27 Oct 2019: St Albans to Northall

St Albans Start

The sun shone brightly in windless conditions on the 1st day after the clocks went back and everyone had an extra hour’s sleep, so surely there would be a heaving throng of cyclists at the War Memorial eager to get out on the road. But no, we were still well in single figures so why was this? Someone referred to the semi-final of the rugby world cup that morning, a game which provides a spectacle where hulking men place their heads against the thighs of other men and tightly clasp their buttocks. I prefer the elegance of the ladies’ game, particularly when it is played in the rain on a muddy pitch, but each to their own.

We headed north throughSandridge and Peters Green before making the descent to cross the Lower Luton Road by the East Hyde sewage works. We then climbed up through Kinsbourne Green and negotiated some flooded roads before arriving at Pepperstock. Harper’s cafe and farm shop (formerly the Half-Moon pub) was unusually deserted although a group of cyclists was just leaving as we arrived. Was the rugby still on? However, it meant that service was quick and we were soon on our way though Markyate before taking the road towards Whipsnade,  then descending to skirt Dunstable, passing through Totternhoe and arrived at the hamlet of Northall at 12:30. There were only a few cars in the car-park and we were astounded to be told that all tables had been booked and that we would have to sit outside.

Banished to the car-park

Fortunately this was not a problem for us due to the extremely bright sun and a dry day, but otherwise it would have been.
After a sandwich lunch we followed the most direct route back through via Dagnall, up to Studham crossroads and down Gaddesdon Row.

As we approached Dagnall we could see the chalk White Lion below Whipsnade needed a good wash as it was hardly visible. At Redbourn we put our lights on as we encountered some heavy traffic heading south down the A5183 making the last 3 miles rather unpleasant, accentuated by the sun being low in the sky behind the trees of Prae Wood making it seem quite dark. We arrived back in St Albans at about 3:45.

words Steve B

Map below showing ride-length of about 48miles