Central London CTC blog

It was a well attended ride that later fell foul of mechanical problems. Fourteen of us met up at St Albans. After coffee at the Café Roma we headed by an indirect route towards Redbourn, exiting St Albans on the Redbourn Road before turning west on to minor roads. We passed by where the Buncefield Oil Depot had been and came into Redbourn on the “Nicky Way” a former railway line now converted like several east – west routes in Hertfordshire to a path for walkers, cyclists and riders. We were early for our lunch stop and so took time to visit the village church while I tried to fix a loose pedal on one of our number’s bike. Half the thread was stripped but I hoped the bike would make it home.

Lunch was at a recently opened “coffee bar and cyclists refuge” The Hub. It’s not a big place and it was as well that the Willesden CC were leaving as we arrived. Prior booking had paid of as ready plated up ploughman’s lunches were distributed (nice food, good coffee and good value – we’ll be back). From there we moved to the Redbourn Museum  . Again, prior booking paid off as local volunteers were on hand to show us round this listed building which was originally built as a silk mill and was later the manager’s house of a Brooke Bond tea factory. more »

1 Brilliantly sunny and still morning

2 Ferrari-red Cinelli bike more »

1 Usual Suspects joined by 2* rider Mark and young dudes Michael and Tom

2 Fast train ex Charing X to Sevenoaks with loads of room for bikes

3 Distaff member Ruth joins at S’oaks with new Condor Baracchi, rah!

4 Hit 30+ kph freewheel within a minute of leaving the station

5 All up after climb of Star Hill to Knockholt more »

Following a very good turnout of cyclists to pay their respects at John’s funeral, we gathered again to remember John as he would have wanted – with a sociable ride and an animated lunch. The weather forecasts had been dire, and it was a tribute in itself that so many showed at Liverpool Street – almost 30 across the two rides. I decided to take the cautious option for the 3* bunch – train to Manningtree for a slightly damp and breezy 40km following the cycle routes round Great Oakley, Little Bentley and Ardleigh. Meanwhile Sue and Simon led the 2* pack in from Mark’s Tey, and were waiting for us when we got to the buffet. Breakfast, Butties & Beer (with perhaps a sneaked fag by the bike shed). Not only did the buffet exist in some misty past, but so did we, as fond remembered faces returned, many from a time of the Snuggsy 2/3* – do please come back again.

In the Manningtree Station Buffet

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This was a select ride. Three of us met at Princes Risborough and another, who had missed his train, joined us at Thame so we had four on the ride in all. It was billed as a super softies ride and was the easiest that I have ever led, 25km, almost all flat and traffic free.

The Bishop’s Palace at Thame

After leaving the station we headed directly for the Pheonix Way. This is a former railway line that closed in 1963 and is a straight line route going direct to Thame. We had some fun getting to it as the road at Horsenden was awash with water after heavy rain earlier in the week. more »

I wondered how many we would get on this ride as it was on a Saturday, not the usual Sunday. Last year we had 17 on the ride. This time it was 8. I’m not sure if the smaller number was because it was on a Saturday or was because it was a repeat of the ride I led last January. I’ll never know. One person on the ride said he had come because Saturdays was more convenient for him.

We met up with the Spokes riders at the Junction Café close to Watford Junction station. The ride went up through Whippendell Wood to Chandlers Cross and then to Belsize and Flaunden. All the time we were climbing gradually to the top of this part of the Chilterns.

We stopped at the Green Dragon in Flaunden for lunch. more »

No three star rides had been scheduled for the ‘dead period’ between Christmas and New Year, so I volunteered to lead a ride to Hertford.

Nobody else was at Barnet Church (watch out where you wait here, a cyclist was killed recently at this junction), although Jim Higson got there a few minutes later. Not to worry, the main crowd of nine who had met at Caffe Nero in Highgate arrived shortly, with Damian speeding up to us a little afterwards.

Then I took the group through the lanes to Hertford on my route – which some had not been on before – there are plenty of routes through Little Switzerland. We were at the café in Hertford before 11.00, and ready to go by 11.30. All the rest rode straight back to London, apparently most were back home by 13.00. I wanted some more of the lanes, so another hour to Welwyn North for the 12.47 back.

For information: the café at Welwyn North station is open on Sundays, albeit only until 14.00, so that could be a useful alternative for a stop on the way out.

I was back home with 75km on the clock before 14.00 (it is only 27 minutes train time from Welwyn North to Finsbury Park).

Damian has exploited the Thameslink St Pancras–Luton line to open up a cycling country comparatively little-known to us. Conveniently, riders are also able to join the train at Kentish Town, West Hampstead, and Cricklewood. Damian’s 4* squad comprising Bob, Jon, Martin, Mike, and Raphael was briefed to the effect that this was an 80-km morning bash with no coffee stop en route.

Luton – the most southerly Midland town, it has been called – more »