By special request, a special ride today for the club regulars. A full day out, train-assisted to Harlington and cycling back to St Albans.
From Harlington station we rode all of 750m to our coffee stop, we had a lovely welcome from the staff at The Hub and Spoke Cafe. We had alerted them in advance, since we were a sizeable group - we need not have feared for their ability to cope, as a veritable horde of Harpenden Raiders arrived not long after us and were all easily seated and served. But advance notice got us the best tables, heh heh. Definitely a recommended cafe, a big menu of good food and of course cyclists are welcome.
Six of us had caught the train together, a seventh had sent a message 'have a puncture, don't wait'. She rolled up to the cafe just as we were getting ready to set off.
It is a bendy, downhill ride to Sharpenhoe, some drivers more considerate than others. It is quite a climb up to Sharpenhoe Clappers, we availed ourselves of the viewpoint benches before rolling on through Streatley, negotiating the A6 roundabout (Chiltern Cycleway signed footway route) and enjoying the big skies as we cycled along the top of the Barton Hills.
We were now on fairly familiar territory, we came back via Kimpton Mill, Tanyard Lane and Ayot St Lawrence, where we paused to admire the ruined church. Take a look at the churchyard gate, it is rather lovely! It is also padlocked, as the ruins are assessed as being in hazardous condition. Onward to Wheathampstead and along Beech Hyde Lane to Sandridge where the group split off for home in various directions.
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