Rides in 2016

Nine of us set out on today's ride which initially was a short ten miles circuit taking in Jordan's Mill. Mia, Sheila, Frank T, Frank C, David R, David W, Louise, Lorayne and myself Geoff left Letchworth in very cold conditions and were in need of warm refreshments after our ride to the café via Henlow and Langford. After we had warmed up and the weather had done the same (slightly) we then set off on a much longer route back via Southill, Ireland, Haynes, Clophill, after which the group took a short off road detour which resulted in two punctures for Lorayne and David R. I had avoided the detour in case of mud, but it turned out to be hedge cutting that caused the problem. Right decision but for the wrong reason. David's puncture caught up with him at the scene of an accident in Shefford where two white vans and a car had all tried to occupy the same piece of road at the same time. Lucky we didn't get there earlier or we might have been the meat in the sandwich. The result of these punctures was that the group was split up and we returned to Letchworth in two or possibly three groups. I returned with Sheila and Frank C via Stotfold and Norton arriving back at about 3pm. Total distance 33 miles, which was quite good considering the temperature when I left home was minus 2"C. Thanks to Frank T for leading on the return journey as far as Shefford.

 

Today we did a ride to St Pauls Walden and Whitwell.  Seven of us left Wetherspoons headed for St Pauls Walden. Frank C, Paul, Sheila, Mia, Peter and I, lead by Geoff as usual. We headed off via Willian, Great Wymondley, Redcoats, Little Almshoe then on the B656 to the Whitwell turn off and up the hill to our destination for lunch, the Strathmore Arms. The usual basic, but good lunch was had before heading back by a bit longer route. We came via Witwell, the Lillie bottom road to Hollybush hill, Great Offley, Ley Green, Preston, down to Little Almshoe where we picked up the usual route back. The weather was cold, but a glorious sunny day. The was a light south-easterly wind which gave us a lovely push along the Lillie bottom road. 30.5 miles was the distance covered.

 

Eleven of us left Wetherspoons in Leys ave at the slightly earlier time of 10:40 heading in the direction of Cople near Bedford. Louise, Sheila, Mia, Jacquie, Steve, the two Franks, David R, Roger and myself lead as usual by Geoff. We headed via Norton, Stotfold, Arlesey where we were joined by Norman, Henlow, Clifton, Stanford, Ireland, Cardington arriving at the Five Bells at Cople at about 12:15. David had to leave before lunch to ensure he was home by 14:30. The lunch was good, cheap if a little slow arriving. On our return we came via Northill, Old Walden, Southill, and then back to Letchworth, the same way we had come. However, some of us split at Arlesey and came back through Fairfield. Throughout the return journey riders starting peeling off to their preferred route to their destinations. It was a miserable overcast, cold day, but stayed dry. We did a total of approximately 36 miles for the core ride. This ride would be an absolute joy on a nice sunny day. Must do it again in the summer.

 

Today ride was to Kimpton. Five riders left Wetherspoons, Sheila, Louise, Lorayne, Frank C and myself leading. We rode via Willian, Great Wymondley, Hitchwood, Whitwell and across to Kimpton for lunch at the Boot. However, the pub had a better offer of 40 covers half an hour later, so we made our way over to the Lytton Arms at Old Knebworth via Codicote. The usual good value for money lunch was had at this dependable venue. On our return we rode via Knebworth, Bragbury End, Aston, Walkern, Halls Green, Weston and back to Letchworth. The weather started a bit chilly, but ended up being a lovely late spring day, lovely sunshine with very little wind. We did approximately 33 miles.

 

Nine of us left Wetherspoons, Louise, Lorayne, Mia, Sheila, Paul, Adrian, Frank C, myself and Geoff in the lead. We were heading for the Shuttleworth Aerodrome. We rode via Norton, Stotfold, Arlesey, Henlow, Langford, Jordans Mill, where we split into two groups. The A group continued via Southill and Old Walden and the B group took the direct route. We all arrived at Shuttleworth at more or less the same time. An enjoyable lunch was had. After lunch Louise and Lorayne took a direct route back to Letchworth. The rest of us came back via Old Walden, Haynes Church End, Clophill stopping at the tea shop in Shefford where Geoff treated us all to tea/coffee etc as it was his birthday. Happy birthday and thanks Geoff. We continued our journey after our break via Clifton, Henlow, Stotfold and Norton.  We did a total of 37 miles with a moderate NE wind which we felt at times especially on our way back.  The weather was fair with plenty of sunshine, but a little on the cool side.

 

Today our ride was also entered as part of the Letchworth Festival. The ride was a figure of eight, seven of us set off Mia, Sheila, Frank C, David W, Adrian, myself Stuart and Geoff as usual in the lead. We cycled via Willian, Great Wymondley, Little Almshoe, St Pauls Walden, Whitwell, then towards Lillie turning right at the Tea Green crossroads for Ley Green, Preston, Charton, Hitchin and finally Gosmore. We had lunch in the Bird in Hand. A nice lunch time was had before setting off again. We then skirted the south side of Hitchin and up to Great Wymondley, where David and Adrian left us. We then headed over to Graveley, going through the north part of Stevenage and Great Ashby before heading to Weston, Baldock and back home. The weather was fair before lunch, clouding over after lunch. Light winds throughout. Our total mileage was somewhere in the region of 36 with and average of 12.5 per hour.

