2017 Fabulous Cycling latest news

The number of sweeties in Birchwood's jar was 139.

One 2018 ride is already arranged - Saturday 21 April the Sustainable St Albans Week ride.  More in due course.

Our fashion editor advises:
The 'in' colour for shoe laces this season is still red.

Saturday 25 November - Birchwood Christmas Coffee Morning

A cold but beautiful morning.  The bare branches cast shadow patterns on the Alban Way.  Mad squirrels and boys doing wheelies to add to the fun.  Nine of us flew along the Alban Way,  right to the very end at Wrestlers Bridge.  We turned onto the old Great North Road and rolled down and then turned around through Birchwood to the Methodist Church.













We were expected, so our bikes were invited through to the garden and we came in through the kitchen, like all the best parties! The welcome was warm and the coffee and the mince pies were hot! We had a good browse of the crafts and home produce, and purchases were made. We also tried to guess the number of sweeties in the jar.

We cut straight back onto the Alban Way and headed westward.... and uphill. Even with Methodist mince pies to fuel us we had a breather or two along the way, all the better to enjoy the views of amazing back garden statues and winter fields.

Saturday 4 November 2017 - renewal and decay

Forecast was not good, so in the expectation that this might be the only photo opp here is the traditional smiling people in bright garments picture.

We had gathered below the canopy at Morrisons, which is now accessible again.  The renovations are nearly complete, we could see them getting ready to replace the cycle stands.

In view of the poor forecast we were not going out on a long ride, but to add some spice we were going to a coffee stop that we had not been to before.  Off along the Alban Way, admiring new signage. 

Once under the strengthened bridge at Cottonmill Lane we headed onward and upward on NCN6, enjoying shiny new tarmac on Vesta Avenue and Robert Avenue.  The latter is a very welcome improvement as the surface was dreadful, although useful for demonstrating the damage that frost does to roads, as the worst bits were in the frost pockets.

Into Greenwood Park for some late autumn 'forest bathing'.  The Forestry Commission autumn mindfulness is perhaps a more apt description of the benefits of gentle autumn cycling in woodland -  Five Miles to Fabulous covers all the Five Ways to Well Being. The dampness rendered the tree trunks and branches very stark and made the glow of golden leaves still there all the more dramatic.

Over the North Orbital on the footbridge, which had a refurbishment earlier this year, we turned right on Orchard Drive and used a useful footpath to get us through to Burstons Garden Centre.

We returned by more or less the same route, but used the access on North Close to leave Greenwood Park.  It is marginally less aggravating than the access off Watford Road.  By the time we returned to Morrisons the cycle stands were in place.  And we had not had a soaking, in fact, it hardly rained on us at all.  Distance just under nine miles.

Saturday 7 October 2017 - Harvest Festival of Journeys and Adventures

Mists and Mellow fruitfulness was quite close to the mark, as we had drizzle and a harvest festival.  Nine of us out, we split into a threesome riding 10 miles to Sandridge and a half dozen riding 10 kilometres.

The six rode away out west along the Alban Way and through Verulamium Park, continuing eastward along the Green Ring then onto NCN6 to nip up through New Greens to Sandridgebury.  The vibe was very mellow, very little foot or vehicle traffic on our route.  The threesome reached St Leonards first, by a hillier route that took in Nashe's Farm Lane, but not much ahead of the six.

We took our time to enjoy the festival, with flowers and the knitted village and home baking.

The group returned together via Jersey Lane, gradually shedding riders as they peeled off for home.

Saturday 2 September 2017- Silkies out and back

Eight of us assembled after the summer break.  As it was a glorious sunny day and all riders were regulars, it was suggested we stretch a little to check out a new coffee stop.
Over to Jersey Lane and down to Sandridge, and as it has been dry, we ventured to Nomansland using the multi-user path along the Heartwood perimeter.  It was getting plenty of use today, there were lots of runners taking part in an endurance event. Some of them were cheerful, some of them were serious.  We were unanimously cheerful.

