Maurice, Victor, Martin, Andrew, Rod, Lawrence, Simon, Roger, Bruce, Brian and Sandra – we set off from Westmill heading south towards Ware. There was a wintry edge to the wind and various items of ski wear – mits, thermals, etc – were in evidence. Sandra, having cycled from home, was already warmed up and, together with Rod and Maurice on their whizzy electric bikes – set off at a cracking pace leaving the rest of us trailing in their wake.

Somewhere along the way we managed to lose Martin. There was some debate as to where he was last seen and speculation as to whether he had been distracted taking  a picture of some old church or other. But following a phone call or two – and a judicious short cut on Martin’s part – we caught up with each other again a few miles on.

Pulling in at our regular café on Ware High Street, we ordered coffee and some of us even had a mince pie. ‘ Twas the season, after all. Indeed, Lawrence and Brian were so impressed with said mince pies that they bought more and force fed them to Maurice and Andrew, who agreed they were mighty fine pies.

Restored and back on the bikes, Maurice led the way westwards along the Lea towpath to Hertford where we turned northwards for the return leg via Sacombe and Nastry to Westmill. Arriving back at the Sword Inn Hand, we were delighted to be joined by Ken for lunch.

It had been another excellent Thursday outing. Thanks as ever to Maurice and Andrew for organising everything.

Brian

Evenings are drawing ever closer and the shower clouds were looming, so 2.30 would be the start time from The Tally Ho, Barkway. Simon at the bar playing ball with the barman’s dog, in the hopes to tire this young dog out before the trip home, not much chance of that with a spaniel. Sandra and Maurice joining him before setting off in the glorious sunshine but sadly this wouldn’t last for the whole ride.

Setting off north through Barkway to Reed, Therfield and Sandon before heading to Buntingford and this would be the start of the changing skies, darkening with rainbows in front, as sure sign of rain, thankfully we passed through Wyddial and on to Anstey quarry before turning to pass Barkway Golf course and into some rain, enough to annoy but not soak us, arriving at the Tally Ho before the official opening time but Saleesha would take pity on us and let us in for a warm by the fire and refreshments. Plenty of lagers to choose and Guinness but Hophead was the only choice for beer, hoping for more choice soon. The heavens opened and a huge downpour happened while inside, clearing just before I set off home. Saleesha is prepared to open earlier for us in future, there’s only so much I can drink to make it worth her while, thankfully it’s downhill most of the way home and fairly straight.

Thanks Maurice for yet another great ride.

Sandra

As it happens, today’s ride included 2 of the 14 most rude and funny place names in Essex, namely Steeple Bumpstead and Rotten End. That means we still have to visit Fiddlers Hamlet, Turkey Cock Lane (where houses are apparently difficult to sell) and another 10 besides.

And so it was that 11 Windmillers gathered at the Fox and Hounds in Steeple Bumpstead and placed their lunch orders before setting off on a delightful tour of quiet lanes. Maurice led the way on his e-bike with his faithful followers behind – Ken, Vernon, Sandra, Lawrence, Brummie Brian, Chris, Graham, new boys Jeff (Geoff?) and Bruce (friends of Deborah) and Martin. Lawrence caught up at coffee time having been stuck in a jam on the A505.

Here is the route taken:

Maurice claimed to have brought his bolt croppers with him just in case Martin decided once again to padlock his bike to Vernon’s at the coffee stop in Castle Hedingham having forgotten to bring the key, as happened once before on his first ever outing with the club. But with a club policy of 3 strikes and you’re out, Martin’s membership was luckily allowed to continue.

The weather was cloudy but dry and except for a slight error of route we proceeded steadily towards an earlier than usual coffee stop in Castle Hedingham after just 9 miles, where there was a noticeable absence of hunger. Clearly, 15+ miles are needed before the yearning for scones and cakes sets in.

There was also a noticeable absence of hills initially, as can be seen in the gradient chart above, but that changed after coffee when a few gentle hills reminded us not to get too complacent. Eventually we arrived at Rotten End but there was nothing particularly rotten about it as far as we could see – it was in fact an idyllic spot with a bridge / ford over the fast flowing River Pant (surely another candidate for a funny Essex name?) which commences just east of Saffron Walden and feeds into the River Blackwater.

The Autumn colours were at their best in places, particularly the avenues of beech trees, and being a mild day this meant for comfortable riding with little traffic to contend with.

At Waltham’s Cross, not to be confused with Waltham Cross, we said hello once again to a field of wallabies who were lolloping around and seemed quite happy even though they were 10,000 miles from home:

Then came the pretty village of Great Bardfield and its Gibralter Mill:

We were by now on the last leg and passed a stunning litttle church in Little Sampford with an interesting tower. This turned out to be the Grade 1 listed early 14th century St Mary the Virgin, but looked from the outside as if in need of some tlc. More information here: http://www.english-church-architecture.net/essex%20l/little%20sampford/little_sampford.htm .

