Hatfield Art & Design

Our ride on Saturday 1 September saw a trio of us set off for Hatfield along the Alban Way.

We fairly whizzed along, and so reckoned we had time to enjoy an exhibition at the University Art and Design Gallery in College Lane.

I had not checked if there was a show on, when we arrived we could see that the exhibition was due to be open... but the door was not open.  Oh well, we'll just go and have a coffee at the Forum.

We turned off a bit too soon, and met Sir Geoffrey himself.  Carried on, more closed doors.  I think we assume that weekends out of term time the university is dormant.

We considered our options. If we were going for a coffee we wouldn't be starting from here sort of thing. We decided to make our way back towards St Albans. As we meandered through Colney Heath, a shopfront and a cycle stand caught our eye and we stopped instantly. Three chairs set out inside, obviously this was fated to be our coffee stop today.

Refreshed, we returned to St Albans pausing only to get lost in the maze in Highfield Park (sorry, too dizzy to take a photo of this).

Olympic torch route

Just two of us today, and we marked the eve of the Olympic Torch procession coming through our area. As it was a while since we had ridden east, and as it was farmers’ market day in Hatfield, our route choice was made.

We left the torch route at Morrisons to ride along parallel on the Alban Way. We stopped for a breather at the boundary milepost (I checked this on the map after - I had thought the nearby Blackberry Arch was the boundary between St Albans and Hatfield, but actually it is this milepost). Coincidentally there was a shower of rain, so we spent a bit of time admiring the milepost before deciding to ride on anyway.

The farmers market was cheerful in spite of the wet, and we enjoyed a browse before our elevenses at Simmons. The sun actually came out and the whole scene got a bit livelier. We decided on a loop through Old Hatfield, and found ourselves on the actual torch route as we freewheeled down French Horn Lane - there was a road-worker setting out the 'no parking' cones.

It is always a lovely detour through Old Hatfield, along the NCN 12 Great North Way. We popped out on the Hertford Road and turned westward, riding briefly on the Great North Road itself, then over the East Coast Main Line and back onto the former St Albans Branch of the Great North Railway. Another milepost to admire, this one more colourful, and for the horticulturalists, that is some buddleia just coming into bloom in the background.

A straightforward ride back to St Albans on the Alban Way, now going in the same direction as the torch.

Bike week

As the first local ride of Bike Week we thought we might be mobbed. But it turned out to be a select duo who hit the roads and tracks (there was another slightly longer CTC ride starting at 10am).

The sky was grey, so we felt going to Notcutts for coffee was likely to end in a drenching (see reports passim). Instead, we only went so far along the Alban Way, then through the Oaklands College grounds and across Sandpit Lane. Up to Nashes Farm, enjoying the views. Down to Osprey, where we browsed the eclectic merchandise before a relaxing cuppa in the Saddlery Cafe.

We liked the sentiment on the mug, very appropriate and topical. Refreshed, we headed over Woodcock Hill to Sandridge and back home via Jersey Lane. For those of you who have not been along Jersey Lane recently, we can advise that part of the surface has been renewed with bitumenised gravel, so our fears of a squishy muddy surface after all the rain were not realised. We made a slight diversion to admire the pond.

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.