Ashridge Cream tea ride out.

Ashridge Cream tea ride out.

It was a lovely morning, something that hadn’t happened too much this year, as it was Sunday and there wasn’t much planned for the day I decided that I would like to go for a ride and make the most of the good weather. My brother was out today and we had planned to go to Hastings tomorrow joining the ride out from the Ace Café, so  I asked Sue if she wanted to take Mum out for a drive, stopping at the National Trust café in Ashridge Forest for midmorning tea.

It wasn’t going to be a long ride, only a couple of hours including the stop for tea, but the roads would be a nice mixture of fast straights A roads and twisty B roads. Avoiding most major highways and seeing the lovely British countryside.

Around 10am we set off aiming to be at Ashridge Forest around 11/11.30am for cream tea. We first had to negotiate our way out of the village nothing hard but a ride through house lined streets with only a glimpse of the country side but the journey really begins when we reach the roundabout at the top of the Blue House Hill on the A4147, we drove down the hill with Verulanium Park to our right, there is a museum there where you can see the town’s history and a place in the park where you can view an old mosaic floor from when it was a Roman town. On the top of the hill stands the majestic St Albans Cathedral, to the left are fields where sheep now graze over the other half of what was the old Roman town of Verulamium the only part now on view to the public is the Amphitheatre. Set a little further back just out of view are ancient Bronze Age and Celtic settlements and other historical remains hidden on the Gorhambury Estate.

http://www.romantheatre.co.uk/

We continue down the hill crossing the river VER and arrive at a roundabout, locally known as Batchwood roundabout. Here we turn left along the A5183. This follows and in places runs on top of the old Roman road (Watling Street) which itself follows the of the course river VER. This is a nice fast straight road but has some blind country lane emerging onto it. We stay on this road until we reach the next roundabout on the edge of Redbourn, here we turn left on to the B487 heading towards Hemel Hempstead. We’re only on here for a short time before we turn right (just before the motorway bridge) then immediately left onto Gaddesden Lane. This is a twisty lane heading through the countryside, it is narrow but there are no hedges so you can see other vehicles approaching and take the necessary action. It is a lane as such so care should be taken to avoid the gravel that can and does sometimes appear in the middle of the track. As Gaddesden Lane ends you go through quite a blind twisty section and again care should be taken but it straightens out and then turns sharp right onto Gaddesden Row.

Gaddesden Row is a lovely straight country road and as with the trip so far has farm land on both sides. Dotted along its length is a traditional country pub and the village too is unmolested. We’re now at Jockey End and although we stay on the same road its name changes to Clements End Road and the nature of the road changes too. The road now twists its way through farmland and woodland, we come to a junction where we go straight ahead (which is technically a right) and head into the quaint village of Studham. The road in the village narrows down to a single lane with a 20mph speed limit. We continue along the same road we have been on since Redbourn but the name once again has changed to Dunstable Road, we follow this tree lined twisty road until we come to the roundabout at Whipsnade.

Here we turn left onto the B4540 it’s an open road that winds its way up the side of the downs heading toward Whipsnade Zoo. This is where we hit a small delay. As it was a nice day other people had also decided to take the advantage of this, and a queue was now blocking the road as cars wait to gain entrance to the Zoo. The entrance to the Zoo is on a blind corner, I carefully skirted around the traffic and I could see both ways I indicated to Sue it was safe to proceed and she along with some other cars now passed the waiting queue. Once past the Zoo the road drops steeply down the other side of the downs, the road then ends when it meets the B4506 and we turn right and follow until we come to a roundabout.

