Saturday 27 July 2024 - Fabulous Day Out

By special request, a special ride today for the club regulars. A full day out, train-assisted to Harlington and cycling back to St Albans.

From Harlington station we rode all of 750m to our coffee stop, we had a lovely welcome from the staff at The Hub and Spoke Cafe.  We had alerted them in advance, since we were a sizeable group - we need not have feared for their ability to cope, as a veritable horde of Harpenden Raiders arrived not long after us and were all easily seated and served.  But advance notice got us the best tables, heh heh.  Definitely a recommended cafe, a big menu of good food and of course cyclists are welcome.

Six of us had caught the train together, a seventh had sent a message 'have a puncture, don't wait'.  She rolled up to the cafe just as we were getting ready to set off.

It is a bendy, downhill ride to Sharpenhoe, some drivers more considerate than others.  It is quite a climb up to Sharpenhoe Clappers, we availed ourselves of the viewpoint benches before rolling on through Streatley, negotiating the A6 roundabout (Chiltern Cycleway signed footway route) and enjoying the big skies as we cycled along the top of the Barton Hills.

After a short stretch of the Icknield Way we were freewheeling down through Lilley where we enjoyed a pause to soak up the village atmosphere.  Onward to lunch at Emily's in Whitwell another place with good food and welcome for cyclists.

** Emily's is having a refurbishment - from 29 July to 11 August menu limited to drinks, cakes and crumpets, from 12 to 22 August fully closed.  Open again 23 August **

We were now on fairly familiar territory, we came back via Kimpton Mill, Tanyard Lane and Ayot St Lawrence, where we paused to admire the ruined church.  Take a look at the churchyard gate, it is rather lovely!  It is also padlocked, as the ruins are assessed as being in hazardous condition.  Onward to Wheathampstead and along Beech Hyde Lane to Sandridge where the group split off for home in various directions.

While we were out riding fabulously in glorious sunshine, Anna Henderson was riding an Olympic time trial in Parisian rain and winning a silver medal. Chapeau!

Saturday 6 July 2024 - the wrong sort of weather

Welcome to summer! Our leader was almost cross-eyed from checking the weather forecast in the days before the ride, different every time she looked.  The original long and some off-road route was modified to a shorter and some off-road route, with a fall-back of going straight to St Albans Cycle Hub.  The more sensible people decided not to go cycling this morning, the believers in the right sort of clothing turned out, five of them, ready to go further, faster, wetter.

The heavy overnight rain had brought down a tree on the Alban Way, only moderate acrobatics required to get through.

We continued, in the rain, to the end of the Alban Way and then along Holyrood Crescent and down to the Park Street roundabout.  A cyclist waiting out the heavier shower in the underpass gave us a slightly quizzical look as we paused and then launched through the nettles and briars to gain the A414 path.

Have to say, drivers being kind today, we made it down through Park Street no bother and then took to the offroad through Frogmore Pits.  Not many people out walking today.  The river level was high and when we got to the end of the path.... we could see that we would be riding through it!  It had overflowed the path.  We courteously waited for a couple of walkers to come through, which also let us gauge the depth.  It was manageable, but the bridge decking was very slippery indeed and we all ended up dabbing and sliddering our way to dryish land.  It was still raining.

We considered waiting it out under the M25 underpass at Moor Mill, but this was no passing shower, we carried on, along Drop Lane, where water dropped from the trees and splashed up from our wheels.  We were keen to visit  'the picture house', and Bricket Wood Common is beautiful even when you are wet.

Well, we were not disappointed, but we were all a bit wet and cold, as none of us had quite enough of the right clothing, so turned about and headed to the Bricket Wood Station Tearoom, four of us stopped for hot drinks and a fifth opted to keep going towards home and a nice warm bath.  We enjoyed our hot drinks and we highly recommend the rhubarb flapjack, but we were also liking the idea of home and hot bath.  And we were slightly nervous for our bikes, as we were told that a well-locked e-bike had been stolen the day before.  So we did not linger, and having waved to the friendly train guard, we were on our way, in the rain.

Back to St Albans on NCN6, the Abbey Way, along Park Street Lane and up through How Wood, through Greenwood Park and the party split, some heading towards Verulamium Park and the others returning to the Alban Way.  Ride distance approx 15 miles.

