After the overnight ferry we headed for the Premier Inn in Harwich for some breakfast. The ride through the town afterwards was not ideal – the shock of being back on British Roads! Soon we were in the countryside and picking up quieter lanes.
39 miles (847)A long, hot summer… time to prepare the fields for next year’s crop.Our route home was again dictated by where the BCQs (British Cycle Quest). Fortunately this one in Wivenhoe was right next to a lovely little pub, so a cold soft drink went down a treat.After Wivenhoe we followed the River Colne into Colchester by way of a dirt track – NCR51. I can imagine it would have been tough going had it been wet. As it was it was dry and dusty but still a bit rough in places. As we entered the town, we switched from NCR 51 to NCR 1. The route through the town was not really straightforward. Crossing this parched sports field had us doubting whether we were on track or not, but it proved to be right.The poor surfaces continued and in places the official cycle route was so narrow it was impossible to avoid the stinging nettles and brambles overgrowing each side. Here it wasn’t too bad.After a very narrow stretch of NCR 1 with nettles closed in on both sides, we were glad to be back on the roads!Prested Hall, at Feering – our stop for the night. We even had time for a swim in the large pool in the adjacent gym complex.After our swim, before dinner in the hotel library. Karon is happy if she has an interesting book to hand.
Day 24 Feering to Fyfield
38 miles (885)Another BCQ had us heading back to the coast at Maldon. Some very congested (stationary traffic) roads had me checking the map for an alternative route. It was not quite as direct, but it was mostly traffic free and we got the odd unexpected view.The BCQ at Maldon, but I’m not giving away the answer.A bit of camera shake with this one. These barges were moored up on the River Chelmer.Another dubious stretch of NCR 1. This was not far from Chelmsford. Unwittingly we then left NCR1 when we came to a road. The route plotted took us across the opposite field – which we walked, as it was too soft to ride, but it looked a well-used path – however, it took us to a narrow bridge across a ditch that was impossible to cross with the Pino, so we had to back track to the road then find a safe way to cross the Chelmsford bypass.This one was JUST wide enough to cross. Not ideal for a National Cycle Route. I don’t remember stopping at Chelmsford, but we must have done for the pub we were booked into at Fyfield was closed til 5pm.
Day 25 Fyfield to Welwyn Garden City
34 miles (919)Another BCQ had us doing a dog-leg to this Norman church near Chipping Ongar from our overnight stop.Another BCQ stop at Great Amwell.The route took us alongside the Lee Navigation waterway. Much nicer than some of the roads we had been on.The Lee Navigation waterway at Hartham Common. Later we stopped at a pub in Hertford, beside the canal – The Old Barge – had some lunch and cold drinks before heading into Welwyn.Part of the route into Welwyn followed an old rail line – the Cole Greenway – which delivered us into the town and bypassed the outskirt roads. Our hotel for the night was the Best Western Homestead Court. Our large room had its own ‘back door’ so unloading the bike was easy. Unfortunately the restaurant was closed but there was a ‘lively’ pub a short walk away for food and rehydration.
Day 26 Welwyn Garden City to Tring
Our route once again was dictated by BCQs in St. Albans, at Whipsnade and Aldbury. 39 miles (958)We left Welwyn by Sherrardspark Woods and more traffic free paths.Our first waypoint (and BCQ) was Ayots St. Lawrence. It’s a shame we were too early for opening time… I’d like to have seen the inside of the Brocket Arms.In St. Albans we locked the bike up where we could keep an eye on it from a café then went in search of the BCQ there.Lunchtime, and we were heading for Whipsnade. This pub was just too good to pass by. The Landlord seemed to take a shine to me and we chatted about beers and other ‘manly’ stuff.Whipsnade is on the ridge so after we picked up the BCQ there we enjoyed a cracking descent towards Ivinghoe. At this point we were on Pitstone Hill heading for the last BCQ of the day at Aldbury. Our pub B&B was not too far. A friend who lived not too far away came to the pub in the evening for a quick catch-up. I seem to remember dining on crisps, as the kitchen was closed.
Day 27 Tring to Goring-on-Thames
Our penultimate day and we were now retracing our outward route, or very close to it, following the ridge of the Chilterns. 34 miles (992)Chiltern hills to the left ahead. Fortunately we didn’t have to climb them, but we ran along the foot of the ridge past Princes Risborough and through Chinnor where we stopped for coffee, then on through Watlington towards the Thames Valley.Bledlow Ridge.At Ewelme we stopped for a quick wander around the church.Goring. Our room in the Miller of Mansfield was a bit different from the norm, with a deep Japanese style bath.In the late afternoon we walked the short way to the twin bridges of Goring and Streatley over the Thames.
Day 28 Goring to Tadley
Back to the familiar height profiles of home. 17 miles (1009)
Our last day was a comparatively short one which was just as well for it turned wet after a while. Back at Douai Abbey we stopped for another photo in front of the old school gates. No passing cyclists to snap us together. From here it the route dropped into the Kennet Valley and crossed the A4. Then it was one last climb up to Tadley.
