28 Apr 2018: Fun ride to Stanborough Lakes

Thirteen riders attended the first Saturday fun ride of the year and Danny Smith (Radio Verulam), who wanted to take some photos for the Sustainable St Albans week, also joined us.

There was a nice spread of new and old faces along with three of Rona’s girls.

Before we set off a rider (whose bike had fallen over) found that her back wheel had popped off the frame. We quickly put it back on and in so doing we found her back disc brake was too tight, so we loosened it for her. This was appreciated a little further on as she commented on the ease of her cycling, thinking that she was very unfit beforehand.

We took the usual route down to Stanborough via the Alban Way.  I’m still amazed at how many people don’t know about this route. It’s only six miles to the coffee stop so it was a nice relaxed chatty ride. The weather was cold and it was threatening rain all the way. Due to the recent rain I chose to avoid Sherrards Park and the Ayot Green Way. We navigated Welwyn and made our way to Brockswood Lane - it goes past the golf club and has a cheeky hill.



We headed into Ayot St Peter and rode around the quiet lanes there eventually meeting the Codicote Road and making our way to Wheathampstead, from there we took a familiar route back to Sandridge. At Sandridge we took Sandridgebury Lane back to Marshalswick then navigated the streets back to the start. A very successful ride. 

Neil 28/04/2018

8 Apr 2018: Hertford to Braughing

Sunday morning dawned damp, grey, a faint drizzle in the air, and the forecast was for proper rain later. I wonder if anyone would turn up for the ride on such a day. Maybe I could go home and do something in the dry? Keen cyclists are not so easily put off and it was a respectably-sized group who met up in Hertford. It was nice to see Mary and Dave again together with some regulars.

We set off from Hertford along the riverside path to Ware. A lovely, well used route, but any cyclist would have to complain about the quality of the maintenance. The surface is now so bad at the Ware end that it is practically unrideable, especially in bad weather. A lumpy, slippery cycle path running on the edge of a deep-looking river is not a good idea.

After complaining about a bouncy ride to Ware we took the old A10 north, turning off to Cold Christmas. Normally this quiet lane overlooking the Rib valley is picturesque, but visibility was limited today. At Much Hadham water was rushing down the road to Green Tye. But we got to Bishops Stortford and pondered our future while refreshing ourselves in the cafe - go on or go home? The weather was only drizzle wasn't it? We would go on. Passing out of the town we noticed the large housing development on its northern fringes.

All Saints Church, Rickling

At Manuden we followed the charming lane to Rickling, but by now it was raining seriously hard. Through the Pelhams we decided to cut it short and have lunch in Braughing. The Golden Fleece was busy and the food was good. From here it was straight back down the old A10 to seek dryness.

Richard 08/04/2018

25 Mar 2018: Hatfield to Great Hormead

Our first summertime ride this year and a total of eleven people were out for at least part of the day.  We started from Hatfield with eight riders and welcomed Richard P to his first ride with us. It was quite a stretch to Baldock even by the direct route through Ayot St Peter and Great Wymondley.  Halfway there we had a short break while Richard fixed a flat tyre – don’t worry Richard it happens to everyone. We still arrived at Baldock at the same time as Richard S, although Steve & Jackie were wondering if we were still coming.

After coffee break three decided to get the train back, but we had gained three new riders as we headed over to Wallington via the disused road over the new A505.

The old road out of Baldock

After Sandon it was a lovely, carefree ride down towards Buntingford. But around Mill End a terrier had great fun chasing us, having left its owner on the far side of a field.  We were spread out, going quite fast and as soon as it tired of chasing one cyclist it latched onto the next, showing amazing powers of endurance.  A passing motorist told Judy off for squirting the dog with her water bottle. She was only trying to discourage it from following us onto the A10, but by the time it gave up it was a couple of miles away from its owner. I hope it wasn’t too exhausted to find its way back.

Our route took us through Wyddial and Snow End to reach the pub at Great Hormead.  We were soon tucking into some very substantial sandwiches and chips.  It’s a shame that the dog hadn’t kept with us. There were dog biscuits available at the bar and The Three Tuns was the East of England regional winner of the Dog friendly pub awards last year.

Five wanted to head straight back from here, which left just three of us to complete the circuit, stopping at Esem in Ware for humus and pita bread, on the way back to Hatfield.
Jon 25/03/2018