Saturday 8 June 2024 - further faster and medium meander

There were seven of us at the start, on a somewhat grey and blustery morning.

Five of us went out towards Sandridge, then along Beech Hyde Lane which had masses of nettles in the hedges and plenty of gravel on the road. We skirted around Wheathampstead (Dyke Lane, Hilldyke Road, Butterfield Road, Wheathampstead Lane) and down Leasey Bridge Lane.

Going up Marshalls Heath Lane we admired a patch of Foxgloves in the field. 

Further up there was much gravel, as if it had been dumped, which made for tricky cycling.  Over to Mackereye End, before dropping down to Batford, where Crabtree Lane is signed as a No Through Road - but that is just for motor vehicles.  We crossed the Lea and continued up Crabtree Lane. It is a long haul up the hill before we dropped down into Southdown for our coffee stop. 

We came home via Cross Lane and across East Common to the Harpenden Road.

On the cycle path a water main had burst, but this was the only puddle we had to cycle through. The weather stayed dry for this lovely ride.

The other two opted for a slightly less challenging ride.  Out Jersey Lane, then we headed up Woodcock Hill.  The picture is the wildflowers on the verge, but what we really paused for was to listen to the larks, glorious.

Through Symonsdhyde Woods, we weren't really going slow enough for a slug to catch us up, we had stopped on purpose!

Considering what damage has been done to the garden this year by slugs, this one did very well indeed to be lifted gently into the woodland before we cycled on!  From Tower Hill Lane we rolled down to West End Barns for delicious coffee and sausage rolls.

We came back via Ayres End, the A1081 and Childwickbury.  We noted the burst water main, now lifting the tarmac and depositing sand, it is marked for action.  St Mary's Church had a beautiful floral arch over the door, and our suspicions were confirmed when, having gone round to check the rhododendrons, we came upon a wedding bus!

The rhoddies are going over, but still loads of flowers to admire.

Down the bridleway to Batchwood Drive then back through Verulamium Park.

Saturday 25 May 2024 - Bank Holiday sunshine

The Alban Way is severely flooded at Smallford (again) after the very heavy rain on Wednesday.  One of our riders checked the depth on her way to the meeting point - knee deep.  Water was still running out of her shoes as we gathered.

There were no takers for the slower option today, but we still split into 2 groups anyway: with a leader to spare and a soft tyre, it meant the main group of six could set off and the trailing twosome could pop along to be looked after at Trek St Albans before following on.

Along the Alban Way and on the NCN6 route up to the Watford Road at Chiswell Green, up Ragged Hall Lane (not as flooded as expected, hardly flooded at all) to Potters Crouch, then southward.  There a huge articulated lorry squeezed past on the narrow lane down to Plaistows Airfield.  We took the gravelly Noke Lane very slowly, as there were numerous potholes.

The laggards came down Chiswell Green Lane from Potters Crouch, and tagged on the back of the main group on Tippendell Lane.  What fabulous route-matching and pace-judging! The funfair was gaudy in Greenwood Park, but we were not distracted, coffee was calling.  Very good fare at the Lazy Llama kiosk, and a table for 8 was free.

It had been a while since our last ride and everyone was on the mood to just relax and catch up.  Four of those present had been at the South Herts CTC AGM on Zoom on Monday evening, so we were feeling very clubby.

Our homebound route was through Greenwood Park, this section of NCN6 is delightful.  Lots of people enjoying sun and fun in the Community Garden.  Back to Morrisons via NCN6 and the Alban Way again.  Twelve mile loop.

Saturday 13 April 2024 - here comes the sun

Seven Further Faster riders set out on a beautiful morning to go to Ayot St Lawrence. The sun came out and there was no wind. We saw many other cyclists enjoying the countryside. The bluebells looked lovely. We went through Sandridge, Nomansland, Leasey Bridge, Marshalls Heath, Gustard Wood and through the lanes to Ayot St Lawrence.

We returned through Wheathampstead where the cafe was doing very good business.

After our coffee stop we returned to Sandridge.

We split off in Sandridge with some going up Jersey Lane and others Sandridgebury Lane. It was a great ride of about 20 miles from Morrisons.

The Fabulous threesome have very little to say for themselves, they just enjoyed a bimble in the sunshine.  Down Jersey Lane to Sandridge, a breather on the bench by the Scout Hut to bask and enjoy the view.

