After last Sunday's deluge which saw Richard actually cycle to Hatfield and then be grateful that no-one else turned up, it was a superb forecast for today. The start found nine riders assembled in the sunshine before today's leader Steve H set off towards Ayot St Lawrence and Codicote. I noticed there was a "Road closed" sign on the road to Gustard Wood but didn't give it another thought at the time. We headed along Kimpton Road where Steve managed to miss the tiny lane by the mill, not once but twice! He blamed the unusually low strong sun..... We headed north along Three Houses Lane where the Clarkes joined us with miraculous timing as they had cycled from their home nearby.
The route via Preston, Little Almsloe and Willian took us to Dimples in good time where we enjoyed coffee overlooking the golf course - the name coming from the surface of a golf ball.
 |
| Track near Pirton |
After coffee, Steve led us through Letchworth then along a mile section of track, the
Icknield Way, to rejoin the road South of Pirton. I stopped to take this interesting photo that I shall think of over breakfast although we can't afford branded cereals.
After a now blustery route via Sharpenhoe Clappers we reached the excellent Chequers at Streatley where the riders who stayed indoors were colder than those who sat outside in the sun. As we left quite early after lunch we got to Whitwell before 3pm so decided to head back for an early finish.
 |
| closed road! |
At Gustard Wood there was an "
access only" sign, which we ignored, and it was only down to some polite workmen allowing us to carry our bikes through a tiny gap where they were doing water-main works, that saved us having to go round a significant detour.
It was good to see 11 people out on a sunny autumn day. The route was about 48 miles.
Carol
No comments:
Post a Comment