Topic ID 280
Just picked myself up a new bike at the weekend and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for good local bike rides (preferably ones with pubs on-route.) More interested in paths as I'm not keen on cycling on the roads. Also, anyone know whether you're allowed to cycle on the riverside path between Hertford and Ware? I didn't actually see a no-cycling sign until I got to Folly Island, but wasn't sure about the status along the rest of the route. I'm sure I heard some time back that it was ok to ride along there if you had a bell fitted.
Reply ID 1629
The reason for the 'No Cycling' signs and painted warnings on the stretch along Folly Island is that more than one resident has been sideswiped into the river when coming out of their front door. As with everything else - consideration. Most careful cyclists wheel their bikes. Some go slow. We just cannot tolerate those that go at speed down a narrow path. The path at the Folly is maintained by East Herts, the rest by British Waterways. Believe you can ride where you like but need a permit - never ever seen one of those either. As for routes try the library. They usually have a good selection of local guides. Or do what we used to do when single and followed Spurs all over the country - use the Good Beer Guide as your atlas. Never once in all those years arrived in time for the kick off. Some might say I was fortunate.
Reply ID 1631
The easiest way is to check the ROW indicators (normally the arrows on posts, styles, etc. indicating the paths). Yellow: Footpath. Walking only (wheelchairs and push chairs, etc. allowed). Blue: Bridleway. Riding/driving animals, cycling is allowed. Cyclists must give way to horses and walkers. Red: Any vehicle may use it. Motor vehicles must meet the same standards as on a road (taxed, insured, etc. and drivers must be licensed) as these routes are effectively the same as public roads (just not necessarily metalled). Black: Is a road used a public path (or restricted byway). It may or may not have motor vehicular rights, and will have footpath and bridleway rights. Here's a couple of useful links: http://www.hertsdirect.org/yrccouncil/hcc/env/plan/transplan/cycleweb/ http://www.hertsdirect.org/yrccouncil/hcc/env/plan/transplan/cycleweb/
Reply ID 1633
Thanks for the info. Having looked on the British Waterways site it appears you can cycle on the towpath (all the way to London by the looks of it) if you have a permit, which I have now downloaded.
Reply ID 1634
Joby like yourself I’ve just picked up a new bike about 2 weeks ago. The 2 main cycle routes from Hertford are as you rightly say along the towpath to Ware and beyond, its only 10 mile round trip to Stanstead Abbots as I found out at the weekend and is really pleasant first thing in the morning. The majority of users of the towpath seem considerate to each other whether they are cycling, walking their dog or sitting on the banks fishing. The other route is the Cole Green disused railway line – all the information you need to know is on hertford.net According to the British Waterways website you have to have a permit to use the towpaths, but this is just a matter of printing off a pdf from the link on the website – but then who is going to stop you when you’re cycling at 12-15mph along the towpath and ask to check your permit. It just seems a matter of using common sense and understanding that many people use the towpath and being considerate to others.
Reply ID 1635
There's lots of good cycling around Hertford, too much to recommend without knowing your ability, type of bike etc. A really pleasant traffic-free run for the less fit or those with little kids is up the Cole Green way from Hertford football club to the Cowper Arms at Letty Green which unfortunately is a chain pub but it's spacious, family friendly and open all day. Give old Freddy Forsyth a wave as you pass through East End Green! We fairly regularly do the cycle route down to London that Joby refers to, you come out at Tower Bridge then it's not far to Liverpool Street station to get a train home if the 30-odd miles there is enough for you. Although it's flat, allow plenty of time as there's lots of gates to get through as you get towards Limehouse and you need to pick up one of the free maps from Tourist Info as there's a few fiddly bits where you have to cross the river. And please, NEVER let your bike out of your sight at any point on this run - professional cycle thives cruise the whole route and my Specialized Rockhopper was chained up three yards away from where I had stopped for a drink near Canary Wharf when it got nicked in about 10 seconds! Apart from that, though, I really can't rate this route highly enough, every Hertford resident who's able should cycle down to London at least once, it's a fascinating route, it's not difficult and it's so cool to be pushing your bike through the throngs of tourists by the Tower of London knowing you have cycled all the way from Hertford! If you fancy a club ride or more info about cycling locally, here are the websites of two Hertford bike clubs who are always pleased to hear from any local cyclists, whether you want to join them as a member or just turn up for the occasional run: http://www.herts-wheelers.org.uk http://www.herts-wheelers.org.uk Picking up on Darryl's points about shared use of the towpath, Sustrans state that cyclists should always give way to pedestrians. In my experience, you won't have any problems so long as you remember that only the anglers' maggots have lower status than cyclists and you can never assume that anyone else using the towpath will have the courtesy to control their dogs, brats or fishing rods but will expect the cyclist to anticipate their every move and give way accordingly. Happy cycling!
Reply ID 1642
I fully agree with your last paragraph Rachel.From my experience it is often dangerous to walk along the canal with young children because some cyclists believe that walkers should give them right of way even when they approach from behind without any warning.Do you have a bell on your cycle?
Reply ID 1644
A bell? No need, cj, I just yell, 'Eat my dirt, suckers!' as I whizz past in a blur of lycra, spraying gravel ;-) Actually, I'm a very careful cyclist and the only users of the towpath I've ever upset are the Canada Geese! Those guys can be very aggressive when they've got goslings and I've had my bum pecked on several occasions. As Darryl says, towpath users just need to use consideration and common sense and most of us do but Canada Geese are not strong on these qualities! FYI, cj, it is a legal requirement that all new bikes are sold with bells although I was always told that the highway code indicates only that cyclists must have a means of making a noise to warn of their approach.
Reply ID 1646
>it is a legal requirement that all new bikes are sold with bells Interesting - my new bike came without one. Got one now, though - watch out geese!
Reply ID 1648
Can you uses a clown horn instead?
Reply ID 1650
LOL Nice idea, Skanky, especially if used while riding one of those new retro chopper bikes. Or a Raleigh Grifter. Wonder if it would work on the joggers wearing ipods who can't hear a bell but flail along the towpath with me riding patiently behind them waiting for an opportunity to overtake safely. You've made me wonder if I got my wires crossed, Joby. I'm sure I read somewhere that new Euro rules meant all new bikes had to be sold with a bell but maybe it's just a proposal that's not law yet.
Reply ID 1651
"LOL Nice idea, Skanky, especially if used while riding one of those new retro chopper bikes. Or a Raleigh Grifter. Wonder if it would work on the joggers wearing ipods who can't hear a bell but flail along the towpath with me riding patiently behind them waiting for an opportunity to overtake safely." For that you need a long (preferably telescopic) pole, with which to tap them on the shoulder.
Reply ID 1652
Rachel is right about bells. It was on the THE PEDAL CYCLES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS 2002 that came in to force on 1st May this year. Useful info: "Welcome Back, Bicycle Bell" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3667513.stm
Reply ID 1654
Rachel: It's worth remembering that the Canada Geese here in Hertford are much more considerate and cyclist-friendly geese than their counterparts in London......
Reply ID 2030
Just wanted to add, though I think it is the same as rachel mentioned previously, I used to live in WGC and often took a cycle path that eventually came out nr hertford FC, Its great if you go the full distance as you have a pub halfway for light refreshment of course, if you come out in welwyn I see most of the panshanger area now has cycle paths alongside the road, so you could now cycle to and from WGC town centre, without having to go on any roads at all! Think i'll wait for the summer though!