Where to go... Good roads and a coffee in Herts?
Discussion
Yep, A507 and B656 are great driver’s roads especially at quiet times of day. Lots of interesting but not very smooth roads to explore off the A505 between Baldock and Royston. If you head further towards Foxton, there are more. Also Baldock to Weston and beyond. Narrow roads but good fun. Not much coffee round those parts but you should be having too much fun to care.
You could make a small circuit from Stevenage without too much trouble.
Just off the top of my head, head across to Hitchin, then take the Barton road, trog through Barton, then at the roundabout for the A6, head back on yourself towards Shillington and as you get towards the village, turn off towards Pirton, then Holwell which eventually will bring you out on the Hitchin to Henlow Camp road. Turn left and head through Henlow Camp and head for Shefford, then follow the road towards Bedford.
Eventually you will come to Rowney Warren and if he is still there, at the Bike Park end is a van that used to sell coffee. Then head across the road and follow the signs for Old Warden, head through the village before turning right at the roundabout towards Shefford and there should be a turn for Broom, take that and follow through the village, past the mill and at the end of the road, turn right for Langford.
Once in Langford, follow signs for the A1, think it is at a roundabout almost out of the village, up and over the A1 towards i think Hinxworth, then follow signs for Ashwell then Baldock. Once there, i'd take the road towards Buntingford, then head for Ware on the A10. Petrol station at the edge of Buntingford for another brew, then hoof it down the A10, take the turn for Stevenage and back along the A602 and home.
If i spent a couple of hours looking at a map i could find you a bigger route with some fun roads but it's the coffee aspect that is the thing.
Just off the top of my head, head across to Hitchin, then take the Barton road, trog through Barton, then at the roundabout for the A6, head back on yourself towards Shillington and as you get towards the village, turn off towards Pirton, then Holwell which eventually will bring you out on the Hitchin to Henlow Camp road. Turn left and head through Henlow Camp and head for Shefford, then follow the road towards Bedford.
Eventually you will come to Rowney Warren and if he is still there, at the Bike Park end is a van that used to sell coffee. Then head across the road and follow the signs for Old Warden, head through the village before turning right at the roundabout towards Shefford and there should be a turn for Broom, take that and follow through the village, past the mill and at the end of the road, turn right for Langford.
Once in Langford, follow signs for the A1, think it is at a roundabout almost out of the village, up and over the A1 towards i think Hinxworth, then follow signs for Ashwell then Baldock. Once there, i'd take the road towards Buntingford, then head for Ware on the A10. Petrol station at the edge of Buntingford for another brew, then hoof it down the A10, take the turn for Stevenage and back along the A602 and home.
If i spent a couple of hours looking at a map i could find you a bigger route with some fun roads but it's the coffee aspect that is the thing.
The Silver Ball used to be a common meeting place/destination for car and bike rides. It's an old transport cafe on the A10 near Royston. From Stevenage there's several routes you can take, explore them all 
It's been 10 years since I was last at the Silver Ball so for all I know it's now the haunt of gourmands from far and wide, however I do recall that back then the food and coffee was functional rather than a treat. Perfectly adequate, but nothing to write home about.
It's been 10 years since I was last at the Silver Ball so for all I know it's now the haunt of gourmands from far and wide, however I do recall that back then the food and coffee was functional rather than a treat. Perfectly adequate, but nothing to write home about.
Often do the B1039 from Royston to Wendens Ambo which is pretty good.
You can then take the B1383 south to Newport and turn left into Debden Road towards Elder Street, again really good stretch of road. Lots more great roads around that area and further east, all depends how much time you've got.
You can then take the B1383 south to Newport and turn left into Debden Road towards Elder Street, again really good stretch of road. Lots more great roads around that area and further east, all depends how much time you've got.
walnut3 said:
Often do the B1039 from Royston to Wendens Ambo which is pretty good.
You can then take the B1383 south to Newport and turn left into Debden Road towards Elder Street, again really good stretch of road. Lots more great roads around that area and further east, all depends how much time you've got.
Here’s the B1039 - from Barley to Wendons Ambo. The (missing) section from Royston is great too, but I always seem to turn ‘right’ and head in Essex. You can then take the B1383 south to Newport and turn left into Debden Road towards Elder Street, again really good stretch of road. Lots more great roads around that area and further east, all depends how much time you've got.
Some good suggestions here. The B645 is a really nice stretch, you just have to watch for the speed camera van. But it has some good corners. Not sure the locals appreciate the cars and bikes though!
I haven't explored B1039 from Royston to Wendens Ambo, so will try that route. Hot Numbers looks good, just had a look at their website.
I haven't explored B1039 from Royston to Wendens Ambo, so will try that route. Hot Numbers looks good, just had a look at their website.
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