Saturday 19 September 2026 - Roots and Fruits, Chickens and Eggs

 Definitely autumn, although mild.  A baker's dozen of us gathered at Morrisons.

The Further Faster group set off first and sped along the Alban Way to Hatfield, peeling off onto Roe Green Lane and then turning south on Briars Lane to Oxlease.  We continued south along Travellers Lane, which becomes NCN12 (Great North Way) and has a spiral-ramped bridge to get over South Way main road and onward to Welham Green.

At North Mymms we left NCN12 to head northward through Colney Heath and then westward through Tyttenhanger Green and Highfield Park and down London Road to Ayletts, where we found the Fabulous cycles thoughtfully all locked across one of Aylett's stands.  We piled ours on the other one and headed in to find the rest of the group.

The Fabulous group also started out along the Alban Way, peeling off at Hill End Lane to amble through Highfield Park.  We go slowly in shared space anyway, with the bonus of being able to enjoy the forest bathing effect.  Lots of lovely trees, from the orchards through the ornamental parkland to the old oaks of Winchfield Wood.

We put in a loop down Nightingale Lane and back up Highfield Lane.  No need to ask whether chicken or egg came first, while the leader bought a dozen from Highfield Farm's vending machine the rest were chatting to the feathered friends.

More bird-related cycling as we used the Heron Way bridleway to reach Napsbury Lane and hence Ayletts, where we were made very welcome at Roots coffee bar and commandeered a big table where we were soon joined by the further faster riders.

This ride used to be to the Autumn Festival, sadly no dahlia celebrations at Ayletts now, however,  Westwick Hall Farm has taken up the baton - the Elevenses coffee and cake horsebox is open Sundays and some Saturdays also in the Flower Field, and you can buy beautiful bunches of gorgeous dahlias.  Also currently on sale at West End Barns at weekends and the Cake Shed on weekdays.