The Windmill Cycle Club

A good turn out of cyclists congregated at Andrew’s house in Wendens Ambo to meet puppy Dillon and to set out on a ride to celebrate the re-opening of the Refurbished Bell Inn.

First mention of the Bell appears in documents in 1576, when it was sold as a 40 acre farm called “Beauchamps” (with stables, barns, meadowlands, pastures and a malt house). The six pilasters on each face of the chimney stack built at this time is considered a fine example of Elizabethan workmanship. In 1806 it appears as a public house when it was sold to Elizabeth Hawks of the Bishops Stortford Brewery Company who in turn sold it to Benskins Brewery of Watford in 1898. It was finally sold as a free house in 1992.

Back in the present, three groups headed out via the metropolis of Saffron Walden towards the first climb of the day, the long but gentle slope up to Hadstock Common.

Hadstock Common is a relatively exposed area and home to the former RAF Little Walden, otherwise known as Station 165 of the USAAF. Some buildings remain visible to riders crossing Hadstock Common.

When construction of Station 165 began in 1942, it was allocated to the Eighth Air Force as a Class A bomber airfield. Little Walden’s main runway was slightly shorter than those of its counterparts, 1,900 yards as opposed to 2,000 yards, but the two auxiliary runways were both the standard 1,400 yards in length (I will acquiesce to using imperial measurements for history, but never for rides !). On March 6th, 1944 the airfield officially opened, the day before the 409th bomber group arrived. Little Walden transferred back to RAF ownership in early 1946. For the next twelve years it was used to store surplus military equipment. After that, the site was returned to agriculture, the majority of the buildings pulled down and the runways dug up for road building hardcore.

Once again, back to the present: A fast descent took us through Hadstock and across to Linton and Abington. At Abington, it is necessary to cross the very busy A11 using a steep, stepped footbridge which is regularly put into Windmill rides in order to slow up those with e bikes.

A bridal path leads to Babraham where a course error led to a number of Windmillers straying onto a footpath, before coming to a halt at an uncompromising looking gate. Our course error was confirmed be a friendly dog walker, no doubt bemused by the number of stranded cyclists on ber path.

A hasty U turn took us further up the road to the start of the designated and eminently cyclable bridal path which led to Stapleford Granary for coffee.

Always friendly but never quick, the coffee and cake service was even slower than usual due to parents availing themselves of school holidays and sunny weather.

From Stapleford, the route diverted through Sawston, Whittlesford, Duxford and Hinxton to Ickleton (Sawston and Hinxton being bypassed by group 3 to avoid any danger of being late for lunch). From here, the Ickleton Alps beckon – started by another long but gradual pull up Coploe Road to the best viewpoint of the ride.

Undulating scenic lanes finally led to the Wendens Ambo road, with a fast descent of the hill known to Windmillers as “El Bastardo” (when tackled the other way). A short sprint led us back to the sunny beer garden of the Bell where we met up with Maurice, Lindsey and Dillon.

Jenni, Andrew, Brian, Jeremy, Ric, Graham, Nigel, Neil, Keith, Alan, Simon. Howard, Rod, Charles, Geoff (Maurice, Lindsey, Dillon for lunch)

General Election day. Horseheath is in the South Cambridgeshire constituency and therefore returned Lib Dem, Pippa Heylings, as MP. The specific significance of this for this ride will become apparent.

The village of Balsham extends mainly along one road and has the church at the highest point. Roman roads form the west and south boundaries, Fleam Dyke is to the east, and one of the Icknield Way tracks is the northern boundary. In the Domesday Book, Balsham is called Balesham: the village of Baelli. Of far greater significance to the less cultured amongst us is that Balsham supports two pubs. On our last visit here we started from the Bell, but this time the ride returned to a start at the Black Bull.

Welcome to Clive, who joined 16 other riders for coffee and to place their food order before heading off in 3 groups toward West Wickam, noting as we went that we would have to retrace our steps back up that hill and into the wind into Balsham at the end of the ride.

The vast majority of people on the road are very courteous to us cyclists, often calling us across when we look stuck at junctions and acknowledging friendly waves. As a group, we like to think we are courteous and law abiding in return. There is, however a tiny minority of people in vehicles who are deliberately antagonistic and dangerous – as discovered by our second group on the road as they were close pass targeted by someone in a black Audi (other antagonistic driver marques are available). Luckily no injuries but this sort of thing can take the gloss off anyone’s day.

