Watford Cycle Hub: Colne Valley, Road, Track & Towpath

We've categorized this ride as a 'Steady Plus' Ride because though the route is just shy of 12 miles, there is one big hill challenge, and some busier roads to navigate before we head back traffic-free along the Colne Valley Trail and Grand Union Canal towpath.

This is very much a bridging ride between our shorter Steady Category Rides and our longer Steady Plus Rides that are more undulating, have one or two hill challenges on route and may have some sections on busier roads.

This route weaves up through Moor Park - a great cyclists cut through to Batchworth Hill. Through Moor Park you are gradually climbing, then have one final short, steep hill challenge on a very quiet road, after which we'll take a short drinks break. The fit and keen can do the hill twice if they would like, the rest of us can just watch and enjoy! ;) We then continue on busier roads through to Harefield and enjoy the views as we descend to pick up to the Colne Valley Trail. From here on in we're off road and will return to Watford Cycle Hub via the Grand Union Canal towpath and Ebury Way.

This is very much a hybrid rider's ride, though mountain bikers are warmly welcome. The ride will be paced to average between 8-10mph, as this ride is about giving riders an opportunity to complete this route, without pace pressure.

We will stop en route back at the Cafe-in-the-Park at Rickmansworth Aquadrome for refreshments and social time; it's a great cafe with really good food and drink and a nice place to just sit and relax and have a chat.

Please feel free to bring your own refreshments to enjoy at the Aquadrome if you'd prefer and want a little look around the lakes.

Please bring with you:

- Money / card if you want to buy refreshments at the Cafe-in-the-Park (& just in case you need a cab back)

- Appropriate clothing for the conditions on the day and perhaps a small rucksack so you can put layers on / take layers off as needed

- A spare inner tube in case of a puncture - as changing an inner tube is faster than getting out the rubber glue.

The Ride Leaders can help if anyone in the group has a puncture on the day. Watford Cycle Hub sell inner tubes from £4 new, or recycled ones for 50p patched, £1 with no patches, should you need to purchase one.

Please check your bike is in good working order before the ride - especially that your brakes are working & your tyres are pumped.

Should your bike be in need of a bit more TLC, as a Not-For-Profit, Community Enterprise, we do free bike assessments and will offer you an honest price for fixing, fine tuning or servicing your bike. :)