11 Aug 2019: Wheathampstead to Biggleswade

A ‘nice’ day for cycling, not too hot, not too cold and no rain forecast. But, being as it was the middle of the August holidays, only five of us were at the start at Wheathampstead. Our first stop was scheduled as a cafe in Baldock. Amazingly and due no doubt to a following wind, we reached Baldock via Kimpton etc. at the world beating record time of 10.20. At this point, possibly due to over exerting ourselves, three of the party decided they had pressing engagements at home and turned back.

Richard and I however, being more determined, decided to press on for lunch at Biggleswade as planned. So we cycled out from Baldock into very open countryside, climbing towards Ashwell. Then we headed for Hinxworth, a village on the northern edge of Hertfordshire. From there we went further north before turning due west for Biggleswade, through the suburbs and into the centre where we went to “The Crown” pub for lunch. Unfortunately, despite reaching there early, we were told that there was a long delay for food. Cyclists of course can’t wait, so exploring the centre of Baldock we found a “Subway”. Clean and amazingly cheap, what is not to like with coffee at only 50p.

After lunch it was time to head south into a bit of a headwind. It is a slightly boring route through Henlow and Arlesey. The only interesting bit was just outside Hitchin at the Hitchin Lavender Farm.

This was in the national news recently, as apparently people like to take selfies against a blue background of lavender plants. Such is the demand for this that it was reported that the farmer is charging £6 to enter the fields for photographic purposes. Whilst we paused at the entrance for some time there was a continuous stream of cars turning into the farm. However neither Richard nor myself thought we really needed photos of ourselves in lavender so we pressed on to a pub on the southern outskirts of Hitchin, where we paused for the obligatory tea and cake.

After this it was a steady ride back through the lanes to Wheathampstead. A pleasant day’s cycling of about 54 miles from start to finish.

peteR 11/08/2019