The Transition Ride

As mentioned previously, Adam has a reputation for scheduling sunny skies for our local Luton and Dunstable Cycle Forum rides. Today he pulled off a further feat: a 10 degree Celsius rise in temperature!

English men and women all over the land stripped off to shorts and t-shirts! No doubt tomorrow social media will be overrun with 'selfies' of sun-burnt faces, arms and legs. (I have the sunburn but no 'burning' desire to photograph it.)

The funny thing is... this whole concept of the sun's rays actually conveying warmth is a very new one in these parts. Some people haven't made the transition yet. Perhaps it's an issue of trust: this new, friendly warm sun hasn't been around long enough to establish a relationship. At any rate, a few on our ride today were still clad in full winter kit. One chap stopped at least three times to shed layers and finished the ride still looking like an elk hunter in November.

No matter -- whatever our style, let's celebrate Spring!


Today's ride started in Luton at the southern end of Park Street near the entrance to the Luton Hoo Estate -- and also at the start of the shared use path called the Upper Lea Valley Way, which runs all the way to Harpenden. On the outskirts of Harpenden, we transferred to the Nickey Lane, which bore us all the way to Redbourn and the splendour that is The Hub: "Coffee Bar & Cyclists' Refuge".

Porterage onto the Nickey Line

Construction of a gently sloping ramp to replace the stairs
is in progress. Meanwhile, the asphalt is new!

Examples of the two types of response to the sudden
arrival of the sun.

Marshalling ensured safe crossing at each arm
of a busy dual-carriageway roundabout. 

Approaching Redbourn

Approaching Redbourn

Entering Redbourn

Entering Redbourn

Entering Redbourn

The window advertising of a double glazing business caught my eye...

Commercial poetry

Arrival at The Hub at the corner of Fish Street and High Street

The Hub: crossroads and comfort break for hundreds of
cyclists on Sundays

Redbourn prides itself on the traditional look of its High Street.

No bike parking stands? Use one bike 'against' another.

The side yard at The Hub.

Friendly non-cycling customers (both human and canine).

Don uses the ground as a table. 

Charming balance bike. Did you know Specialized makes these?
I didn't!

Back on our bicycles... quiet country lanes.

Pausing to let a family come through the other way...
and for some to catch their breath after that last hill.

The horses took no notice.

The beauty of a well-grown hedge.

A lovely 20-mile loop, enjoyed by all regardless of the type of bicycle or level of cycling ability.