19 Dec 2021: St Albans to Amersham

It was a dismal cold, damp and misty morning for the final ride of 2021, which maybe was the reason only Gary joined Steve and me in the Waterend Barn St Albans. We passed a snake of over 50 people queueing for their booster jabs at the Council offices and then cycled through the marketplace, past the stalls selling Christmas junk destined for landfill in two week's time, and headed out towards Bedmond before using Hyde Lane to drop into the Gade Valley, then Rucklers Lane to climb up the other side. We were all grateful for the hills as we hoped the effort expended might force some blood to circulate to our extremities. I took the photo as we passed the Green Dragon looking over the hedge in Flaunden, but the photo doesn't show how murky and misty it really was.

Passing the Green Dragon

Instead of just going through Latimer we turned up another hill accessed from Hockley Bottom expecting it to be a quiet country lane, but every man and his dog seemed to be coming down it. We then cut across to Blackwell Hall Lane to descend to the Chess valley. Another long climb took us up to Chesham Bois before we reached the always reliable Masterchef café. Bacon sandwiches and a liver dinner were consumed before we turned back via Chenies, Belsize and Chipperfield. Unfortunately Steve had a rear-wheel puncture near Belsize and we all got very cold while he mended it. This took longer than normal because the tyre was difficult to remove as the cold had made the rubber less pliable. We made it back to St Albans just before 2pm and felt quite smug that we'd managed to get in a bit of healthy exercise before the weather was forecast to get even colder and wetter in the week before Christmas.

So Merry Christmas everyone and lets hope to see more people out in 2022!

Carol - map below

12 Dec 2021: Hatfield to Shephall

 Four riders met in the Harpsfield Hall in Hatfield on a mild but dull December morning. Heading north towards Lemsford, we picked up Steve and Jackie C, who hadn’t quite made it to the start, then skirted WGC past the golf club to arrive at Ayot Green. We paused for a clothing removal stop outside the pretty church. 

Ayot Green

We went through Ayot St Peter and Codicote Bottom before heading north up Heath Hill, passing John I cycling down it. After a fine downhill through Old Knebworth we entered  Stevenage near the former Roebuck Inn. We then picked up the shared-use cycle-path alongside Shepalbury Park where we saw a black squirrel (a grey mutant not uncommon in north Herts). This is one of the more pleasant areas of Stevenage with pre-war houses on one side and the park on the other, with the cycle-path being the old Shephall Lane. It was quite a contrast when we arrived at the Shephall commercial centre with its ugly sixties buildings, and Steve C seemed apprehensive after seeing the array of fully shuttered shops, with only a newsagent and the Co-op trading on the day. Fortunately the New Hyde cafe was also open, with just one table left that could seat the six of us. This was an establishment that had really put the G in greasy spoon, so Jackie was disappointed that there were no teacakes or similar, but the coffee was good and Phillip managed to order a low-carbohydrate mushroom omelette. Pleasantly surprised to find our bikes were still in place when we departed, we rode back though Aston End towards Watton and Datchworth, where we said good-bye to Steve and Jackie. Unusually for Hertfordshire, we were held up by a flock of sheep being moved along the road.

Sheep on the move!

We headed back towards St Albans via Ayot Green and Water End. Here we stopped to admire the new footbridge, which is now about two feet higher than the road bridge and should keep pedestrians’ feet dry, then carried on through Coleman Green and Sandridge, where we stopped for a quick chat with Phil B who had been on a Verulam ride and was on his way back to Bedmond.

New raised footbridge at Water End

A fairly short ride on a very mild day saw us back in St Albans by 1.20.

Steve B

5 Dec 2021: St Albans to Berkhamsted

Six people assembled at the Waterend Barn in St Albans for a ride to Berkhamsted. The forecast was not good and Peter turned back to head home fairly soon as we headed up the Redbourn Road, which was probably a wise move if you didn’t like wind rain and cold altogether. Carol was not feeling too good and also left us near Buncefield for home. 

Hogg End Lane underpass in the rain!

The remaining four “Hardies” headed through Cupid Green up to Gaddesden Row.  Passing through Briden's Camp we crossed the old A4146 road now downgraded to the B440 (since a lorry ban was introduced following the opening of Junction 11a on the M1, meaning HGVs should use the M1, A5 and A505 to reach Leighton Buzzard) and headed towards Little Gaddesden with the idea of passing through Ringshall and past the Bridgewater monument at Ashridge before descending into Northchurch. However at the T junction where we would have turned right for  Little Gaddesden, in view of the deteriorating weather, we decided to turn left going past Potten End and dropped down directly into Berkhamsted town centre instead. This cut the ride length by about 5 miles. A warming coffee, food, and beer at The Crown run by JD Wetherspoon were most welcome before the return trip. Phil S joined us at the pub and Tim was amazed at the value-for-money of a breakfast muffin with bacon and egg plus a coffee for £2.65. Afterwards we took the back roads through Boxmoor and Hemel Hempstead, then used Bunkers Lane and the Hemel Hempstead Road to get back to St Albans. The round trip was about 28 miles in total and it was a character-building day!

