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South Hertfordshire Cyclists' Touring Club
Click on photo to see next...Who are we?
Our group is based in South Herts and we usually start our cycle rides in St Albans, Hatfield or Hertford. Our rides are not races and we don't leave anyone behind. All starts are conveniently near train stations with fast links to Central London. This means we have a mix of local residents and people from London on our rides. We are part of the CTC - the national organisation for cyclists - one of four groups cycling in Hertfordshire.
What do we do?
We are a leisure club & we organise rides on Sundays and Wednesday evenings. We also have occasional car-assisted rides, weekends away and longer tours. We also run some 5 Miles to Fabulous rides and the first Sunday of each month we do a short ride to elevenses and back. All rides have a nominated meeting point. Sunday rides normally have a morning coffee break, lunch stop and a tea break in the afternoon (summertime only). Some cycle back from coffee or lunch, others stay out all day.
Recent Sunday rides
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22 Jan: St Albans to Wildhill
It was a fine but breezy, very breezy, morning when we met up at the War Memorial in St Albans. There was a good attendance of riders and we were ...
Posted 28 Jan 2012 00:23 by South Herts
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15 Jan: St Albans to Berkhamsted
The morning was bright; frost shimmered in the sun and ice lined the kerbs; the brass monkey on the patio wore a pained expression; surely only maniacs would cycle in ...
Posted 20 Jan 2012 02:07 by Carol Brazier
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8 Jan: Hatfield to Hoddesdon
When I arrived at Hatfield, maintenance work was underway on Tracey's bike. Her front mech was siezed up and would not budge, so it was middle ring only for ...
Posted 9 Jan 2012 01:41 by South Herts
As our weekend ride reports show, a ride to coffee and back could be 30 miles. In the summer months a full Sunday ride could be 60 miles. In the winter, rides are shorter (about 40 miles) as we have our lunch stop nearer to the start so we can get back before it gets dark. Our popular midweek rides start from St Albans on Wednesday evenings and aim for about a 60-to-90 minute ride to a local pub.
I am new to cycling - can I ride with you?
Riding with a group can be much easier and more fun than riding on your own. You don't have to live in the South Herts area to enjoy our rides, as long as you can join us at the start or one of the stops shown on our programme. We know the best lanes in our area to access the countryside and avoid using busy roads. It's never far between stops and you can return from any of them, so if you can do 15 miles or so at a time then come along and give it a go. Give us a call if it's your first ride and we and look out for you.
Do I have to be a CTC member to come out?
You can come for a few rides as a guest to see if what we do is what you are looking for. If you then choose to ride with us regularly we need you to join the CTC so that you benefit from the third-party insurance.
What kind of bicycles do you ride?
Regulars have different types of cycle, but most have triple chainsets and low gears. Touring or hybrid bikes with racks so you can carry stuff are popular, and some riders use mountain-bikes in the winter. Any cycle that you ride should be maintained in a safe condition and it is advisable to carry basic tools and spares to be able to deal with a puncture (spare tube, tools to remove your tyre, and a suitable pump). For the midweek evening rides you will also need some front and rear lights.
Do I need a map?
Our rides start within the area covered by Ordnance Survey Landranger sheet 166. This is a useful map to carry as it is quite detailed and easy to read. You do not need a map to ride with us but it is advisable to have one in case you travel back on your own. Many of our Sunday rides go beyond the area covered by sheet 166; we cycle into Bucks, Essex, Beds, and occasionally Cambridgeshire. Explore a map showing starting points and refreshment stops used on club rides.
I've not ridden in a group before.
Aside from the social aspects, riding with a group is different from riding alone. Here is some essential advice to ensure that the group remains safe.
Interested?
Please contact Richard Stubbs for more information.
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Join us for sociable cycle rides on quiet lanes in South Herts.
Please contact Richard Stubbs for more information.
Next rides and events:
Looking for a shorter Sunday ride at a more leisurely speed? Join us on the first Sunday of the month. See Sunday and Wednesday rides pages for full listings and details.
southhertsctc@googlemail.com Latest News:
Charity Commission rejection of CTC application for charitable status.
Algarve: Carol & Steve write about their hot autumn tour in Portugal. Read more...
Results of the 2011 photographic competition Can be seen on the Clubroom page. Honours were shared by Barrie and David. Read more...
Suffolk tour: Eleven of us had a great time when we ventured into Constable country in early June. Read more...
Five Miles to Fabulous rides are for women getting into, or returning to cycling.
Congratulations to Rona, here being awarded CTC Volunteer of the Year for East of England 2010, at the CTC AGM.
Weather forecast:
Fair weather cyclist? It's rarely as bad as it seems. See the detailed forecast.
Cycling: The pollution solution
Seen near Sandridge.
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Attachments (2)
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EWRejection.pdf - on 6 Jan 2012 10:06 by South Herts (version 1)
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South Herts ctc annual report 09-10.pdf - on 26 Oct 2010 10:27 by South Herts (version 1)
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