01 Apr 2012: Hatfield to Much Hadham

April 1, and there really was a sharp frost as I cycled to the start of our ride at Hatfield. Our numbers were down on previous weeks rides, but more were due to meet up at the morning coffee stop.  We were very pleased to welcome a new rider, Emma, who had driven out from Highgate.  I had planned a slightly longer route to coffee, but in the event it turned out to be a fair bit longer than I had estimated.  Setting off south we were soon skirting the fringes of Potters Bar, and then the lumpy route to Goff’s Oak. Down and up Bread & Cheese Lane, then passing through the very pleasant woods to Hoddesdon.  From here it gets a bit more urban through Rye Park, St Margarets and eventually Ware.  

Starting outside Asda in Hatfield

Truly Scrumptious Cafe in Ware

Our coffee venue (Truly Scrumptious) was a new one for us - and very good it was - to be recommended for a future occasion.  We had turned in 25 miles from the start and were late.  The riders who had gone straight there were peering anxiously out of the cafe window, thinking they were the subjects of an April fool.  Emma, who had come for the first part of the ride, now set off back with Tracey.  For the rest of us, a modified route now seemed called for.  So instead of looping south along the Stort, we went north, returning along the Rib valley, across Barwick ford and on to Much Hadham.  

Colliers End on the old A10

The Old Crown in Much Hadham

Again the lunch stop pub - The Old Crown - was a new venue for me, and very reasonable it turned out to be.  Much used by cyclists, there was quite a crowd there.  The food was good value - another venue to use again.  After refreshments, we headed north again on a nice route in the sunny warm weather, which had by then developed, circling round to Standon and Puckeridge, then across to Dane End and the golf centre cafe at White Hill.  It was hard to drag ourselves away from the relaxing seats overlooking the golf course, but soon we were off heading home via Stony Hills, Bramfield and the fringes of Welwyn.  A great day out in what turned out to be perfect bright weather.

Planning the next leg

Richard 01/04/2012