The Windmill Cycle Club

Advance notice that it was Vernon’s birthday and that the drinks would be on him brought Windmillers out in force, or was it the thought of the pies for lunch at the highly regarded Pig and Abbott in Abington Pigotts, where the ride commenced over coffee in the bar?Probably both and what a feast it turned out to be for the birthday boy accompanied by Maurice, Andrew, John B, John T, Keith, Sandra, Ken, Rick, Brummy Brian, Yorky Brian and Martin.

But to create a thirst and appetite Maurice had planned a flattish route clockwise of 34 miles through quiet lanes taking in Steeple Morden, skirting Ashwell, Eyeworth, Waresley, Great Gransden and back through pretty Hatley St George to Abington Pigotts. Here is the route taken:

But, hang on, where was John B? Somehow he got left behind but it wasn’t long before he zoomed up from behind and took the lead.

The coffee stop was at The Duncombe Arms in Waresley, which turned out to be quite a long one as the coffee machine had not been turned on before our arrival, despite Maurice’s tip off by phone. The coffee wasn’t great either but that’s a rarity these days.

The Duncombe Arms coffee stop

There was therefore time to take in the local area before setting off back:

The return leg continued through mainly quiet lanes when the group split up, some wanting to get to the pies first and others wishing to soak up the beautiful countryside, including this huge herd of deer grazing on some poor farmer’s winter wheat. Dear dear!

Soon we were all back at the Pig and Abbott celebrating Vernon’s forthcoming birthday in fine style – thanks Vernon! We’re looking forward already to next year. And then the pies arrived – steak and ale, steak and kidney, chicken (an entire panful for Keith) and other choices too, all accompanied by excellent veg and washed down with fine ales. A truly great pub with roaring fires to boot.

And so endeth another fine ride. Thanks go once again to our hard working leader Maurice for planning the ride and printing out the maps and to Andrew for getting us to the starting line, in dribs and drabs this time due to an accident in Royston which held some up. Thanks also to fellow blogger Brian for the map and some of the pics.

Martin

The first ride out since the clocks went back. Earlier start times bring the issue of which hostelry would be open to welcome a band of thirsty cyclists.

Four intrepid explorers, Maurice, Andrew, Keith and Sandra, accepted the challenge to check out a new hostelry and met in the car park of The Fox & Hounds, Clavering, a potential starting point for many a route in the area.

Those that had taken advantage of the extra hour in bed the day before were looking refreshed and ready to go. Myself feeling a little bit tender but still on a high, having completed a 73 mile ride in Norfolk the day before, brought a choice of bikes, with the intention of testing which would be most comfortable in the car park before we set off, well the ‘lovely’ pebble stone surface meant wheeling the bike to the entrance for testing. With more substantial padding in my trousers the relief bike was not required and we set off on what was to be a fantastic Autumn evening, clear and still. A perfect evening to take in the Essex and Hertfordshire countryside on a bicycle, carefully avoiding the afternoon school traffic, as we passed through the villages of Rickling, Rickling Green, Manuden, The Pelhams and Meesden, sadly cutting the corner and by-passing The Bull at  Langley Lower Green (too early for a pit stop here!) and back via Roast Green to Clavering.

Long shadows forming behind us. Time to light.

17.5 miles clockwise the sun setting as we completed the last few miles back to Clavering for the all important beer/protein shake (certainly had some substance to it, not exactly crystal clear shall we say!!) and welcome at The Fox & Hounds. I think the Jury is out on this one! Always scope for more research.

Thanks to Maurice and Andrew for organising the ride.

Sandra.

Thursday morning saw eleven Windmillers gathering in the car park of The Golden Fleece in Braughing. Maurice had planned a 32 mile ride around the lanes of North Herts and he was to be accompanied by Keith, John B, John T, Andrew, Martin, Lawrence, Sandra, Tom and two Brians.

Setting off we headed for Much Hadham and then on to Hunsdon and Stanstead Abbotts where we turned northwards on to the River Lee towpath.

