Happy 21st as hundreds ride Emitremmus

The Mayor of Stevenage, Howard Burrell, sent about 320 off all the way to Saffron Walden and back while another 60 tackled the shorter 'Emit Lite' - an increase on 2013 and 2014.

Many riders came from Stevenage and North Hertfordshire but Fairlands Valley Park also welcomed lots of visitors from places like East Lothian in Scotland, Holland, Rochester in Kent, Guildford, Swindon, Hampshire and Cambridge.

Several came on trains from Kings Cross and Finsbury Park for the ride, which is Stevenage and North Herts CTC’s celebration of the end of summertime and is always held on the day the clocks change

The route got everyone out into the countryside very quickly and went via Aston, Benington, Whempstead, Westmill and Buntingford to the first control in Hare Street where refreshments were available.

Then most continued on the 100km route to Saffron Walden with a break at Mocha’s in the Central Arcade.  This time the sunshine and lack of wind made the stretch through Wembos Ambo to Great Chishill easier than on some occasions and everyone was back on the same route at Barkway ready for the "fantastic" cakes organised by Therfield WI in the Fordsham Memorial Hall.

Then there were just 16 miles to go and a spin back through Sandon, Luffenhall, Halls Green, Weston and Great Ashby to a warm welcome in Costello’s Café in Fairlands Valley.  Most were back before a spectacular sunset at 4.45pm.

Hundreds of Emitremmus pictures can be found here.

Now the clocks have changed Stevenage's Saturday Starters will leave Costello’s Café (SG2 0BL) at 10.30am every Saturday until the end of February. There will be evening rides from the old town at 7.15pm every Wednesday right through the autumn and winter - extreme weather permitting.