Continuing through quiet lanes, the peloton began to spread out a bit towards the end of the ride, in the usual fashion, or is this just a race to the bar? Having started a bit earlier than usual we were back at the Fox and Hounds by 12.45 and received a warm welcome before tucking into an excellent lunch washed down with Ridley’s Bishop’s Nick and other fine beers.

Thanks to Maurice for organising a great ride and to Statesman Andrew who was in New York up to mischief in Central Park………..

And congratulations to Graham for cycling from Ickleton and back again and to Sandra who accompanied Graham back, via Whittlesford railway station bridge (of all places!), and then through the lanes to near Royston, both clocking up an impressive mileage for the day.

Martin

 

 

 

 

 

 

This ride seems to have slipped through the net and with no known photos of the day I’m working with vague recollections of the day of who may or may not have been included. Starting out from The Sword in Hand, Westmill, who at the time were in full preparation for the impending August Bank Holiday beer festival and around 30 different barrels of ale settling neatly on the racking ready, maybe for thirsty Windmill Club cyclists to sample on our return, alas they needed to have some left for the weekend revellers, so we stuck with the very refreshing in-house beers.

From memory – (10) riders – Maurice, Andrew, John B, Lawrence, Brummy Brian, Yorkie Brian, Ken, Victor, Keith and Sandra rode out this day. If you rode and I’ve missed you off or if I’ve included you and you don’t recall riding, please let me know and I’ll edit accordingly, we all know how important statistics are!!

From Westmill we headed to Nasty, Great Munden, Dane End, Sacombe, Stonyhills to Bengeo (I recall a brief wait here as I think Yorkie Brian had a puncture, happy to be corrected if incorrect). Once regrouped we headed along the towpath cycle track to Ware and sadly our usual coffee stop was closed, no idea why but we just went around the corner to Jacoby’s for our caffeine fix while John B carried on and would meet back up with us at Westmill, might have been a wise decision, as this establishment seemed to only be able to make one drink at a time and took an age to serve us all. Suitably refreshed we set off, at this point the two Brians left us and headed straight back to Westmill, a prior arrangement and the need to get back after the elongated coffee stop. While the peloton headed on to Babbs End, Barwick, skirted Standon, before crossing over the A10 to Colliers End and back to Great Munden and Nasty. This was where I may have led a few followers astray and headed back along what I now know to be a more hilly route to Westmill, while Maurice took the chasing pack via the downhill route and were back all loaded up and heading for the bar on our arrival, sorry to those who followed me but we did end up at the same place.

Thanks Maurice for a great route and Andrew for organising us.

Sandra

With the start time 14.45, gradually creeping forward in the hopes of getting back to the pub before dark but not having to wait too long for opening at 17.00. Maurice and Rod (E-bikers), Andrew and Sandra (Purist peddlers) met at The Bull, Lower Langley. Rod having invested in some new Schwalbe Marathon shoes for his steed, hopeful this would prevent a repeat of last weeks thorn gathering experience. A promise had been made that the route would be swept personally by hand by Andrew, so that thorns wouldn’t be an issue this week. Meanwhile, Andrew’s shares in Schwalbe must have increased greatly thanks mainly to The Windmill Club, as he too arrived with an, as good as new off-road steed to try out, very nice looking too. Be prepared for some more off-roading in the summer!!

We set off to Little Chishill, Great Chishill, Heydon and Elmdon, stopping for a brief break to check the time and daylight situation, before setting off again to Strethall along a route where some hedge cutting was taking place, thankfully no-one succumbed to thorns this time. On through Littlebury Green and up to Duddenhoe End, picking our way through closed road signs and on to Arkesden, Clavering and Sheepcote Green. The daylight was really closing in on us now and a large herd of deer chasing across the road just before us, some choosing to pause in the field, always a worry, as you never know which way they are going to go but they stood fast and let us pass.

Back to The Bull with only a few minutes wait, as Sarah took pity on us and let us in out of the now chilling air. Great beer and Pistachios (the new healthier goujons!!).

Another great ride, thanks Maurice and Andrew for organising us.

Sandra

The prospect of free beer – courtesy of Vernon – heralded a bumper turnout for lunch at the Pig & Abbot. No fewer than 15 thirsty Windmillers, back from a 31 mile outing, raised a celebratory glass to the birthday boy while tucking into Landlady Pat’s excellent meat pies.

Setting out from Abington Pigotts, we had visited Bassingbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth, Barrington, Haslingfield and the Eversdens, enjoyed coffee at Bourn Golf Club, and returned via the Hatleys, Wendy and Shingay.

Even the RAF had turned out to salute Vernon. Pausing for a breather at the top of Chapel Hill, we were treated to a low level flyby – a pair of Apache helicopters skimming the hedgerow. One even acknowledged our waves with a quick side to side waggle; it was quite a sight.

 

All in all, it had been another splendid ride on a lovely day. Thanks as ever to Maurice and Andrew for getting us all organised.

Brian