Here we turn left on to the B489 (the Icknield Way) a hedge line sweeping road, but we soon come to a double mini roundabout. We continue straight ahead staying on the B489 (now the Tring Road). This road sweeps along the edge of the downs giving spectacular views across the countryside. We stay on this road for only about a mile or so and then take the first left which is quite a sharp turn head further up the downs into Ivinghoe hills/beacon. Here we cross a cattle grid and although managed a watchful eye must be kept for deer. Here again are wonderful views and lovely picnic places where you can stop. You can make steady progress along this road, although it just worth meandering along to take in the views of woodland and open downland. The road comes to an end at a T-junction in a village called Ringshall, where we turn right on to the B4506, about a mile down the road we turned right again down a metaled Byway to the National Trust café and visitor centre. We arrived just as some vintage and classic cars where departing, which was nice to see. Here we parked and made our way to the café to have our cream tea.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate/

The place was alive with walkers, cyclists, old and young, dog walkers and the like. The café itself sits on the edge of the forest and Pitstone common. It’s the first time I’ve ever been to the café, although I have passed it on many  occasions. I must say they seem to be very well organised and more importantly reasonably priced. As we relaxed some old friends from years passed queued up for refreshments as they had cycled there from Redbourn. It was nice to catch up and we spent a while chatting.

Time had come to depart and we said our goodbyes. We made our way down the metaled Byway reaching the B4506 turning left back toward Ringshall. We pass the road we’d come in on then, then about 50yds up the road we turn right leaving the B4506, heading toward Little Gaddesden on the Nettleden Road. Little Gaddesden is another traditional village unspoilt by the passing of time. Is where we leave the village we take a left down Hudnall Lane which starts of narrow and twisty with a few blind corners, but soon opens up to a lovely downhill ride. There are a few houses to start then you head through a leafy lane then open down land arriving at the bottom to farmland.

Here we meet the A4146 and turn right heading toward Hemel Hempstead. The road is fast and sweeping and one I like to ride from Hemel Hempstead passed Whipsnade and beyond. At Water End we slow to go through the village as the road narrows and there’s a bridge where it becomes single lane traffic, once out the other side the pace picks up a little until we hit the outskirts of Hemel. At the roundabout we take a left on to A4147, we head up the hill leaving the countryside behind and head into suburbia we go straight across the next two roundabouts then at the third roundabout we turn right but we still stay on the A4147. We now had to make our way through an industrial estate, not the most scenic of views but time is ticking away and we need to get home, there are better ways to go but sometimes needs musts.

At the next round about we take a left then the next right, here you have to watch for the speed cameras. The next roundabout is a major one, we could take a left and head home on the A414 which is a fast duel carriageway but is straight and boring so instead we go straight across staying on the A4147 and head toward a little village called Leverstock Green. Once you’ve left the village and then the 40mph zone the road opens up and is another of my local favourites. We end our ride exactly where we started on the roundabout at the top of Blue House Hill on the A4147.

Ace Café Kawasaki Sunday 28th April

Ace Café Kawasaki Sunday 28^th April

I woke to the sun’s rays burning through the gap in the curtains.  It was early and I so wanted to still be asleep after the week’s hard work, but now I was awake my mind was buzzing.  It was a nice a day and we were  going to be heading out to the Ace Café.  I was really looking forward to the ride.  They were holding their Kawasaki Sunday and apparently its Kawasaki 60^th anniversary and as my brother owns a Kawasaki it was a good reason for a ride, like I really need an excuse.   With the weather on the sunny side of nice I guessed it was going to be a busy day with a good turnout.

With time on my side a hearty breakfast was the order of the morning.  Sunday is a proper English tradition day for me it usually starts with a full English breakfast and then a proper roast dinner in the evening.  Despite the fact I do love my weekend treat I’m glad it doesn’t happen every day or I’d be the size of a house and would probably have to sell my bike and buy a Harley (only joking no offence meant).

Fed, watered and all pre ride checks done I was ready to roll by around 9.30am and guessed we would arrive at the Ace by around 10.00.  I like this time it allows people to arrive, they will have judged the weather like myself and decide their plans for the day.  I’ve notice that bikers like to turn up, stay for a cuppa or a little lunch then go for a ride.  So while there will be a reasonable turn out of an afternoon it’s not normally as busy as the morning.

The sky was blue and apart from an odd distant cloud it was turning out to be a glorious day. Although it was almost officially British summer time the hedge rows were still lying dormant and hadn’t change from our evening ride, only a few green spring shoots coloured the brown hedgerows and yellow primroses, cowslips and dandelions added colour to the green verges the deep, dark, rich yellow of the dandelions quite stark against the gentle pale yellow of the cowslips.  Also along with the white of the wild cherry was now the pink blossom of the flowering cherry, probably spread by birds into the countryside where they now have established adding brightness to the bleak bare tree line.  The fields were now too showing signs of life as small green leaves started to break through the brown crust.