We stopped to admire the bird life – mostly cormorants – at Amwell Nature Reserve before continuing on to Ware where we pulled in for refreshments at The Corner Coffee Shop.

Then it was back on the bikes for the return leg to Braughing.

Arriving at the Fleece we were delighted to be joined for lunch by Vernon. He let slip that it’s his birthday next week, guaranteeing another bumper turnout.

Thanks, Maurice and Andrew, for organising another delightful ride.

What started as a beautiful autumn evening’s ride, with a red kite cruising along beside us from Great Chishill to Shaftenhoe End, was soon marred by not one but two large dumps of fly-tipped material on the road to Nuthampstead. The first was a dump of concrete / hard core but the second was a huge load of household refuse including a bed, bath, tyres and bags which looked as if it had just happened:

Keith had warned us in advance of what to expect but it was on a scale unsurpassed. But after ferreting around amongst the rubbish Maurice found some packaging and an address of a person in Hitchin, and as John T and Bridget lived very nearby we knocked on their door and handed over to Bridget the evidence and suggested she called 101 to report it.  It is such a shame to see our lovely countryside spoiled in this way.

So, sleuthing over, our leader Maurice guided Andrew, Keith, Sandra and Martin onwards through our usual lanes to the Bull at Lower Langley where a warm welcome, as always, was received.

There were more red kites to be seen on the return leg as it was getting darker, this being the last summer-time Monday ride, and let’s hope we see them throughout the coming winter months too. All agreed to avoid the John B off road route back to The Pheasant and so a relatively clean puff of Windmillers entered the pub to enjoy succulent cod goujons and chips.

Thanks, Maurice, for organising the ride and to Andrew for getting us to the start line on time. Let’s all hope the fly-tipper is caught and fined enough to deter him from doing it again.

Martin

Why do bike incidents come along like no. 11 buses? We can go for weeks at a time without even a puncture but then everything goes wrong all at once. This was just one of those days but we all survived even if we did go our separate ways at times. At least it didn’t rain, which is what happened the last time we ventured out into the Fens.

There was a large gathering in the Trumpington Park & Ride at 9.30am prior to Maurice’s planned trip to Downham Market and back to Cambridge by train. Andrew, John B, John T, Sandra, Keith, Brian, Lawrence and Martin were all there too but where was Vernon? A call came through saying he had discovered a puncture before setting off but would be with us shortly. At 10.00 am another call from Vernon brought the unwelcome news that the 2m high barrier into the car park had sliced into his bike atop his car which sent the peloton rushing to his aid. Astonishingly, the bike was almost unscathed but the roof rack had slid gracefully and scratchfully down the back of his car. It didn’t take long to pick up the pieces, bend the brake levers back in place and we were soon whizzing along beside the busway en route to Downham Market, or so we thought. The red line shows the planned route and the green the green route.

Thanks to Brian’s expert knowledge of the lanes and pubs around Mill Road, we sailed through Cambridge and on to the tow path alongside the Cam heading upriver. The path was muddy and slippery in places, as Vernon discovered at one stage, but got better as we got closer to Baits Bite lock where the first breather was taken.

A left turn to Milton and across the busy A10 to Landbeach went smoothly until the Reverend Moley Martin announced ‘puncture’ in a shrill voice, appropriately enough opposite the church in Cottenham. He chose the driveway of The Rectory to carry out the repair assisted by nurses Rusack and Naylor, only to discover after 10 minutes of fitting that his spare tube would not inflate due to leaks around poorly placed patches over previous punctures, or ppppp for short. Brian came to the rescue with a new tube and after another 10 minutes whilst the remainder of the peloton talked patiently amongst themselves, planning how to hang Martin with his own tube from a high tree in the churchyard, all was done.

