Cycling in North Herts
North Hertfordshire is ideal for cycling. The countryside is rolling and attractive without being physically challenging. Towns are small enough that you can cycle from any point to the centre in 5 minutes. They are close together, typically no more than 10 or 15 minutes from one to its neighbour, and nowhere are you more than 20 minutes ride from a railway station.
Each town has a different character. Hitchin and Royston are historic market towns, Baldock is a medieval "service station" on the old North Road. Letchworth was the first of the Garden Cities while Stevenage, its near neighbour, was the first 20th century "new town".
Away from the towns there is a wealth of attractive country lanes and pretty villages to be explored. In the towns there have been few concessions to make cycling safe and attractive. Dedicated cycling infrastructure is rare and generally of very poor quality – creating more problems than solutions. A comprehensive cycle network plan was drawn up in 1999 but there has been little attempt to build it. Stevenage is the exception, with a high quality cycle network built in the 1950s that sadly has not kept pace with more recent expansion.
Sustrans' Great North Route NCN12 runs through Letchworth and Stevenage, although many riders will be disappointed by the poor quality of design and construction, and the lack of directness. For those who like getting their tyres muddy there is also the ancient Ickneild Way trackway that runs east-west through the district.
North Herts boasts several active cycling clubs to suit all tastes. CTC run 2-3 rides per week from Stevenage or Hitchin. Nomads have weekly club runs from Hitchin as well as time trials through the summer. CC Ashwell have 3 club rides per week as well as time trials, road racing, velodrome sessions and a youth section.
Latest photos of the area
See also a full list of photos in this area.
This barrier has appeared on the @Sustrans NCN12 route between Graveley and Letchworth. Hard for any cyclist to deal with, it will exclude all those using non-standard or adapted cycles. It should be removed. @WeAreCyclingUK @hertscycli ... [more]
Sign to cycle parking at the rear of Royston station (if that means just 10 spaces, it's well out of date)
The cycle route to the central Letchworth shopping area turns right, but you could just as easily take the path to the left.
Route sign where NCN route 12 crosses the Icknield Way - if that's a shared-use path ahead, it's not wide enough.
No Cycling on The Wynd, Letchworth, although it wouldn't be a problem on this southern section at least.
It's definitely a dead-end for motor vehicles, definitely not for pedestrians, and debatable for cyclists - improvements needed.
Outside the One Garden City museum, Letchworth - acres of space for cars, the only cycle parking is at the supermarket on the far side.
Cycle stands at Morrisons supermarket, Letchworth - the only parking anywhere near the One Garden City museum
The new covered cycle parking opposite Tesco Express where the market is in Royston. Most welcome. Looking forward to using this. https://t.co/nL4xwf8TZV
Route sign for NCN route 12 north from Letchworth station (then I think there's an unsigned right turn).
Start of shared-use path to the crossing over the A505 on NCN route 12 south from Letchworth (and a cycle stand at a closed shop).
The cycle route from Hitchin to Letchworth turns left off the A505 (unsigned) and rejoins the carriageway.
Shared-use path with Cyclists Dismount sign - the route goes past the bus stop and crosses the road at the Toucan crossing.
Going from Letchworth to Hitchin (no great distance) it's clear there's a shared-use path - in the other direction you wouldn't have a clue.
A project originating from Cambridge Cycling Campaign // Hosting kindly helped by Mythic Beasts
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