The multi-user path is multi-weather, but paths over the common are muddy when wet - they were fine today. Along Ferrers Lane, through to Pipers Lane, a bit of a climb, but a steady one.  A quick blast along the main road, then down to Leasey Bridge and in to Willow Trees cafe at Croft Farm. Rona had been for 'Tea by the Lea' a few years ago, which was outdoor only and only ran for one summer.  It is still possible to venture right down and sit by the river bank.  We were happy enough to sit on the terrace adjoining the converted barn which now houses the cafe. We can report that Willow Trees is best chosen as an afternoon cake stop - the morning is devoted to actually baking the cakes. However, the breakfast menu, which runs from 9am until noon, includes croissants with jam as well as various enticing savoury options.  Willow Trees is only open at weekends.

The silkie hens came over to see us depart, with their dinky balls-of-fluff chicks.  Time was marching on, we opted to return by the outward route, which was actually very nice and could be enjoyed in reverse, although getting back up the hill was a bit of a challenge.  The runners were looking a bit more tired now.  From Sandridge we started splitting off to skedaddle home in various directions.

20 Aug 2017: Hatfield to Aspenden

Aspenden or “Shut it you silly cow”.

It was great pleasure to see the return of two regular riders after some unfortunate events and it was nice to see them happy and well. Our ride to Hitchin took in some regular routes, but we had the small task of meeting another rider en-route at Rabley Heath. So I took us through the Ayots and down to Codicote. Here we passed the outskirts of the village and headed up Rabley Heath Lane. Now this ascent starts with a steep dip and a sharp incline and if you’re not ready for it chains can fly off as riders frantically find a lower gear. This happened to one of our number, who blocked another, ending up with both having to walk a while.

But it wasn’t long before we met Jackie at the agreed spot, then we took some quiet lanes: some old, some new, some going up, many going down and ended up approaching The Three Moorhens in Hitchin. The group split into two, as choice of how to get to the pub was divided, but we all got there and had a lovely breakfast. It’s a friendly pub and made a change from our usual choice of a café.

Soon we headed back out on the roads and made our way to Great Wymondley, then headed toward Baldock, but Carol treated us to a crafty short cut that lead us to Lannock Hill, which in turn leads to Weston. Then came a meeting of drivers as one sped past us only to meet another coming in the opposite direction.

“F***ing w***er!” wailed one driver. “Shut it you silly cow!” replied the other as they both jostled for passing rights. Ahhh the frustrations of motorists. We cycled along chuckling to ourselves, thinking this was probably the height of their physical exercise for the month. Once at Weston it was an undulating and familiar route to Aspenden and a nice happy ride, though we thought we had lost Judy in Westmill and I was just about to go out searching for her when she appeared behind us. We were running late so stopped for lunch at the Fox, a lovely little pub.

Lunch at The Fox, Aspenden

After a great lunch, we shot off to Hertford via Westmill, Nasty, Dane End and a ‘wonderful’ experience in Sacombe. The road Sacombe Pound connects to the A602 and we had to navigate this very busy road to take the Stony Hills turn off - no easy task by any means. The traffic here doesn’t care and zips past you close and at quite an alarming rate, someone one day will come unstuck unless a decent cycleway is built.

We got to Rose café a good half hour before closing, but they were very reluctant to serve us. I could see why as this usually heaving café was empty. I couldn’t believe it. I don’t think the staff could either and they were pushing for an early one, I hope they got it as that they work their nuts off. We decamped to the Six Templars and had a great tea break, so all in all a good day out.

Neil 20/08/2017

Team Fabulous win the trophy

Team Fabulous win the trophy!

Pictured: half of the team being presented with the Rotary International St Albans Charity Cycle Ride Team Trophy at the presentation evening in early July.  We raised - or rather, our generous supporters donated - a phenomenal total of £780.  Team Fabulous thanks everyone who supported us!

Here is the earlier post about the ride and the charities the 2017 ride money goes to.