By this time thoughts of reaching Downham Market began to create doubt but 9 Windmillers shot off at high speed allowing Martin to pick up his bits and pieces and follow behind, only to result in a loud bang from his back tyre after just 200 yards…… Having no more tubes he called nurse Rusack who nobly returned to help whilst the others carried on towards Ely. Brian’s tube had exploded without reason underneath the valve but luckily Andrew had a spare and so after removing the wheel for the third time and inserting yet another tube, this time successfully, the tail enders also set off for Ely to find the others, who were suitably holed up in The Cutter Inn on the river thinking of having lunch and giving up on ever getting to Downham Market. But the pub service was not good and so half the gang decided to head to the station, catch the train and have lunch in Cambridge whilst the other half decided to cycle back via the Sustrans Route 11 across the Fens via Wicken which had been done once before.

Those who cycled back, Andrew, John B, Vernon, Lawrence and Martin, enjoyed a lovely picturesque ride across the Fens with its big skies. At Wicken there was a lunch stop at the Docky Café (an ex-tractor shed so called because agricultural workers had their pay docked there for taking time off for lunch) which John B declined as he thought it was not licensed but it produced not only a fine lunch but had a good range of bottled beers too. Meanwhile, the others were enjoying a nice lunch in The Kingston Arms in Cambridge which stocks a fine range of real ales. No wonder they headed there.

So it was four Windmillers that continued on via Burwell Fen and on towards Lode and Bottisham, passing on the way a large herd of Polish wild horses that were introduced in 2003, called Koniks. These are generally no larger than 13 hands but perhaps due to the rich Fen pasture some looked a bit larger.

From Bottisham we continued via Great Wilbraham and Fulbourn expecting to catch up with John B again but he had clearly got ahead of us. In Fulbourn Vernon decided to stop off at a friend’s house leaving just 3 Windmillers to return to Trumpington via the Gogs and Addenbrookes, clocking up 53.5 miles in total (55 in the case of nurse Rusack). Those who let the train take the strain and lunched in Cambridge clocked up a few less.

Thanks go to Maurice for planning the route to Downham Market but apologies from those responsible for not making it possible, and thanks to nurses Rusack and Naylor for their assistance in the operating theatre.

Martin

Such was the enthusiasm for Constable Country just two weeks ago (or was it the lunch in the Henny Swan?) that Maurice very kindly organised a return trip, which was appreciated particularly by those who could not make the ride on 28 September. And so it was that Maurice and six other Windmillers, Andrew, Keith, Vernon, Sandra, Ken and Martin gathered at The Swan at 9.30am to ride clockwise on a slightly different circuit than before, starting off with a bumpy cycle track on a disused railway line towards Long Melford, which Martin’s back muttered about from time to time. Here is the route we took:

The luxury of tarmac again was greeted by all near Long Melford, through which we rode by mistake before taking an easterly direction – must have been the shock of seeing two Volvos involved in a minor smash at a road junction and wondering which came off the worst. Anyhow, we were soon back on track cycling through peaceful Suffolk lanes and remarking on all the ploughing going on, amongst other things including cricket, wildlife and cars of course.

Andrew’s bike was sporting new gear bits but this didn’t stop it making a few grinding and slipping noises at times which meant an examination was called for as we entered the pretty village of Kersey:

Kersey cottages

Fortified by a coffee (plus scones and jam for some) in the local pub, this enabled us to pedal with gusto up the steep hill out of Kersey towards another coffee stop just a few miles farther on in Boxford, the wonderful Coffee Box café which had been visited also on 28 September (and liked on Facebook).

The return journey took us through more delightful villages and past a magnificent church, St. Mary’s, in Stoke-by-Nayland, which has this claim to fame: One of the largest and finest churches in Suffolk, with a history stretching back to the 10^th century, but refashioned in the Perpendicular style by the Howards, Dukes of Norfolk, in the late 1400s.   Its tower dominates the landscape of Dedham Vale, and can be seen for miles around.

