13 Nov 2016: Hatfield to Hertford

After a very wet day on Saturday it’s relief all round to find Remembrance Sunday dawns sunny and mild.  Nine of us meet in Hatfield, including David whom we hadn't seen for ages, but missing Neil and Sue who sent in sick notes.

We set off on an anti-clockwise route taking the cycle path down to Welham Green, our only delay being Steve having to pull up his droopy leg warmers to stop his knees getting cold.

It’s a lovely ride down Coopers Lane Road with autumn leaves falling thick and fast, past the numerous garden centres at Crews Hill and up Whitewebbs Road. We avoid the traffic in Waltham Cross by taking the bridle path through Theobalds Estate and find our way over the A10 cyclists’ bridge to the railway at Trinity Lane.  Here a dire notice greets us pointing out the number of near misses crossing the railway line. A footbridge is under construction and we hope we’ll still be able to get our bikes across.

Dodging the dog walkers on the River Lea towpath we arrive at the Abbey Café. It’s our first visit here and it looks tiny, but goes back a long way inside so there’s plenty of room.  The food is good. 

Now for the most pleasant part of the route: up National Cycle Route 1 beside the river, past the farm and hundreds of Barnacle Geese, then over Clayton Hill. This gives extensive views over the valley and provides a tricky descent with several hairpin bends.

At Nazeing Mead, Steve gets a flat tyre and stops behind with Carol while we press on via Hoddesdon and Goose Green, arriving at The Six Templars at 1:15.  We find a cosy corner and enjoy a pleasant lunch, accompanied by a lively discussion on Brexit and Trump. Our missing pair arrives just before 2 pm, having found two punctures to fix.

It’s an easy ride back to Hatfield to complete the circuit.

Jon 13/11/2016