This coming September, local Sustrans volunteers will once again host The 100 Mile Smile Ride, a loop through parts of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. We ran this last year based from the Travel Choices Hub in Dunstable and had a wonderful time.
Adam and I have done a couple of reconnaissance rides (commonly called "reccies") of parts of the route already. This included two lovely days out over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in April.
The first segment we rode on Good Friday was from Bedford to just beyond Knebworth. It was a grey overcast day with strong winds. While we made fairly good time -- including various stops to discuss turnings and possible obstacles or route questions -- I never really warmed up.
The route has long stretches of off-road tracks that were in surprisingly good condition. Some stretches near parks (with car parking) were very busy with people on foot including parents with prams and children on balance bikes, but with a little care we were soon through those congested areas and enjoyed many miles of smooth paths at a steady pace.
Cycling along National Cycle Network Route 51 through Priory Country Park east of Bedford --
Along National Cycle Network Route 51 between Bedford and Sandy --
Cycling through bluebell woods in the grounds of RSPB The Lodge, Potten Road east of Sandy --
Leaving RSPB The Lodge --
Approaching Biggleswade Common --
Entering Biggleswade Common --
Here the "path" was narrow but fairly smooth as was the grass adjacent -- not a problem for road bikes with "skinny tyres"!
Crossing Biggleswade Common on farm roads -- watch out for the potholes!
Gate-controlled level crossing south of Biggleswade --
Wind farm near Biggleswade -- we could see it on the horizon and then in the distance for miles before we reached it.
The frequently flooded ford where St Albans Road crosses the River Rimram south of Codicote --
On the second Easter reccie -- on the Monday -- we cycled from home across the middle of the planned route via Kimpton and picked up the route near Codicote. The route then took us to Hatfield where we picked up The Alban Way to St Albans.
As you can see, the weather was much more pleasant -- shorts and no jacket!
First stop was a detour to Someries Castle just to check the condition of the rutted country lane into the site in advance of a Luton & Dunstable Cycle Forum ride planned for the following weekend.
The road to Chiltern Green -- a lot of these roads are on land owned by the Luton Hoo Estate.
Finally back on to the 100 Mile Smile route: Sandybottom Wood to the north of Welwyn Garden City --
And then into Sherrardspark Wood --
Very enjoyable two days out at a leisurely pace -- looking forward to the event in September!
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