Philip

21 Nov 2021: St Albans to Dunstable Gliding club

Eight riders gathered outside the Blacksmith’s Arms on a cold but very bright morning, so dark eye-shields were in order. Gary had kindly agreed to lead the ride so we followed him north up the Redbourn Road, noting that all the roadworks had been removed following the completion of the laying of a new water main beneath its surface. We departed from Redbourn along Lybury Lane to Flamstead, then along Friendless Lane to Markyate and followed the road to Kensworth. We then rode along Isle of Wight Lane to turn right at the National Trust café at the top of Dunstable Downs for a fast descent to cross the busy B489 dual carriageway and putting in a two-mile loop through Totternhoe so as to get to the gliding club without enduring the traffic. 

A lane near Flamstead

There is a very steep slope up to the buildings requiring bottom-gear engagement.  Outside the café there was a rank of vintage scooters from the 1960s. It has only recently been re-opened to the public and is called Curiositea, the same as the café in the old school-house in Ivinghoe where the trustees have served notice forcing it to close next January. So when we climbed the stairs we were pleased to see an apparently thriving business with most seats already taken. It was also good to see that we were followed in by the Aylesbury CTC. With a spectacular view up to Dunstable Downs we enjoyed our coffees and snacks; Richard was evidently in training for the month of gluttony about to engulf us all by shamelessly consuming double beans and cheese on toast.

60's scooters outside the café

After our break, Tim went back to Luton and Philip remarkably chose to go up Ivinghoe Beacon to return home via Berkhamsted. The rest of us took the easy route back using the gentle climb of the Downs via Dagnall and Studham before using the direct route of Gaddesdon Row, the western edge of Hemel Hempstead using the new cycle crossing over Breakspear Way, then Westwick Row and back into St Albans. The traffic was chaotic in the town centre as St Peters Street was closed for the Christmas-Lights funfair. We had never seen such a jam around the town centre since the infamous one-way system that was very briefly implemented in the late 1980's. However, enjoyed the feeling of immense smugness as we threaded our way through the stationary traffic. We got home by 1.30 after pleasant sunny morning ride. Thanks Gary!

Steve B

 

14 Nov 21: Colney Heath to Potters Bar

On a mild and very damp morning five of us met at Colney Heath for Sue’s round-about ride to Potters Bar, which is only six miles away by the direct route. Leading us to Welham Green she turned north along the cycle-path past the Tesco distribution centre into Hatfield, and then into the How Dell recreation area, where the signs did not forbid cycling but the squeeze-through barriers certainly discouraged it; it was fortunate that none of us had a pannier bag. This is part of National Cycle Route 61!

At the start (note from Carol - surely one of the worst photos ever published on our blog)

Emerging into the civilisation of the Old Town we continued north into WGC where again following NCN61 we negotiated a succession of minor roads and cycle-paths to Peartree Primary School where Gary announced he had a puncture. Fortunately, although it was in the rear tyre, he quickly found the cause, a long thorn, without even tyre removal, and replaced the tube and restored the tyre with little effort, denying Eamonn the chance to demonstrate his prowess with his tyre-putting-on tool ( Read a Road.cc review here of Crank Brothers speedier tyre lever ).

Eamonn's putting-on tool

We then progressed about 100 yards when an anguished cry from Eamonn indicated he too had a puncture. Proclaiming that he would replace his tyres, which is exactly what he had said four weeks ago after suffering front and rear punctures, he insisted that the rest of us carry on and he would return home, fearing severe consequences from his family should he be late. Feeling slightly guilty at heaving him alone in the mean streets of WGC with only tyre levers to defend himself, and disappointed that we would miss seeing his tool in action, we continued to the start of the Cole Green Way and exited to access the Old Coach Road, formerly the A414, following it to Hertingfordbury and turning south to Bayford.  We then followed a fairly direct route to Potters Bar and arrived at The Admiral Byng at 12:20, too late for the standard breakfast menu, but bacon sandwiches and panini were still available. Over brunch, Peter regaled us with how he was indulging in fencing ( he was anxious to inform us that this was NOT receiving stolen goods ) and how he had easily negotiated a 20% discount on the cost of his wooden panels and posts from a local supplier. After we emerged from the pub at about 1 pm, Sue left us to head only 4 miles back home while the remaining three headed back to Conley Heath, where Peter had left his car. Gary and I crossed the long-about and picked up the Alban Way back to our homes.

