Saturday 18 October 2025 - we are Sustained

Cold, grey day and everyone feeling tired in the middle of a busy month, so the option of a straightforward, flat ride was welcomed by all.  It was a pleasant ride along the Alban Way, the green and gold of the leaves making up for the grey sky.  We had a pause at Smallford Station to admire the art - currently posters by members of the St Albans Art Society.  We particularly commend the bicycles by Clare Pinney.

Onward, all the way along, over the East Coast Main Line, along the stub of the Great North Road and then southward into Old Hatfield on NCN12, the Great North Way.  We went all the way through and about-turned into Salisbury Square.  The north side of the square is still being developed, so we had to wiggle our way along between the building and the site fencing to reach Sustain.  This coffee roastery serves coffee and other drinks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings.  The food selection is limited, but how cute are these cookies:

The coffee is superb and the welcome is warm, we sat and chatted for quite a while.

When we eventually took our leave we needed some cycle-cross techniques - walking, running up steps - to regain the Great North Road.  The traffic island at the traffic lights is small, we just managed to all eight of us fit on, but we didn't have our selfie queens with us today, so we did not quite all fit in the picture.

Back the way we came except for the Wilkins Green diversion to admire the Great Nast Hyde mansion.

From here riders began peeling off for home.  The route distance from and back to Fleetville is 11 miles.

Saturday 27 September 2025 - Dutch Roundabout plus

This was originally the 'plus one' ride, as we decided it would be nice to let our other halves see why we enjoy cycling.  Several of them were keen to visit the Dutch Roundabout in Hemel Hempstead.  As it turned out, only two significant others were free to come along, so it is the plus two ride, and this is why we made two circuits of the roundabout.

We met as usual in Fleetville, three fabulous women and two lovely men.  Along the Alban Way, up to the Watford Road, where we admired the flat surface where the big mounded manhole used to be before turning off onto Ragged Hall Lane.  More uphill, so we had a breather by scenic East Farm.  The duck pond has dried up, although we could hear - but not see - ducks.

We paused again at Potters Crouch to record potholes to report (done!) to Herts County Council for fixing.  Update: HCC advise the bigger deeper one has been fixed, within 24 hours of report made.  HCC have further advised that the smaller one will be fixed by 27th October unless too much bad weather.

We tackled the A4147 as two 'blocks' riding in tight two-abreast formation.  This makes it easier for drivers to overtake as we are shorter, they need no more width but less length to get by.  This worked well, but we were still glad to get onto quiet Westwick Row.  Here we paused for a chat with a horse rider.

It was the first time the men had seen the Quietway, and it is so nice to ride!  Over the A414 using the signalled crossing, along past all the new industrial buildings and... there it was in all its glory, the Dutch roundabout.  No pictures, just circuits.  Then northwards on the northern section of the Quietway, and thereafter by lanes to Holtsmere End and down to Redbourn and into the Hub.  Such a lovely cafe and cyclists' refuge.

We came back the more direct route, down the A5183 to Redbournbury, across the fords, admiring the bucolic scene of cattle grazing in the water meadow.

Up Beesonend Lane to the A1081 / NCN6, which brought us back to St Albans.

We had ridden about 18 miles from Fleetville to the Ancient Briton.

Saturday 20 September 2025 - autumn celebration

Twelve of us, all going further faster.  After a blazing hot Friday, Saturday was grey and cool enough for long sleeves on most of us.

We set off along the Alban Way, and at the Galleria we turned off for the College Lane campus of the University of Hertfordshire.  Out the other side of the campus and alongside the A1001 for a bit, then we ducked under both the A1001 and the A1(M) to emerge in Bullens Green.

As is traditional for cyclists, we assumed the Road Closed sign did not apply to us, and we were, as is generally but not always the case, correct.

