Saturday 24 November - welcome back to Birchwood

What a difference two weeks makes - a grey winter morning for our final ride of 2018, although not as cold as it has been, mind you, we were all well wrapped up. We had greatly enjoyed our visit to the Birchwood Methodist Church coffee morning this time last year and those present - there were five of us - all endorsed the suggestion of a repeat outing.
Rona has a new gizmo, so we have some action shots to share.

The Alban Way is scenically leafy, although most of the leaves are now on the path.  Smallford Station platform is carpeted.

We had a straightforward and enjoyable run along the Alban Way, counting birds and shopping trolleys.  We decided to go the longer way round to Birchwood, ie along to the very end of the Alban Way, passing some birches, then down the Great North Road and back round to Birchwood Methodist Church.

We were warmly welcomed, and we enjoyed coffee and mince pies and flapjacks and a bit of shopping - lots to choose from, including crafts, preserves, books, dvds and bric-a-brac.  Something for every pannier / stocking!

St Michael's and All Angels just along the road were drumming up interest in their Winter Fayre, we were waved at by a large furry creature as we headed for home.  

We had covered 6 miles on our outward ride, we took a slightly shorter route back, albeit with a diversion through Wilkins Green, to give us a total ride distance of 11 miles.

Saturday 10 November - bella mattina d'autunno

Recognising the risk of rain in the ride schedule gave us.... a beautiful autumn morning. Bright blue sky, not too cold and glowing leaves.  Six out today, the Alban Way was a golden tunnel for us to ride through, heading west.  From the end of the Alban Way we would up through the houses to Watling Street and on to the Watford Road.

We had sent a further faster pair on ahead, they put in an extra loop up to Potters Crouch, the other four just bimbled along Stanley Avenue.  The two groups arrived simultaneously at Valentina's cafe, next to the Chiswell Green Post Office.  A good selection of Italian treats and hot drinks in classic crockery kept our inner women going.

We rode back in one bunch, through Greenwood Park.  This section was gloriously colourful.

We came back in via Verulamium Park and the Alban Way, a very enjoyable 8.5 mile ride.

Wednesday 31 October 2018 - Further Faster in the autumn sun

Teresa reports: Three of us set out on a frosty, bright morning to go via Sandridge to Symondshyde Woods, then via Nashe’s Farm Lane and House Lane to Oaklands College. We headed east on the Alban Way to the Galleria, and we stopped for coffee at the Sports Village in the De Havilland campus. We returned to St Albans by way of Wilkins Green Lane and the Alban Way. It was a beautiful day for a cycle ride of just over 20 miles.

Saturday 13 October 2018 - Further Faster

Three of us waited at Morrisons for the rain to ease – it had not been forecast! We then went along the Alban Way, crossed the railway line at Cottonmill, and worked our way through the estate to Vesta Ave, Robert Ave and Watford Rd. We went along Ragged Hall Lane to the Holly Bush then along Appspond Lane, where there were lots of puddles. We crossed the Hemel Hempstead Rd to go into Gorhambury, where we discovered that the road was closed due to a shooting party. [see note below] So we came back up Beechtree Lane, then along the Hemel Hempstead Rd, down Bluehouse Hill to Verulamium Park for a coffee stop. We split up afterwards to go home. It was a short ride (9.5 miles), but the weather brightened up, and we were pleased that we had been out.

Note: 

Gorhambury Drive confers permissive paths leading from Bluehouse Hill, Beech Tree Lane and Redbourn Road. The Drive is normally open 8am-6pm and may be closed at the owner’s discretion at any time.  Last access to the Drive will be 5.30pm each day, with the gates to the Drive being locked at 6pm.

Gorhambury Drive is closed on Saturdays from 1 September to 1 February and other days as notified additionally on the estate website: https://www.gorhamburyestate.co.uk/

Saturday 6 October 2018 - All Things Bright and Beautiful

Four fabulous women were bright and beautiful in waterproofs this morning!  Very grey, damp in the air and rain forecast later.  We decided to go over to Sandridge by the most direct route, ie Woodstock Road, Homewood Road, Marshalswick Drive to the King William junction.  Then down Valley Road and onto Sandridgebury Lane.
By riding at a suitably sedate pace we arrived at St Leonard's Church just as they were opening the Flower Festival for the day.

Autumnal! Above the exterior view and below the aerial view of the church.  The Associate Minister actually was at the door to welcome us and had just positioned his knitted avatar in place to match!