From West Wickham we headed towards the crossing point of the busy Haverhill road at Horseheath. Here we encountered the handiwork of one of the more politically engaged citizens. Three or four immaculately prepared banners across vehicles and gateways proclaimed their views in no uncertain terms. Massive dedication to their cause.

After pausing to read the somewhat wordy banners, we pressed on South to Cornish Hall End before turning back North towards a welcome coffee and cake stop at Tarkas cafe. Although the breeze was a bit chlly, in the shelter to the cafe garden it was very pleasant.

The return via Boyton End is via very narrow lanes. Our next vehicle encounter can only be put down as a countryside thing, as a full lane width hedgetrimming tractor approached group 3, with no room to do anything other than press on. Luckily a small patch of grass gave us just enough room to allow the monster to pass by.

Back at the Black Bull we were treated to an excellent meal and beer. I can personally vouch for the seafood linguine ! Many thanks to Maurice for arranging. The impressive roll call of 17:

Maurice, Brian, Victor, Graham, Martin B, Tom, Simon, Ken, Paul, Gareth, Howard, Keith, Alan, Ric, Martin W, Jeremy and, of course, our newest member Clive.

So far, it’s not been a great summer weather-wise, but all that was forgotten as it turned out at its best for the annual London ride. With six members still in France, a small but select band; Kieth, Paul, Roger, Brian, Deborah, Gareth, Simon and Maurice prepared for the trip by assembling at the National Water-sports Center and heading off down the Lee Valley led by Maurice.

This route follows the canals to the center of London with hardly a moment on the roads. This seems like a miracle.

Being a warm day we were ready for a drink when we arrived at the base of the IFS Cloud Cable Car. Kieth ordered his can of drink, which he put down only for it to be swept up by a hyper-efficient street cleaner, who emptied it, retaining the can for recycling.

The trip in the cable car, views as great as ever, soon deposited us on the South Bank of the Thames

New was Damien Hirst’s ‘Demon with a bowl’ statue. At 18 meters tall this is an impressive piece of public art and a fine addition to London’s many sights.

Lunch was, as usual, at the Trafalgar Inn. With good beer, food and most importantly really rapid service, which makes it a great stop.

By this point everyone was enjoying their ride. The pub is something of a celebration of England’s past and of Nelson in particular.

During his career Nelson fought; the Americans, Italians, Indians, Russians, Prussians, Swedish, Dutch, Spanish and most famously the French. He seems to have lacked the instinct for self-preservation, which is so well developed in most of us. Early in his career he was reprimanded for chasing a polar bear, putting crew members at risk. He lost his right eye during the battle of Corsica and his right arm in the battle of Tenerife. I particularly enjoyed the description of his efforts during the battle of Egypt,

“a piece of French shot struck him in the forehead. He fell to the deck, with a flap of torn skin obscuring his good eye. Blinded and half-stunned, he felt sure he would die and cried out, “I am killed. Remember me to my wife.” He was taken below to be seen by the surgeon. After examining Nelson, the surgeon pronounced the wound non-threatening and applied a temporary bandage.”

It wasn’t healthy even to be stood near Nelson. So, during the battle of Trafalgar,

“Victory came under fire. A cannonball struck and killed Nelson’s secretary, John Scott, nearly cutting him in two. Hardy’s clerk then took over, but he too, was almost immediately killed. Victory’s wheel was shot away; another cannonball cut down eight marines. Standing next to Nelson on the quarterdeck, Hardy’s shoe buckle was suddenly dented by a splinter”

Well, you know, the more risks you take, the more likely you are to cop it in the end, and moreover it can all be ruinous for your favourite footwear.

Still all this has sea-faring stuff has left us with some fine buildings including the Admiralty, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, where officers of the Royal Navy received their training. These days they do it near the sea, at Portsmouth, not as grand but I suppose makes more sense.

The club has certain hallowed traditions. One of these is Brian lying down to take groups photos at the Cutty Sark. This was duly done.