 

This Month we cycled to Aston End, just west of the Beane valley. Seven of us left Wetherspoons Paul, David W, Frank C, Mia, Sheila, myself and in the lead Geoff. We cycled via Weston, Halls Green, Walkern and then through the Beane Valley to the Crown at Aston End for our lunch. It is always a pleasure to cycle through the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside on such a lovely day. The usual nice lunch and chat was had sitting outside, shaded from the direct sun, as it had become very hot by lunch time. Myself and David decided to come back via Great Ashby with David heading back via Graveley and myself via Weston and Baldock. I understand that the rest of the group cycled over to Ashwell for a much earned tea stop, before returning to Letchworth. The Weather was glorious sunshine and very hot. My mileage for the day was in the region of 23 with an average of 11.

 

Today we did our monthly ride to Jordans Mill near Biggleswade. Ten of us left Wetherspoons, with new members Sandra, Wai, Chris & Steve G, along with David W, Geoff, Lorayne, David R, myself and Frank C, leading. We headed off and Lorayne realised that her clip on shoes actually worked, as she was not used to them Frank took the cleats off her shoes for her to continue the ride more safely, until she gets used to them. We then headed off again to Norton, Stotfold, Arlesey, Henlow and Langford arriving at Jordans mill just before midday. We were met there for lunch by Fred. A nice al fresco lunch as always at this busy venue. On the way back we came via Broom and Southill, Stanford, Clifton, Arlesey, Fairfield. The weather was warm with some light cloud cover at times and a bit of a headwind going. Our total mileage for the ride was in the region of 23 at an average of just over 10mph.

 

Today it was our monthly to Southill, this ride was a slower paced, low milage ride aimed at new starters and beginners. We had one new rider the day, Hugh. Five of us set off Geoff, Adrian, Hugh, myself Stuart with Frank C in the lead. We headed out via Norton, Stotfold, Arlesey, Henlow, Stanford, and as we were running early Frank took a loop which took us to Ireland and Old Warden before arriving at the White Horse at Southill. We had an enjoyable lunch outside as the weather was still mild. We took the direct route back via Stanford, Henlow, Arlesey and Fairfield.  Hugh did very well not having ridden for a while, well done. The days weather was fair but chilly at times and there was very little wind. The milage was in the region of 26 with an average of 12mph, so quite a bit faster than some of our starter rides.

 

Today we rode to Hexton. Seven of us left Wetherspoons, Sandra & David W, a new rider Jill, Frank C, Roy, myself and Geoff taking it steady in the lead. We took the direct route both on the outward and return journeys, via Ickleford, Holwell, Pirton, Shillington and Higham Gobion ending up at the Raven Pub in Hexton for lunch. We were joined at lunch by Mel my wife and Dom my stepdaughter. The food here is good and quite reasonably priced. Plenty of chat over lunch and Dom having plenty of tales about the recent accident that she had on her bike. After lunch we came back along the same route with Sandra & David leaving us at Ickleford. The weather turned out quite pleasant after a doubtful start with a bit of a headwind going which assisted us on our return. The return mileage was about 24 with a slower than normal average of 10. mph.

 

Todays six of us set off for Ashwell, Sandra & David, David R, Geoff, myself with Frank C in the lead. We cycled via Norton, Newnham, Ashwell. On arrival we did a short loop via the Hinxworth Road, Loves Lane, Ashwell End, Northfield Road and back into Ashwell where we stopped at the Rose and Crown for lunch. David R decided to continue his ride without stopping for lunch, as he wanted to get a few extra miles in and needed to get back early. Frank T and two of his cycling friends Martin and Roger joined us at the pub at lunch time. Our social time was enjoyable here, but my personal thought was that the food was not up to the usual standard that I was expecting. After lunch everybody excepting Geoff and myself took a more direct route back, either by Newnham or Hinxworth. Geoff and I did a loop to Steeple Morden, Guilden Morden and back to Ashwell before returning to Letchworth via Newnham and Norton. The weather was overcast in the morning and started raining after lunch. It was quite warm none the less and a light easterly wind. My mileage was in the region of 25 so I would expect Geoff to have exceeded 50 as he had cycled up from Luton. My average was 11.7 mph.

 

Todays ride was to St Pauls Walden. There were two rides today, a longer ride via Hexton and Gravel Hill which was lead by Adrian with Roy, Steve, Shelia & Mia. A shorter direct ride via Great Wymondley and Redcoats Green which was lead by Geoff with David W, Frank C and I. On our (the shorter ride group) arrival at the Strathmore Arns, we were advised that the pub was fully booked by a funeral party. They were, however able take a lunch order from us, before the funeral group arrival which we were able to eat in a little side room. The longer ride group were not so lucky and decided to double back to the Bull at Whitwell for lunch. Unfortunately Roy had a puncture which had to be fixed prior to their departure, which gave them a little time to chat with us before they left. I have no details of Adrians ride back after lunch, but Geoff, Frank and I came directly back and David took a detour via Old Knebworth and Stevenage for some shopping. It was a lovely bright, sunny winters day with very little wind. My mileage was in the region of 17 with an average of 11.5 mph.