Shuttleworth Aerodrome - Bedfordshire
Thursday 18th January 2018
Today we arrived at Wetherspoons as usual only to find that it was not open due to technical difficulties, whatever that means! We had a coffee in the number 12 coffee shop instead, before setting off. Ten of us set off, Tony, a potential new member, David W, David R, Frank C, Jeff, Paul, Jacky, Peter, myself with Geoff leading heading for the Shuttleworth Aerodrome. Our route out was through Norton, Stotfold, Arlesey, Henlow, Southill, Old Warden and our destination of the Shuttleworth Aerodrome Café. David W decided to head back via Broom on our arrival in Southill. We were met at the café by Adrian and John for lunch. Afterwards suitably refreshed, John set off on his own, while the rest of us came back via Jordans Mill and Langford. On arrival in Henlow, Adrian and David R set off towards Clifton to get in some extra miles and Jacky headed for home. The rest of us took the Norton route back. A nice bright day after the stormy night. Some westerly wind. My mileage was just over 27 at an average of 12.5.
Great Offley - Hertfordshire
Thursday 15th February 2018
Today our ride was to Great Offley. Six riders Paul, Mick, Jacky, George, Roy and myself Frank set out from Wetherspoons. The route taken was out through Gt Wymondley, Hitch Wood lane, Preston then Ley Green into Gt Offley.
We arrived at our lunch venue The Red Lion just after midday and found John, Adrian, Mick along with Bridget had already arrived. We also met with Geoff and Brian. This pub came up trumps with its selection food at a very reasonable prices. Plenty of chat about varied subjects before our ride back in the spring sunshine. John made his own way home while Adrian and Paul went for some extra miles while we returned via Preston and Little Almshoe route. The distance was just over 23 miles with a total climb of 1266ft, Avg speed 11.5 mph
It was a nice bright sunny day. We had a south westerly which aided our return journey a little but it was nice to be above 7deg C.
Shillington - Hertfordshire
Thursday 15th March 2018
Today our ride was to The Musgrave Arms in Shillington. Peter & I Geoff arrived at Wetherspoons on a dull & miserable morning expecting a low turnout, but this surprisingly was not the case. Eventually we were joined by Sandra, Roy, David R, Tony Furby & Frank C. We headed out on our usual route through Ickleford to Holwell where we met Adrian and also Jacky who followed us through Pirton and on to Shillington. We were very early and decided to take an extra loop out around the north end of Shillington. At this point David R left us to take a longer route out before returning to Letchworth and Tony left us to head back to Hitchin. We arrived at the pub just before opening time. John was already there having arrived early which is unusual as he is normally so punctual. We were also joined by Bridget who had driven there. The food was excellent as always at this venue and plenty of banter was forthcoming. Our return route was directly back as the weather deteriorated somewhat. Total distance for the main group was 22 miles at an average of about 11.5mph. Weather was reasonably dry with a light wind from the south but rather wetter for our return.
St Pauls Walden - Hertfordshire
Thursday 19th April 2018
Todays ride was to St Pauls Walden and The Strathmore Arms PH for lunch. Ann, George, Peter, Roy, David R, David and Sandra and Frank set off from The Three Magnets (Wetherspoons) Leys Avenue at 10:45 The route out was via Willian, Redcoats along Sperberry Hill then onto The London Road to the Whitwell Road. Our intention was to ride up the side of Hitch Wood but we turned left part way up passing East Hall Farm. We arrived at The Strathmore to find Bridgit and Gill sitting in the sunshine. Mick arrived a little later along with Paul. As always the food was cost effective and good quality. David R left us a little early to do some further miles and then Mick and Paul left. The weather was the hottest day this year 27 Deg.C. It was a good ride apart from Mr P attacking my rear tube. We arrived back in Letchworth covering just over 18 miles with an average of 11.4mph.
Rabley Heath - Hertfordshire
Thursday 17th May 2018
Shillington - Bedfordshire
Thursday 21st June 2018 - Summer Solstice
Our ride this morning was in support of the Letchworth Festival. The aim of this ride is to encourage new cyclists or those that haven't been out on their bikes for a while to join us. Eleven cyclists set off from the Three Magnets in Leys Avenue in two groups just before 10:45. They were Anne, Mick L, Sandra & David W, David R, Frank C, Peter, Richard, Ann, myself Stuart and Geoff in the overall lead. We were heading for Shillington and The Musgrave Arms for our lunch. We took our normal route out with a little loop around Shillington as we were running a little early. On arrival, we were met by Adrian, John, Fred, Bridget and Gill with Bedford Paul arriving shortly after. We had our lunch in the pub garden in glorious sunshine, very nice. Anne, John, Adrian, Fred and Paul set off after lunch at their respective destinations, while the rest of us took our normal route back to Letchworth. My mileage was 22 at an average of 10.