The Harvest Flower Festival theme this year is All Things Bright and Beautiful and the arrangements were many and varied.  A visit is recommended - open until 6pm today and 11.15 to 6pm tomorrow (Sunday)  Concert tonight at 8pm with Village Voices Community Choir.  You will need to go and visit, as I was so enjoying the flowers that I omitted to take pictures, except for one of the patchwork, to delight our sewing section:

We were made very welcome at St Leonards, and had a good chat over coffee and cake in the useful space at the west end created in 2004/5 with a beautiful glass partition.  

We headed for home shortly after 11, it was now raining, so we rode steadily up Jersey Lane, getting a 'thumbs up' from a cheery youngster out on her bike to encourage us to get back before the weather deteriorated.

A return visit to Sandridge is indicated, since we now have copies of the excellent tour and history booklet. Check events and opening times on the church website: http://www.sandridgechurch.org.uk/

Try a triathlon

I have been tidying out my emails and came across this gem that one of our fabulous riders spotted and sent through a while back.

This reminded me of the time I met a mother and daughter doing an audax - the husband /father had encouraged them to enter the 'short' option.  "How long?" they asked him.  "About forty"  he replied.  He meant miles, they thought he meant minutes. We found them about half way round and two hours in.  We gave them all our energy bars.  The final outcome of this story I don't know - they would eventually have been 'swept' by the audax organiser.  And people wonder why we have women-only rides!

Spot the Signs and Save a Life - CycleAroundTheGlobe2018

You have probably seen this campaign on social and print media, there was an article in the Herts Advertiser on Thursday 13 September.   It is endorsed by Hertfordshire Year of Physical Activity. #HertsYOPA18 #CycleAroundTheGlobe2018

More information on the campaign can be found on the Mind in Mid Herts website.

We have contributed 53.6 miles from today's ride.  That is 6.7miles by eight riders. 

Saturday 15 September 2018 - Apples and Art

Eight in our group today.  It's autumn, marked chill in the air, but once the sun had burned off the fog and dew, it was a lovely morning to be out.  Our destination was the Nude Tin Can art gallery, venue no 59 in the Herts Open Studios listing.  It is located all of 400m from Morrisons, so we had devised a nice loop to get us there.
We headed east on the Alban Way, then turned south on Hixberry Lane.  Usually this is followed by a turn into the Hill End Orchard, but today we carried on up the lane to Tyttenhanger Green.  This lane can be a bit muddy, today it was merely a bit gravelly and rough.  Views through the hedge of the ploughed fields, it's definitely autumn.

From Tyttenhanger we rode around to Highfield Park Drive and came through the park, past Winchfield Wood.  It's autumn, and it's an early autumn for fruit.  Could we pass by some tasty windfalls?  No.

The Highfield Park Trust encourage you to collect windfalls.  For information about the orchards and the apple day on Sunday 7 October and apple juice stockists - visit the Highfield Park Trust website.

We went down Nightingale Lane and along the A414 (on the very nice cycle path) and then up Highfield Lane and round past the apples again.  This time we did not stop but swung north and came through the Cell Barnes Orchard and past the Lodge, then through the spinney and back to Fleetville via the Camp Cycle Route.  A wiggle along the ladder and saunter down Glenferrie Road brought us out by the Fleetville Larder.  We had refreshments there - delicious food drink, with a friendly welcome.
With our sports nutrition sorted, we were ready for art, and we piled into the Nude Tin Can gallery a couple of doors along.

The Open Studios are open at various times until the end of the month - look out for the yellow bunting and signs, pick up a brochure or look them up online.

5MTF autumn update

We have set ride dates for the autumn, so look forward to seeing you on the following Saturdays for a Five Miles of Fabulous ride:
15 September

6 October

10 and 24 November

The somewhat random scheduling reflects leaders' availability, and even so we might not have all leaders all Saturdays.  Conversely, we might manage to slip in extra rides at short notice, so keep an eye on our website.

Other cycling-related dates of note in September:

Earthworks Summer Fair is on 1 September, find Earthworks on Hixberry Lane, come off the Alban Way at Hill End Lane. http://www.earthworksstalbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/SummerFairpdf.pdf Not a cycling event, but a nice destination for a ride.

Historic Churches Bike n Hike - Saturday 8 September.  Lots of churches open, some of them with coffee and cake.  No need to register, you plan your own ride around.  All you need to know is here: http://www.bedshertshct.org.uk/bikenhike.html

Herts Open Studios - 8 to 30 September.  Browse the brochure and suggest where our September ride might go!  Plan your own visits throughout the month! https://www.hvaf.org.uk/Open-Studios

St Albans Cyclefest -Sunday 16 September at Oaklands College, raising funds for Red Rubber Ball cycling project in Kenya.  Free entry, pay for activities. https://www.redrubberball.org.uk/2018/08/st-albans-cyclefest-fun-for-all-the-family/

Car Free Day - Saturday 22 September - find the Sustainable St Albans Healthy Streets stall on St Albans Market.