Saturday 8 July 2017 - Womens Festival of Cycling #WFOC2017

The Women's Festival of Cycling is celebrating ten years since the 5 Miles to Fabulous promotion of cycling for women.  South Herts have organised 5MTF rides since the beginning.

2017 above, 2007 below

We were not sure how many might turn up, as the ride has been well-promoted, so we were prepared to split the ride into more and less experienced groups.  With three leaders and eight participants, we had exactly the right number of goody-bags!  

Two riders opted for a longer, more challenging option - twelve miles out to the farm shop at Pepperstock and eight back  - over the hills and far away!  Sailing along the lanes, the freedom of movement as they flew through the underpass contrasting with the stationary traffic on the M1 overhead.

The rest of us elected to go a wending eight mile pootle around Highfield, the same area as our first ever 5MTF.  Alban Way to Hill End, then through the Hill End and Cell Barnes orchards, a loop down Nightingale Lane and along the A414, back up to Highfield and a loop along Herons Way to drop in to Ayletts Nurseries and the excellent Dahlia coffee house.  Another dive into Highfield, then the Camp Cycle Route got us back to our starting point.

Saturday 10 June 2017 - Fabulous 10th Birthday

10th birthdays are very enjoyable!  The sun shone on ours, and we had a numerically delightful 10 riders out, including two of the original trio who launched Five Miles to Fabulous in 2007.  The third original still rides with us, but was not free today.
In breezy sunshine Rona decided we should go flying, which meant along the Alban Way to Ellenbrook Fields, the country park created from the de Havilland aerodrome.  The park runners had nearly all departed, the tidy-up crew gave us a cheerful greeting.
We went a little loop around and found a nice spot for the group photo.

From here we enjoyed a mixture of surfaces - more of the sub-base track that you see pictures, then grass, then the concrete taxi-way, some rough track and then grass again - Ellenbrook Fields is best enjoyed in dry weather.  Link to lots of information about Ellenbrook Fields, including the map and the heritage boards, click here.
Our re-fuelling point was Notcutts garden centre, to get there we negotiated a little rough track through the woodland boundary strip and a kissing gate.  By the time the tenth rider tackled the gate we had established the best technique - reverse in, pirouette on the back wheel, flip the gate and emerge.
We piled into the cafe and set about depleting the enormous pile of scones.  What a lovely surprise, a tenth birthday cake was presented to Rona, with small cakes for everyone else. The photo shows the ten-year-olds admiring the cakes.

A straightforward run back to St Albans along the Alban Way.  What a FABULOUS morning.

Here is a map of our route of slightly over 8 miles.

Sunday 14 May 2017 - St Albans Charity Cycle Ride

Team Fabulous did it again!  Here we are pictured at the finish of the SACCR.  Early rain had cleared by the time we gathered at the start, and we rode the 20 mile route in sunshine.  A series of preparatory training rides meant that while hills were a challenge they could be tackled with aplomb.
Here we are looking cheerful at the top of a hill, looking forward to rolling down the other side. Selfie training needed ......

The SACCR is a very well run and enjoyable event.  Team Fabulous can be sponsored, we are raising funds for the three charities supported by SACCR 2017, they are Herts Action on Disability, Youth Talk and Home Start.  Team Captain Teresa set up our JustGiving page and you can find it here.
By the time we set off on the ride our supporters had overtopped our target of £300 by 50% and at time of writing we are through the £500 mark.  Early June update: over £750!! Thank you to our fabulous riders and fabulous supporters.

Saturday 6 May 2017 - Southdown

Seven out on a rather grey and cold morning.  Teresa was leading today, Rona was backmarking and Angela was keeping the middle in good order.

Off we went up Woodstock Road and Homewood Road, down to Jersey Lane, now burgeoning green.  As we came into Sandridge we had an encounter with a car driver intent on a close pass.  Our backmarker subjected him to a short treatise on the Highway Code, our correct positioning on road and what the Highway Code has to say about overtaking cyclists.  The lecture was delivered at a decibel level that alerted everyone in the vicinity and might just have been detected at Police HQ. The miscreant submitted.  Disgraceful - either he does not know how to drive or he was deliberately planning to bully a group of road users.  Be it said, the other drivers sharing our road today were at least adequate or were positively courteous and skilled in their driving.