Unfortunately a mile before Tower Bridge disaster struck and Roger found that one side of his crank had bent! I’ve never seen this before and it reminded me of a ride a few years ago when a member’s pedal sheared off.

There are some things that happen that are just not roadside fixes, though we can handle most things. Roger was forced to drop out and make it back to the water-sports center by train; address Station Rd, Waltham Cross. Clue how to get back is in the name, which Roger did very successfully.

After the hustle and bustle of Tower Bridge it is always a relief to drop down to Limehouse Basin and dream of owning a boat docked in this very desirable bit of town. We found one on sale for £200K at 70ft with two double beds and a residential mooring. Seems like a good buy, but only Maurice can get away with buying accommodation in picturesque locations when out for a wander, so we cycled on.

I think this photo sums it all up. Great weather, great trip, led and navigated by Maurice in grand style. One of our longer rides but with much to see and do. A vintage trip.

Thanks to Maurice from the lot of us.

Northamptonshire – the self acclaimed ‘Rose of the Shires’ , new Windmill ride territory, and a belated Birthday drinks ride for Graham.

Starting from the Wheatsheaf, Titchmarsh with coffee and tales of crossing the A14 traffic, the route headed into the quiet lanes of Eastern Northamptonshire.

A small section of bridleway was the scene of an involuntary dismount for Neil (no bikes or humans damaged in the process)

Villages of ironstone cottages passed before a section of gated lane led us into Oundle.

Oundle, home of Oundle school (with whom Keith remembers playing rugby), Nene Valley brewery and Beans coffee stop.

From there, a relatively fast ride back to Titchmarsh and the aforementioned birthday beers.

Graham, Roger, Alan, Keith, Neil, Paul, Charles, Simon, Martin B, Jeremy, Victor.

80 years ago on this day 133,000 troops set out to liberate Europe. We rode past this postbox which reminded us of that fact. Again, we have war in Europe and the rise of the extreme political parties. Perhaps lessons have been learned and our leaders will address the root causes. ‘Lest we forget’ we are reminded that making 80 years of peace can be costly.

This week Martin took us to the seaside. I think he misses it, coming from the South Coast, likewise seeing France. Still after a busy motorway drive we were deposited in the sleepy lanes of Fuller Street at The Square and Compasses pub, under beautiful cloudless skies ready for a trip to the seaside (or mudflats).

Despite holiday commitments it was still a good turnout and we set-off (clockwise) in two groups to the Haybridge Basin on the Blackwater estuary.

Coffee was at the Tiptree Tea Rooms at the water’s edge and was as pleasant as ever. The weather was still nice as Group 1 arrived but it deteriorated upon the arrival of group 2. We tried not to hold it against them and focused instead on keeping the birds at bay while we ate our cake.

This time the tide was in so we were presented with water rather than the usual mud-flats, which on the 2nd of June, were the location for the 50th annual Maldon Mud Race.

Keep running like that and you will finish up in the Netherlands, or even Belgium. Then you’ll be sorry.

From the cafe you can look out to Osea Island. This is the endpoint of the Chelmer to Blackwater canal which was completed in 1796 and allowed goods to be brought in by sea to Chelmsford. Commercial traffic only ended in 1972. I thought the motorways looked a bit new round this bit of the country.

After coffee we dropped in at Maldon Church. This has a new window commemorating the Battle of Maldon, 991. Ethelred the Unready verses the Vikings. Unfortunately 1-0 to the Vikings, which Roy Hodgson and Gareth Southgate will be able to relate to. True to form the defeat was celebrated in a poem making this one of the oldest poems that we know of about English battles. But its not in English so it doesn’t really count. As you will know the oldest proper poetry is Chaucer (1532). Sit up at the back! Which is in English (just) as you will remember from the scars you received studying it at school.

This church visit was made more atmospheric since somebody was playing the new German organ on the recently built mezzanine floor inside.

Alan and Martin opted for a discrete photo in the churchyard outside rather than interrupt the music. Thames barges which are characteristic of this area can be seen behind them.

Next stop was the Maldon Moot Hall which is grade 1 listed. Martin was tempted to trying his Hercules pose.

But his heart wasn’t in it and the hall remains intact. Maldon was also the location of the first Tesco store in the country to be designated as a “supermarket” in 1958. No I didn’t make that up.

