Subham arrived at my house, where I performed the sort of generous act that should probably earn civic recognition I lent him a bike and a helmet. Thus equipped, we set off on a scenic journey through the golf course and along the brook towards Cricklewood, looking less like elite athletes and more like two men heading out to negotiate with shrubbery.

Our destination was Mrs C, who had found herself on the wrong side of an increasingly assertive hedge. It had grown so large and unruly that it was pushing out towards the road, narrowing the pavement and causing understandable concern among neighbours, passers-by and, it seemed, possibly the authorities too. This was no modest garden trim. This Hedge was a small green mountain!

When we arrived, it stood there looming over us at well over ten feet tall, as if daring us to have a go. Armed with loppers and a certain amount of misplaced confidence, we got stuck in. After an hour of chopping, dragging and general horticultural combat, the beast had been subdued. The pavement was wider, the road clearer, and order had been restored to this small corner of Barnet.

The nicest part was the reaction. A couple of local people stopped to thank us, including a neighbour, and one woman said, “God bless you for doing this,” which is not something you hear every day while standing ankle-deep in hedge clippings.

Mrs C was delighted and visibly relieved. It was one of those GoodGym tasks that reminds you that a fairly ordinary hour of effort can make life noticeably better for several people at once.

After that, Subham and I got back on the bikes and headed home. Or rather, I got back on the bike. Impressively, Subham had actually run to my house before the mission and ran home afterwards as well, which meant he had somehow turned a hedge-cutting errand into a highly respectable endurance event. It’s a new event run Bike hedge! Could it catch on? You heard it here first!

A fine afternoon’s work: one giant hedge defeated, one pavement rescued, and one GoodGym runner quietly showing the rest of us up.

Brook to Brook by Bike

A foggy start didn’t stop four adventurous GoodGym Barnet cyclists heading out to explore some of the best traffic-free routes in the borough.

Subham, Peter Jack and Paul met in Mill Hill on a misty morning, with the promise of sunshine later in the day, and set off along the beautiful Dollis Valley Greenwalk.

Within minutes the traffic noise faded and we were gliding along quiet paths and green corridors, the sort of places that make you wonder why more people don’t cycle around Barnet.

After following the valley north we climbed gently towards Hadley Wood, arriving at the lovely Jack’s Lake, tucked away beside Hadley Golf Course. This peaceful fishing lake is the source of the Pymmes Brook, and it made the perfect stop to admire the view before continuing the journey.

From there we followed the route of the brook, weaving along long stretches of car-free paths with the occasional quiet lane, enjoying the feeling of travelling through green spaces that most people never realise are there.

As if perfectly timed, the sun finally broke through the clouds, warming the day as we made our way back towards Stephens House & Gardens, where the ride finished with some well-earned refreshments in the sunshine.

Rides like this show just how good cycling can be in Barnet — peaceful routes, hidden nature spots and a great way to get active with good company.

🚴 We’re hoping to make these relaxed social rides a regular thing, perfect for anyone looking to get into cycling, build confidence, and explore the area in a sustainable way.

If you fancy joining a future ride, keep an eye on GoodGym Barnet or get in touch.