Saturday 20 May 2023 - Sunny and Hilly

The Further Faster report: Six set off from Morrisons heading west along the Alban Way.  One rider bailed out with a headset issue - we are glad to say that Halford mechanics kindly sorted it for her so she could ride home.

The remaining five cycled on through Verulamium Park, riding carefully on account of the many runners finishing Park Run.

Across Bluehouse Hill and up Gorhambury Drive, with a pause to admire the old mansion.

Then we went down through the estate, up to Beechtree Lane, across Hemel Hempstead Road to Appspond Lane. From there the descent continued past Plaistows Airfield and down Chiswell Green Lane to the Watford Road. On down Tippendell Lane to Greenwood Park for coffee at the Lazy Llama,  being joined by the Fabulous quartet.

After coffee we used NCN6 through the woods, down Robert Avenue and round the houses to Berners Drive and back along the Alban Way, having covered a leisurely 12 miles.

The merely Fabulous Report: While the others sped off, we were awaiting one of our number, who soon emerged from Trek St Albans where the mechanics had kindly sorted a mudguard issue.  The four of us headed west along the Alban Way, and then we started the climbing, using the NCN6 route up through St Julians to Watling Street.  This is an awkward little crossing, with corduroy tactiles, a steep little off ramp, gravel and a decayed road surface all to contend with just as you are watching for traffic while making a dog-leg manoeuvre. It would be easy to take a tumble here, and unfortunately one of our group gave a demonstration of how easy. Fortunately, our fallen rider got up, dusted herself down and having been given a once over to check she was OK, we were able to all carry on, taking it even easier than our usual gentle pace as a precaution.

We headed up Ragged Hall Lane a short way, then diverted to enjoy the magnificent trees on Cuckmans Drive - two redwoods and a cedar.  There were also auditory delights, as the kites were wheeling and squealing above us, sometimes coming quite low.

As we approached Chiswell Green Lane we glimpsed the Further Faster squad flying along up ahead.  We soon joined them at the Lazy Llama for coffee and chat.  It is usually too difficult to organise a coffee meet-up on these rides, but sometimes it happens.

Our return route took us through the woods and across to the Watford Road.  The meadow was looking splendid, full of buttercups.

We took the 'Scout Hut path' through to Netherway and came down through Verulamium Park from King Harry Lane and then by the Green Ring back to Morrisons.  A ride of getting on for nine miles.

Our June ride is a Sust Fest and Bike Week special ride, with special pre-booking via Eventbrite: SustFest Big Green Bike Week Women's Fabulous Cycle Ride Tickets, Sat 10 Jun 2023 at 09:30 | Eventbrite

Saturday 22 April 2023 - spring at last

Misty and a bit chilly on the way to the start. Four set off on a 'Five Mile' excursion to Sandridge and seven went Further Faster to Wheathampstead.

The quartet went off up Woodstock Road, then down Jersey Lane.  Lovely to amble along with the blossom and the fresh green leaves.

Darby's Village Stores is a super coffee stop, we enjoyed hot drinks and enormous biscuits. Even better if a more civilised 20mph speed limit meant gentler traffic through the village.  Lots of cyclists of all ages and demeanours going through.  We had a nice chat with two walkers visiting from Luton.

For reference, the public toilets are still closed, having been shut for some time now due to water damage affecting the electrics. Post ride research indicates that the church toilet is available when the church is open, usually between 0930 and 1600h.

We rode on via Sandridgebury Lane, with a stop to buy an enormous vegetable.

Back to Morrisons via NCN6 and the Green Ring via Bernards Heath.  Joyous slow riding, the complete loop is 7.5 miles.

The septet was also heading northward, up to the King William then down Sandridgebury Lane. We went through Sandridge, over Nomansland and up to Amwell, past the Elephant and Castle. We dropped down into Wheathamstead via Brewhouse Hill, then stopped for coffee (very important).  Loafing was the chosen cafe, it was busy but we got a table.

For the return leg we cycled up Beech Hyde Lane, across to Tower Hill Lane and down Hammonds Lane.

One of the group peeled off, the rest continued over Woodcock Hill, which was rather busy with impatient drivers.  One lout even hit Teresa's handlebar mirror, but didn’t stop to check. We shouted, which made us feel better, and we stopped for a bit to regain our composure. We started again and turned left into Nashes Farm Lane, then along House Lane to Sandpit Lane.

Here some of us went over Oaklands, and others went up Sandpit Lane. It was a lovely ride of 15 miles.

