Watford Cycle Hub: Chenies & Chess Valley, Pace Average: 8-10 mph

We will take on this scenic 'Challenging' category ride, averaging a pace of 8-10 mph over the route. We are also running another group for this ride paced to average 11-12 mph, so please join that group, if better for you: https://www.letsride.co.uk/rides/watford-cycle-hub-chenies-chess-valley-pace-average-11-12-mph

The route is mainly on quiet and very lovely country lanes through Chandler's Cross, Belsize, Flaunden and Chenies. The special challenges on this route are: a long, winding descent into the Chess Valley, where we can re-group down by the River Chess; followed by a short, steep climb up to Chenies & the Van Hage Garden Centre for huge slabs of cake or whatever you fancy! : )

Refreshed, we will then descend again into the Chess Valley and then climb out of the river basin via Flaunden Hill, which gives you the chance to take on a long, steady climb that has a final steeper section just as you near the top, and a green dragon peering at you - no really - its head looks over from the garden of the pub of the same name! We will then meander back through the country lanes to Watford Cycle Hub.

Please bring:

- Appropriate clothing for the conditions on the day & perhaps a small rucksack so you can put layers on / take layers off as need be...

- A drink (electrolyte drinks recommended)

- Snacks, e.g. jelly babies, flapjack, bars or gels - whatever works for you! :)

- Money for the café stop at Van Hage if you want to buy coffee and cake...

- Two spare inner tubes

Changing an inner tube is faster than getting out the rubber glue, should anyone suffer a puncture on the day & our Ride Leader team are happy to help fix it should you need it.

Watford Cycle Hub sell inner tubes from £4 new; or recycled ones for 50p patched, £1 with no patches.

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

If your bike might need a little more TLC or hasn't been ridden for a while, you can always bring it in for a free assessment; we're Not-For-Profit, do free assessments and promise to give you an honest price if your bike needs fixing, fine tuning or a full service. :)