We emerged onto Tollgate Road a few at a time in between the motors, most of which were being driven with consideration.  The tail end nearly got absorbed into a large group of roadies that were waiting on the corner of Colney Heath High Street.... 'Oh, they've waited.... braking.... oh, it's not them... pedal again'.  Amusement for all concerned. They came past us soon after, but going too fast for us to hitch a tow.

We crossed the A414, some by the longabout traffic lights, others opted for the scenic route over the footbridge.  Along Barley Mow Lane and through Tyttenhanger Green and up Highfield Lane, then off-road through Winchfield Wood.

Along Highfield Park Drive, up London Road, then down the Heronsway bridlepath.

A brief tussle with Napsbury Lane, then we were turning into Ayletts and heading for the Celebration Garden.  The Autumn Festival was over, leaving only the pale grass where the tea tent had been.  Plenty of dahlias still blooming though, so a group photo and a wander.

Then it was off to the Roots coffee bar, where we enjoyed hot drinks and various baked goods and a good old chat.

From Ayletts the group began to shed riders as we headed up London Road, then along Drakes Drive - where the nice cycle path just ends abruptly.  With no easy way to join the road, which was clogged with cars, we continued at walking pace on the footway until we could turn right into the cul-de-sac section of Cell Barnes Lane.  This is a through route for walking and cycling, and Hill End Lane was peaceful.  The Camp Cycle Route got the remnants of the group back to Fleetville, round trip of 21km / 13 miles.

Weekend 6/7 September - Fabulous Tour - Luton to Milton Keynes to Bedford

 A new adventure for our group - a weekend away!  Five of us assembled at St Albans City station and whizzed up to Luton on the Thameslink.  We hope Luton station gets another lift soon, it is a bit of a palaver carrying laden bikes up stairs.

Five cyclists outside Luton station getting ready to go

Soon we were on heading north on the path alongside the guided busway.  We were glad when the busy road curved away and it was just buses and active travellers, much more peaceful.  A little bit of jinking through Dunstable and we were on the Sewell Greenway, a long downhill run along a former railway to Stanbridgeford.

Group selfie at Stanbridgeford

Then we were on road through Stanbridge, where the church fete was just getting going, looked fun but we carried on, up Mill Road - with a pause to admire the old windmill - and through Eggington, a splendidly named and very picturesque village.

A short stretch along the A4012 through extensive new housing developments on the eastern edge of Leighton Buzzard, then off to wend our way through quiet streets and parks to emerge in Church Square at the western end of the High Street, and there was our lunch destination.

Cafe Sorelli is recommended by the Cycle Coffee and Cake Facebook group and map, and it did not disappoint.  We asked if we could bring our bikes into the courtyard, a quick check and then a yes.  The staff clearly expect cyclists to be able to fit their bikes into small spaces!  It was a lovely courtyard, an interesting old building and friendly staff serving a great menu.

Perusing the menu

After lunch we turned north on the Grand Union Canal towpath and wended our way, ducking low branches at times.  It was delightful.  We had a refreshment stop at Three Locks, no boats going through but a very determined looking heron stalked along the opposite bank.

Just north of Willowbridge the towpath becomes very narrow and we diverted to ride through  poplars on the adjacent walk before we left the canal at Water Eaton.  Our first glimpse of Milton Keynes housing was a beautiful thatched cottage, we wiggled through less exciting residential streets between Bletchley and Fenny Stratford and then we were on Redways. V6 took us past Stadium MK and various retail parks, navigation became easier once we realised we just had to spot the signs with CMK on them.  V6 took us through CMK and dropped us right by the Travelodge. 

After a good meal at an adjacent tagine-serving brasserie we turned in for an early night, our bikes safely with us in our bedrooms.

Next day we sauntered into the very centre of Milton Keynes, we were a bit too early so mooched by the fountain before enjoying an excellent breakfast at the popular Bogota Coffee Company.  Then back to the hotel to load up and check out.

