04 Dec 2011: Hatfield to Flamstead

The thermometer has finally started to fall to what are supposed to be seasonal temperatures, although I saw three cyclists sporting shorts on the way to the start in Hatfield.  Our crew of seven was suitably dressed for a CTC ride and we made haste to warm up on Woodcock Hill, on our way to Vanstone’s at Codicote where three more joined us.

If we needed any reminders that Christmas was coming, we had them in abundance at the Garden Centre.  A huge inflatable Santa greeted us as we fought our way through a forest of Xmas trees to the bike stands.  The café that day was a Mecca for most of the cycle clubs in Hertfordshire (Verulam, North Road, Watton Wheelers, etc.) and I pitied the ‘normal’ customer wanting a quick coffee.

Re-grouping on Woodcock Hill near Sandridge

Cycle clubs gathering at Vanstones

After fixing Judy’s customary puncture, (her Trice is a magnet for thorns) we headed out across the grain of the hills via Whitwell, Bendish, Peters Green and Kinsbourne Green to Flamstead.

Ready to go

Three Blackbirds at Flamstead

Food at the Three Blackbirds was real cyclists’ winter fare - good portions at reasonable prices.  While waiting for our meals to arrive, Carol passed the time by showed around her photo of a dead stoat, taken earlier that day as a contribution to the national mammal atlas.  http://www.mammal.org.uk/   You’ll be lucky to catch a live mammal on camera, but cyclists are well placed to capture road kill for this survey and all such photos are welcomed. 

Q. What's the difference between a stoat and weasel? 

A. A Weasel is weasily wecognised and a stoat is stoataly different 

Christmas crackered - I’d better finish there!
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Jon

04/12/2011