Saturday 22 April 2023 - spring at last

Misty and a bit chilly on the way to the start. Four set off on a 'Five Mile' excursion to Sandridge and seven went Further Faster to Wheathampstead.

The quartet went off up Woodstock Road, then down Jersey Lane.  Lovely to amble along with the blossom and the fresh green leaves.

Darby's Village Stores is a super coffee stop, we enjoyed hot drinks and enormous biscuits. Even better if a more civilised 20mph speed limit meant gentler traffic through the village.  Lots of cyclists of all ages and demeanours going through.  We had a nice chat with two walkers visiting from Luton.

For reference, the public toilets are still closed, having been shut for some time now due to water damage affecting the electrics. Post ride research indicates that the church toilet is available when the church is open, usually between 0930 and 1600h.

We rode on via Sandridgebury Lane, with a stop to buy an enormous vegetable.

Back to Morrisons via NCN6 and the Green Ring via Bernards Heath.  Joyous slow riding, the complete loop is 7.5 miles.

The septet was also heading northward, up to the King William then down Sandridgebury Lane. We went through Sandridge, over Nomansland and up to Amwell, past the Elephant and Castle. We dropped down into Wheathamstead via Brewhouse Hill, then stopped for coffee (very important).  Loafing was the chosen cafe, it was busy but we got a table.

For the return leg we cycled up Beech Hyde Lane, across to Tower Hill Lane and down Hammonds Lane.

One of the group peeled off, the rest continued over Woodcock Hill, which was rather busy with impatient drivers.  One lout even hit Teresa's handlebar mirror, but didn’t stop to check. We shouted, which made us feel better, and we stopped for a bit to regain our composure. We started again and turned left into Nashes Farm Lane, then along House Lane to Sandpit Lane.

Here some of us went over Oaklands, and others went up Sandpit Lane. It was a lovely ride of 15 miles.