Off-road in Herts

[Smug]

A few of us went for our first off-road venture in North Herts tthis weekend.
Being new to off-roading, we took it real gentle.

Some of us had a lie down when the opportunity presented itself

The byway down to Whitwell. Doesn't look so steep on a photo.

You soon learn to keep out of line with the back wheel when pushing

Don't think we'll bother with this byway again

A handy bike wash

Tip toeing down the ruts

A handy ford which is normally dry

Back to tarmac and time for a well earned cuppa

Great fun had by all and will be giving it a try again some time

 

[IJGser]

I remember learning to ride of road on a big bike great fun! Everybody said you need a little bike to learn but if you can ride them on road Tyes at this time of year then after this it all becomes easy.

Enjoy


Sent from my iPhone whilst driving and even with autocorrect I can't spell!

 

[Wreford Miles]

That downhill is quite tricky this time of year with the rain having washed some interesting slippery sided chalk ruts for you... And on road tyres, well done.

Where's the open field crossing I did not recognise that one or the ford ?

Get some TKC as the Hertfordshire lanes are great on the big GS's

 

[BAKERMAN]

Get some TKC as the Hertfordshire lanes are great on the big GS's

Don`t listen to him he know nothing, your doing just fine on the tyres your on

 

[Smug]

Haven't quite decided which is the hardest, going uphill or downhill?

Using the road tyres does keep the speed down.

The field crossing heads north from The Holt farm towards Bendish. I don't think that we will be going back there for a while.

The ford is on the left coming out of Whitwell in the direction of Lilley. Doesn't normally have water in it. Broke my collarbone coming down to it from Bendish on the mountainbike. Ruts hiding in the grass

 

[Wreford Miles]

Haven't quite decided which is the hardest, going uphill or downhill?

Using the road tyres does keep the speed down.

The field crossing heads north from The Holt farm towards Bendish. I don't think that we will be going back there for a while.

The ford is on the left coming out of Whitwell in the direction of Lilley. Doesn't normally have water in it. Broke my collarbone coming down to it from Bendish on the mountainbike. Ruts hiding in the grass

Are they both Byways?

The map shows them both as restricted...

 

[Smug]

The first one I have to admit is restricted, but with plenty of two and four wheel vehicle tracks going up it. Real messy and we will not be going up it again.

I'm sure that the second track crossing the ford was signposted as a byway.

We haven't yet discovered where we can look at the definitive maps.

I have local knowledge of most of the tracks through mountain biking where we tend to avoid most byways.

I'm still not certain about some local unmade roads that are not classified?

Still feeling our way.

 

[Wreford Miles]

If this is the one with the ford the OS map is showing as restrictive.

I'll check next time I'm out that way

 

[Smug]

If this is the one with the ford the OS map is showing as restrictive.

I'll check next time I'm out that way

You are correct

Checked it today and it is restrictive

 

[IJGser]

That's it then you have personally ruined trail riding for everyone and future generations to come!

You could have been killed, molested or even had your bike fired to the moon by the land owner.

Luckily you survived too ride another day.

Seriously have you looked at trailwise.org could be useful in the quest for more legal trails

Ian









Sent from my iPhone whilst driving and even with autocorrect I can't spell!

 

[gerarddwatts]

That Church Lane(path) one can get horrendously gloopy at the bottom(right) end....feet of mud...take care!!

 

[gerarddwatts]

In fact, just to show off my local knowledge even further, one of the piccys shows a steel fence round the sewage works on the left. That road is called Nortonstreet Lane and was one of the old pilgrims roads to St Albans(they say).

The ford is over the R Mimram and if you follow the river north on the map, it shows a spring....I chatted to someone who used to swim in the water that used to lie about the spring....long before water abstraction!

Now ask me something about S Uist.

 

[Greg Masters]

Now ask me something about S Uist.

Is Isobel Graham's lobster still as good as it always was?

 

[paul13]

Hi Tom,

If I get to borrow an off road bike, or a gs, I will come and join, you,

good to see you last night.

you obviously have to have other gear to wear, or the normal road stuff will get ruined.

 

[Wreford Miles]

Now ask me something about S Uist.

How many Hedghogs made it to the mainland?

 

[gerarddwatts]

All the ones they caught of course!! And I assume you mean Ishbel Grahams lobster, which was in fine snapping form, last I saw.

 

[Greg Masters]

And I assume you mean Ishbel Grahams lobster, which was in fine snapping form, last I saw.

Erm .... no, I didn't!

 

[gerarddwatts]

mmmmmmm...looks good!!

 

[Smug]

Hi Tom,

If I get to borrow an off road bike, or a gs, I will come and join, you,

good to see you last night.

you obviously have to have other gear to wear, or the normal road stuff will get ruined.

More the merrier.

Will make sure we only use the legal byways next time.

 

[Smug]

Out into the lanes of Hertfordshire for some more fun





This climb looked fine from here


Proved to be somewhat claggy near the top


Did someone suggest that it is a good idea to take off the front mudguard?


Ditch fixation?