25 April 2021: St Albans to Edlesborough

We gathered at the War Memorial in St Albans and admired the flowering cherry trees before setting off in two groups to head up the old A5 to Redbourn on our outbound route to Edlesborough. Sometimes we just have to thrash up the main road for a few miles before reaching the country lanes and just hope that the traffic isn't heavy early in the morning. We welcomed two new people for the ride, both coincidentally called Clare. A late arrival meant there was a total of eleven of us on the day.

Cherry trees in bloom

We took the back lane to Flamstead then went into Markyate on the Old Watling Street running parallel to the busy old A5, before the long gradual climb to Dunstable Downs via Kensworth and the unusually named Isle of Wight Lane. We then swept downhill through the edge of Dunstable to Totternhoe, then headed west to our planned "break" in Edlesborough. No coffee available, so just a "break" for a short breather and rest. 

We were somewhat perplexed that the group that had set off ahead of us were not at the agreed rendezvous when we arrived there. Had they paused en-route for a wee stop (Scottish term)? They turned up some minutes later and admitted they had had a Garmin/brain malfunction moment and had gone along part of the planned return route at Hogg End Lane. This required a detour to rejoin the outward route near Redbourn.

Looking chilly before leaving snack stop

After our break, we headed back via Dagnall and the gentle climb up the Downs below the White Lion, before the usual route home along Gaddesden Lane. Rather then go back along the planned Hogg End Lane, our group went though Cupid Green and along Buncefield Lane North and used the brand-new push-button signalised crossing at Breakspear Way to reach Buncefield Lane South which is now blocked off for cars. This gives a safe route to Westwick Row. After a short section of the A4147 we turned down to Potters Crouch and back to St Albans using Bedmond Lane.

A cold but dry Sunday morning and we were back at about 1.15 after 37 miles. Pleased to see such a good turnout and hope to see the new riders again.

Carol B

18 April 2021: St Albans to Great Offley

A good turn-out today, with 11 riders at the start in St Albans, so we split into two groups of six and five for the trip out to Great Offley. Only after the first six had set off did we realise that Gary was just saying "hello" and wasn't actually planning on riding with us. There was a bit of excitement leaving along Sandridge Road as a large branch had broken off a tree and was blocking the carriageway. 

Sandridge Road tree

We headed north-east via Wheathampstead and east of Codicote before passing the edge of Knebworth Park where we stopped to look at the herd of deer close to the road. Although the deer are always there, it's unusual to actually see any as they usually hide in the woods. After passing through Preston we stopped and chatted to Steve and Jackie Clarke and waved at Stuart of the Stevenage Cycling UK group. Phil B had decided to join us and came to the Barn Cafe behind the butcher's shop at Offley Hoo farm.

Knebworth Park deer

The first group had just about finished their coffees, so they left ahead of us and took Eamonn's planned route back to St Albans.  We took a more leisurely shorter route back via Mill End and the cycle path to Harpenden; Ronny peeled off at Lilley Bottom to head back to Stevenage and we got back to St Albans shortly after the first group, but we only did 36 miles, a bit less than them. I forgot to take a photo of the group at the cafe stop, but managed this shot of a cyclist in front of our tree in full blossom!

Flowering Cherry tree

Thanks to Eamonn for planning and leading the ride, and welcome to the new riders out with us today.

Carol B

11 April 2021: Hatfield to Standon

 The forecast showers luckily didn't appear but it was a bright sunny cold day that greeted us gathering at the bike stands by Asda in Hatfield. A decent turnout of nine people including some new riders to the group. It's always a bit of a slog getting out from Hatfield to the North East and we went through Welwyn Garden City using a slightly different route to reach Panshanger and the countryside. A hilly ride headed fairly directly to Standon, via Datchworth, Watton and Dane End. We crossed the river Rib on the footbridge at Standon Ford which fortunately didn't look like this photo. I found a short (40 seconds) video showing an old Landrover attempting to drive through showing the dangers of deep water.

Standon Ford

Unfortunately, my idea of buying a coffee at the shop in Standon was scuppered as they didn't have a coffee machine. It seems to be the only rural shop without one that I've encountered during the last year of closed cafes. After a short stop we re-crossed the ford, then headed south via Barwick Ford where Ronny took a photo.

Barwick Ford

A direct route via Wareside and Ware took us into Hertford where a few people took the direct route back via Hertingfordbury and four of us went through Little Berkhamsted back to Welham Green and Hatfield.

A longer route than planned meant we were a bit late and hungry getting home.

Carol 

04 April 2021: St Albans to Chalfont St Giles

Well, finally after several months of COVID lockdown we had our first group ride of the year. We were lucky to have a bright sunny day and although not shorts temperature, it was more than 10°C and a lot warmer than the 4°C forecast for the next day.

There were six people at the war memorial 9.30 start. We headed out using the usual route through St Michaels, then up Bluehouse Hill and left towards Bedmond. We climbed out of the Gade valley, then passed through Flaunden where it was good to see the Green Dragon pub getting ready for outdoor opening with a huge marquee over some smart-looking dining tables and chairs. The new dragon figure-head was peeping over the hedge in the sun.

Yes I know it's an old photo!

We turned right after Latimer to avoid the steepest hill up to Little Chalfont,  so went through the village and out past some properties that made Harpenden look like some kind of down-market sink-housing estate. We reached Chalfont St Giles and surprisingly found a vacant seat on the green by the cafe, which we used as a bike stand.

On the green at Chalfont St Giles

After a short coffee break and use of the rather quaint public lavatories discreetly hidden behind an ancient brick wall we initially retraced our outbound route before going through Chorleywood, Chandlers Cross  and Abbotts Langley before getting back to St Albans at about 1.20 pm. A pleasant ride of about 36 miles. Route below.

Carol B