Women in Nomansland

Weather could have gone either way; it looked a bit grey.  But it was mild, it stayed dry and we even saw some blue sky. Five of us were out today.  We set off east along the Alban Way, and then turned north through Oaklands College grounds.  House Lane had the added interest of three tankers along the way sucking sludge out of the drains.  We paused at Harefield House on the edge of Sandridge to pay homage to Lady Gibbons, who rode around the parish on a sit-up-and-beg in the 1920s.

We also paused on Nomansland Common for a brief historical review then pressed on to Southdown for coffee at Jay's Delicatessen.  Apart from the modern street furniture and bikes, you might think it was 1953 in Southdown. Refreshed, we gained altitude using the fabulous method of walking up the one-way section of Cravells Road.

This brought us out on the delightful lanes of East Common.  It got better and better, the rhododendrons at Childwickbury are stunning just now.

Bridleway route to Batchwood, and we made our own way home from there.

Westward wanderings

Four ladies were lucky enough to enjoy a shower-free morning - but we did not know that would be so at the outset, and took the precautionary approach of choosing a 'loop' route, sticking close to the St Albans occidental perimeter. West along the Alban Way, with a pause to look with dismay upon the empty stand for the Lost Rails display board at London Road station. A consolation pause to enjoy the view over the Watercress Beds Wildlife area. At the end of the Alban Way we turned onto NCR6, which took us up Abbots Avenue and across Watling Street and through to the Watford Road. West a short way, then into Greenwood Park, up to Chiswell Green and along past the cyclists' entrance to Butterfly World and into the lanes.

As you can see, the lane was flooded right across at one point. A quick tutorial on how to get through - take the middle i.e. high point of the road so the water is shallowest, and send the leader through first to check for sharks and potholes. Which puts the leader in a good position to take photos of the rest of the gang coming through. We enjoyed the peace of Gorhambury Estate, even if it does involve a hill, but the ruins of Nicholas Bacon's house offer history and recuperation (and then a thrilling freewheel down). Coffee stop at The Inn on The Park. We then made our way in accordance with the byelaws through Verulamium Park, thereafter along Prospect Road and back onto the Alban Way.

Springing into action

Four ladies braved a not-too-great weather forecast.  We opted for a straightforward out and back along the Alban Way to Ellenbrook, with a variation by coming back via Wilkins Green to Smallford and elevenses at Notcutts.

The picture shows us delighting in breathing fragrance wafting from the stack of thyme plants.  Over coffee we considered possible future ride plans - we certainly intend to enjoy a byelaw-permitted cycle ride through Verulamium Park some time soon!  For once there was no downpour as we rejoined the Hatfield Road, and we cycled nonchalantly back along the Alban Way.  It was raining when we got back to Morrisons. Next ride is on 21 April.

Quilters

Our last ride of the autumn programme was another longer ride.  The Mead Quilters exhibition in Wheathampstead had caught the eye of more than one of the five riders, and we felt we could go the distance.  It was milder than expected, and even a hint of blue sky.  Out by way of Woodstock Road, Marshals Drive and Sandridgebury Lane.  Through Sandridge and across Nomansland Common, to take Bull Lane over to the Elephant and Castle and on to Wheathampstead.

Our group separated into those that wished to view the exhibition and those to whom needlework did not appeal.  The latter section of the party headed off to Ushers for an enjoyable coffee and cake.  The rest of us joined the throng in the Memorial Hall.  There was in fact a sporting link, a display be Quilts 4 London of some of the pennants that have been made to be presented to each athlete.  Your leader was obviously not looking like a competent sewer, as she was given one of the simple kits.  So, now you know, if you want to participate in the Olympics - join a Five Miles ride!  The website is www.quilts4london.org.uk

We returned to St Albans by way of Beech Hyde Lane and Jersey Lane, riders peeling off for home en route; with a sole representative getting all the way back to Morrisons to do her shopping.

Parks & Gardens

Another beautiful autumn morning - but quite chilly in the shade so we left pretty promptly!  We did notice that there is a sunny patch a bit further down, so we may adjust the meeting point by 50 metres another day depending on the weather.

We went west for a change, along the Alban Way to its end, then by National Cycle Network Route 6 (NCN 6) across to Abbotts Avenue, cut through at the top by the garages and out and around to cross over Watling Street near St Bartholomew's.  Round by Robert Avenue, along towards Chiswell Green and then through the tricky gateway and into Greenwood Park.  Care is required on the bends on the gravel, but it is a lovely ride through the park to Tippendell Lane.

Off northwards past Butterfly World's bicycle / pedestrian access and the Gardens of the Rose, over the Hemel Road and ah!  the leader is again having difficulty with destination timings.  This time, I was out by a few months, as Gorhambury estate is closed on Saturdays from September through to end of January for shooting.  So we back tracked to Potters Crouch and came back to St Albans by Bedmond Lane.  Our coffee stop at the Inn on the Park was very enjoyable (picture attached) and well-deserved (as we may have done ten miles, oops!)

Sandridge

Our September ride was on such a glorious morning we felt we should ride as far out into the countryside as we dared.  We headed out by way of Oaklands and Nashes Farm, through Symondshyde Woods, to Hammonds Farm.  The intention had been to visit one of the Open Studios (www.hvaf.org.uk) however, Rona had mis-read the booklet and we were four hours too early.

Plan B worked very well however, we enjoyed an excellent elevenses at the Sandridge Village Stores - real coffee / tea, proper crockery, a good selection of cakes.  Back in by Jersey Lane.

Fabulous ladies take off

For the last ride in the current programme, six ladies were flying.  Sort of.  We headed east along the Alban Way, soaking up the railway heritage.  Then we ventured onto new terrain, when we headed for Ellenbrook Fields. Leader's thanks to Steve Wragg for giving her a map and putting the idea in her head.

First foray proved to be a dead end, but a bit of re-orientation and a short cut across the grass and we were on the taxiway.  Once you reach the end of the taxiway it gets a bit rough, but if you look around you can see the conning tower in the distance and some of the longhorn cows nearer at hand.  We found a footpath that delivered us to Notcutts and sustenance.

It seemed as if we would again be drenched on leaving, but it was only a few spots of rain, and having successfully negotiated the Hatfield Road and the roundabout we were back on the Alban Way, full steam westward for home.

Autumn rides programme will be published in due course and please keep an eye on the website in case there are any short-notice summer offerings.