Thanks to Sue for leading us on an interesting route today.

Steve B

7 Nov 2021: St Albans to Pepperstock

Following last week's downpour it was good to have bright, cold dry weather for the ride this Sunday. There were ten of us at the start including three new Sunday riders, and four regular Wednesday evening riders. Peter led us through Sandridgebury and Nomansland Common, before we crossed the Lea Valley and climbed up to Mackerye End. We then took the quiet lane to the top of the hill towards Kimpton water tower, before climbing again to the appropriately named Peters Green.

Peter leading in Peters Green!

After a descent back into the Lea valley we had the long slog up and over from Mill End past Luton Hoo then took the back roads via the edge of Kinsbourne Green to get to a fortunately not too busy Harper's café.

Here we met Steve and Jackie, who had cycled there directly and must have just missed us as we passed through Kimpton. As the sun was shining we sat outside and enjoyed some late-year warmth as we consumed various sausage rolls, cakes and coffees.

Ready to leave Harpers

Tim and Sandy made their own way back home directly from the café, as did Steve and Jackie. The rest of us took a direct route back towards St Albans using the small lanes to Harpenden, then meandered through East Common admiring the autumn trees before using the cycle path back to the start. A shorter ride today meant we were back in St Albans by 1.30 even though we left the coffee stop quite late.

Carol

 

24 Oct 2021: St Albans to Chalfont St Peter

It was more like a Wednesday-evening ride than a Sunday ride when we met outside the Blacksmith's Arms for the 9.30 start, as only regular evening riders (including two Marks) had turned up. A fine bright morning saw us head out via Bedmond Lane where we picked up Phil and Sue at the tin church. Sue proudly displayed her new tyres, purchased soon after her last Sunday ride when she had a puncture in each tyre.

 

Bedmond tin church

We descended via Abbots Langley and Hunton Bridge before crossing the M25 and climbing up to Chorleywood Common. The traffic along the narrow road to The Swillett wasn't too bad so it was a shock when we encountered gridlock on Roughwood Lane (the small lane between Little Chalfont and Chalfont St Giles). It's very narrow with passing places, and some motorists had not waited in the passing places, so there were long queues in each direction. It was hard threading through the cars, but Carol and Sue managed to get through to escape the jam. It took a while for Steve and Phil to join the group as Phil's chain had come off. Shortly afterwards, we found Chesham Lane closed to traffic at the HS2 shaft-ventilation works, but we managed to get through.

HS2 works - part of the price of progress?
 

After bacon sandwiches and omelettes at the Madeira café, which had real Portuguese customers this morning, we climbed back up the hill on the quiet private road before taking the usual direct route back via Flaunden and Rucklers Lane. Phil and Sue peeled off at Nash Mills and the rest of us ascended Bunkers Lane to return to St Albans after a bright sunny ride on a lovely autumn day.

Climbing Chalfont Hill on the private road

We did a round trip of about 39 miles with no punctures!

Carol

17 Oct 2021: Colney Heath to Rye Park

On a warm  but distinctly drizzly morning we met in Colney Heath after deriving the pleasure of holding up the traffic at the lights on the longabout. Eamonn proudly displayed his new purchase: a steel-framed gravel/tourer with a plethora of bolts on the fork blades, supposedly for fixing frames for fork bags, now the latest trend in the era of bike-packing. Noticing an increase in the precipitation, we all donned rain jackets before setting off through Welham Green and Brookmans Park. It turned out to be a wise move, as the drizzle soon morphed into rain. After crossing the A1000 we headed due east through Epping Green and Broxbourne Woods, passing several groups of cyclists coming the other way. After a couple of incidents of overtaking drivers pulling in sharply to avoid oncoming traffic, we arrived safely in Hoddesdon where Carol led us on a devious route towards Rye House avoiding the traffic and large roundabouts. We settled in to the Anatolia's cafe, where Gary's eyes lit up when he saw that liver was on their menu. However, disappointment clouded his face when the waitress informed him that the last piece had been served yesterday, and he substituted a Mediterranean breakfast. Our return journey, now in the dry,  took us along a byway (ideal for Eamonn's gravel bike) to Brickendon, after which Gary noticed that Eamonn's rear tyre looked a bit flat, so we turned into a nearby driveway to get off the country road to change its tube. Levering off the 38mm tyre was an unexpected challenge, but eventually we got it off and inspected the inner tube for the hole. Once found, we mapped the hole back to the tyre to find a very sharp flint in the shape of a thorn, which was extracted. Getting the tyre on again with a new tube was an even greater challenge, but Eamonn managed it with difficulty after trying a putting-on tool, which he didn't know how to use, and ensuring the tyre was seated into the well of the rim.

Sartorial elegance!

