2 Sep 2018: St Albans to Lacey Green

It was a fine sunny morning albeit a bit cold when we met outside the Blacksmiths Arms in St Albans. There were only four of us at the start, so we made quick progress along a fairly direct route to Masterchef in Amersham. Always good efficient service saw us fed and watered promptly. I thought I recognised someone approaching on an old bike and sure enough it was Paul from Croxley Green accompanied by Jackie.

They joined us on the hilly route via Hyde Heath, Great Missenden and Prestwood before we found some exceptionally steep hills to reach the very friendly and good value Black Horse. We found a new route out of Amersham along some roads that made Harpenden look like a third-world country.

After lunch we took the flattest route possible  to tea which involved climbing over Cobblers Hill before a long haul up to the Lee where we stopped for the obligatory viewing of Admiral Howe.

Afterwards it was plain sailing to Ashley Green where we finally managed to use the Church as a tea stop.

Ashley Green church

We were well fed with scones, jam and cream with tea or coffee for £3.50 all served to us at our table. the scones were so big, several of us took one home for the next day.

We got back to St Albans after a great day's ride in beautiful sunshine appreciating the beauty of the Chiltern Hills after about 64 miles.

Carol