What would you do for a free mince pie? Well the answer for the eight Tempo rides who ventured out today was ‘ride up Castle Hill’.
The route was benign to start with, taking in Staverton and Tredington on our way to ‘The G’s’, and then Winchcombe. From there we started the main event of the day – the climb up Castle Hill. The pack was soon scattered as people made their way up at their own pace, some perhaps regretting having started the day with ambitious turns on the front. More than one rider needed a rest on the way up, but all reached the top safely. Once we had our breath back it was generally agreed to have been a really stupid idea, but we were glad we did it. Therein lies the paradox of cyclists and hills, we love them and hate them in equal measures.
Although low cloud robbed us the wonderful views, it was still a pleasant ride back through Syreford and Whittington, before a sprint down the A40 and a return through Charlton Kings, Leckhampton, Badgeworth, and Churchdown.
We were a little late arriving at the Gala Club, but fortunately the Steady riders take the same measured approach to pie eating as they do to riding, and there were plenty left for us.
By way of tribute to one of our favourite seasonal treats, here is an “Original Minst Pye Recipe” from 1624. If you fancy making some there is a version here in modern English with metric quantities.
For six Minst Pyes of an Indifferent Bigness
Take halfe a peck of the finest Flower, 2 libras of Suger, 2 libras of Butter, a Loyne of fatt Mutton, with a little of a Legg of Veale to mince with it, 2 libras of Reasons of the Sunn, as many Currons, of Cloves, Mace, and Nuttmeggs one ownce.
For the Paist mingle 1 pound and a halfe of Suger with the Flower and breake in the Yolkes of six Eggs, then worke it together with 3 parts of the two pounde of Butter. Set of a little water, and let it Seethe, then scym it, put in the 4th Parte of the Butter, when it is melted, Scym it cleane from the Water, work it with the Paist.
For the Meate. Let it be seasoned with Pepper, and mingled with halfe a pounde of Suger, the other Frute and Spyce, the Raisons must be stoned, & someof them minced among the meate, the others put in hole, put in the Joyce of two Orringes and one Leamond, and the Ryne of them smale minced.
When the Pyes are filled slice Dates and stick in the top, when you sett them into the oven. Wassh them over with the yolkes of Eggs, and pynn them upp in Papers.
Do let me know what they taste like.
Happy Christmas.
40.9 miles, 1850 ft, 14.6 mph.
SP.