We had got the hang of the Redways now, so were quickly along V6 and onto H6 which took us through woodland and past varying residential architecture and then alongside roads to the edge of the city.  Yesterday we were mainly on NCN6, today we were mostly following NCN51, and this section was on fairly busy lanes to Cranfield.  We peeped over the hedge at the airfield as we made our way into Cranfield village which has some very interesting old buildings and a Co-op, which gave us a breather and some water.

We now entered the Forest of Marston Vale, riding on a bridleway through Marston Thrift nature reserve on a bridleway, a delightful descent into the valley.  We popped out at the hamlet of Wood End.

A climb to get over the A421 dual carriageway and then we were wending our way traffic-free through former gravel workings and new housing estates and older parts of Marston Moretaine and into the Marston Vale Millennium Country Park for lunch at the visitor centre.

We decided against adding the three mile circuit of Stewartby Lake to our ride, so emerged from the country park to duck under the A421 and continue on NCN51 through Lower Shelton, Upper Shelton and Wootton Green.  A fun mechanical to sort at Wootton, a chain well-wrapped around the axle was carefully disentangled with a Rehook tool and we were on our way through Hall End and Keeley Green and after we passed under the A428 we were in Kempston.

A well-signed route wiggled us through housing then brought us out at the Saxon Centre, the route now on shared footway along the B531. 

A possible route option was denied by a 'footbridge closed until further notice' sign, so after consulting the map we continued along the B-road and then A Road and County Bridge.  At which point the shared footway stops being shared and we had to insert ourselves into the continuous line of traffic on Prebend Street.  Once we got into the flow we were certainly not holding up the progress of those behind us as we inched along. But soon we were through the horrible roundabout and whizzing up to the station.

We didn't have much time to catch the train, but the station staff were friendly and helpful and we were soon ensconced and heading home after our adventure.

We rode 27 miles on Saturday and 24 miles on Sunday.

Saturday 23 August 2025 - Fabulous Day Out

Usually we have a break in August, but this ride was postponed from July, when we decided to not go riding in a storm.

Seven Further Faster regulars met at St Albans City station on a bright morning and made full use of the cycle spaces on the 0911 service Bedford, disembarking at Harlington.  This time next year there should be lifts, but for now we lugged our trusty steeds up and down rusty stairs.

The first part of the ride was taken briskly, being one of those slightly busy roads you don't want to spend too long on.  Even so, we took in the fabulous views of Sharpenhoe Clappers.  Once through Barton we were on quieter lanes through Higham Gobion and Hanscombe End and along to Ion Bridge Farm for elevenses at Disco-licious, a very friendly farm shop and cafe.

Onward through scenic villages.  We were very taken with the churches at Lower and Upper Gravenhurst, the brown ironstone and the building style is so different from our Hertfordshire flints and spikes.  St Mary's dated from around the 1350s and is Grade 1 listed.  St Giles (pictured) is even older in origin but has been much rebuilt, most notably in the 1900s.

On through Campton, and an underpass spared us a tussle with the A507 and dropped us into Shefford, quite the bustling town.  The B658 is to be endured rather than enjoyed, but we were soon on little roads again, twisting and turning through Southill and the woodland of Warden Warren.

Through picturesque Old Warden and on to lovely Ickwell Green, where the cricket pitch was being prepared across the road from the maypole.  We had a little rest to soak up this quintessential Englishness.

Through Northill, then a steady climb up the Greensand Ridge to Deadman's Oak.  The Tour of Britain will be coming past here on Wednesday 4th September, doing a loop on its way from Milton Keynes to Ampthill, the yellow sign deatils the road closure.

We came over the crest of the ridge and admired the view, the Cardington Airship Sheds really are rather huge.  We whizzed down into Cople and then along to The Barn farm shop and cafe on the outskirts of Cardington, where we enjoyed a leisurely and very tasty lunch.