Actually the town has a surprising number of historic sites that we didn’t have time to visit. Being a port it has a lot of history I suppose.

On the way back we went round the famous Terling Ford

One to miss if you are driving around this area. Its 2 ft deep even in summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBD34Wt7ICo. What surprised me is that it is also pretty long and with very little signage on the road.

Back at the Square and Compasses the beer was ready for drinking. The food is good at this pub too.

Warm sunshine had returned and with it the warm glow of another good ride completed by; Iain, Brian, Roger, myself, Martin B, Alan, Paul, Neil, Howard and recorded by the able photographer The Reverend Holy Moly Martin, organizer.

Sorry the rest of you that missed it.

The promise of Jeremy’s flat route meant that Charles had abandoned his trusty e bike in favour of his trusty push bike, possibly forgetting that having ridden to the start, he’d have to pedal back up the hill to Chrishall.

For the Summer end of May, it was flippin’ cold as 15 of us gathered at Cafe 19, Duxford for today’s ride. Given the amount of traffic likely to be encountered, three groups of five riders was the order of the day. A variety of routes out of Duxford took us over a very busy A505 onto quieter roads through Shelford and out to Hauxton.

Here we joined the Hauxton – Trumpington cycle way through the nature reserve (prolific dandelions replacing last years prolific cowslips) and into the delightful Trumpington Meadows Country Park with its many carved wood animals. Familiar trails took us out to Granchester meadows and hence into turmoil that is central Cambridge.

North of the river, we eventually made it to the Milton Country Park cafe for a brief warm up and welcome coffee and cakes.

Back across the river, near the station, we encountered some art. I suspect opinions on Ariadne Wrapped will be mixed ! https://www.cb1cambridge.co.uk/art/ariadne-wrapped

The guided busway and the genome cycle path provided a traffic free route out of the city and it wasn’t long before we were back at cafe 19 for lunch. Many thanks to Charles for buying the drinks (for the record, his birthday was 3 months ago !) and Jeremy for organising. A flat ride as advertised. Riders were Jenni, Deborah, Ken, Graham, Paul, Alan, Keith, Charles, Alan, Geoff, Howard, Martin, Brian, Andrew, and a special mention for new boy: Neil.

It was real pleasure to return to the Golden Fleece at Braughing, home to many a pleasant Windmill Club occasion, including Christmas meals. The last few weeks might in fact have been Christmas, judged by the weather. However, this was the first ride of May and at least it had turned a bit warmer. Still cloudy though.

I’m always amazed that Jess remembers me, my gluten free needs, and that, this being Braughing, that I always order sausages. How does anyone do that when we only go a few times a year?

Better weather and the prospect of quite a good cake had resulted in an excellent turnout; Maurice, Brian, Martin, MartinB, Roger, Kieth, Paul, Victor and Andrew, Charles, Ken, Howard, myself, Rick and Deborah or something like that. The groups got mixed up several times for various mechanical and biological reasons.

In Greek legend Jason needs to find the Golden Fleece. He was accompanied by heroes in a ship called The Argo, hence The Argonauts. We intended to cycle to The Brewery Tea Rooms in Walkern, then to re-find The Golden Fleece. Well, I supposed, someone with a Garmin and a sense of direction might be able to. I’ve just come along for the ride.

Those up for a little further education might want to re-read the legend of the Argonauts. https://theargonauts.com/the-story-of-jason-and-the-argonauts/. I didn’t realize that some words from this source have entered directly into our language like Harpies; an unpleasant sort of woman, who were cruel to Jason. Also see Sirens, alluring voices, but likewise bad news. Bit of a misogynous theme developing here. More of that later.

The ride out to Walkern was excellent. We went via High Cross where is buried Captain Arthur Martin-Leake, one of only three people who have ever been awarded two Victoria Crosses. The first was in the Boer War and the second in the First World War. I suppose he must have been quite brave then.

Less resilience was required of us as we proceeded towards a beautifully cooked, home-made cake at the Brewery Tea Rooms. Safely ensconced in the tent outside, with the joyful sound of children playing in the local school yard, continuing living seemed preferable to any attempt at winning medals.