We opted for the multi-user path parallel to the B-road, for a bit of restorative traffic-free riding, although the very dry conditions meant the surface was loose and a bit tiring and tricky to ride.  Teresa had decided the group was capable of the longer route to Ayers End, and it turned out we were eminently capable of rolling across Nomansland with the gorse just coming into flower and ascending gracefully to Ayers End and on to East Common.
Jay's in Southdown had just enough room for our group and we enjoyed hot beverages and cake and of course sparkling conversation.

Our return route was via Cross Lane and Ayers End Lane and the Harpenden Road.  We enjoyed a small diversion in Childwickbury to admire the rhododendrons, which are just beginning to bloom.  As well as flora, we spotted birds: swallows, martins and  kites circling low.  We carried on through Childwickbury and down to Batchwood Drive via the bridleway.  At this point we began heading off in various directions for home.

Saturday 8 April 2017: Greenwood Park and Gorhambury

Eleven riders braved the warmth and sunshine today, we headed west along the Alban Way, admiring the surface signage.  What a simple and elegant improvement to the Alban Way, all the access points are labelled, so now you know where to 'change for onward destinations'.

We went to the end of the line and picked up NCN6, which took us over to Greenwood Park. Some early bluebells were out.

From Chiswell Green we took the lanes to Potters Crouch, enjoying the fresh green foliage.  This is a whitebeam.

Over the Hemel road and on to Gorhambury, it is a steady climb up to the ruins of Tudor Gorhambury where Nicholas Bacon entertained Queen Elizabeth.
It is then an easy run down to the Roman Theatre - as always, hills are taken at individual pace and the groups gathers again at a convenient spot.  So a 30mph hurtle for some and a more stately descent for others.
Coffee in the sun at the Inn on the Park, then back along the Alban Way to complete the 12 mile loop.

Cycling UK website full of Fabulous

Top media tip - if you want to feature on the Cycling UK website, go on a ride with the Cycling UK Media Officer!
Rona took a Fabulous friend over to Stevenage for the Stevenage Start of Summertime Special (short distance option) and we met Tony Upfold part way round.  We enjoyed his company, and he took a really nice photo of us.  Full story at: http://www.cyclinguk.org/news/20170329-sunny-start-summertime-launches-challenge-ride-series-style
Elsewhere, our 5MTF festival ride is now entered in the Womens Festival of Cycling listing.

Womens Festival of Cycling

Just launched, the Women's Festival of Cycling takes place throughout July and the country.

This gives us the opportunity for two celebratory rides here in South Herts, on 10 June we have our 5MTF 10th Birthday party and then on 8 July we have a Festival ride.

More about the Women's Festival of Cycling on the Cycling UK website: https://www.cyclinguk.org/womensfestivalofcycling

Saturday 4 March 2017: Hatfield Farmers Market

What a bonus - the forecast rain did not show, we had a lovely sunny spring morning instead.  Ten gathered at the start, with Angela and Rona sharing leadership today.  In anticipation of a wet ride, we had planned a simple route along the Alban Way, and we decided to stick with the plan but extend our range and head to Hatfield Farmers Market.
The Alban Way is looking very fresh after its winter tidy-up, which included scrub clearance as well as improvements to access points.  Smallford station is gradually emerging from industrial embrace.

We were fairly whizzing along, as back marker, by the time I took off my gloves and reached out my phone, the ride group was a speck in the distance.

Nast Hyde Halt is carefully tended and enhanced by locals.

Hatfield Market is pretty sparse these days, but we enjoyed a quick look round before plundering Simmons cake counter and gathering lots of chairs around one of the cafe tables.

Back the same way except with a diversion around Nast Hyde and Wilkins Green.