We arrived at the Ace and as I had expected it was very busy with Kawasaki riders queuing up to get into the car park.  I knew that I wouldn’t be allowed in with my Triumph and had arranged with my brother that I would park on the other side of the road while he could park and show off his bike along with the others.  Veering off to the right to park I found a place at the end of a line of bike as I reversed in to the space I noticed my brother beside me.  What are you doing I asked, I thought you were going into the Ace? You must be mad, came the reply, I’d never get out again.

We parked up and went for a wander round first looking at the bikes parked on the side of the road we had pitched on, we had arrived just in time to see a large group of Harley riders thunder off on what I can only guess was an organised ride out. As we walked back toward the Ace a van pulled up, to view the event, behind it a people carrier pulled in. Then without warning the van suddenly reversed back hitting the car. The van driver got out accusing the car driver and I thought it was going to all kick off, but the van driver soon turned round when a guy the size of a house got out of the car. Despite an exchange of words there were no apologies forth coming from the van driver.

With the situation now calmed down, we crossed the road and entered the Ace’s car park which was now heaving with an array of Kawasaki motorcycles of all different shapes, sizes, colours and ages. From back road racers to motorway mile munchers. We wondered for a while looking at standard factory built bikes to custom built hybrids.

 After a good look round we had a welcome cuppa, sit down and chat. We then mingled some more chatting to other bikers, as midday came and went there was a lot of coming and going, we too had to make our way home and after one last look round we left for a quick motorway blast home.

Ace Café, Harley night 25th April 2013

Ace Café, Harley night 25^th April 2013.

It was once said to me, by a biker friend of mine, that when the evening is right when the sky is blue and the sun is shining there is no better thing then to venture down to the Ace Café on Harley night. The noise, vibe and presence of these iconic machines is something not to be missed. I can remember him saying on the right evening when the London elite uncover their bikes for their annual outing, the sight is one well worth seeing.

 

I had previously in years passed, popped up to the Ace Café, on the odd occasion, on evenings I thought were suitable but I was never privileged to see this spectacle, and I must admit I was beginning to think that it might even be a Harley type of El Dorado and that no matter how much I searched for this wonder I would in fact never see it.

It had been good weather all this week and tonight it was forecast to be nice. My brother Ian has always had a liking for Harleys and has on many occasions dabbled with the idea of owning one. So there wasn’t much hardship or arm twisting involved in convincing him to go for a ride with me, to see if the advertised Harley night was going to be just another small collection of twenty or so bikes, or would we, by some miracle stumble on our own El Dorado.

Like with all things my evening’s plan didn’t go the way I wanted. Although I had arranged to ride down to the Ace with my brother I hadn’t arranged a specific time. I had it in mind to finish work then wander down around 4ish to miss the evening traffic, sit down to a nice café meal and watch hopefully as the spectacle arrived. My brother on the other hand had arranged for our mum to visit him, he was going to eat before he left and would wander in on the tail end of the evening traffic arriving once most of the Harleys had turned up.

 

 

At around 6.30pm we set off, luckily it’s only about a 30 minute ride but unfortunately the ride is a boring one. I have looked at different ways of getting to the Ace but as it’s on the north circular on the way into town, there is no nice way of getting there, so it’s a trip straight down the motorway. However spring had finally sprung and the white blossom of the wild cherry contrasted against the dull brown of the hedge row and the now lush green verge was dotted with yellow from the flowering cowslips and primroses.

 

We made good time and arrived at the Ace by around 7pm and there was a nice collection of Harleys already on display but not the turn out I was hoping for. We parked up and went for a look around. I joked with Ian saying he wouldn’t be able own one as there was simply too much chrome to clean. Ian’s not one for cleaning. After a good look around we went inside for a drink and that dinner I had been waiting for. Whilst sitting, eating and drinking the bikes arrived, some on their own others in groups. The car park was filling up fast and from what I could make out, by the logos stitched onto the back of the biker’s jackets, they were coming in from far and wide.

