Windmill 110: the wonder II
Posted on Tuesday 30 June 2009 by Camille Savory
As sometimes audaxes can seem tediously hard work, sometimes they are simply enjoyable (and a flat summer 100 in Essex has the odds stacked in its favour). The start although tucked away, is only a km or so from Chelmsford station – it’s slightly disconcerting to see Chelmer CC’s racing contingent streaming past in aero helmets for their annual time trial competition.
‘Twas Charlie, Nick and I – a small but visible presence in our matching club jerseys – among 30 or so, slightly less than usual. No-one was in a great hurry, and amusingly stuck together as a bunch for about an hour, before a few junctions and rises started to split things up. Through the pretty Essex villages on a straightforward route, with the only glitch being an ‘is it / isn’t it’ left turn at the second control with enough sign posts (and other riders) to get us smartly back on track. Finchingfield control being more checkpoint than provision stop, lunch was taken sat on the grass outside an Henham ‘Ut with the bulk of the work done.
Our pace was steady but not strenuous, and we picked up a few others on the last leg, who provided friendly conversation but sadly no Chelmsford cycle-path expertise. We, too, despite care being taken got lost in the final approach, resorting to the nearest road as simpler than the intended park crossing. Old fashioned tea and cake awaited at the finish.
The perfect day – hot sun, just enough breeze to prevent over-heating (and launch the squadron of small insects we were all plastered with). The few ominous drops of rain did not deliver until we were back in London. Not, in the annals of Audax, the most challenging, instead one of those when all goes as it should and a fine day is had.