18 Feb 2018: Hatfield to Whitewebbs

Richard was unable to lead this ride due to illness - or maybe having seen the cold-weather forecast! We stepped into the breach and planned a route as best we could to take in the paths in the Lea Valley and avoid the busy roads in that area.

We were pleasantly surprised to find a large group of 10 cyclists at the start including a friend from the past, Nick alongside many regulars and newish John.
After a well-used route to Little Berkhamsted we enjoyed the long downhill to the Lower Hatfield Road, before climbing past County Hall and through Balls Park to Hertford Heath, where we stopped to pose outside Haileybury College which was originally founded by the East India Company. It really was a splendid sight in the sunshine.

Haileybury school

The Village Pantry cafe in Stanstead Abbotts did us proud with quick service and one of us had a such a big breakfast he didn't need any lunch later on. Bob joined at the cafe and rode back to Enfield with us.

Big Breakfast

After the coffee stop we went via Roydon and Nazeing to pick up the path through the Lea Valley and went right down to Enfield Lock by the river, before Jon led us through a quiet cycle route all the way to the King & Tinker pub. The path was hard-surfaced mostly but a little busy with walkers and dogs on the bit through Forty Hall Country Park.

The pub had kept us a table and we all had roast-beef sandwiches in the very hot dining room. Afterwards we went back via the busy Crews Hill road, before turning off to Potters Bar and Brookmans Park.

We did about 46 miles on the route below.

Carol & Steve