After inflating the tube to what he thought was about 40 psi he unscrewed his pump only for the valve barrel to come out! Replacing the barrel, he used my push-on pump to re-inflate again to about 40 psi.

A two-puncture day

Passing through Wild Hill Eamonn noticed that his front tyre was going flat, so again we pulled into a property entrance to get off the road. This time the hole in the tyre took some effort to find, and Gary found a tiny slit with nothing in it at the corresponding place on the tyre. Fortunately, Eamonn had a second spare tube, as the rest of us didn't have spare tubes for 38mm tyres. This time he got the tyre off and on slightly more easily, no doubt due to his previous experience half an hour earlier.

Can we hear the air leaking?

When all was done we returned in the sunshine to St Albans via Welham Green, Colney Heath and the Alban Way after a shorter ride of about 31miles from the start point.

Steve

3 Oct 2021: Wheathampstead to Letchworth

The day started coolish as we met outside the toilets in East Lane car park, trying to avoid looking like we were loitering there. This was helped by the absence of Steve Brazier and his 70’s kit, who was checking out the facilities in Portugal. (No photos taken for this report so I though I'd include this one showing Steve approaching the beautiful Douro river valley in North Portugal. Gives a flavour of the glorious two-week tour we just completed: Carol)

Approaching the Rio Diuro

The route supplied by Carol Brazier went straight up to Lower Gustard Wood but we stopped first to show 2 members of the group the old railway station platform by the roundabout at the top of the village. After brief moments of reminiscence and thought of past lives in the slow and local lane we proceeded up to  Lower Gustard Wood slowing to a walking pace due to a deep flood across the road halfway up the road. Luckily only one member of the group didn’t have mudguards so most got through comfortably dry. Looping up to toward Preston and then Charlton way, with only a couple of navigational errors by our stand-in leader Mark K on the way, due to failing to read the route cues in time, we worked our way across to Little and then Great Wymondley passing through tempting smells of cooked breakfasts at Redcoats and on to the Golf Centre in Letchworth. By common assent the bacon at the Golf Centre is pretty special and several of our group had full English artery busting breakfasts. By this time the sun had come out although the wind had strengthened.

Par 3 golf centre café

While thinking about leaving, low and behold,Richard Stubbs turned up having missed the start, so we waited for him to have his coffee and cake and then made our way back. A bright if headwindy passage south with spectacular skies was only marred by two of our group deciding to take their own route home, possibly losing confidence in their leader and heading for home and an early shower.  The foursome they left behind rode the rest of the route down towards Codicote and dropped down into the Kimpton Road by the Mimram and across to the Codicote Road at Kimpton Bottom and up towards Wheathampstead where Peter picked up his car. This left 3 who made their way home into Sandridge and St Albans in glorious sunshine. Great ride and great company!

Mark K

19 Sept 2021: St Albans to Maple Cross

 We met at the usual start point and after having a brief chat with a young Harley Davidson owner we left the town via Bedmond, where we bumped into Peter S on his way to meet West Herts CTC at Smallford, and down to Kings Langley. Unusually for us, we stayed on the road past the old Ovaltine factory, which still looks a tremendous Art Deco building even though it has been converted into apartments. Ovaltine (a powdered drink added to milk, for those not old enough to remember it) was one of the original examples of food provenance as nearby they had a dairy farm, an egg farm and a barley farm to provide the main ingredients.

Ovaltine apartments

We went through Hunton Bridge then down and up House Lane before heading to Sarrett. As we all had fairly fat tyres we descended to Sarrett Bottom then went along the concrete track to cross the River Chess and used Holloway Lane to climb up to Chenies. We spotted a new outdoor café (Crestyl café) at the Watercress farm by the Chess bridge which is open Friday to Sunday 10am-4pm.

Holloway Lane

Holloway Lane is tarmacked but rather narrow as you can see in the photo above. We dropped down into Chorleywood and climbed to Heronsgate, where we decided to shortcut to Maple Cross by going down past the Land of Liberty, Peace and Plenty pub, then riding down the dual carriageway slip-road of the M25 to approach the cafe using a brand-new cycle-path that delivered us to the door.

Liver dinner

After Steve and I ordered our bacon rolls, a svelte Gary shocked us by ordering a low-carb liver dinner, substituting mushrooms for chips. We were also surprised at the enormous bottle of ketchup. It was labelled as 1.3kg and my photo doesn't do it justice

1.3 Kg tomato ketchup

Afterwards we returned via the edge of Rickmansworth and Chorleywood bottom where we encountered traffic hold-ups caused by huge cars being too wide for a narrow lane. An easy run through Chandlers Cross and Abbotts Langley saw us back in St Albans before 2pm after 36 miles. We didn't see any rain really, just a few spots here and there.

