Friday 5th May 2017 starts bright and sunny. Jean G and I are the first to arrive at Ickenham Pump, the official meeting point. Margaret C, our leader soon joins us, followed by Chris K, Sally E, Alan P, Sandra G, and Alec M. Lilo B who cannot come because of prior commitments, arrives to send us off. We leave at ten and disaster strikes barely half a mile down the road. Sandra has a puncture as we turn off the High Road. Alan and Chris provide assistance. Cutting through Ruislip Woods on our way to Northwood, we encounter a herd of heifers, who take little notice of us. Continuing northward to Watford station, by now half an hour later than planned, we are joined by John Mac and Angela K. Our coffee stop is scheduled at a Hunton Bridge cafe, but as there is only one person serving, Margaret abandons this idea, fearing a further delay. At Hemel Hempstead we stop at The Full House, a Wetherspoons pub which fortunately does not live up to it's name. Alan isn't the only one who misses the beer garden where our group has congregated. I walk into the street, coffee in hand and can't get into the beer garden. My mistake allows me to inspect a Pederson bike parked nearby. Chatting to it's owner, I realise these olde worlde machines are still made, but with modern components. By Piccotts End, we are on route 57 and into the countryside proper. Margaret's cracking pace is leaving a few of us behind, and it's looking increasingly unlikely that we will make the lunch stop at Studham before they stop serving. We lunch at The Old Chequers at Gaddesden Row instead. Sandra didn't take the golden oldies meal deal, but being an oldie if not goldie myself, should have spotted this on the menu. I did enjoy my fish, chips and mushy peas though. Onward we climb to the very top of Dunstable Downs where there are great views but no gliders. Travelling east towards Luton, we cross above the Dunstable/Luton guided busway which runs from Watling Street to Luton Airport. Nearing our tea stop at Stopsley, the road is blocked by a police cordon, with the cordon at the other end of the road enticingly close. With no obvious detour available, we plead and grovel, to no avail. It seems that the Bedfordshire police are incorruptible. Chris and Sandra find an off road route and we are soon on our way again. Margaret phones the cafe to tell them of our imminent arrival, as they are due to close at five and it's about ten to. Thanks to the ladies at Coffee Corner for staying open late for us. Soon we are back on country lanes and bluebelled woods. We arrive at our destination, The Premier Inn, Stevenage, at about 18:30. To my surprise, our bikes are allowed in the bedrooms, which is great news. After discussion we all opt for dinner in the restaurant. Most of us take advantage of the meal deal, which at £25 offers an evening meal of two courses and a drink plus breakfast. Bernie G