Off to Finchingfield 09/07/2025

It was a fantastic sunny day (but not overheated) when the Easy Riders departed Weavers Park.

Health & safety tip for the day is to check your cycle helmet’s date of manufacture. Cycle helmets last between 3-5 years, and should be replaced if time-expired, dented, split or after an impact. The materials deteriorate in heat and sunlight, so if helmets are frequently used, they need to be replaced after 3 years, rather than 5.

The medium group pedalled off with 12 riders, heading north. We went up the lovely hill of Bovingdon Road, through Blackmore End, and up to Barr Hill. On the way I was listening to holiday stories about the Isle of Wight, and how surprisingly hilly it was there. The Isle of Wight has a considerable history of radio engineering, and this is because of its topography. Marconi did a lot of experimentation with radio waves and needed a saddle of land across which he could bounce radio waves. He selected a site on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, creating the Niton radio station and sent signals across to his hotel on the cliff at Alum Bay, from one high point to another.

We pedalled past a new lavender farm on the way into Finchingfield, and Nev there was a café there. His friends had tried glamping there, and said the café was good.

Winners’ café was a welcome stop on a hot day. I can recommend their ice cream!

We pedalled back via Waltham’s Cross to Shalford. The roads were shaded and quiet but covered in debris and on a steep hill. Arriving in Rayne, I’d planned the route back on the main road due to Flitch Way closure as a tree was being removed. However, local knowledge by Mike and Nev told us the removal works had been completed, so the Flitch was accessible, as my preferred shaded, traffic-free route.

My final comment is to thank our team of support riders. Over many months now, I’ve sagely reflected that Easy Riders has a fantastic team of solid, dependable support riders who make the role of ride leader so much easier. Thank you.

Cathy MacTaggart