28 Sep 2019: St Albans to Chipperfield

Chipperfield Saturday Fun Ride.

As five of us gathered for a ride up to Chipperfield the 'Five Miles Further' group were meeting for a trip out to St Paul’s Walden, this is fantastic progression for them and long may it continue.

We were a select company of riders I had seen for a while now and our ride took in Verulamium Park, Potters Crouch, Bedmond, then down the lanes to Nash Mills. We cycled up Rucklers Lane which is a lovely climb full of overhanging trees and some great views. As we passed Phasels Wood Scout Camp we came across several groups of young un’s doing their Queen's Scout or Duke of something or other award.

Phasels Wood

We finished our climb at the top of the ridge and popped into the garden centre there for tea/cakes, curry and toasties (not all at once). This is a nice garden centre and never seems to be in too much of a hurry.

After break we retraced our tracks a little, then headed down Barnes Lane for a change making our way over to Kings Langley, then we shot down an 8% hill only to climb up the other side (Tom’s Lane). This gets you huffing and puffing and is quite a challenge, but we all made it as one group, which I have to say seldom happens. Got the pace just right 😊. After visiting Potters Crouch again, we took to Ragged Hall Lane and navigated our way back on to the Alban Way to complete a ride of 23 miles.

Windy at times with a few spots of rain, but a nice morning’s ride.

Neil 28/09/2019