Thursday 16th July 2026
Yet another warm one in the offing (it's getting boring!), and another good turn-out, with fourteen meeting at the fountain. As is often the way these days, we split into two groups, with Alan taking Chris, Derek, Jerry and Steve on a longer route via Walkern, and the rest of us taking more or less the same more direct route, through the lanes via Shilley Green and Easthall, with a few of us taking a minor diversion up the St. Albans Highway and back down through Hitchwood; we reconvened on the approach to Shilley Green, and on reaching the Codicote Road John turned left to return home, needing to be back early. From there it's not far to the café, and we duly arrived a little before midday. Disappointingly on this occasion the only shady area available was on the non-country side, but you can't have everything! Alan's group of five arrived a little after us, helping to stagger the ordering and prep for the staff, who did a great job in coping with us all. I think we must've spent a full hour chatting in the shade of the umbrellas before deciding it was time to head for home, and initially we all set off the way we had ridden out, but soon smaller groups chose to make their own ways, as often happens. Geoff P had ridden from Luton to the start, so accompanied me on my route home via Whitwell and Lilley etc., where we parted company, Geoff heading towards Streatley and myself going on to Hexton and beyond. Adrian.