Saturday 25 March 2023 - Southdown

Three of us went out on a windy but dry and sunny morning. We went via Sandridgebury Lane to Sandridge, then on the Coleman Green Lane, Drovers Road to Nomansland. We were cycling into a headwind at this point. 

We then went down Pipers Lane to Southdown, where we stopped for coffee at Simmonds. 

We came back via Cross Lane, East Lane and Ayres End Lane to Harpenden Road. We cycled on the shared footpath back to St Albans. It was a gentle ride with not too many puddles and we did about 12 miles.

Our usual photographer was absent today, so just the one picture, what a nice shot of the trio at Childwickbury when they suddenly remembered to take a ride photo!

Saturday 4 March 2023 - emerging from hibernation

It was rather cold and grey for our first ride of the season.  As we gathered at the start, on the Saturday before International Women's Day we struck the #EmbraceEquity pose.......... it looks very like the 'Brrr, it's cold, glad I've got my big gloves' pose.

We set off as one group, along the Alban Way to Smallford, then we headed across the field to Sleapshyde, where we snapped a group photo.

The Fabulous duo then returned to the Alban Way and wended their way along towards Ellenbrook.  The Further Faster quintet wended their way through Colney Heath and the University of Hertfordshire College Lane Campus and round to Ellenbrook, where we admired snowdrops.

Now we all yomped back along the Alban Way - amazing how much you enjoy the westward uphill drag when it's cold and you are heading for a warm building!  Our final destination was the Cottonmill Community and Cycling Hub, which was lively on its Opening Day Celebration.

Saturday 19 November 2022 - the season closer

Better weather than last time, bit grey and cold even so.
Four riders set off to go Further and Faster, checking the route map before they went.

They set off westward along the Alban Way, then headed up through St Julian's to Watford Road, and over to Ragged Hall Lane up to Potters Crouch.  Onward down Bedmond Lane and under the motorway where there was a huge flood across the road. 

At Bedmond we turned around to come back via Serge Hill, Blunts Lane and Chiswell Green Lane and along to the Lazy Llama in Greenwood Park for coffee.  Back to the Alban Way by NCN6. About 15 miles ridden.

"The hills were tough, but we managed them. It was nice to be out in the country." 

The three Fabulous riders set off east along the Alban Way, which was splendidly autumnal.  From Ellenbrook they came back via Wilkins Green.

A photo stop at Smallford on the return to Hillend Lane and through Highfield Park.  The intended coffee stop was Highfield Farm, and we celebrated the end of the rides for this year with mince pies.  Unfortunately, the coffee machine was out of order! Fortunately we had water bottles with us, so did not lack for drink.

After a chat with the chickens we returned to Morrisons via the Camp cycle route. About nine miles ridden.

Saturday 5 November - damp squibs and whizz-bangs

Forecast for light showers....hmmmm.... we gathered under Morrisons canopy having got proper wet on the way over.

The Further Faster quintet set off northwards and whizzed off in a northerly direction, through the lanes to Amwell and Wheathampstead. They had planned to go to Ayot St Lawrence, but cut the ride short at Gustard Wood and cycled straight to Wheathampstead for coffee.  Although there were a few hills, the group all managed to ride up them. We split in Sandridge, with some going back along Sandridgebury Lane, and others up Jersey Lane. We all got quite wet, but were pleased to be out on a ride.

The Five Miler trio have the confidence to ride less than five miles if so inclined, after a confabulation they elected to do a short and slow ride to St Albans Abbey.  

To make sure the Abbot had time to get the cakes ready, the trio paused to admire the view over the watercress beds, but decided that it would be too soggy to go for a walk around.  They then called in at the St Albans Cycle Hub for a chat with Mat and the team, who have been very busy refurbishing bikes for refugees in Hertfordshire and running lots of Bikeability courses for children.  Adult courses coming soon.

The Abbot had put out an excellent selection of cakes - gluten free Victoria sponge, vegan brownie and banana and walnut loaf seen here.  Having had a relaxing and nourishing chat, we split for home after an epic four mile ride.  The bell-ringers played a lovely tune as we were unlocking our bikes, sorry, it's a just a pic, no sound.

Saturday 15 October 2022 - Sunny Stanborough

Five Further faster riders set out from Morrisons along the Alban Way towards Hatfield, all the way to the end of the line.  We continued over the railway bridge, down Hertford Road and Chequers on the cycle track and then took a left towards Woodhall Farm.  Under the railway and into Stanborough Park, down to the lakeside path and round to the cafe. 

The sun was out, the water was sparkling and the chat was great! 

We returned the same way, with people peeling off at different places from Hill End Lane. The rain came down heavily as we headed for home, but it had been a lovely ride.