20 Mar 2022: Hatfield to Cheshunt

We set off on a bright but cool morning going south through the University of Hertfordshire (in its better days known as Hatfield Polytechnic) using the cycle-path alongside the old A1, cutting under it through the tunnel, as usual littered  with abandoned beer-cans, to Bullens Green then Welham Green. 

Outside the start

We passed by the now re-opened Hope & Anchor on the way to Bell Bar where we turned north to cross the A1000 to get to Woodside. We then passed through Little Berkhamsted and Newgate Street, and then down the hill under the railway line and the subsequent long ascent into Hammond Street. This is a recently built estate consisting of a maze of little roundabouts and dead-end roads and almost inevitably I lost my way. But using my trusty OS app on my phone I managed to find my way through to the cycle-path going south by Bury Green School which joins the B198 dual carriageway at a roundabout. But just before the roundabout I took the cycle-path heading east, crossing over the A10 dual carriageway using the Millennium cycle bridge, to get to the end of the path which is opposite to Cedar’s Park. At this point I realised that only Phil was behind me; of Eamonn and Gary there was no sign. We waited for some time, during which I phoned each of them, but neither answered. While Phil went back along the path, I went into the park and found the café to be packed with a long queue waiting to be served. So I returned to the park entrance to see the others approaching along the path. The cause of the delay had been a bolt falling out from Eamonn’s front rack (these are not very common in Britain but are popular with French cyclo-tourists). Against the odds, Gary had found the fallen bolt and its washer on the path. (You can see from Eamonn’s forks that he had plenty of spare bolts had it not been found.) 

Eamonn's fork

Anyway, it was refitted, but this also took time. I suggested that we go to another café, so led them into Cheshunt and headed north up the B176 looking for a suitable establishment, which we soon found. In contrast to that of Cedar’s Park it was deserted. 

Nonetheless they were very fast in attending to our needs, and once again Gary could not resist the protein overload of liver, bacon & onions, while Eamonn and Phil had two poached eggs each. My coffee was excellent so the Cross Café seemed worthy of a revisit. 

Cross café

As we were way behind schedule, I led the ride back through the shortest route:  north to Wormley, then west to Wormley West End and along White Stubbs Lane and Tylers Causeway, which unusually seemed to be hosting a huge amount of motor traffic.. After crossing the B158 I pointed out the historic landmark of the residence of that cultural icon of the 1970s, Samantha Fox. Eamonn showed intense interest, making a remark that cannot be repeated here. Then it was back to St Albans through Welham Green and the longabout, where we derived pleasure at holding up the traffic at the lights while we crossed. I got home at the rather late 2:45.

Steve B

no map this week (Carol is away)!

13 Mar 2022: St Albans to Dunstable Downs

We set off from the Waterend Barn on a bright sunny morning heading north along the Redbourn Road, which was closed to motor-traffic for resurfacing from the Batchwood roundabout up to Hogg End Lane. We were pleased to find that the notorious pot-holes a few yards north of the Prae Hotel had at last been filled, and entered Redbourn without any cars overtaking us. We then took Lybury Lane to Flamstead, passing the usual fly-tips near the motorway bridge. We then took the curiously named Friendless Lane to Cheverell’s Green, skimmed the outskirts of Markyate and headed into Kensworth. 

Isle of Wight Lane

Taking the back road to Dunstable Downs along the equally curiously named Isle of Wight Lane, we sped down the hill to Dunstable and then to Tottenhoe so we could approach the gliding club without going along the busy B489. After climbing the steep hill that is the club’s driveway we noticed with apprehension several road-bike parked outside the café; we had clashed with a large group from the Verulam. However although the café was busy there was room for us and we were quickly served. On leaving we were approached by a club member who offered to show us round one of the glider hangars. This was very interesting, especially as to how to fit all the awkward shapes into a confined space. There was what was I had assumed to be a modern-art picture on the wall which was in fact showing the position of each glider shown in a different colour. 

Glider hangar

It was also confirmed to us that a cyclist that rode with us about 20 years ago, a plumber from  North London,  John M, was still a member. On departure, we cycled along a short stretch of the B489 to Dunstable to pick up the cycle path by the side of the bus-way to Luton and entered the town centre only to have to dismount due to what we assumed to be a carnival procession taking place accompanied by drumbeats and bagpipe “music”. We detected an Irish theme to the event and later confirmed that it was due to the proximity of St Patrick’s Day. We eventually got through and picked up the cycle-path parallel to the Lower Luton Road, emerging at Harpenden and then heading back along the cycle-path alongside the A5183 and getting home at 2 pm.

Steve B

27 Feb 2022: St Albans to Hawridge

 Six riders met at the Waterend Barn on a dazzling bright morning with not a cloud in the sky. Tim proudly displayed his new titanium bike from Spa Cycles, a Christmas present to himself, rivalling Ben on his titanium Croix De Fer from Genesis. In contrast, Philip was riding his steel-framed Sun bike from the 1970s with its 5-speed block. We headed north up the Redbourn road, negotiating the humps and bumps on the road surface  near the Prae Hotel, hoping they would be eliminated in the resurfacing work scheduled for March. Turning west into Hogg End Lane, we passed the usual flytips by the motorway bridge to enter the Maylands industrial area and went through to Piccott’s End.We went through Berkhamsted before climbing the hill to Hawridge and the new Cafe Velo, hoping it was not already overwhelmed with cyclists. It was busy, judging by the number of bikes hanging from the bike bars, but there was room for us both inside and out . 

Chiltern Velo terrace in the sun 

We also met Phil and Sue who had cycled directly from Bedmond to meet us. We sat outside facing east with a beautiful view over the valley, with the sun shining and complete absence of wind. After coffees, the eight of us cycled together until Tim left us to go home via Berkhamsted while the rest of us continued through Ashley Green, Bovingdon Green, and down Rucklers Lane.Most of us turned up Hyde Lane to Bedmond, but Phil and Sue chose to go home via Tom's Lane. We carried on to Potters Crouch where Ben pointed out that Gary’s rear tyre looked soft and it was indeed a puncture. As he was only a mile from home he decided to walk there and the rest of us got back to St Albans at 2 pm after around trip of about 36 miles.

Steve