Hatch End to the Sunnyside Up Cafe

This is a Community Ride not a Guided Ride.

This is a 27 mile round trip to from Hatch End to the Sunnyside Up Cafe in Hemel Hempstead. The cafe is operated by the Sunnyside Rural Trust (https://www.sunnysideruraltrust.org.uk/).

The terrain is varied: quiet roads, cycle paths, a long stretch of canal towpath and some sections of road with heavier traffic. It is not suitable for beginners or those riding bikes with skinny road tyres. There are a few short, sharp hills but nothing too challenging.

The route heads out through Carpenders Park before joining the Watford Green Loop for a short clockwise arc. It crosses Cassiobury Park and uses quiet roads to reach the canal at Grove Mill. The towpath goes all the way to the cafe. The canal is crossed in several places, sometimes on bridges with steep ramps. These require a dismount and bikes to be pushed. Riders with cleated shoes will have to take extra care. E-bikes are not recommended due to their weight.

The return journey is on the road through Kings Langley and Nascot Wood to Watford Junction. It follows the Green Loop, clockwise, to the start of the Ebury Way before retracing the outward leg back to Hatch End.

Ensure that your bike is in good condition and that you can deal with punctures or mechanical issues. Use this guide: https://lcc.org.uk/advice/bike-safety-check/. Have a plan for how you will get home if your bike becomes unrideable or you are unable to continue. Bring a spare innertube, a pump and tools to fix a puncture. Dress appropriately for the conditions. Bring a drink and snack (or money to purchase).

Speed 8-10mph. 840ft climbing.

Before signing up for this ride, ensure that you are able to cope with the distance, speed and amount of climbing for this route. The time for the ride is a best estimate by the Organiser. Sometimes this can be affected by factors such as the weather, mechanical issues, the queue at the cafe, etc.

The time for the ride is a best estimate by the Ride Leader. Sometimes this can be affected by factors such as the weather, mechanical issues, the queue at the cafe, etc. We have a policy of leaving no rider behind so, if anyone is struggling, we will adjust the speed and take rest stops if necessary.