Saturday 14 July 2018 - Further Faster Alban Way Ayot Greenway Loop

After the success of our cool-in-the-hot weather #wfoc2018 5MTF ride, the Further Faster riders decided they needed a bit of a leg-stretcher.  Teresa organised a ride to take in both the Alban Way and the Ayot Greenway and their shady trees, and a short lakeside bimble for that cooling off-the-water breeze.  Goodness, what a lot of rhyme and aliteration.  Here we are at Stanborough:

Handside Lane is a lovely road, and we appreciated the kind drivers.  The old railway line through Sherrardspark Wood is a treat and wound us up to Ayot Green.  A quick whizz down the lane and onto the Ayot Greenway.  If it is a while since you have been along here, it is time for a revisit, it is lovely.  Bit dusty just now!
We piled our bikes up outside Charlie's in Wheathampstead, some of us preferred a cool indoor table and others enjoyed the alfresco sunshine.
A fairly straightforward run back, over to Sandridge by way of Beech Hyde Lane and Coleman Green Lane to Sandridge.  Riders began to peel off for home as we headed back to town via Jersey Lane.  The circuit is about nineteen miles.

Saturday 7 July 2018 - #WFOC2018 - a hot day to ride to Hatfield

Bunting up and riders  gathering.  Meeting point repositioned slightly to get us in the shade.    We had 14 riders today, our highest yet turnout.   Womens Festival of Cycling goody bags were well received.

Group photo: note to self - make a neater job of knotting the bunting in future! Thanks to Teresa for the super picture.

The route was repositioned  to keep us in the shade too - with the numbers and the heat, we opted for the Alban Way.  Rather than get completely tangled up in the Refugee Tales 2018 walk, we diverted at Smallford via Wilkins Green and Comet Way, then down Wellfield Road.  This brought us neatly to Hatfield Market, where we relaxed with takeaway coffee from Erol's and a chat in the shade of a tree, and for some, a bit of shopping at the market.  Not many stalls these days.

Alban Way all the way back, and we were delighted to find that Nast Hyde Halt had their bunting out.

Distance covered - 9 miles.

Womens Festival of Cycling

This is running for the whole of July, with rides and events up and down the country.  Find out more at https://www.cyclinguk.org/ride/womens-festival-cycling

Our ride is on Saturday 7 July, we meet at Morrisons on Hatfield Road - by the cycle stands natch.  Setting off at 0930 for a morning meander on quieter roads and traffic free trails. As some of the tracks are unsurfaced, skinny tyres are not suitable for this ride. You do not need a special bike to ride with us, but please make sure it is roadworthy - there are links on our web page to the M-Check, or pop in to any of our super local bike shops to ask about a check or a service.  The check is usually free, any repairs and servicing will be charged.
We will have a coffee stop, so bring some cash.

Saturday 9 June 2018 - Bike Week

Ten riders out for Bike Week, and we split into five going Further Faster and five merely fabulous.  We headed out along the Alban Way, by Ellenbrook the FF riders were vanishing into the distance.
Nast Hyde Halt at Ellenbrook is tended by Mike the postman and friends, it is amazing what can be achieved.  Read about it here.

From Nast Hyde the Fabulous five headed up to Ellenbrook Fields, after a little nature tour - geology, longhorn cattle - we rolled along the taxiway, across the runway and round the meadow to emerge at Notcutts for our coffee stop. "It'll start raining now" came a muttering from the back (see ride reports passim), but today the sky turned blue while we enjoyed our cake and beverages.  Straightforward run back along the Alban Way.

The Further Faster five continued along the Alban Way via Stanborough Lakes and into Welwyn Garden City to have coffee at the Methodist Church in Ludwick Way. We did a circular route coming back via Hollybush Lane and Ascots Lane then back along the Alban Way. It was a lovely day for a ride, and we did about 20 miles, with no hills!

Saturday 5 May 2018 - Bluebells

The sunshine made this a really super ride, and we had a record turnout, twelve of us enjoyed good company and blue skies.  And bluebells.
We all set off for Sandridge via Jersey Lane.  Then we took the bridleway across Heartwood Forest and up to Ayers End Lane.