Carol

12 Sept 2021: St Albans to Tring

 Nine of us set off from the War Memorial on a dull but warm morning, including four riders new to the group. We rode up the A5183 on the last day before the ten-week southbound road closure for water-mains works. At Redbourn, Richard paused to assess reaction to his proposal to use a track to exit the village, but after receiving the thumbs-down from those with narrow tyres, decided to head north-west along Gaddesden Row.

Descent to Briden's Camp

Turning left to descend past Briden’s Camp to Water End we crossed the Gade valley to ascend west, passing Frithsden, Ashridge College and Ringshall to descend Tom’s Hill into Aldbury where sadly the Valiant Trooper is no longer trading. Here Carol’s front-mudguard stay came adrift from the frame after losing its bolt, so after waving the others onward, I fixed it by borrowing a bolt from an unused rack fixing. I then received a phone call from Philip to say that our destination, Cog Café , was closed but they had gone on to the nearby Black Goo. When I caught up with them there, the riders were outside it, muttering about the mega-queue, so I suggested the nearby Costa Coffee. To our amazement, they insisted we had a table to sit at before letting us order. As there were no tables available anyway, we then tried the museum café, but this was also closed!

Interesting old sign to museum

Aza and Philip were keen to then try Berkhamsted, as this was on the return journey anyway, so we headed south east along the old A41 which unfortunately seemed extremely busy for  a Sunday mid-day, passing the Tring brewery, where we already knew the café, which we had used regularly in the past, was closed for good. After entering Berko and ignoring Caffè Nero and other enticing candidates for a stop, the two new self-appointed leaders headed straight into the Crown, the JD Wetherspoon establishment. Sitting at outside tables in the warmth, we ordered coffees (or in two cases, beers) and snacks, and in one case a fish-and-chips. I reflected that my coffee was the same price (99p) as a half-pint of the oatmeal stout that some others were drinking.

Patio garden at the Crown

After what became a brunch, we set off down the old A41 again, but I got a rear-wheel puncture at the southern edge of the town.

Puncture repairing

Again waving the others on, I quickly found the cause: not a flint or thorn, but unusually a small glass shard. Remounting, Carol & I  followed the usual route into Hemel and headed towards Bedmond, stopping on the ascent up Hyde Lane to pick a bagful of luscious-looking blackberries. We returned back in St Albans rather late at 2.30pm after about 41miles.

Tring is now off our destination list!

Steve

5 Sept 2021: Colney Heath to Cheshunt

Five of us met in  Colney Heath, at the entrance to the football club car park on a hot sunny morning, and set off down a familiar route through Welham Green, Little Berkhamstead and Newgate Street , where we noticed the A-board outside The Crown proclaiming 20% off over-65's lunches, We then went through Goffs Oak on an unusual route which allowed Carol to thoroughly test her new navigation tool ( an Elemnt Bolt v2) then took the superb cycle-path over the A10 to get to Cedars Park in Cheshunt. The park used to be the grounds of Theobalds Palace built in the times of Henry VIII, and the cafe occupies a former orangery, but we sat outside after grabbing the only remaining unoccupied picnic table. 

Cedars café

The food and drinks were surprisingly cheap and came very quickly. The gluttons among us ordered full breakfasts, which came in polystyrene boxes with plastic cutlery, the others had rolls which were delivered paper bags with plastic windows, and the hot drinks were in paper cups with plastic tops, so no points were awarded for sustainability.

Theobalds Palace model

After leaving the cafe we headed north via Cheshunt High Street where we noticed that the King James JD Wetherspoon pub had been closed down. 

Bayford junction

We continued on our return journey via Brickendon where we encountered a half-mile queue of cars attempting to get onto the common which was hosting a well-attended fete, and then another half-mile queue trying to do the same thing from the opposite direction (from Bayford). Although we felt very smug cycling past the static cars in the queues, again nil points could be awarded for sustainability (or air quality.)

At Bayford we said good-bye to Ronny, hopefully not for the last time, as he will be moving from Stevenage to south west Cambridgeshire. Four of us continued,  crossing our outward route near Epping Green and travelling along Grubb's Lane where our leader, Philip, an avid reader of The Sun 40 years ago (and maybe still) paused outside the cottage Samantha Fox owns, to sadly contemplate what might have been. Afterwards,  he silently led us back via the longabout and the Alban Way.

Steve B

 

29 Aug 2021: St Albans to Hitchin

A dull and rather cool late August day found 8 riders assembled at the start in St Albans for a northerly jaunt to Hitchin and back. We went up the main road towards Harpenden before turning off to use the quiet road through Ayers End, then skirted the edge of Southdown and descended to the Lea valley using Leasey Bridge road.  Just after Mackerye End we saw two separate groups of cyclists we know from the 40+ Tuesday rides. After a couple of navigation hiccups near Kimpton we were on the way to Breachwood Green when my front gear cable broke, closely followed by Philip nearly falling off as he couldn't get his right shoe out of his cleat. After dismounting and much pulling he managed to remove a stone from his shoe that had been causing the problem.

