We took the train from West Hampstead to Harpenden and as we assembled outside the station, we were pleased to see a large number of cyclists and a very sunny day.
From Harpenden station we went via some residential roads and a bit of off road track down to the Lea valley and up the hill to Peter’s Green.
From Peters Green, we rode north through Wanden Green and Bendish, almost to Lilley Bottom, then looped back down south to Whitwell, where we stopped for a lunch break at Emily’s Tea Room – those wanting stronger beveridges went to the nearby pub instead.
After a congenial lunch stop, we rode through some lovely quiet tree-lined lanes to the village of Ayot St Lawrence.
From Ayot, we joined a little track down to Wheathampstead and then over the main road, passed the Belgic Oppidan on through Symondshyde and then found the Alban Way (a Sustrans route that runs to St Albans and beyond on a disused railway track).
We followed the Alban Way as far as the turn left for London Colney. Some of the group continued on the Alban Way and took the train from St Albans. The remaining 16 followed streets round the edge of St Albans to a useful footbridge over the North Orbital Road and into London Colney, then up a biggish hill into Shenleybury. By popular request, George led us to the Shenley Orchard Tea Room where we enjoyed the scones, jam and cream and lots of tea.
Since we were close to Radlett Station, we decided to go there for the train, apart from Chris, who was determined to end at Elstree as promised and who ended up on the same train as the rest of us.
A great day! Thanks to George for leading, to John for backstopping and to Stephen and Tom for blocking the various false turns on the way.
See the route on a map (on gpsies). This also shows the profile of the route and if you put the cursor on the profile you can follow the route on the map.