Sunday morning was bright but very chilly to start – the Met Office forecast had said it would feel like 7°C at 8.30am and riding from St Albans to the start point in Hatfield, yes, it did! But, by 9am layers of clothing were coming off and the sun was beaming down on the six of us as we rode off.
The route out took us via the Alban Way and A1000 to Ascots Lane and past the QE2 in WGC, to Panshanger and up Archers Green Lane to Tewin. From there the roads were very quiet up to Burnham Green, then we took White Horse Lane, and various quiet lanes between Woolmer Green and Datchworth Green to Bragbury End.
Closure for repairs of the normally very busy A602 meant we were to enjoy the rare treat of ambling across the empty junction at Bragbury End onto Aston Lane.
After riding up through Walkern and on to Rushden, we were all ready for what was an enjoyable coffee stop at Mill End Plants and Cafe. Quite a few riders from other clubs turned up as we sat outside, including from Verulam and Stevenage CC.
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| Mill End café |
However, the proposed route home did not go down well with the coffee drinkers. It seems clear, ride leaders just have to be prepared to bend to popular opinion on certain occasions and it was equally clear this was one. My route back was deemed to be just too long and no fun. Ahem. Anyway, Carol suggested an alternative, shorter route, with the benefit of picking up a new way to get under/over/through Stevenage. So, the shorter route back was agreed and Carol volunteered to show us the way.
The return initially took us back down the road through Walkern and continuing south into Aston village.
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| Near Walkern |
At this point, just to the west of Aston on Broadwater Lane, the closure of the A602 showed us just what it could do, with this narrow lane now carrying stupid levels of displaced traffic. Just then, in the midst of the chaos, a flinty stone or errant nail chose this moment as to bury itself in Steve’s front tyre. So, we stood together just off the road at the entrance to a gated property, making conversation and gazing at the endless stream of cars flying around the lane. Of course there was also time to make encouraging comments to Steve and Carol, as they fixed his puncture.
The route then took us along the very useful cycle path/footway along the southern edge of Shephalbury Park, that took us to Stevenage Road and the turn into Old Knebworth Lane. The lane is now a freshly resurfaced, smooth and scenic gentle climb up to Old Knebworth, with the big old house visible through the trees off to the right. Climbs don’t come much nicer than this.
From there we headed back to St Albans via Codicote and Wheathampstead. Mark took a different route after that and Philip later preferred Ferrers Lane, while Phil, Carol, Steve and I rode the new gravel path from the cricket ground to Sandridge. Home by around 1.40pm, after 46 miles, including the bit to the starting point. A very nice ride on a lovely Spring Sunday. Thinking about it, the route I’d had in mind for the return through Weston and the Wymondleys would have been a fair bit too long. Plus it was good to learn a handy new route.
Eamonn
