Harpenden, St Albans, Hemel Loop via Gorhambury
With our much anticipated Saint Malo trip just round the corner, the Pedallers are getting in shape and putting the miles in. We have 150 miles to cover in three days with lovely French cuisine and wine on board!
So today, four of the 14 strong crew headed off from The Oval and wound their way through the roads towards the golf course on the common before turning off to Childwickbury. Past Stanley Kubrick's old pile and up the bridleway we reached Batchwood golf course and cruised down into St Albans.
This is a well known route and often the start of an Alban Way excursion but not today. A route through Gorhambury had been planned and we cycled through the estate with perfect blue skies and sunshine. The views were stunning with the lambs bleating and running around (looking just as nervous as Turkey's at Christmas!). We stopped to admire Old Gorhambury House which was built in the 1560's although sadly not much of the original house remained.
We pushed on through Hemel and wound our back to Harpenden via the Avenues and Nickey Line. A couple of coffees and a cheeky slice of cake were consumed before we headed off home. A lovely 25 mile ride which got the legs and blood pumping. One down but many pre Saint Malo rides to come!
