Spokes Group - SW Herts Cycling Group (Watford,Rickmansworth,Bushey)

If you have any queries, e-mail rides@spokesgroup.com Note: The contact details give the first name of the rides/events organiser. The printed newsletter sent to members has the full name and telephone number.

Remember to bring: water, spare inner tube,
lights & reflective/waterproof clothing as appropriate.
Disclaimer: Participants of rides must be over 16 unless accompanied
by a parent or guardian. Insurance is your responsibility.
Spokes cannot accept liability for you or your possessions.
It is your responsibility to follow advice and the Highway Code at all times.
Your participation is the acceptance of these terms.
Note: All telephone numbers without codes are Watford (01923).

Please make sure you arrive in plenty of time
at the start so rides can leave at the stated time

Saturday 6th March 2.00pm Confidence Booster Ride
Cha Cha Cha Café, Cassiobury Park

An easy ride for inexperienced or rusty riders who want to try out cycling with support.
5 miles Slow Maureen

Sunday 7th March 10.00am Andrew’s Aldenham Alternative
Garston Medical Centre

Gentle ride to Aldenham with return via Patchetts Green including Tea Stop at Elstree Aerodrome.
12 miles Slow Andrew

Thursday 11th March 10.00am Wigginton
Harvester, Baldwins Lane, Croxley Green

A hard hilly ride through Belsize, Ley Hill, Ashley Green and Champneys.
30 - 35 miles Medium Dennis

Sunday 14th March 10.00am CTC Ride 1 Alban Amble & Signal Box
St. Albans City Station

We are invited to join Central London CTC ride for some quiet lanes and some rail trails. Café or pub lunch; ride ends with afternoon visit to St Albans Signal Box.
For those travelling from Watford, take the 09.07 train from Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey which should give you time to find your way up the hill to St Albans City station where the ride starts. Once the Central Londoners arrive, due in on 0955 train http://www.signalbox.co.uk/

Sunday 14th March 10.00am – 10.15am CTC Ride 2 being a link from another start point. Traffic Free Ride
Watford High Street station.
Joint Ride with West Middx CTC, Coffee at Aldenham Country Park and lunch in the Plough.

Sunday 21st March 10.15am Camden and the Market
Watford Metropolitan Station

Joint ride meeting up with Harrow Cyclists at Rayners Lane Metropolitan station to ride along the Grand
Union Canal to trendy Camden.

Thursday 25th March 8.00pm Spokes Social Evening
Moon under Water, High Street Watford

Saturday 27th March 10.45am Joint Ride with HAWOG & Harrow Cyclists to Hatfield / St.Albans
St Albans Abbey Station, AL1 1TD

Road cycle route, flat course, via Sustrans cycleway and quiet rural roads. Will visit Roman sites in St Albans, Hatfield House, Ayot St Lawrence and hidden church (setting for premature burial of Ros in Spooks), Stanley Kubrick’s country mansion and Gorhambury House.

Sunday 28th March 7.00am - 7.00pm Outdoors Show 100
NEC, Birmingham Charity fundraiser. Choice of 100km and 100 mile
circular routes. Both rides offer spectacular mixed road terrain.

Saturday 3rd April 2.00pm Confidence Booster Ride
Cha Cha Cha Café, Cassiobury Park

An easy ride for inexperienced or rusty riders who want to try out cycling with support.
5 miles Slow

Sunday 4th April 10.00am Easter Ride - Bedmond
Watford High Street Station Up the hills to Bedmond on quiet streets and lanes, some traffic free. This is Ride 15 from the Blue Book.
17 miles Medium

Thursday 8th April 10.00am Bridle Paths Around Sarratt
Harvester, Baldwins Lane, Croxley Green

Ride through Whippendell Woods, Penman’s Green and Hollin’s Hall. If too muddy there is an alternative on road.

Sunday 11th April 10.20am Ayot Green & Wheathampstead
Watford Junction Station

Ride via Smallford trail to Ayot Green for lunch, return on Ayot trail to St Albans, train or ride to Watford.
18 miles if using train; 30m otherwise

Sunday 18th April 8.15am France Day Ride
Duty Free Dover Eastern Docks Booking office

Safe escorted ride through Dover eastern docks to catch 8.30am ferry - first on!! (about £12
with P & O) - On arrival in France flat canal ride to Ardres from Calais.
Ride joins with East Kent Spokes 30 miles (50km)
Detailed info from East Kent Spokes will be available approximately ONE MONTH before the trip including
meet arrangements

Thursday 22nd April 8.00pm Spokes Social Evening
Moon under Water, High Street Watford

Normal location is in the dining area at the rear. Chance for a meet up with fellow members for a juice and a jalfrezi.

Saturday 24th April 10.00am Chess Valley to Rickmansworth Walk for St. Luke’s Hospice
Northwood Metropolitan Station

WALK in conjunction with St. Lukes Hospice training programme to Croxley Moor and Chorleywood via a few golf courses and dismantled railways – firm walking boots required along with £2 contribution to the work of the hospice.
15 miles Walking pace

Sunday 25th April 9.00am – 3.00pm London Marathon Ride
Central London London Marathon – a great opportunity for cyclists to enjoy the event using streets which are closed to normal traffic but will allow cyclists – more details http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com/
Open to individuals, there is no leader for this ride.