Still, everyone must suffer some time and this time it was Kieth who had a puncture. Two weeks ago it was me, and last week it was, oh no not him again. However that one was before the ride, so it doesn’t really count. Still a new tire, on the bike, should fix all that. Scwalbe Marathons no doubt, this should avoid the possibility of an end of year award. Hopefully.

The Argonauts did return to the Golden Fleece where they enjoyed excellent beer, food and a good get together. We were more fortunate than Jason who ends up underneath the aging Argo after his wife has killed all his children. I’ve already explained that he didn’t have much luck with women. Finally, he is struck dead by a rotting timber falling off the boat.  They don’t call them Greek Tragedies for nothing you know.

Thanks to Maurice ably assisted by Andrew for another vintage Windmill Club ride. 

So far it has been a Goodyear for punctures – not a patch on 2023, so pinched tyring and deflating puns have been few and far between. We were obviously treading on thin ice however – its a Marathon, not a sprint, after all and it all went flat today. For a blow by blow account, read on:

Martin’s ride was another “Only Way is Essex” spectacular, taking in some new quiet lanes, a new pub (the Maypole, Thaxted) and a new cafe (Booking Hall in Rayne).

Those wanting pre-ride coffees were thwarted by the discovery that one of our regular cafe stops, Parrishes, is now shut for the forseeable future. Luckily the Swan came up with the goods with great value coffee and bacon sandwiches.

12 riders set off from the Maypole in two groups. Group A initially in front, only to be overtaken by group B at the first puncture. Group A retook and kept the lead through punctures 2 and 3 in group B and maintained the lead despite sustaining puncture 4 at the cafe stop and managing the full route down to Waltham Cross and a cultural tour of Great Bardfield.

The route set off on a route devised to avoid the busy Dunmow road (but not to avoid puncture 1 to Martin W), across to Duck End (punctures 2 and 3, both to Simon) and down across the busy A120. Via a barely visible track, we joined the Flitch Way.

We have ridden a part of the Flitch way west of Great Dunmow before. This time we were heading east towards Rayne.

The Flitch Way stretches almost 24km along the track of the former railway line between Braintree and Bishop’s Stortford, which opened in 1869. Although the last passenger train ran in 1952, goods continued to be carried until the end of 1971. The name “Flitch Way” originated from the Flitch ceremony in Little Dunmow whereby couples who could prove that they had not argued in marriage after a year and a day would be awarded a flitch (side) of bacon.

At Rayne we stopped at the Booking Hall cafe for refreshments (and puncture 4, to Martin W) before rejoining the metalled roads heading back north. Group A had time to do the full Waltham Cross muddy lane experience followed by some, or all, of the advertised cultural tours, namely: “A brief visit to an ex-prison in Great Bardfield, now the home of a cottage museum where information about famous Great Bardfield artists is available”. Group B, having being more tardy in their puncture repairs, had no time for either.

From Great Bardfield it was a short ride back to Thaxted, fine food and ale and to meet up with Brian.
Group B: Graham, Keith, Simon, Geoff, Chris, Charles
Group A: Martin W, Maurice, Jeremy, Ric, Andrew, Howard
Group C: Brian (lunch only)

Jeremy, Graham, Howard and Brian had all ridden to Thaxted but the combativity award has to go to Ric who rode the whole return trip from Harston. Thanks to Martin W for another great ride exploring new routes.

A somewhat shorter than usual blog due to the author missing the second half of this week’s ride and lunch due to lingering coughs and sneezles. The rapidly diminishing start list bore testament to the fact that I’m not the only sufferer. (that, and the potential for some heavy showers, which never materialised). What we really need are some blue skies and sunshine to top up our vitamin D levels.

As it was, eight riders took to the road as a single group from Cafe 19 in Duxford. Ken apparently misread the ‘took to the road’ memo and literally ‘took to the road’ via an involuntary dismount on the loose gravel and boards around the cafe car park on his way into the cafe, having ridden in from Ickleton. The mud will almost certainly wash off.

Jeremy’s cunning plan this week was to visit a new local cafe at the Compass Courtyard, near Wendens Lofts. With this in mind, we headed off North, in completely the opposite direction, through Whittlesford, Newton, Thriplow and Fowlmere before heading South towards the cafe.