Thoughts of beer began soon afterwards but there was still some way to go, through Nayland and Bures before heading northwards back to The Swan at Henny Street. The weather was warm and sunny throughout and so what better than to sample a good pint of Doom Bar, courtesy of Keith whose birthday he had been persuaded to celebrate early rather than later. Thanks Keith!

And so another Suffolk ride came to a close. Thanks to Maurice for planning the ride, (and for getting there on time this time) and to Sinner Man Andrew for all his organisation .

Martin

With the evenings drawing in at the rate of half and hour per week, it was good to enjoy one of the last summer-time Monday rides before the clocks go back on 29 October. So it was that Maurice, Andrew, Sandra, Tom and Martin gathered at The Pheasant at 4.00pm for a very pleasant cruise around the lanes as the sun sank slowly towards the horizon. Tom rode all the way from Stapleford to join the others, and back again in the dark looking like a lighthouse on wheels and clocking up a very respectable 35 miles or so compared to a leisurely 17 miles for the others.

Andrew thought up the route on the spur of the moment, knowing that The Bull would be visited but not quite sure how we would navigate our way there. But he could have done it blindfolded as he led us firstly to Elmdon and on to Arkesden, Clavering and Meesden before arriving at The Bull where the usual warm welcome was received. Another welcome sight was John Bagrie who arrived by car, having been too busy with chores to get on his bike.

Conversation in The Bull somehow got around to discussing John’s favourite off road route from Little to Great Chishill and the benefit it has in avoiding one of the three hills encountered by road. Some had done it before and were willing to tackle it again whilst others were wary but did not wish to be labelled wimps, your writer included, and so took part too. The track was steep initially, necessitating a dismount by some who shall remain nameless, and then became rutted and slippery which made the potential views across delightful countryside hard to take in. Thank you John! You’re on your own next time, but Lawrence might be willing to accompany you on his new cross bike with knobbly tyres.

Back at The Pheasant, the bikes spattered with mud, we enjoyed the usual large helpings of cod goujons and french fries before heading back to whence we came in the pitch black.

Thanks to Andrew for guiding us around the sunset boulevards.

Revd Moley Martin

Nine Windmillers set off from the Fleur de Lys on an autumnal Thursday morning. The season was turning, the bare knee count already in low single figures.

Maurice – followed by Ken, Keith, Sandra, Andrew, Ric, Lawrence and the two Brians – led the way, via Henham, Brick End and Tilty, to Thaxted where we pulled in for coffee and cake at Parrishes. Then it was on to Lindsell and Great Easton, where we pressed our noses to the window of the Rolls Royce showroom and ogled the shiny new motors. Could you fit a bike rack to one of those, we wondered?

Back in the saddle, we continued on to Broxted and Henham before returning to Widdington and a warm welcome from Fleur landlord, Chris, having clocked up a respectable 31 miles.

Thanks again, Maurice, for leading us around some delightful, quiet lanes – and to Andrew for getting us all organised.

Brian

Nine thirty, Thursday morning saw seven Windmillers, all kitted up and ready to go, hanging around outside the Henny Swan. Alas we were leaderless. Where was Maurice? And where was Sandra? Come nine forty five, speculation was rife.

Eventually, and just before 10am, a familiar VW hove into view and Maurice and Sandra emerged, sheepishly and all apologies; something about a hold up in Newport.

So it was that nine Windmillers – Maurice, Sandra, Andrew, Ken, Ric, Chris, Keith, Vernon and Brian – set off on a tour of the Suffolk / Essex border country.

Rumour had it that John Bagrie would be joining us along the way, so we kept an eye out for a white bike propped against a pub wall.

Maurice led the way – via Bures and Stoke by Nayland – to Boxford, where we pulled in for refreshments at The Coffee Box, a new venue for the Windmill Club and a little gem of a place. We enjoyed a warm welcome and some excellent coffee and cake. We will return.

Back in the saddle, we continued on through Acton and Long Melford, skirting Sudbury before returning to Henny Street and the Swan for lunch, having clocked up 29 miles in all.

