Yet another scorching hot day forecast, and it was already hot at the start in St Albans where six of us headed off towards Amersham, our first stop. Because Amersham is quite a way we took a straightforward route westwards via Nash Mills, up Rucklers Lane and on through Flaunden followed by the inevitable steep climb up to the main road (with cycle path) that leads to Amersham. There are a number of cafes in the town and many of them seemed to have cyclists sitting outside, probably looking, as we were, for a little respite from cycling in the heat. So we refreshed ourselves at “Masterchef”, our chosen cafe and debated where to go next.
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| Time for a snooze |
The original plan had been to go to Lacey Green some way further west and involving quite a bit of climbing. However it was decided to abandon this and go somewhere which would be shorter and easier overall. In the event we headed north through Chesham, and then a long gentle climb to Wigginton (near Tring). It was on this stretch that Ronnie had to mend a puncture and, as he was very proficient doing this, a couple of us decided that we might as well take the opportunity to have a gentle snooze lying on the grass at the roadside. Then it was an easy downhill to Aldbury where there is an excellent pub; “The Valiant Trooper”. Having lunch there in the garden underneath a tree was almost idyllic.
Then, as it was still extremely hot, we decided to take the easiest route back by taking the flat route down the valley through Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead to Nash Mills again. From there it is a relatively easy climb up to the main road leading back to St Albans. So we ended up having our afternoon tea stop back in St Albans at the Waterend Barn. Although in the circumstances we actually dispensed with tea and had large soft drinks instead.
peteR
01/07/2018
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