A.G.M. & Social Evening
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of
SPOKES South West Herts Cycling Group
will take place on Tuesday 27th April 2010
at The Pump House (in the Charles Room),
Local Board Road, off Lower High Street, Watford, WD17 2JP.

7.30pm for an 8.00pm start.

If you have any resolutions or nominations for positions on the
next committee, please contact Roger
by Tuesday 6th April (3 weeks before AGM).

Fair Trade coffee and tea available.

AGM followed by a general discussion on topical
cycling issues and changes we would like see.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Friday 30th April 7.30pm Spokes Weekend Away to Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May in Peterborough
Peterborough Weekend away for Spokes members in conjunction with the newly formed Harrow Cyclists. This is a mixed activity weekend for all in and around the cathedral town of Peterborough.
Apart from bike rides there are possibilities of visiting:
and on Sunday meeting up with the Peterborough Cycle Club for their Club Run or Race. Opportunity to take part in Club run for all abilities or alternatively a Club Race as participant, spectator or marshall.

Tuesday 4th May 10.30am The Tuesday 2 Hour Ride
Harvester, Baldwins Lane, Croxley Green

A regular local easy ride to take place on the first Tuesday of each summer month.
10 miles Medium

Saturday 8th May 2.00pm Confidence Booster Ride
Cha Cha Cha Café, Cassiobury Park

An easy ride for inexperienced or rusty riders who want to try out cycling with support.
5 miles Slow

Ride to open air model railway at Colney Heath (see www.nlsme.co.uk for details).

Ride along the Ebury Way and up Long Lane, some steep bumpy tracks.
25 miles Medium

Saturday 15th May 10.00am Annual FA Cup Final Ride to Wembley and Ace Café
Watford Metropolitan Station

FA Cup Final trip to Wembley for 3rd event (possible train journey). Brent cycleway
and drinks at the Ace Café before returning along the Grand Union Canal to join the Environment Fair.
26 miles or less if using train option. Slow

Saturday 15th May 10.00am - 5.00pm Ricky Aquadrome
Day 1 - Rickmansworth Environment Fair to promote safe cycling.
All are welcome to visit but note that assistance required by members
Michael is coordinating the Spokes stall.
Please arrange a slot with Michael well in advance

Sunday 16th May 10.00am - 5.00pm Ricky Aquadrome
Day 2 - Rickmansworth Environment Fair

Thursday 20th May (To be confirmed) Chiltern Society Ride
To Be Confirmed Chiltern Society Thursday Cycle Group event

Spokes members are invited to participate – see their website
www.chilternsociety.org.uk/news-cycling.php
20 - 25 miles Medium For details please contact in advance:
Roger or David

Thursday 20th May 8.00pm Spokes Social Evening
Moon under Water, High Street Watford

Normal location is in the dining area at the rear. Chance for a meet up with fellow members for a merlot and tikka massala.

Meander through quiet streets and byways south of Watford including the Merryhill Woodland Trust Greenway
returning before lunch with an option of coffee at the new café at Lower High Station.

Saturday 22nd May 12 mid-night Peace Hospice Starlight Walk
Starlight Walk 2010 – Volunteers from Spokes and sponsored walkers required: www.peacehospice.co.uk/events/asp
13 miles Walking pace

Sunday 23rd May 9.00am Deep Mill Diner, Great Missenden
Harvester, Baldwins Lane, Croxley Green

An early start for elevenses at the Diner after a ride across the Chilterns. Lovely country in return for a few hills.

Saturday 29th May 11.00am Black Park
Harvester, Baldwins Lane, Croxley Green
Morning ride mainly on lanes with some hills. Lunch at Black Park Café or own picnic. After lunch return on NCR 61 mainly flat to finish at Rickmansworth Aquadrome Café.
25 miles Medium Roger

Friday 18th June The Chilterns Cycleway Launch
The Chilterns Cycleway will be launched on Friday 18th June, 2010 – this is a 170 mile circular route in the Chilterns of outstanding Natural Beauty, linking attractions, market towns and places of interest.

Saturday 19th June to Sunday 27th June National Bike Week
Load of events and your help required http://www.bikeweek.org.uk/

Saturday 19th June Croxley Revels
Spokes volunteers required to support the publicity stall
http://www.croxleyrevels.co.uk

Sunday 27th June London Bikeathon
26 mile ride in London for Leukaemia Research –
more details on http://www.londonbikeathon.co.uk/

Now in it's fourth year the Aspire Summer Cycle will head off into the Hertfordshire countryside on Sunday 4th July. Again offering a choice of routes the ride welcomes cyclists and hand-cyclists of all abilities. The emphasis is on a great day out for everyone and raising as much as possible for Aspire. Although the event is not a race all finishers will receive a medal at the finish.

Sunday 11th July Peace Hospice Pedal for Peace
Sponsored 10,20,30 mile ride.

Rides programme This page lists the rides and events programme for March, April and May 2010