12 July 2020:St Albans to Asheridge with an "e"!

Desperate to escape the blanket coverage in the news of a footballer apparently called Charlton (I thought that was the name of a club), three of us met at St Albans war-memorial. Dodging the heavy traffic apparently caused by the monthly junk market on St Peters Street, we set off via Bedmond and Rucklers Lane, passing Roger and Judith of the 40+ cycling club ( and Wednesday group of Souuth Herts Cyclists) returning from Chipperfield, and unexpectedly picking up Simon of Edgware CTC near Bulstrode. He rode with us all the way to Ashley Green and left us for Berkhamsted whereas we rode on towards the illustriously named Brazier's End, briefly sighting Tony B of the Chiltern Society cycling group on the way.  Making the final ascent to Asheridge at about 12:45, we were surprised to see how quiet the Blue Ball was, as it had previously been very popular with walkers and cyclists. A sign near the entrance announced no dogs, no ball games and no cycling. The implication of this appeared to be no customers! We ordered drinks and ate our picnic sandwiches on the seats on the small green opposite the pub.

First pint outside the Blue Ball

While we consumed our wares,  another group of four cyclists arrived and also ordered beers which they also drank on the green. A woman from a passing car then approached us to ask where the National Trust car-park was. Carol patiently explained that she was at Asheridge but needed to be at Ashridge, near Aldbury, and offered to show her an OS map. The woman declined, saying she couldn't read maps, (the consequences of which were all too evident) and she drove off, not doubt again putting her faith into a SatNav. No-one else arrived at the pub by the time we set  off at 1:30 for Chesham and we wiggled our way back through Flaunden.

Green Dragon new sign

We knew from a few weeks ago that the Green Dragon, former drinking haunt of Joachim von Ribbentrop and Guy Burgess, had restored its iconic wooden figure-head in the back garden and now had a new pub sign as well. Its refurbishment looked almost complete and we hoped it would soon be opening. Passing through Belsize, we noted that the garden of the Plough looked very busy, showing that some pubs had a winning formula. After saying goodbye to Steve H as he headed for Harrow, we passed through Chiswell Green to look at the new bike shop on the site of the old Maserati showroom.

Cycle shop in Chiswell Green

It was closed, of course, and the business had been transferred from CTH cycles in Bricket Wood. We arrived back in St Albans at about 3:30.

We did a round trip of just over 42 miles.

Words from Steve, technical stuff from Carol!