 

Once feed and watered we again wandered outside and as the evening sun glinted off the polished chrome, I finally found the El Dorado I had been looking for. We stayed until the sky turn grey and the sun started its decent beyond the roof tops. The car park was now full and the over flow of bikes lined the road sides. I’m not myself a Harley person but they are lovey bikes to look at and that raw thunderous noise of when they burst into life is one of their major attractions.

I think if I was to sum up a Harley it would be traditional bike looks, lots of chrome, that rocking V-twin roar and a big fat rear tyre. Ok that’s not that accurate but it’s how I like to remember them.

 

OK so it's a Triumph, but it's nice so I've added it.

Porsche Play 17/04/13

Porsche play 17/04/13.

My lovely wife has after many years of being patient finally got herself her dream car. A lovely silver Porsche Boxster S. As with all things hard earned, we want to enjoy them and at any time, like everyone else we just need an excuse. So the excuse today was the fact that our son Martin hadn’t yet been for a ride in the car, but in all honesty it didn’t even need this excuse. The fact that after a long and hard winter we had blues skies was reason enough. That was the only reason I needed to want to uncover the Triumph and blow off the cobwebs.

 

So it was arranged, quite simply really as Martin and Sue wanted to go for a nice drive, for obvious reasons I couldn’t go with them, but they needed a guide. As we all know, there are roads then there are rider’s roads and over the past few years I had collated a best roads map in my head. I just wanted to ride, I’d already missed one glorious evening and I wasn’t going to miss out on another.

We were set, the Triumph roared into life after its winter slumber and then sat rumbling whilst I let it warm up and put on the last of my riding gear, meanwhile the Porsche growled itself awake the roof lowered to enjoy the evening spring sun and burbled waiting for me to ready myself.

 

The skies where blue and the hedge rows where an array of fresh green budding shoots whilst the Oak trees stood naked still in their dormant winter state, not so much the black shadowy skeletons they are on cold overcast winter days when the sky is an endless white/grey, but with clear skies the rays of the early evening sunlight shone on them revealing mottled browns, yellows and greens as the light danced on the mosses, algae and lichen that had attached themselves to these ancient giants like barnacles would to an old wooden maritime ship.

We made slow progress leaving the village and I managed to get caught at a junction, thanks to thoughtless drivers who at the last minute turned left with no indication. Then after managing to get out I got caught behind a bus, all the time the Porsche was getting further and further away, and I was meant to be guiding. Fortunately the bus pulled in and I carefully managed to make up ground.

By the time I had left the village and made the open roads I soon had the silver sportster in my sights and soon I was tailing her. Ok so my wife had purposely slowed down so I could lead but it did sound good while it lasted. When the road opened and allowed me to make my move I blipped the throttle and took the lead.

I wanted to take some video footage so didn’t want to lead all the way, so the game begun. I would lead then once we had reached the stretch of road I wanted to ride, I once again let Sue take the lead, I would then, when a turn needed to me made nip ahead again and guide the way. We made our way through the lovely tree lined country lanes with little blasts of speed along the straights then shift down into the nice twisty bits.

 

We skirted around the edge of a town leaving the grass verges and trees behind and for a little while changing the greens and browns for the greys and reds of suburbia. Hedge lined junctions swapped for bollards and traffic lights. This was only a short part of the ride and sometimes you have to take the rough with the smooth to make the best of the time we had available.

 

The light was now starting to go as the sun starting its decent beyond the horizon the blue skies now littered with high grey clouds edged with pink. We were heading home now with only open country lanes and two small villages in our way. Sue no longer needed me to guide as she knew where to go. The roads flowed into each other and as one fell the next began, and as the roads melted away so did the evening sun. We arrived home just as dusk started to fall; I had enjoyed the ride, a ride I had been waiting for all through the long cold winter. Sue had enjoyed the evening’s drive and as she parked on the Porsche on the drive and raised the roof the last rays of sun gave way to grey blue star lit skies.