In contrast to the short easy ride in May (let’s call that a 1-star ride) this month we move up a notch to a ‘2-star ride’. Longer distance and a little brisker in pace. To allow enough time there will be one start point at The Spires in High Barnet at 10am. The route will go via Bricket Wood and the Gorhambury Estate to lunch at the leisure centre cafe in St Albans park. Distance to lunch will be around 20 miles – there will be a brief ‘comfort stop’ but no coffee! Bring a snack if needed.

Additional info:

There will be an additional, slightly shorter ride to Gorhambury and the same lunch stop led by Kathryn, which will also start at 10am from the Spires. Do note this will be only slightly shorter distance than the faster ride so bring a snack if needed.

The route has off-road sections which are suitable for all bikes except road with skinny tyres as there is some gravel. A tea stop is planned at the White Hart in South Mimms.

Meet: 10.00am outside Waitrose, The Spires, Barnet – by the bandstand (NO Tally Ho pick up).
Ride Leader: Talia Ross  tel. 07816 767212

A relaxed easy evening ride around Barnet and Whetstone, with dinner at 8pm at Maydanoz Turkish restaurant, N12. There are good choices including reasonably priced vegetarian, meat and fish options. If anyone would like to join us just for the meal, please let me know before 6.30pm so I can let the restaurant know.

LIGHTS ARE A MUST FOR THIS RIDE.
Meet: 7.00pm outside Waitrose, The Spires, Barnet – by the bandstand (NO Tally Ho pickup).
Ride Leader: Kathryn Ehrich, tel. 07757 751896

In contrast to the short easy ride in May (let’s call that a 1-star ride) this month we move up a notch to a ‘2-star ride’. Longer distance and a little brisker in pace. To allow enough time there will be one start point at The Spires in High Barnet at 10am. The route will go via Bricket Wood and the Gorhambury Estate to lunch at the leisure centre cafe in St Albans park. Distance to lunch will be around 20 miles – there will be a brief ‘comfort stop’ but no coffee! Bring a snack if needed.

Additional info:

There will be an additional, more leisurely ride to Gorhambury and the same lunch stop led by Kathryn, which will also start at 10am from the Spires. Do note this will be only slightly shorter distance than the faster ride so bring a snack if needed.

The route has off-road sections which are suitable for all bikes except road with skinny tyres as there is some gravel. A tea stop is planned at the White Hart in South Mimms.

Meet: 10.00am outside Waitrose, The Spires, Barnet – by the bandstand (NO Tally Ho pick up).
Ride Leader: Talia Ross  tel. 07816 767212

A relaxed easy evening ride around Barnet and Whetstone, with dinner at 8pm at Maydanoz Turkish restaurant, N12. There are good choices including reasonably priced vegetarian, meat and fish options. If anyone would like to join us just for the meal, please let me know before 6.30pm so I can let the restaurant know.

LIGHTS ARE A MUST FOR THIS RIDE.
Meet: 7.00pm outside Waitrose, The Spires, Barnet – by the bandstand (NO Tally Ho pickup).
Ride Leader: Kathryn Ehrich, tel. 07757 751896

First Sunday of the month ride – route not planned in advance. Meet, discuss where you would like to go and off you go!

(NB quite a lot of the group will be on the Huntingdon weekend, but if anyone is free this is an opportunity to turn up for a ride]

Meet: McDonalds near Tally Ho, North Finchley N12

Time: from 9.30am for coffee and planning – leave at 10am.

We now have 20 people signed up for the weekend. We need to make some bookings for evening meals etc so final numbers are needed. Those who have already told me they are coming have received a separate email asking about their plans.

But anyone who is still thinking of coming, and has not been in touch, please let me know as soon as possible if you want to come, and by 23 May at the latest please.

For details see the last newsletter on the website.

alison.ewington@ntlworld.com

 

One for garden lovers – a chance to visit a spectacular garden that is open for the NGS:

https://www.ngs.org.uk/find-a-garden/garden/22685/

It is a 6-acre garden set around an Elizabethan Manor House, once owned by Sir William Parr, brother of Catherine Parr, last Queen of Henry VIII.

There is a £5 charge to visit – all in aid of charity.  Shortish ride through very pretty countryside, some off-road tracks through woods – 7 miles each way to and from WGC station. Early pub lunch before visiting the garden.

Meet: outside Welwyn Garden Station (near McDonalds) – ready to leave at 11am.           Ride leader: Alison Ewington  01707 376282 alison.ewington@ntlworld.com

Take the train to WGC, cycle from Barnet – or use ‘other methods’….

Train times – take the earlier train if you would like a coffee before leaving:

Finsbury Park            09:42              10.12

Alexandra Palace      09:49              10.19

New Southgate          09:52              10:22

Oakleigh Park            09:56              10:26

New Barnet                09:58              10:28

Arrive WGC                10.19              10.49

Check train times closer to the date in case of disruption

For all rides:

Please remember to bring a spare inner tube in case you have a puncture and some basic tools that fit your bike.

Any questions about rides please contact alison.ewington@ntlworld.com

Tuesday 7^thMay

Evening Ride: Hampstead

Malcolm is leading southwards across Hampstead Heath. There will be a stop for a meal at The Fish Café, 71 Hampstead High St.

LIGHTS ARE A MUST FOR THIS RIDE.
Meet: 7.00pm Tally Ho, North Finchley N12 or 7.15pm at East Finchley Library.

Ride Leader: Malcolm Nightingale  0208 449 3253

We are starting to plan a cycling weekend based in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. For those that are free on the Friday, we will meet at around lunchtime in Huntingdon for an afternoon ride. We will have all-day rides on the Saturday and Sunday into the local countryside. One ride will feature the nearby Grafham Water. You can come for any, or all, of the days. As in recent years, you are responsible for finding and booking your own accommodation. Huntingdon has a reasonable number of hotels and B&Bs at a range of prices. Booking early can mean lower prices for some hotels. There are a few suggestions below.  To register your interest, and to be kept in touch about the programme, please email alison.ewington@ntlworld.com

There are a number of hotels and B&Bs in and around Huntingdon. This is just a sample:

Marriott Hotel 4*

Holiday Inn 3* (By the racecourse, 2.5 miles west of railway station)

Premier Inn (4.2 miles west of town centre. Located on busy roundabout at junction of A1 and A14. Not recommended for cycling into the town centre – only for those who would use a car to take your bike into town centre for the start of rides)

Sandford House Hotel (Wetherspoon) town centre