Birthday boy Chris bought the beers – nine pints of Wherry – good job he’d brought his credit card. He is a generous chap with a discerning palate; after just a few sips, he decided the beer was off (we agreed) and promptly had them swapped for nine pints of Adnams. We like his style!

Then, just as we were lunching, John Bagrie turned up to cheers all round.

It was another great outing. Thanks to Maurice for a lovely route – and to Andrew for getting us all organised.

Brian

It was already quite murky at 16.30 as Maurice, Andrew, Sandra and Martin set off with lights blazing from the Pheasant on what was planned to be the usual Monday evening circuit, until Martin suggested a slight detour to take in a hill that Maurice confessed he had never climbed. So it was down to Chrishall Grange and then a right towards Ickleton but continuing straight up the said hill bastardo on a terrible potholed surface to the luxury of the Essex border at the top and the new tarmac down the other side. Having completed the first hill, albeit with much puffing and panting, it was tempting to continue straight towards Littlebury up another hill but instead we eased up and pedalled via Catmere End and Littlebury Green towards our watering hole, The Bull at Lower Langley, where a familiar figure in hi viz yellow was waiting for us, namely John B.

Visibility remained poor on this warm, damp evening and the lanes were surprisingly busy with vehicles of all shapes and sizes – we must just have caught the height of the rush hour – and so hi viz clothing and lights are important in such conditions. But this didn’t stop a scary moment for Andrew on the return leg from The Bull (no connection!) when his wheels got stuck in a narrow strip of poor road surface and his combination of steering out of the rut and pedalling at the same time resulted in a spectacular slide of his back wheel which he corrected, scramble bike style, with great skill and didn’t fall off. The only problem was that the skid took him across the road in front of a car which had very conveniently stopped to allow the Windmillers room to squeeze past…………

Here is the offending bit of road, which Andrew re-inspected the following day:

Maurice decided to join John B’s off road route back to The Pheasant from Little Chishill, which he later regretted, whilst the others descended further and took the usual, faster route back, by which time it was almost dark.

Cod goujons and chips were then devoured and washed down with some fine ales.

Thanks Maurice for planning the ride and to Lucky Dawg Andrew for his organisation and skilful riding.

The Right Revd Moley Martin

Thursday 21st September 17-  Five super keen cyclist/navigators drove to East Bergholt for a nautical syle adventure ride around the Shotley Peninsula, led by Commodore Maurice, Sea Dawg Andrew, and able sea persons Sandra, Vernon and Lawrence.

After a dirty stopout in London,  Rev Moley Martin (who can now officiate weddings at sea) joined us halfway round the circuit near Alton Water Park.

One of the highlights of the day was Lawrence’s brand new Fluorescent Green crossover Cannondale bike with the biggests knobbly tyres you have ever seen. Despite the rolling resistance of these knobblies, Lawrence managed to keep pace throughout the ride -is that a battery I see lurking in his saddle bag?.

Our ride was almost the reverse of last years visit to this area taking in the impressive Royal Hospital School and Holbrook established in it’s current position in 1933 however,  dates back to 1694.

Onwards then to Shotley Marina passing on our way a very impressive country house.

We arrived at a sunny Shotley Marina and observed a number of yachts exiting the lock gates and preparing for lively sail along the Suffolk coastline.

The group made rapid haste to our coffee stop at the picturesque Pinn Mill and our watering hole The Butt & Oyster.

Deputy Dawg Andrew was duly advised to read a message clearly visible at the pub entrance (conveniently about two feet of the ground)

We then met appropriately outside a local church the Rev Moley Martin who joined us for the rest of the ride which involved a Bargie style off road session around Alton Water Park (thanks Maurice from me and Vernon for the slow punctures at the end of the ride )

Following the off road section we made our way thankfully on smooth tarmac back to East Bergholt via Bentley to enjoy a hearty two course retarded special lunch (except for Sandra who is far too young to qualify)

Thanks goes to Commodore Maurice for organising another memorable adventure.

yours Deputy Dawg.