Philip and his shoe

We went through Ley Green and the edge of Preston before dropping down to Charlton then went into Hitchin  via Gosmore to reach the Hitchin Kitchen café at about 11.15

The café was very busy so the service was a bit slow but the coffee is well worth the wait for both the price and quality.

Al fresco coffee

As we were late leaving the cafe we took a direct route back via Preston, Whitwell, Kimpton and Wheathampstead. We thought Steve was stopping to photo us near Coleman Green, but he was really taking a photo of a fly-tip to forward to Herts CC using the FIX MY STREET app. As the phone was out he took the photo below too. No David Bailey awards for this one I think.

nearly home

We got back to St Albans at 2pm after a 40 mile round trip on a day that was great for cycling, but a bit disappointing for a Bank Holiday weekend. We welcomed new rider Simon and hope to see him again.

Carol

22 Aug 2021: Hatfield to Dane End

Peak holiday season and a dubious weather forecast resulted in only five of us at the start in Hatfield. It was a morning only ride with a refreshment stop at Dane End golf course. So we headed east to the Old Coach Road leading to Hertford via Hertingfordbury. Then avoiding most of the main road into Hertford by a side route we subsequently climbed up to Bengeo and then had a fast run all the way to Wadesmill.

From here a climb up to Thundridge and then the nice bit along a very quiet and pretty lane running up the valley of the river Rib. Part way along one goes through the hamlet of “Cold Christmas” which I always think is a very evocative name.  Turning back west we headed for Barwick ford which some of the party forded in style. Then after a few more miles we were at the golf club which was well organised for outdoor catering.

From here normally we would go down the steep hill into Dane End, but knowing that further ahead the usual junction onto the A602 was completely closed due to road works we went partly back to Sacombe Green. On through the parkland setting at Sacombe across the A602 and back via Bramfield.

Sacombe Park

Shortly afterwards the party split up. Those returning to the start at Hatfield at about  1o’clock covered  the total distance of 36 miles at around 12.5 mph average speed.

Despite looking a bit ominous at times, there was no rain, although there must have been heavy rain overnight as the roads were very wet and almost flooded in a few places.

Peter

(Note from Carol, no map this week)

15 Aug 2021: St Albans to Amersham

 On a rather dull but warm morning, six of us met amidst the debris of Saturday night’s revelries outside the Blacksmith’s Arms. 

Gossiping at the start

As St Peter’s Street appeared fully occupied with a junk (whoops! antiques) market I led them down Catherine Street, up Bluehouse Hill and along Bedmond Lane where at the tin church, Phil and Sue joined us in a pre-arranged rendez-vous for their first Sunday ride with us. We went hurtling down Harthall Lane then through the wood in King’s Langley and along Barnes Lane, which I was pleasantly surprised find to be devoid of the usual fly-tips, to join Rucklers Lane. We continued through Flaunden and its Green Dragon pub, which has just won CAMRA’s Refurbishment Award. After passing through Latimer we climbed Bell Lane and turned right along the shared-use pavement along the busy A404 turning off at the railway bridge to take a quiet route into Amersham and the Masterchef cafe. The outside tables looked tempting in the full sunshine, so we deposited ourselves there but had to order coffees and snacks inside.

Café culture in Amersham

Here we were surprised to encounter concrete evidence that the cashless society is not yet here: it was cash only, which sent two of the riders scurrying to nearby hole-in-the-wall machines. 

Ready for departure

Departing from here, I led them through the up-market Chesham Bois down the hill and to Latimer Bottom, After passing the sewage works we turned up the very narrow Blackwell Hall Lane. I had just explained to Phil that we were unlikely to encounter any motor traffic here when we dutifully pulled in to a passing place to let a car behind through. Then 3 more cars came towards us, one of them driven at excessive speed. After turning off right there was a shout from Sue who had a puncture in her rear tyre. We were by the entrance to a large house which was a convenient place to deal with this. Sue had fortunately thought about this before coming out and had brought here husband along for this very purpose. 

Sue's first puncture

While Phil almost instantly found the cause, a large flint, and impressively quickly replaced the inner tube and inflated it, Philip took the opportunity to prostrate himself in the front garden for a quick nap, which turned out to be shorter than he had hoped. 

Philip napping and trespassing!