At Ayers End Lane three split off for a Further Faster ride via Leasey Bridge and NCN57 to Southdown via a bit of exploration in Harpenden - here is their account:

We peeled off down to Pipers Lane and on to Wheathampstead Lane and Leasey Bridge Lane. We went along the old railway track to Harpenden, missed the turning for Crabtree Lane and ended up in an estate of houses. We worked our way up to Station Road and Dalkeith Road, then back on Crabtree Lane to Southdown, where we sat in the sunshine for a coffee stop. We came back via Cross Lane and East Common, then along the Harpenden Road cycle path to St Albans. A beautiful day for a ride, which was about 15 miles.

The other nine riders turned left and headed along to the Harpenden Road, and then into Childwickbury and another bridleway down to Batchwood Drive. From there a quick flip along the Green Ring to Verluamium Park for our coffee stop at the end of our ride. We had covered just shy of nine miles.

2018 Fabulous Cycling May update

Waahay!  Blue sky!

Rona is now off for two weeks in May joining Hertfordshire Breeze Co-ordinator Bev Graham on part of her Cycle Around the Coast.  Edinburgh to Glasgow via John O'Groats!

One of our regular riders, Dali,  is riding Women v Cancer Ride the Night, a fundraising women only 100km ride from Windsor into London and back again, during the night of 5 May 2018.  To sponsor her, click here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/2d-wheels
To check on her progress, click here: https://2dwheels.wordpress.com/

The rest of the 5MTF summer programme has rides on 8 June (Bike Week) and 7 July (Women's Festival of Cycling).

South Herts Cyclists were involved in Sustainable St Albans Week, for the 21 April 5MTF ride see report in blog.  Saturday Fun rides with Neil and company started on 28 April, the ride to Stanborough Lakes was also a #SustWeek18 ride.
On Sunday 29 April the South Herts Cyclists and the St Albans Cycle Campaign had a great if somewhat cold time in the cycling expertise zone at the Know How Festival at Fleetville Junior School. It was super to meet up with other groups promoting cycling, including Herts Cycling Bikeability trainers, Botox Bikes and Sustrans mechanics and several other cycling friends who came along in support.

Saturday 21 April 2018 - Sustainable St Albans Week

Ten riders set off, eight who had been before and two who joined us having seen the ride in the Sustainable St Albans Week brochure.  Another beautiful spring day.  Teresa and two others departed on a Further Faster expedition, see their report below.  Angela and Rona led the rest of the group on a delightful wend around Highfield Park.  Lovely blossom, the oaks still bare but with a shimmer of green buds, and verdant pathways.

From Highfield we crossed London Road and then used the bridleway from Heronsway through to Napsbury Lane, admiring the bluebells.

We had selected Ayletts for our coffee stop, as they are also participating in Sustainable St Albans Week.  So after our 4 mile jaunt we enjoyed refreshing drinks, wittles and chat, and met the Further Faster trio coming in as we were heading out.  Back to Morrisons  through Highfield again then the Camp cycle route, bringing our total ride distance to 7 miles.

A Further Fabulous Three had split off from the 5 Miles to Fabulous group to do a slightly longer, faster ride: we went along the Alban Way to the Galleria, cut through the University of Herts campus, under the underpass to go to Roestock. Having cycled around the triangle, we retraced our steps back to the Alban Way, then along Wilkins Green Lane, and over to Sleapshyde. We were briefly on the A414 (on the shared foot/cycleway), then off along Colney Heath Lane and Barley Mow Lane to Tyttenhanger Green. Stones were thrown at us on this part of the route, but we cycled on. We took a detour through Highfield Park then onto London Road, Herons Way and Ayletts, where we met the 5MTF group just leaving. We returned via Drakes Drive to the Alban Way and Morrisons. A total of about 20 miles on a gorgeous day for cycling!

Thursday 28 March 2018 - Further Faster and very wet

Three of us set out along the Alban Way planning to go to Stanborough Lakes. The light drizzle turned into torrential rain. We got as far as Wrestlers Bridge, and decided to cut our losses and head to Hatfield for a hot drink. Our gloves and socks could be wrung out, and we discovered that over trousers and waterproof jackets are not necessarily waterproof! We cycled back as fast as possible to try to get warm. Looking forward to some sunny days for further cycling.

Saturday 24 March 2018 - Further Faster Fabulous - Redbourn Hub via Hemel

At last some reasonable weather, and Teresa reports:

Six of us started the ride from Morrisons on a still, overcast day. We went along the Alban Way, up through the Cottonmill estate to Chiswell Green, along Ragged Hall Lane to The Holly Bush, then along  Appspond Lane to the Hemel Hempstead Road. There one of our number decided to go back home via a cycle shop as her mudguard was rubbing on the front wheel. The rest of us continued along this fast road to Westwick Row, past the industrial area around Hemel via Buncefield Lane. We joined the Nickey Line just before Redbourn Road, and went along to the Redbourn Hub for coffee and cake. 

