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.