I then led them back to Flaunden Bottom and after climbing the hill and passing the Green Dragon again( which now had many customers), I then went straight on the the cross-roads to get to Belsize and then Chipperfield. Leaving this village I was behind Sue who slowly came to a stop complaining that her rear tyre was spongy. I confirmed that it was indeed, but Phil had also stopped only a few yards ahead so we managed to join him on the verge where I delivered the news that his marital duties were again required. The others were no longer in sight, so I leapt at Phil’s suggestion that I carry on as they were only 4 miles from home, recalling the club motto (every man for himself) and caught up with 4 of the others at the top of the hill in King’s Langley; the other two had gone on to St Albans. We then climbed up Tom’s Lane to Bedmond and took Sergehill Lane to Chiswell Green and then back to St Albans. I subsequently found out that Sue's 2nd puncture was another large flint.

A round trip of about 36 miles using the route below

Steve

08 Aug 2021: Wheathampstead to Lower Stondon

A poor weather forecast of rain put people off joining us at the Wheathampstead start. As we left our house in St Albans at about 9am the rain stopped and indeed we cycled the whole ride with only a few drops of rain throughout. 

The roads were quite wet as we headed north through Gustard Wood and the edge of Kimpton before passing through Breachwood Green and freewheeling down to Lilley Bottom. We whizzed along through Lilley and climbed easily to the top of Hexton Hill helped by a strong tailwind before going through the wonderfully named Higham Gobion to reach the Mount Pleasant Golf Club at just after 11am. Here we found Steve and Jackie sitting on the balcony. They had planned to ride down to the start but had decided to wait until the rain passed through so went straight to the coffee stop.

Steve smiling on the balcony

We admired Jackie's new electric gravel bike which allows her to overtake Steve on the hills now.

After toast and coffee we headed back into the wind via the edge of Hitchin and Charlton. Ronnie turned off near Whitwell and the others went back via the private road near Kimpton.

Steve not smiling

We got back to St Albans just after 2pm as we had spent quite a while chatting at the golf club. 

It was a shame some others were put off by the forecast which turned out to be wrong. 

Carol

25 July 2021: St Albans to Chalfont St Peter

The two Saints ride!

The BBC weather forecast predicted heavy rain & thunderstorms all day, so at 9:30 I approached the War Memorial with trepidation, expecting no-one to be at the start. To my surprise there were four riders already there. However Gary had only turned up to say hello and that he was going on another ride  but would be out with us the following Sunday, So off the rest of us went, via Bedmond, Hunters Bridge & Chandlers Cross. A notable event occurred an the hill up to to Chorleywood, where I noticed that Philip’s back tyre was rubbing against the chain-stay and convinced him, after some effort, to stop and fix it. His Sun bike, which looked as though it had been extracted from a skip, had been given to him when a schoolboy as a reward for passing an exam. It was 50’s or 60’s vintage as it was second-hand even then. So it had what you might expect: screw-on block, auxiliary brake levers, down-tube shifters, horizontal drop-outs and all the rest of it, and, of course, a solid rear axle. Fortunately, he had remembered to pack a spanner for turning the rear-axle nuts, so with a bit of groaning and grunting he managed the loosen the bolts , re-centre the wheel and remount. After completing the climb, some drizzle appeared (the only rain of the day) and we all  put on waterproofs, but shortly afterwards took them off again. 

Philip's on his way to play golf?

Arriving at the Madeira cafe, we found only one table for four unoccupied, and quickly ordered coffee & snacks. These took some time to arrive so it was nearly one o’clock by the time we left after a convivial chat. Our eyes lit up after Philip suggested he would get us each a Portuguese tart, so there was some initial disappointment when he returned with a plate of delicious made-on-the-premises  Pastella de Nata, the best in the world after Lisbon's.

Delicious!

 So out of consideration for Philip, whose largest sprocket had only 24 teeth, I took the flattest and most direct route back, via Latimer, Flaunden, Rucklers Lane & Bunkers Lane.

Steve B

18 July 2021: Hatfield to Westmill

As the forecast today was the third day with temperatures in the late 20's, it was not surprising that so few turned out Asda car park. It was just Ronnie and I that set off towards Tewin on a beautiful route provided by Carol. 

Looking sunny at the start

It was quite warm, but a lot of shade was provided throughout the day and a gentle breeze helped to keep cool - although not always in a beneficial direction. We saw the turn to Whitehill Golf Club and after experiencing the grunt uphill a few weeks ago I was grateful the route went straight on. After passing through Nasty (better believe it!) we headed for Westmill. 

We passed a probable multi-million house with a black AC Cobra on the drive. For the petrolheads it was a C reg, so an original 1963/4 model, worth almost as much as the house I guess. After a toasted bacon sandwich and scotch egg, we headed back to Great Munden where Ronnie peeled off on a more direct route home to Stevenage. 

