05 Aug 2017: Hatfield to Knebworth

We welcomed new rider Helen for this ride as four of us headed off to a new destination, but before we could reach the country lanes there was the small matter of going through a rather busy Hatfield and WGC. Once were off the beaten track it was a really pleasant ride taking the lanes around Bramfield, where we usually head for Hertford, but this time we carried on through the village and onto the Winding Shott. This is a great lane that has dips and rises all along it. This leads to a junction of lanes and we chose the one to Woolmer Green. Once there it was a case of shooting down the main road to Coasters in Knebworth, a really nice and busy café that is well worth a visit.

After a short break it was to head back home, which we did by going via Rabley Heath, where Richard found that he had a slow puncture in his tyre, but then we spied a large and looming cloud of darkness. It was time to get a move on. We picked up the pace and headed for Codicote and took the route back through the Ayots to Hatfield. Sadly we weren’t successful in outrunning the cloud. At the top of the hill in Lemsford the heavens opened and it was heavy. We sheltered for about 10 minutes and decided to head back to the start and the shower stopped. It was a great morning out, with new routes and a new stop. Our next Saturday adventure is a trip down a towpath to another new café.

Neil 05/08/2017