Onward via Sandridgebury Lane and the Green Ring along Batchwood Drive, Ladies Grove and through St Michaels to Verulamium Park.  We said hello to the hedgehog in the Wildlife Trust garden.

We had our coffee stop at the Inn on the Park, sitting outside.  Back to Morrisons via the resurfaced Prospect Road and the Alban Way, a loop of 9 miles.

Saturday 9 March 2024 - International Women spring into action

We have traditionally resumed our ride programme on the Saturday closest to International Womens Day, and the tradition continued this year, although without any placards or poses.  Suffice it to say that 'Inspiring Inclusion' is one way of describing our 5 Miles to Fabulous rides.

At last some sunshine.  Two riders set off on a Fabulous ride and six were going Further Faster.

The Fabulous pair headed out by way of Jersey Lane to Sandridge and then along the multiuser path to Nomansland.  We admired the birch trees (pictured) and the redwings and fieldfares (flying too much for picture) as we went. 

We rolled along to West End Barns, like us on their first day after their winter break, and parked our bikes in a sunny, flowery corner.

Coffee and baking as delicious as ever, we found a bench in the sun and apricated.  We returned to St Albans by much the same route, taking the lanes back to Sandridge and then back up Jersey Lane.  We were fairly warm by the time we got back towards Fleetville, a ride of ten miles.

The Further Faster Six also headed off towards Sandridge, via Sandridgebury Lane (not flooded today)  and onward by the same multiuser path between Heartwood Forest and the B651 as the Five duo. We went over Nomansland, up Ayres End Lane, then down Pipers Lane, and along Grove Road to Southdown in Harpenden. 

We had coffee at Simmons then returned via Cross Lane, past the stables to East Common. We met a Breeze group coming towards us and stopped for a chat. Their leader kindly took our group photo. 

We went back along Harpenden Road cycle path, and were pleasantly surprised by the new tarmac along most of its length.  Nice to see the full width of the path!  

We split off for home near the Ancient Briton. The ride was about 12 miles, which was fine for the first ride of the year.

Saturday 4 November 2023 - the ride that didn't happen but slightly did

Storm Ciaran had swept along the south coast and battered Jersey and cancelled the Netherlands Headwind Cycling Championship on Thursday.  So although there was no weather warning for St Albans on Saturday, we were a bit wary of the rather poor forecast.  Based on past experience of forecasts changing in the run up to a ride and weather usually being better than forecast, we held off cancelling and kept a wary eye on the Met Office.  But when the forecast still looked like this...

we decided to call off.  However, the Fabulous ride leader had a parcel awaiting collection at the St Albans Cycle Hub, so the offer of a short ride to coffee in the Community Centre cafe was given, and one bold rider accepted.

When considering cancelling a ride, the leaders are not just thinking about whether their waterproofs will keep them dry, they are also considering the conditions on the road. The heavy rain in the early morning had flooded the cycle stands at Morrisons, so what might it be like out in the lanes?

And it had also been windy....

This was the scene on the Alban Way just east of Orient Close.  Two lovely gentlemen had given us a hand getting our bikes over the fallen tree, and we had done our bit to help by dragging some of the lighter loose branches out of the way.

We continued along to Cottonmill and found a nice dry spot to park our bikes, then trotted round to pick up the parcel.  If you don't already know, you can order online from Freewheel and have the goodies delivered to a local bike shop.  The delivery is free, and we have found that it is very quick - if not next day then the day after.  And what's more, Cycling UK members can also get a discount on their purchases.

We then dived into the cafe for some coffee and cake and a bit of a natter.  Having attended to our sports nutrition, and the rain having lightened, we boldly decided we wouldn't go on the pump track, but we would enjoy two laps of the gravel track, admiring the cyclo-cross course and dirt jumps as we took in the autumn colours.

The Cycle Hub had already reported the fallen tree, and as we approached on our return it looked like it might have been at least partially cleared.  But appearances were deceptive, close up it was clear the trunk still blocked the way and there was still manhandling involved, and this time without any lovely men to give us a hand.  Ah well, we coped.

It was definitely the right decision to cancel the organised ride, a cold and wet ride on messy possibly flooded roads is potentially an endurance test and we ride for gentle enjoyment.  However, a couple of you going off on a very short ride - it is about a mile and a half between Fleetville and the Hub - on a traffic free route can be a lot more fun that you might expect.