Great Offley - Hertfordshire
Thursday 19th July 2018
Our run today was to Great Offley and Tthe Red Lion for lunch. Nine of us met in Wetherspoons for tea/coffee and a chat before setting off at about 10:50. The nine were, Paul F, David & Sandra, Tracey, Jacky, Frank C, Peter, myself and Geoff in the lead. We took our usual route to this destination via Hitchwood and Preston, meeting John on arrival at The Red Lion, our lunch venue. John, unfortunately, had received a puncture just before his arrival that he had to repair, he did this after lunch. It was a leisurely lunch sitting out in the sunshine if anything a little too warm. Afterwards, Tracy and John set off for their individual destinations while the rest of us rode in a group to Preston. Paul decided to set off at his own pace at Ley Green. On arrival at Preston we split into three groups with David & Sandra taking the normal route back, while Geoff, Peter and Jacky headed off on their homeward journeys via Hitchin. Frank & I decided to ride back to Letchworth via Charlton, Hitchin and Rose Hill. The weather was very warm with the sun going behind the clouds from time to time and there was a southerly breeze. My mileage was 24 at an average of 13.
Shuttleworth Aerodrome - Bedfordshire
Thursday 16th August 2018
Ride Cancelled, adverse weather.
Shillington - Bedfordshire
Thursday 20th September 2018
Today our ride was to The Musgrave Arms in Shillington. Just four of us left Letchworth just before 11am. David R, Angie, Jackie & myself Geoff headed out on our usual route through Ickleford, Holwell & Pirton. Adrian met us as we rode out of Holwell & we arrived in Shillington some 15 minutes before opening time, so we took a loop around Shillington before arriving at the pub. Bridget arrived at the same time having driven there. After plenty of chatting & an excellent lunch we set off on our return. David R had already headed off for extra miles & the rest of us took the direct route back through Pirton where Adrian left us and then Holwell where Jackie lives. This just left Angie & myself Geoff to continue through to Ickleford & on to Letchworth. The weather was damp with a strong wind from the SW. Total distance of 22 miles from & to Letchworth at just under 12mph average.
Jordans Mill - Bedfordshire
Thursday 18th October 2018
This morning was our run to Jordans Mill and the restaurant there for our lunch. Ten riders set off in two groups of five after our morning coffee/tea at Wetherspoons. Geoff H, David R, David W, Sandra, Jacky, Anne, Mick L, Roy, myself and Geoff P leading. We took the direct route there through Arlesey, Henlow and Langford. David R did not stop for lunch heading off shortly after our arrival. The rest of us had an enjoyable lunch joined by John and Bedford Paul. After lunch, the main contingent cycled back via Broom and Stanford with some members taking their leave at convenient points along our route. The weather started off cloudy and quite chilly brightening up after a few miles. Some northerly wind but nothing too demanding. My mileage was 21 at an average of just short of 11 mph.
Rabley Heath - Hertfordshire
Thursday 15th November 2018
Eleven of us met for tea/coffee in Wetherspoons before the ride with ten of us cycling to Rabley Heath and the Robin Hood and Little John for our lunch stop. Paul was unable to join us as he is still recovering from his knee op. The ten riders were potential new member Bob, David and Sandra, David R, Roy, Geoff H, Mick, Richard, myself and Geoff P leading. We set off in two groups of five at about 10:45, the route taken was our usual route out and back via Great Wymondley, Little Almshoe, Shilley Green, & Codicote. At Shilley Green we were met and passed by Adrian and Mick who joined us for lunch. On arrival for lunch, we were also joined by John who had cycled there and Briget and Gill who had driven over. There were fifteen of us in total for lunch which did not please the pub staff, but they coped well in the end if a little haphazard in the delivery. The lunch itself was a lively and enjoyable hour or so and the food was of a good standard. I am not certain of the route individuals took back or where they departed but as I said above the main group did the reverse of the outward journey. The weather started off sunny, which no doubt brought everybody out but soon clouded over and remained so for the rest of the day. Very little wind noticed. My mileage was 25 miles at an average of 12.
Shuttleworth Aerodrome - Bedfordshire
Thursday 20th December 2018
Our ride today was to the Shuttleworth Aerodrome, near Old Warden and the café there for our lunch stop. Seven of us met for coffee before our start with David W not joining us for the ride. The riders were Adrian, Geoff the mountain bike, Angie, Mick the walker, myself and Geoff P leading. Our route out was via Ireland. On arrival at the café, we were met by Mick the teacher and John. A nice lunch was had with plenty of enjoyable chat. Afterwards, Mick the teacher and Adrian set off on their own with the rest of us coming back via Langford. The weather was bright and sunny with quite a strong wind from the south west I think. My mileage was 27 at an average of 11.5.