It had been a while since we last did a Thursday outing from The Pheasant. Andrew led an elite team of five Windmillers – Vernon, Sandra, Ric and Brian – on a 39 mile jaunt around the lanes south of Saffron Walden.

Along the way we pulled in at the Mutton & Kipper Cafe at Wimbish for coffee and cake.

We returned to The Pheasant for an excellent lunch and toasted Andrew, who was celebrating three years of cycling activity. We think he’s getting the hang of it.

It’s never too late to start!

Nine Windmillers – Maurice, Andrew, Vernon, Lawrence, John B, John T, Tom, Keith and Brian – turned out on a fine September morning for our regular Thursday outing.

Maurice had planned a route starting from the Fleur de Lys at Widdington, one of our favourite watering holes. The outward leg took us via Thaxted to Finchingfield where we pulled in at Bosworth’s Tea Room for refreshments. Overlooking the green, we sipped coffee and sympathised with Andrew who was still suffering toothache, despite his visit to dentist earlier in the week.

Then it was back in the saddle for the homeward journey via Wimbish to Widdington. Back in the Fleur we were joined at the big round table by Ken – who had pedalled up from Ickleton – and Landlord Chris served us up an excellent two course lunch.

All in all, it was a very pleasant outing; 33 miles, puncture free, no rain and nobody fell off.

Thanks are due to Maurice for planning the route and leading the way – and to Andrew for organising things.

Brian

‘Please die carefully’ was the unfriendly welcome we received twice in Chevington towards the end of this ride through Suffolk lanes. But on closer inspection some wag had carefully removed the r and v from both signs, which was a relief. Before that grim sign had been spotted a peloton of 9 Windmillers had enjoyed a glorious circuit of 38 miles from The Packhorse Inn at Moulton, devised once again by our leader Maurice, to take in some beautiful villages and quiet lanes. His faithful followers were Andrew, Ken, Keith, Brummie Brian, Brummie Chris (Brian’s guest for the day), Tom, Lawrence and Martin. Here is the route taken:

And here is a link to how it looked from the air:

https://www.relive.cc/view/1161290011  (thanks, Andrew).

It was one of those perfect days for a bike ride – a slight chill to start with,  but Maurice took care of that with a steep initial climb out of Moulton, followed by warm sunshine and no wind thereafter. What could be better? But en route we passed Calamity Corner from a previous ride when Andrew’s derailleur snapped off which required Tom’s skills to convert it rapidly to a fixie. Perhaps this route has a jinx on it as there were more calamities to come………………..

The feature stop was Ickworth House near Bury St Edmunds, an extraordinary National Trust property set in hundreds of acres of parkland. Described by some as an overgrown folly and others as something from outer space, it is certainly unusual. Full details of its history are here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ickworth_House .

Brian also went to extraordinary David Bailey-type lengths to obtain a suitable pic of the gang in front of the folly:

Ickworth House and its walled garden

A quick circuit of the grounds meant it was time for coffee and so on we went to Maglia Rosso, a bike shop / café in the middle of nowhere but, as it happened, a perfect stop for Calamity No. 1 as Lawrence developed a puncture just 100 yards before we got there. So instead of getting his hands dirty the shop obliged and his bike was ready by the time we had finished our coffee.

Whizzing down the hill to Maglia Rosso meant having to climb back up again but the cakes kicked into gear and we were soon heading back to Moulton until Calamity No. 2 occurred when Brian’s cassette gear cable snapped leaving him with just 2 gears.

Thereafter, it was more or less straight back to Moulton via Chevington along this imaginatively named road

until we reached the familiar bridge over the non-existent river in Moulton (at least in September):

and received a warm welcome at The Packhorse where an excellent lunch was had by those who had the time to stay, which did not include Andrew – he had an appointment with an attractive Venezuelan dentist in Saffron Walden, who subsequently turned out to only have the qualifications of a butcher.

Thanks, Maurice for organising another great ride and to Andrew for getting us to the starting line on time.

