22 Aug 2015: Saturday ride to Whitwell

A lovely morning for a beginners' ride and seven of us set off from Jenny's Cafe in Hatfield bound for Emily's Cafe in Whitwell (I wonder if Jenny and Emily have ever met?).  Here were Nick and Sally again (soon to join CTC after their 3rd rides) and Madeleine and Tony on their second rides.  Rona of 5MTF fame came along for the ride in her new Billie Fleming shirt with Neil leading the bunch and Jon keeping in his rightful place at the rear.

  

          Rona & Madeleine                                       Jon has been looking after cyclists since 1878

We were soon onto the lovely leafy lane through Symondshyde Woods and twiddling through Coleman Green and down to Wheathampstead.  Neil was keen to test us on some gentle climbs and it was a longish drag out of the village and up to Gustard Wood, then another climb to Tower Hill to be rewarded by a swift descent to the cafe in Whitwell for a well earned break.

Relaxing at Emily's cafe in Whitwell

As we headed for home Nick sped ahead and captured a few frames on his helmet camera - fame on Youtube at last.

It was an easier ride back and after Lemford the Harpenden contingent bade us farewell and took a direct route back via Wheathampstead while we returned to Hatfield having completed just over 21 satisfying miles.

Jon 23/08/2015

 

16 Aug 2015: Hertford to Mill Green

I like trying new routes and a round dozen riders gathered for a journey to explore lands to the east of our usual hunting grounds, thinking that I knew Essex like the back of my hand.  Little did they know that I knew nothing about one part of the route, where my route planner was taking a direct line along a bridleway.  But first we had to get to Harlow, avoiding the bridge at Dobbs Weir, which was closed for rebuilding. 

We took the scenic route along the river to Ware, trying to dodge the worst of the rough bits, and I thought I’d be clever and take a short cut coming out at the station.  That was fine, but the barriers came down as we arrived so we ended up back by the river and crossed the railway on Viaduct Road instead.

We reached Stanstead Abbotts without climbing any hills at all, so I felt merciful and took the easier climb out via Kitten Lane to avoid the 10% gradient.  It’s a lovely descent to Roydon where the inevitable barriers were down, but we were soon in Harlow and onto the north-south cycleway we’d used before.  Emerging on Paringdon Road I thought I was further south and missed the turn to Commonside Road - it was becoming clear that I didn’t know the back of my hand too well.  Carol came to the rescue and found the way to what used to be the Pink Cottage pub. We negotiated the M11 roundabout safely, helped by an improved junction design, and the sun came out as we reached the garden centre.

Barrier on Old Barns Lane

I was pleased when everyone said they were carrying on to lunch, but some had little choice, as they didn’t know their way back from here. It was a familiar route to Radley Green, mostly on NCR1, but then we headed south to cross the A414 and onto over a mile of bridleway. One of the privileges of leading a ride is that it lets you try new routes and this looked like a useful short cut, but I wondered why I’d never been taken down there before.  After getting around a locked gate it turned out to be quite rideable with just a few water filled dips to avoid. After passing some isolated houses we were onto a concrete road through very dark and spooky woodland before emerging on the Blackmore Road.  Soon Metsons Lane provided another off-road shortcut through the wood yard and onto Ingatestone Road, where we paused to inspect a vintage Dodge car that was for sale. 

An old Dodge

The Viper is hidden away in the woods and deservedly popular with walkers and cyclists.  Quick service, good sandwiches and beer, what more could you want?  After an hour in the garden the only real incentive to leave was the prospect of our first visit of the year to Upshire Church for tea.  It was a quiet route to Ongar and Toot Hill, then the steep climb up Ivy Chimneys, along the Epping Road and down to Upshire.  It doesn’t seem possible, but the range and quality of the food on offer looked even better than last year.

Lunch at The Viper

After Waltham Abbey we divided with most joining NCR1 going north through Lea Valley Country Park, then across to Hoddesdon and over the hill back to Hertford to complete an enjoyable 65-mile circuit. 

Jon 16/08/2015   

15 Aug 2015: Saturday ride to Stanborough Lakes

This was a great Saturday jaunt out with a well-attended group of riders of all abilities. Richard was our leader and he had an interesting route planned.

Starting outside Morrisons, Fleetville

We set off down the Alban Way and it was really lovely, many of the group not having being there before were pleasantly surprised at this tranquil little path that led us straight to Hatfield. We kept off the road as we navigated our way to Mill Green and just past the museum we picked up a dirt track that took us under a bridge and on to the lakes. We skirted the lake and took a refreshing break at the café there watching the sailing and the dogs chasing the ducks.

 

Stanborough Lakes

 

     

From here we headed up through the town of WGC, and at the big white bridge we popped down onto the wooded path of Sherrardspark Wood, a lovely leafy affair of oaks and hornbeams in the middle of WGC. We followed this and made our way over towards the Ayots and then took the Ayot Greenway to Wheathampstead.

From Wheathampstead we navigated through the lanes and back over to Sandridge, and then we went up through Oakland’s college and back onto the Alban Way to complete a lovely morning’s ride of under 20 miles. Many thanks are due to Richard for giving us a good and mostly off road route.

Neil 15/08/2015