17 Feb 2019: St Albans to Hemel Hempstead

It seems a long time since the last blog was written. Sadly two Sunday rides had to be cancelled in late January and early February as the weather was icy one week and the ground was covered in snow  on 3rd Feb. Then on the 10th Feb Steve and I turned up at the start in Hatfield hoping no-one else would appear as the forecast was wet and cold. Unfortunately Ronny and Peter both did, so we ended up cycling to Hitchin in the ever increasing rain. After excellent coffee and food at the Hitchin Kitchen cafe we made a decision just to cycle home using the shortest route.

Here is Richard's report:

Meeting at our St Albans start (the war memorial at the top of St Peter's Street) on another of the bright sunny mornings we have been enjoying recently, we set off through the town centre, down Holywell Hill, past the King Harry and through the lanes to Bedmond. By the tin church we were joined by Phil S, who it turned out had come up with an unfamiliar (to me) route taking us to Hunton Bridge (thanks Phil). Through Chandler's Cross I took a too early left turn to Croxley Green (must look at the map more). But we were soon back on course through Chorleywood and The Swillet.

Parking at the Madeira café

Coffee was taken at the excellent and obliging Madeira Cafe in Chalfont St Peter. Lunch had been planned in Berkhamsted. We headed north, but it wasn't long before startling grinding noises came from my back hub. I came to a halt. Oh dear - would I be able to get back home? But slowly and accompanied by awful metallic sounds I could just ride. Thanks for waiting chaps.

The now-closed Green Dragon

We passed the green dragon mournfully gazing down the hill from the pub garden (now closed). The future of this historic pub is now uncertain. Keep an eye on ebay for 8 foot tall fibre glass dragons (buyer to collect). The group headed off for lunch ... while I ground my way home.

Instead of going to the planned Berkhamsted lunch stop the rest of the group headed to Hemel Hempstead's JD Wetherspoon pub called "The Full House" as it is a converted old cinema with the bar running across in front of the old screen.  

We covered about 45 miles on the day using the route below.