Martin

Thursday morning saw the Windmillers on an excursion to the Suffolk Coast. There were eight of us in all – Maurice, Andrew, Sandra, Lawrence, John B, Ken, Keith and Brian – gathering in front of The Royal Oak at Laxfield, while Landlord Mike provided coffee and took our orders for lunch.

Maurice had planned a circular route to Aldeburgh and back, a reprise of the run we did last July, only this time in an anticlockwise direction.

Setting off for Snape, it was mostly downhill and – with the wind at our backs – we made good time on the outward leg. Along the way Sandra spotted a – very much alive and wriggling – snake in the road.

With the East Anglian harvest in full swing, it’s a matter of self preservation to pull over and let tractors pass safely. They seem to get ever bigger and quicker – and their drivers ever younger. We were overtaken by one, in particular, pulling a trailer full of red onions, many of which it distributed in the road ahead of us. That was another first for the Windmillers, dodging bouncing onions.

Leaving the road at Snape Maltings, Maurice led us on footpaths along the river and through the pines, an off road section of around five miles. Having done this in past years, we know to look out for the deep sand where it’s traditional for one of us to get stuck and fall off. Sure enough, this time it was Brian’s turn to take a tumble – though it was a soft landing, executed in some style.

Emerging from the pines and arriving in Aldeburgh, we pulled up at Maurice’s place on the High Street where he kindly provided coffee and croissants.

Then it was back on the bikes for the return leg – via Thorpeness, Leiston and Westleton – to Laxfield, a 20 mile run which we did non-stop and at quite a clip. We enjoyed a late lunch at the Royal Oak and Landlord Mike very kindly donated £10 to the Windmill Club charity. Cheers, Mike!

Thanks Maurice for planning another delightful outing and for hosting us at Shrimp Cottage.

And here’s a link to Andrew’s STRAVA recording of our route, with some more pictures.

This could be the name of the Windmill Club’s very own pub were it to ever venture into the licensed trade. Once again, a Monday evening ride took in both hostelries and, once again, the peloton met up with John B at The Bull prior to the ride back to The Pheasant. And a lovely summer’s evening it was too when Andrew, Sandra, Ken and Martin set off at 5.00pm for a circuit via Chrishall Grange, Duxford, Ickleton, Strethall, Littlebury, Duddenhoe End and the Langleys.

Ken, who generally does not ride on a Monday, was surprised at the speed of the peloton which we explained was all in the interest of generating a real thirst. It swept past Martin’s and Ken’s houses in Ickleton, and The Ickleton Lion, before storming up Coploe Hill before a brief breather in Strethall and a 34 mph descent from Littlebury Green.

Then it was up the steep hill to Duddenhoe End before another, longer, breather in The Bull.

Thereafter the peloton climbed the three hills as usual whilst John chose his preferred off-road route from Little Chishill, which gained some metres but lost some time.

It was getting dim as we returned to The Pheasant – signs of the evenings drawing in – but we sat down to plentiful helpings of goujons and chips, washed down with some fine beers.

Thanks, Andrew, for organising a great ride of 22.5 miles. Here is the route taken:

Thursday morning and the heavy overnight rains had left puddles in the car park of The Fox and Duck, Therfield. Early comers were passing the time counting the scrapes on Ken’s new car until he diverted us by demonstrating the retractable towbar. Cor! I want one of those.

Sandra had planned our route – some thirty miles around the lanes of North Herts. She was joined by Ken, Andrew, Vernon, Lawrence, Ric and the Brians, Brummie and Yorkshire;  eight Windmillers in all.

We set off past Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel (North Herts being too posh for a mere cattery) and headed southwards towards Sandon, on through Rushden and Weston before reaching Baldock, where we pulled in for a refreshment stop at Delizia, the Italian cafe in the middle of the town. Sitting outside in the sunshine, we were tempted by the proprietor’s suggestion of Aperol Spritz, but sensibly opted for coffee instead.