At Chrishall, Geoff timed his home departure to perfection, joining the peleton as it wended through the village.

For those familiar with the old Bicicletta in Saffron Walden, the Compass Courtyard is run by the people who used to run that cafe with the same coffee, menu and in-situ ‘home workers’ nursing their take away coffees and occupying the tables. Luckily the weather was clement enough to make sitting outside with the view a very viable option.

At the cafe, it was apparent that the combination of mucky roads and nagging winds were taking their toll and a slight short cut was adopted, eliminating a re-ascent of the hill to Duddenhoe End and the very wet and pot holed descent from Arkesden.

At the foot of the hill affectionately known as “Bastardo”, I left the group for a flatter run home. I can only assume that the remainder of the ride passed without incident and lunch was enjoyed by the partakers.

Thanks to the ever diligent Charles for the photographic record. The starters were Jenni, Jeremy, Andrew, Charles, Ric, (muddy) Ken, Roger and Graham.

Birthdays are coming thick and fast at present, what with Maurice’s last week, Roger’s this week and Rod getting in early next week with his 81st before he departs to Oz for 2.5 months after Easter. Keep ’em coming – we all love it when birthday boys and girls buy the drinks.

Graham chose a delightful route through quiet Essex lanes to celebrate Roger’s birthday. Accompanied by Rod, Maurice, Andrew, Ken, Keith, Simon, Deborah and the duo of Martins, the route started at an old favourite The Fox & Hounds in Steeple Bumpstead and took us on an anti-clockwise route via Great Bardfield, The Blue Egg for coffee, and through lots of Ends – Bridge End, Church End, Rotten End, Blackmore End – until the final end back at The Fox & Hounds for lunch.

This is where we went:

Great Bardfield is both a pretty and interesting place which is well worth a stop on future rides to admire some of its fine buildings, many of which were once homes to famous artists between 1930 and 1970. Known as the Great Bardfield Artists, they shared a love of figurative art which made them distinct from the better known St. Ives School of artists in Cornwall. Amongst them were Edward Bawden, whose works can often be seen in the Fry Art Gallery in Saffron Walden, Eric Ravilious (who also made wonderful drawings of Sussex landmarks) and John Aldridge. Associated with them also was Bernard Cheese, whose paintings of boats on Aldeburgh beach are very collectable. A talk on Great Bardfield Artists is being given in Ickleton Village Hall on 11 July at 7.30pm for those who might be interested in attending.

All went swimmingly as far as The Blue Egg where, once again, we enjoyed some excellent coffee and cakes whilst sitting outside, although some were heard mentioning that the choice was not perhaps as comprehensive as usual.

The return leg of 20 miles started on the busy stretch of road outside The Blue Egg which created two groups of riders. The second group also split up into those who knew the way and those who didn’t, plus those who wished to admire some of the beautiful buildings that we passed continuously, so much so that Deborah suggested the title of this blog should be Beautiful Buildings Ride, which it is, sort of.

The lost souls caught up but it wasn’t long before a double whammy happened simultaneously to tail enders Deborah and Martin. ‘I’ve got a puncture’, shouted Deborah. ‘And I’ve got an electrical issue’, shouted Martin. The latter was easy to fix, or so it was thought, but without a spare tube or tools poor Deborah started to think about walking the 9 miles still to go. Martin’s spare tube was too big but a call to Gallant Graham, who frequently comes to Deborah’s rescue, soon had him whizzing back with a tube and getting stuck into the job of removing her tyre and replacing the punctured tube.

On we went, thinking that the first group was probably stuck into a pint and having lunch by this time, only for Martin’s electrics to play up again and a few minutes were spent sorting them out whilst Graham and Deborah went ahead. Eventually all 3 of us reached The Fox & Hounds together to find that lunch was indeed in full swing.

Joining us at lunch were Brian who had ridden 19 miles on his bike from home, Tom who had off-roaded on his motor bike for much of the way, via Chrishall, and Nigel who had come on his motor bike from near Much Hadham. All joined in with a hearty rendering of Happy Birthday to Roger, who kindly bought the drinks. Thanks Roger!

And what did we all talk about?

Thanks go to Graham for not only organising the route but also once again acting as shepherd to his flock.

Martin