4 Nov 2018: St Albans to Mangrove Green

Five riders assembled outside The Blacksmiths Arms for the 9.15 departure before heading out towards Sandridge and Nomansland common. We crossed the busy Lower Luton Road, then climbed up via Mackerye End before heading back west across Harpenden and Kinsbourne Green to reach Markyate at about 10.45. Dugs Mugs cafe wasn't very busy so we were served quickly.

Eamonn left the group to return home and the rest of us carried on to the lunch stop. On the corner of Wesley Road and the High Street we spotted a new pub called "The Local". A man was gardening in what we thought was next door's garden but it turned out he was the owner of the pub and he kindly invited us in to have a look around.  It is open only in the evenings and serves gravity-fed beer from the barrel as well as from bottles.

Inside "The Local"

Outside "The Local"

We went to Mangrove Green via Slip End and West Hyde then used the small country lanes to skirt round the end of Luton airport runway to reach the refurbished George IV pub where we were welcomed and served with good-value food. Richard joined us at the pub having been unable to wrench himself from his bed in time to reach the start.

There was a beautiful oak tree on the green to provide a backdrop to the photo as the group left to return to St Albans via Lilley Bottom and Kimpton. We were home by 3.40 on a pleasantly warm Sunday for the time of year.

Oak tree at Mangrove Green

I think we covered about 46 miles on the round trip.

Carol 4/11/18