e2e.bike

Cycling adventures across Yorkshire, Britain and beyond

Menu
  • End to Ends
    • Britain
    • Ireland
    • France
    • Spain
    • Portugal
    • Belgium
    • Netherlands
    • Luxembourg
    • Denmark
    • Germany
    • Austria
    • Switzerland
    • Czechia
    • Slovakia
    • Poland
    • Latvia
    • Cuba
    • Sri Lanka
    • Taiwan
    • Isle of Man
    • Faroes
    • Liechtenstein
  • Coast to Coasts
  • Yorkshire Ridings
  • Others
  • Writings
Menu
← PreviousNext →

Stevenage: On trains, chaos rains

Posted on 14 September 202117 September 2021 by Rob Ainsley

At last, life is returning to normal: trains delayed an hour by signal failure, just like the Before Times.

I did a quick jaunt to Stevenage today, to investigate the very agreeable Spoke CC cycle cafe in Codicote just outside. And got very wet in the process: it pelted down with rain all day. The only glimpse of sunshine and scenery was on the giant wall print of an alpine view on the cafe terrace.

Dripping on the menu: The wet journey to Spokes CC cafe

The rain, seeping into the signal box at New Barnet, was presumably the cause of the severe delays on northbound trains from London, including those which eventually got me back over an hour late. Which at least meant the return leg of the trip worked out free, under Delay Repay.

That wasn’t the biggest rail-related bike challenge of the day, though. The trickiest times were in the morning, on my way in. As my train rolled into Stevenage, I went to get my bike out of the stupidly cramped cupboards that pass for ‘cycle storage’, only to find it bricked up by a pile of heavy crates…

I’ll just get my bike, then
Previous
←   Matlock 5: Bamford Clough, Britain’s new steepest uphill
Next
Berwick: Borderline brilliant →

You are here

e2e.bike > Other > Route research > Stevenage: On trains, chaos rains

Recent Posts

  • Earth works: The art of Wolds bridleways 21 June 2026
  • Drift to Driffield: Yorkshire Cycle Festival’s new home 15 June 2026
  • Patient progress: Turning hospital visits into rides 22 May 2026

Random Posts

  • Britain 4: Barnstaple to Taunton8 June 1997
    I’ve clearly upset the weather gods in some past life. This is …
  • Ireland 11: Ballina to Ballyshannon11 June 2011
    A super cycling day of fine weather and finer scenery. Ballina has …
  • C2C 4: Consett to Sunderland23 May 1997
    Negotiating the stodgy pub breakfast was our first challenge. Negotiating the cycle …

Search e2e.bike

Find me

        
Facebook • Bluesky • Linked In • Email
© 2026 e2e.bike | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme