Rickmansworth to Hertford: Saturday Adventure Ride

Please read the ride description carefully, especially the travel arrangements.

Overview

Our first Saturday Adventure Ride of 2025!

We had planned this ride for last November, but cancelled it due to bad weather, so let’s hope for a fine spring day.

This is a second chance to experience National Cycle Route 61, which we rode in two sections in spring 2024. For this ride, we are using the sections which are on surfaces in generally good condition, with only a few small areas where muddy conditions are a possibility. Most of the route is on traffic free shared paths, following disused railway lines- the Ebury Way, the Alban Way, and Cole Green Way. The gradients are gentle, so the distance will seem easy.

Travel Arrangements

We will reach Rickmansworth by taking the Metropolitan Line. You need to connect with the service which arrives in Rickmansworth at 10.12am. For those from the Ealing area, the nearest Met Line station is Wembley Park, the train departs at 09.47am.

At Rickmansworth station, we will have to carry our bikes down a flight of steps to the station exit. If anyone find this difficult, we will help one another.

For our return, we will take Greater Anglia train services from Hertford East to London Liverpool Street. Trains depart at 09 and 39 mins and the journey time is approx. 50 mins. A single off-peak fare is £11; some discounts available. From Liverpool Street, you can connect to Elizabeth Line services via Paddington to Ealing, or with Metropolitan Line services.

You might need your lights for your homeward journey.

The Ride

We ride down from Rickmansworth station to join the Ebury Way and follow this eastward towards Watford. Skirting the town centre, we turn northwards on the Colne Valley Way, then ride on quiet country roads via Bricket Wood, How Wood and Chiswell Green.

We reach St Albans in time for lunch at the Inn on the Park café. https://www.inn-on-the-park.com/

Riding on, we have an easy ride along the Alban Way, skirting Hatfield and heading towards Welwyn Garden City. Turning east, we join the Cole Green Way into Hertford, where we ride through the town centre to Hertford East railway station for our return home. We expect to reach Hertford by approx 4pm.

Train-assisted ride following National Cycle Route 61.

Traffic free trails (shared paths) on former railway lines. Some unsealed, generally good condition. Quiet back roads. Segregated cycle paths alongside main roads. Short sections on potentially busier roads. Easy gradients.

Cafe stop in St Albans.

Money/card for cafe and travel fares. Lock for your bike. Water & snacks. Spare inner tube.

First-timers welcome!