We stopped off to visit St Mary's Church where there is a display of artefacts telling the story of the R101 airship, which set off from Cardington on 4th October 1930 on a flight bound for Karachi.  The weather deteriorated and she crashed in northern France, 48 died and 6 survived. After lying in state in Westminster Abbey - 90,000 people queued to pay their respects - and a state funeral in St Paul's,  the dead were buried together in St Mary's churchyard.

Having crossed John Smeaton's bridge over an Ouse tributary, we negotiated the junction at Cardington Cross and wiggled through the business park and wended our way through Priory Country Park.  We took this last part of our day out very gently, as there were plenty of people out strolling on the shared paths.  We continued our easy pace along NCN 51 along the old railway line and then along the Ouse into Bedford, over the river on the new bridge and through the back streets to the station for our train back to St Albans.

1000 ride participations

Today's 'Further Faster Day Out' took our recorded participations to 1000!  Well done us!  We have welcomed a total of 97 riders since we began in 2007.  One woman who came on the very first ride is still riding with the group.

Our most-visited cafe is Ayletts (15), with the Inn on the Park (11) in second place, closely followed by Notcutts (10).

Saturday 26 July 2025 - fed by farmers

Considering how dark the grey skies were, we did well to just have a a few drops only of rain.  The six Further Faster riders set off first:

We went north via Valley Road and Harpenden Road to Ayres End Lane where we encountered some hedge trimming in action.

Up Pipers Lane and a quick flick along the Wheathampstead Road before we plummeted down Leasey Bridge Lane, across the eponymous Lea then over Marshalls Heath and up to The Slype. Eastward now to Ayot St Lawrence via Bibbs Hall Lane. 

We admired the old church as we cycled right through ASL and down Hill Farm Lane, then  along Codicote Road to Wheathamstead, admiring the neatly trimmed hedges and checking the map.

In Wheathampstead we met with temporary traffic lights.... and only some of the group got through in one turn of the lights.  The two groups did not quite manage to coalesce thereafter, glimpsing each other but not re-connecting, and so they arrived separately having both followed a broadly similar route via Dyke Lane and Nomansland.

The longish outward ride meant that the slower group had already had their coffee and sausage rolls / scones and we just had a brief chat before they left.  Arriving late in the morning meant that the café was quiet!

We returned along the Nomansland bridleway to Sandridge, then split, with some going up Sandridgebury Lane, and others House Lane and Jersey Lane. It was a longer ride than usual - about twenty miles - but the weather was not too hot, and there was no wind or rain to speak of!

So how did the Fabulous ride go:

If the Fabulous ride leader had done a more thorough bike check before we set off it would have been obvious why one of the Fabulous trio was behind schedule at the start.  Tip for forgetful leaders: if one of your riders is going slower than you expect, are the tyres soft?  The answer was yes, and the issue was soon remedied, Rona's first proper use of her new pump and a resounding success in restoring pace and comfort.  We went gliding easily down Jersey Lane after that.

Sandridge was delightfully motor-free as we passed through, care was needed on the Nomansland track though, the prolonged dry weather means extensive loose fine gravel.  Some generous horse droppings in the middle of the twisty section gave extra challenge to bike control, we were fine though.

Given the dry conditions we decided to ride across the common, cycling is permitted on paths.

Into West End Barns, we enjoyed our food and drinks and a good chat.  We forgot to take any more pictures.  We wondered whether the Further Faster group were still heading our way or had been so speedy that they had been and gone.  Well, by the time we got up to make a homeward move, we had the answer - it was the former.  They arrived as were were retrieving our bikes.  A quick chat ensued, but we needed to be moving, and off we went.

Back along Ferrers Lane and Drovers Lane, Sandridge again very quiet, we turned off up Sandridgebury Lane and bimbled along to the Harpenden Road.  The gap in traffic came along reasonably soon, a quick nip and a quick zip along Green Lane got us to NCN6 and then the Green Ring, which we followed anti-clockwise through Ladies Grove, St Michaels and Verulamium Park, where we said our farewells and headed off.  Eleven miles covered together.

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