Discover Hertford Online Forum

Reply ID 64097

I am a member of this lot http://www.wattonwheelers.org.uk/ We go out most Sundays for arond 30 miles. You may be interested in this too http://www.wattonwheelers.org.uk/ A few of us are doing the 50 mile circular on Sunday, you are welcome to join us. You also have the North Road club and Hertfordshire wheelers in Hertford.

Reply ID 64102

I also have a few local routes on my Garmin that you are wlcome to use. (the routes not the Garmin[:)])

Reply ID 64104

exiled - I think there may be some circular route leaflets in the tourist office.

Reply ID 64106

Very helpful. I am interested in the routes you speak of. I certainly would consider joining the wheelers or similar(I see them going past me most weekends when I'm going the other way) however the great pleasure of cycling at the moment is that it is a great opportunity to gather ones thoughts, sometimes think about stuff at work, and other times forget about work altogether. I also like to stop to appreciate my surroundings every now and again, and sometimes, if I'm with a mate, stop by a pub. The above would be a bit harder to do if you are wheeling in a pack but I will certainly give it some more thought!

Reply ID 64118

email me and I will try and send you a few routes. Watton Wheelers also stop to refuel usually at a cafe rather than a pub though [:)]

Reply ID 66026

Herts Wheelers do open invitation rides, there's one next Sunday 16th Aug, 14:30 from Ware Broadmeads car park by the level crossing. More info here http://www.herts-wheelers.org.uk/clubruns/index.htm

Reply ID 66030

I might be interested in those actually. Not able to make this weekends ride but would defo. like to come along to some in the future. I use to Mountain Bike a lot but haven't been out for a while now. I'd need a road bike though. Bikeman - Have you got any good suggestions for a starter road bike around the £600 mark?

Reply ID 66046

Bubbaoshea £600 is quite a tight price point for decent bikes since the slump of the £ against the yen, dollar and euro. What kind of bike are you after, a pure road racer? an audax bike (like a "racer" but more comfortable for long distance rides and *ahem* older riders), a tourer, a cyclo cross bike? Personally I'd caution against an outright racer as they're pretty much designed for racing and uncomfortable imo for leisure riding. Recently you could always rely on the summer sales to get cheap bikes but weirdly bikes have done quite well in these straightened times so bargains are few and far between For an all round bike I'd recommend the Specialized (much as I don't particularly like the brand) Tricross, a change of tyres from the standard CX tyres will give you a road bike while keeping the standard tyres will allow you to ride anywhere off road in Hertfordshire. But it's a couple of hundred over your budget. I'm more than happy to help you with any further deliberations off forum if you require.

Reply ID 66047

I've always gone with Specialized for mountain bikes but have never been a 'road rider' so have no idea. To be honest I won't be racing at all so would prefer a (if this is the right term) cruiser - something light enough and comfortable enough to cycle 25+ miles on the road. What's a good entry price bike? I thought £600 would be alright, might have to up that then. I've got an Enduro Comp mountain bike but that's no good for road riding.

Reply ID 66054

It's all about the components as you probably know. £600 will get you a specialized Allez which has Sora/Tiagra mix. £800 you will probably be getting Tiagra/105. These are Shimano groupsets and they start Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra then Dura-Ace is best. The web is a great place to get ideas have a look here http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/sale/complete-bikes/road-bikes but I try to support my local bike shop and they can normally do a deal.

Reply ID 66063

If you are employed I would recommend that you try to get your employer to register for a cycle to work scheme - http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk - you can buy a bike, pay for it over 18 months and your payments are free of income tax. The maximum amount you can spend is about £1,000 and you have to pay a 'one off' fair market price at the end of the contract to keep the bike; my scheme has said one further payment (about £50) will be appropriate. My employer operated this scheme last year and I can assure you it is as good as it sounds and allowed me to afford a good bike and pay for it in installments. I bought a Kona tricross which is good for the roads but will also cope with towpaths and tracks. The only stipulation is that 50% of the bike use is for work purposes which may prove difficult for you as I bought mine to commute and am obviously unaware of your circumstances. Marshalls operate the scheme so you can shop local too.

Reply ID 66064

In mtb groupsets 105 = Deore, Ultegra = XT, Dura Ace = XTR. I'm sure the sub 105 groupsets are perfectly good but I'd be looking to get at least 105. Lots of good stuff on that Evans link (the Kona Zing looks good) but the cyclescheme thing amkes a lot of sense if you can swing it, also road bike fit is even more important than it is on mtbs so it's probably worth getting one in a shop or at least getting a few test rides in.

Reply ID 66066

Thanks for the info. I've got an Evans store over the road from my office in Leadenhall Market. My company won't sign up for the cycle scheme, tight gits. I tried to get them to do it last year but they weren't interested. Shame as if they did it I'd spend the full amount and get a decent bike. Actually thinking about it I might try my luck again, no harm in trying. I could say I have to ride a bike to the station as I live to far away (it's only a mile from Hertford North) but they don't know that.........