This post describes a 2-day cycle tour from St Albans Abbey Station to Saffron Walden going via the delightful Emily's Tea Rooms at Whitwell and coming back through Bishop's Stortford and Hertford. Just add a start date and book your hotel!
The alternative anticlockwise route is shorter.
Start Point: St Albans Abbey Station
Finish Point: St Albans Abbey Station
Meetup Time: 09:20 (second train arrival on a Sunday)
Start Time: 09:30
Route (Clockwise):
Route Alt (Anticlockwise):
No. Days: 2
Day 1: 81 km
Day 2: 73 km
Overnight: Individuals book their own accommodation such as the Premier Inn.
Hotels:
Saffron Walden Premier Inn, in 2025 a room on a Sunday night was £55 though prices vary.
Average Speed: 16km/h
Stops: Every 25 km on average. As this is designed to be a comfortable tour extra stops are possible and even encouraged.
The Day 1 Stages:
Stage 1, St Albans Abbey Station to Whitwell (21km), Emily's Tea Shop. Opens 10am. Closed Monday's.
Stage 2, Whitwell to Buntingford (50km), Buntingford Coffee Shop (closes 3pm on Sunday). Sainsbury Local is open.
Stage 3, Buntingford to Saffron Walden (81km), Kim's Coffee House in Saffron Walden (closes 4pm on Sunday). Park and public toilets adjacent if you want a stroll around town and the Costa is open until 7pm.
The Day 2 Stages:
Stage 4, Saffron Walden Premier Inn to Bishop's Stortford (104km), Terrace Park Café. Opens 8:30am daily.
Stage 5, Bishop's Stortford to Hertford (128km), Hertford Coffee Lab on Bull Plain in Hertford though there are plenty of other options.
Stage 6, Hertford to St Albans Abbey Station (153km),
Suggested Café Stops:
See Stages above.
Suitable Bikes:
Any, though bare in mind the distance and pace.
Surface:
Tarmac, compacted gravel, rough surfaces and potholes on lanes.
Mechanic:
None
Support Vehicle:
None
Broom Wagon:
None
No Drop Ride:
Yes, no-one gets left behind, though note the rider requirements.
Rider Requirements:
Be responsible for your own safety
Follow the highway code
Carry equipment to repair a puncture or two
Dress/pack for the forecast conditions
Be comfortable maintaining 10mph for about 15 miles of continuous cycling
Be self-sufficient with regards hydration and fuelling; ask for a stop if you require one
Organiser Tips:
Premier Inn and some other chain hotels typically do lower Sunday and Monday night rates, higher Saturday rates. Check café opening times for your chosen dates. Premier Inn allow bikes in rooms.
The organiser might sensibly pack a few additional items and this Kit List is a starting point.
Rider Tips:
Pack light. Packing should be the same as for a day ride plus any overnight essentials. Seriously, pack light. If you have any questions ask the organiser.
In contrast to shorter rides the person navigating may not be familiar with the whole route, there may be roadworks and diversions so be aware and look after your own safety.
Premier Inn, for example, allow clean bicycles in rooms though some don't have lifts so phone ahead and request a ground floor room if this might be an issue for you. Keeping your bike in your room means you don't necessarily need your heavy Gold Secure bike lock.