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.