Back in the saddle, we headed for Ashwell and then back to Sandon where we stopped for a breather and photo opportunity on the green. With the wind at our back we sailed the last few miles back to Therfield to enjoy a well deserved pint and lunch on the benches in front of the Fox.

Thank you Sandra for organising everything, planning the route and leading us on a delightful ride.

With many away on holiday and the chance of a shower putting off the fair weather cyclists, only two started at The Pheasant, Maurice and Sandra. We set off in the direction of Elmdon, Strethall, Littlebury Green, Duddenhoe End on to Arkesden. Discusssing our recent holidays and also the previous rides, be they a bit wet or spattered with manure or with interesting characters not necessarily riding but meeting in the pubs too, always interesting to catch up.

From Arkesden we headed to Clavering via Rickling passing the beautiful Black Swan on the pond, dropping back down towards Lower Langley Green. Almost as if on cue, a few drops of rain appeared, so the umbrella of The Bull seemed the obvious choice to shelter and hydrate with the speciality waters!!! We were soon joined by John B, seeking shelter and rehydration too. Advising us of a special route we could take back to The Pheasant avoiding the 3 hills, Sandra might not like it though!

We set off back to The Pheasant leaving John B sampling another speciality water. Heading to Little Chishill and then 3 hills back up to Gt Chishill and Goujons and fries. Joined by John B who saw a fantastic Fallow Deer Stag and his Does following along behind, crossing the road ahead.

24 miles clockwise.

Thanks for another great ride Maurice.

With Maurice away, Andrew stepped up and sent out an email regarding the impending Monday evening ride, with a hint that he was hoping we would take pity on him, as he had an early start the following morning to catch a flight from Stansted. Well test number 1 – FAIL – three of us turned out, knowing that Andrew was a hardened traveller and would be fine.

Tom, Lawrence and Sandra met up with Andrew at The Pheasant, discussions about the weather ensued, various comments about what each of the weather Apps were suggesting we were in for, one even saying it was raining as we stood there dry under the mottled blue and white sky with a hint of grey clouds in the distance. We set off with the thought that we may experience a shower or two, well how wrong could we be!!

Heading to Shaftenhoe End, Little Chishill and Langley Lower Green, within 15 mins of setting off, jackets on for the first shower, well for two of us anyway, Tom braving it a little longer and Lawrence advising us he didn’t have any water proofs!!  This shower didn’t last long and we were soon too hot again, jackets off. On passing by The Bull, no sign of a certain Specialised bike, perhaps John B knew something we didn’t!!! Test number 2 – was Lawrence correct in his interpretation of the weather – FAIL As we headed up hill to Messden and on to Brent Pelham, it wasn’t long before we were reaching for the wet weather gear again, sheltering under Holly trees outside Brent Pelham church, the rain was relentless. We continued on to Starlings Green and sheltered again under the trees and listening for a change in the tone of the rain drumming on the trees and surroundings, this was where Lawrence asked our opinions on the wet weather gear we were sporting. Test number 3 – Wet weather jackets – Tom and Andrew – PASS, Sandra – partial failure – wet arms, never let me down before, may be a sign of how extreme the rain was though!!

Eventually the rain eased (if that’s the correct term) and we continued back to Lower Langley Green via Clavering, to take shelter in the umbrella that is also known as The Bull. Partaking of some refreshment and making use of hand drying facilities, in a bid to dry Lawrence out a little bit. On leaving The Bull, it was clear Lawrence was on a mission, he took off up the hill to Duddenhoe End, aiming to generate some heat to aid with the drying, on to Chrishall, Heydon and back to the Pheasant, hopeful that there would be a roaring fire – early August really!!! Candle flame was all we had but made the most of. Lovely Scampi and fries too.

Lawrence with his own personal fire

Lawrence – amazing how much heat you can get off a single candle

All in all a good ride, if a bit wet!!! 19.4 miles. A true test of committment – PASS

Thanks Andrew for organising.