We then went home via Redbournbury Mill, where I fell off on the gravel having not unclipped in time! The ford was not too deep, and the potholes and mud in the road were being cleared and repaired. 

We all managed Beesonend Lane, and started along the Harpenden Road cycle path. There one of our riders had a puncture, which we couldn’t repair, so I called my husband to come in the car to pick her up with her bike and take her home. An eventful ride of about 20 miles.

Saturday 10 March 2018 - International Women's Day season opener

Ten riders, including a new recruit, set off in rather inclement spring weather.  Along the Alban Way, plenty of families with youngsters in box-bikes or on their own two wheels.  Up through the houses on NCN6 to the Watford Road, and across to Ragged Hall Lane.  The ride split at this point, with Angela leading the gentler option back to the Alban Way.  Our new rider had a very heavy electric bike, which was not coping well with the hilly terrain.  Leader Angela peeled off with a flatter run along the Alban Way to the Galleria and back, giving the opportunity to practice operating the machine on an easier route
The Further Faster bunch carried on through flooded lanes via Potters Crouch to Beechtree Lane and the Gorhambury Estate.  Snowdrops, and impressive low-flying kite and atmospheric ruins enjoyed, then the downhill run to the Inn on the Park for refreshment.

Saturday 24 February 2018 - Further Faster Southdown via Mackerye End

Teresa reports on the 75th Fabulous ride (we started in 2007).

Four of us met on a cold, crisp, sunny Saturday. We had one new rider, training for the London to Brighton ride, who we had met last Saturday while she was loading her bike with shopping!

Our route took us to Valley Road, Sandridgebury Lane, Sandridge, Beech Hyde Lane, Dyke Lane, Butterfield Rd, Leasey Bridge Lane, Marshalls Heath Lane to The Slype. We saw a number of other cyclists and horse riders. The lanes were quiet and peaceful, and we saw snowdrops and other Spring flowers. We came back via Mackerye End (pictured), Batford Ford, and up Crabtree Lane, then down to Southdown and the coffee stop, where we met another lady cyclist about to start a Breeze ride – there were 14 of them! We came back to St Albans along Cross Lane, East Common, Ayres End Lane and Harpenden Road. A total of 19.5 miles.

More pictures and ride details are on Dali's blog.

Saturday 17 February 2018 - Further Faster to Bricket Wood

Teresa reports: Six of us started from Morrisons on a lovely sunny, still morning, out along the Alban Way, then through the estate to Chiswell Green. We were pleased to have Rona with us to advise a new member of the group on saddle height, gear changing and general confidence about cycling. Chiswell Green Lane and Noke Lane were not as muddy or full of puddles as expected, and we saw snowdrops and crocuses, proving that spring is coming.

Crossing  the A405 took some time to see a gap in the traffic, but going up Lye Lane was very peaceful.  We did an extra loop around Drop Lane and Smug Oak Lane before heading for coffee at the Café in the Wood, where extra cakes had been baked for us!

We came back via Park Street, How Wood, over the footbridge into Greenwood Park, then split off, some back to the Alban Way, and another towards Batchwood. It was a circular trip of about 16 miles, taken at a steady pace, with lots of pauses to catch our breath and admire the countryside.

Picture: admiring the ford at Drop Lane

Saturday 10 February 2018 - Further Faster to Wheathampstead

Four riders enthusiastically braved the chill for a ride through the lanes to Wheathampstead.  Riding with care through the frozen slush in places, they had warmed up enough to sit outside the busy cafe for their cake and chat!
It was too cold to deal with a recalcitrant slow puncture on the way home, so the south side riders rode back to Morrisons and the north side cyclists walked the last mile directly home.

For a more detailed report, and pictures, head over to Dali's blog: https://2dwheels.wordpress.com/2018/02/10/first-further-faster-fabulous-freezing/

100 years since (some) women got the vote

Cycling played a huge part in the campaign for womens' suffrage.  Historian Sheila Hanlon has carried out a lot of research in to cycle and suffrage, and you can delve into her trove of Wheelwomen stories on her webpage.

Further Faster February Rides

Teresa will be leading a series of Further Faster rides this month.  Usual meeting place and style of ride, but faster and further - fifteen to twenty miles distance and correspondingly pacier.

Fast, but of course not too fast... picture from 'The way to Wareham' blogpost by Sheila Hanlon.

Sheila is Cycling UK's historian, there are links to articles on the Cycling UK website.  Head over to her excellent website  http://www.sheilahanlon.com/  for interesting stuff, very topical this year given the centenary of suffrage for women aged 30 and over.