Picturesque tea room - view spoiled by cars

Joining the old A10, I missed the turn at Wadesmill for Bengeo and then had to go to Thundridge and Ware, which looked a nicer town than I could remember. My legs now started feeling tired, so was glad to reach Hertford, picking up Route 61 back to Hatfield thence home via the Alban Way, where I bumped into Mike Ronayne who was tentatively trying a short ride whiilst suffering from ongoing back pain, to a large mug of tea. 55 miles door to door, 45 miles Asda to Asda. Thanks for the route Carol. Wonderful yellows, greens and blue (with no clouds). A missed opportunity for those who were probably watching to see if Cav got his 35th TdF stage win- or Lewis Hamilton winning at Silverstone- or the golf!

Philip

27 June 2021: Wheathampstead to Letchworth

The narrator/ride leader arrived early at the Wheathampstead start point in light rain with very overcast skies.   Hopes that no-one else would show, with the attractive possibility of a short ride home to dry house, coffee and crumpets were dashed by the arrival of Steve B and then four more intrepid riders – the two Marks, Philip and John.    

Several of us reported feelings of mild elation having been mistaken around Sandridge for participants in the Triathalon taking place this morning.   Heaven knows why – we didn’t really look serious enough, and had not a single tri-bar or aero helmet between us!

Given the ominous forecast and leaden sky, your trusty narrator took the liberty of reversing the planned route, to take the anticlockwise short option to Letchworth, on the grounds we’d have more chance of reaching the destination dry and could then tackle the longer route back, weather permitting.     

Just outside Letchworth, Steve B kindly took over when the ride leader confessed to having no idea at all how to get to the Golf Course and café.  With a quick glance at Ride with GPS, Steve rescued us from an unplanned visit to Baldock.  The leader had earlier received a well-deserved dressing down for having no 21st century navigation technology whatever and for having scribbled the key route points on a scrap of paper, now of course in reverse order as well as inaccessible in a saddle bag. 

The coffee, toasties and full breakfasts went down very well at the golf club.   No one seemed to be in any hurry to leave, and only a temporary pause in anecdotes allowed us back on the road.  

With the weather now brighter, there was no excuse not to do the full ride.  After further navigational shortcomings from Wymondley and the leader now pretty well disgraced, it was Steve and John who led along the quiet lanes and glorious countryside to Gosmore and then the challenging but beautiful Pinnacle Hill.

Little Wymondley

 Thank goodness, Mark saved his puncture for the bit just after the pinnacle!  Repairs half way up could have been grim.  There followed a detailed and spirited analysis of all aspects of the problem and the best ways of getting tyres off rims.

Felix on Pinnacle Hill

 Some time later we resumed the ride, through Preston and lesser known lanes to Lilley Bottom, Whitwell and then the private road over to Kimpton.  With all heading back to St Albans, it was agreed to ride back over Beech Hyde Lane and avoid main road traffic and more likely confusion for the tri-marshalls.  

A couple of riders slid off in Sandridge for post-ride ‘pick-me-ups’, in what looked like a fairly well rehearsed routine.  (It’s OK, no names, no secrets).    

Back home the gloomiest of Met Office predictions had proven inaccurate.   All together, a very enjoyable and sociable ride. (At least, the leader thought so.  And he commits to 21st century tech before leading another one.)   Thanks for Carol B for a great route. 

Eamonn

20 June 2021: St Albans to Chesham

The forecast wasn't very good for a late June Sunday and waterproof jackets were in evidence at the start. Mark K (our leader for the day)  took a call from Mark S who was in Hatfield outside Asda wondering where everyone was. We decided to wait for him to sprint back to the correct start point and, after a later departure than planned, we shortened the route slightly by going along the main road to Hemel and using Bunkers Lane to access Nash Mills. We passed the "Elevenses coffee" sign at Beechtree Lane, which appears every weekend now, and wondered where the mysterious coffee supplier actually is. I do wonder why people don't put themselves in the feet of strangers and put something like "20 yards" or "half a mile" to indicate the actual location of their business.

Mark S had a puncture on Bunkers Lane and decided it was the last straw and to head back. The rest of us took a fairly direct route into Chesham cycling through what seemed like low cloud rather than drizzle and had good-quality inexpensive, quick food delivered in Poppin's cafe (where we said hello to some members of South Bucks CTC).

Steve's lost a foot

After a photo opportunity outside the clock tower we took the Chess-valley road towards Chenies where there is a new 40mph speed limit all the way along, but which is widely ignored.

Picturesque Chesham

A gradual climb from the Chess river to near Flaunden was followed by a downhill through Belsize, then a direct route back through Chipperfield and Bedmond. The newly surfaced Bedmond Lane was a joy to use. Mark K and Philip left us at Potters Crouch to call in at a pub, so it was only Eamonn, Steve and I returning to St Albans by about 1:45 after 33 miles.

Carol B