tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39188039082740844592026-10-11T15:04:08.036+01:00ShertsCTChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05330692398075700314noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-52972808068524484182026-10-10T14:16:00.000+01:002026-10-11T15:04:08.036+01:00

Definitely autumn!  Bright sunshine but cooler, jackets on! A dozen riders met in Fleetville.The Further Faster group of seven headed east along the Alban Way, out the other side of Hatfield and headed along NCN12 towards Welwyn Garden City.  Coffee was calling, and we took to the Woodhall Farm road and under the railway to Stanborough Park and coffee by the lake.Onward through Handside

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-13571692201949094072026-09-19T17:27:43.420+01:002026-09-19T17:27:43.421+01:00

 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

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-90028683178464526042026-08-23T11:04:33.565+01:002026-08-23T11:04:33.565+01:00

The weather was certainly fabulous - sunny and warm, not too hot, a light breeze.  Seven of us gathered at 0830 at St Albans City station and an hour later we were disembarking at Bedford Midland, which has the tiniest and slowest lifts of any station we know of.Gently through the Victorian side streets to gain the riverside, over the Riverside Bridge, opened in 2017 as part of the Riverside

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-27068028214984428032026-07-18T15:44:00.000+01:002026-07-20T13:57:39.033+01:00

Fantastic summer morning to be out riding, thankfully much cooler than recent weeks. A great day to look splendid in club jerseys.  Two groups heading west, nine going Further Faster and five going a bit further than usual.The FF group set off first, along the Alban Way and following the NCN6 route up to Watford Road, then on up Ragged Hall Lane.  At Potters Crouch we turned down Blunts

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-48142385726833675102026-07-08T16:26:52.847+01:002026-07-19T09:54:25.071+01:00

June was very busy, we had to split our rides with the Further Faster group going out for a long ride over to Whitwell on 6th June and the Fabulous group looping around to Ayletts on 13th June.Two super rides, but we've not found time to blog them.  Images of Cell Barnes Orchard in Highfield Park.

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-19813468605713742762026-05-16T18:06:48.731+01:002026-05-16T18:06:48.731+01:00

Grey clouds with some sunshine meant base layers and waterproofs were favoured for today's ride.Seven Further Faster riders set off eastwards along the Alban Way and made a tour of the former De Havilland airfield, now Salisbury Village and Hatfield Business Park, to emerge on Coopers Green Lane and then ride up through Symondshyde.Big lowering skies as they rode across Nomansland, to turn into

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-80900902158972585252026-04-18T20:28:00.002+01:002026-06-10T10:17:17.923+01:00

Peak spring - lush grass, bluebells, cow parsley, hawthorn in bloom, chestnut candles, lilac etc etc.  Sunny and not too warm, warm enough to show off our new club jerseys.Fourteen of us met up in Fleetville, the Further Faster group of eight set off first and the six Fabulous riders shortly after.The Fabulous group ambled along the Alban Way, with a stop to admire the new goods van at

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-37287753401030845672026-03-07T15:26:00.001+00:002026-03-07T15:26:23.327+00:00

 A few days before our first ride of the year the forecast was showing sunshine and warmth, alas, Saturday dawned damp and chill, after overnight rain.  We had sixteen riders, split evenly between the Fabulous and Further Faster groups.The Further Faster group left first, heading along the Alban Way, then up NCN6 to Watford Road and off onto the lanes.  Ragged Hall Lane was in an

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-90187734545023154752025-11-23T11:08:00.000+00:002025-11-23T11:08:26.045+00:00

Somewhat warmer than earlier in the week, but also wetter and windier.  We had quite a few staying home with the nasty cold that's going around and the poor forecast meant a few others were sensibly cautious and likewise stayed indoors.  So we just had a large group not a massive posse out riding today.  We actually split into two groups.The six Further Faster riders headed off

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-8565802971505067102025-11-02T21:11:00.000+00:002025-11-02T21:11:22.429+00:00

We took part in the national Cycling UK My Ride Our Right campaign with a women-only special ride from the city centre, down the new Active Travel Fund cycle lane and around part of the Green Ring.The campaign is based on a Cycling UK study carried out in the spring, following up government figures that found that the increase in cycling by men had not been matched by increasing numbers of women

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-3793667757595438022025-10-19T17:33:00.001+01:002025-10-19T17:33:25.611+01:00

Cold, grey day and everyone feeling tired in the middle of a busy month, so the option of a straightforward, flat ride was welcomed by all.  It was a pleasant ride along the Alban Way, the green and gold of the leaves making up for the grey sky.  We had a pause at Smallford Station to admire the art - currently posters by members of the St Albans Art Society.  We particularly

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-76525331450239168352025-09-27T17:45:00.002+01:002025-09-29T17:57:22.320+01:00

This was originally the 'plus one' ride, as we decided it would be nice to let our other halves see why we enjoy cycling.  Several of them were keen to visit the Dutch Roundabout in Hemel Hempstead.  As it turned out, only two significant others were free to come along, so it is the plus two ride, and this is why we made two circuits of the roundabout.We met as usual in Fleetville,

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-60297109283525321152025-09-22T12:40:00.000+01:002025-09-22T12:40:05.266+01:00

Twelve of us, all going further faster.  After a blazing hot Friday, Saturday was grey and cool enough for long sleeves on most of us.We set off along the Alban Way, and at the Galleria we turned off for the College Lane campus of the University of Hertfordshire.  Out the other side of the campus and alongside the A1001 for a bit, then we ducked under both the A1001 and the A1(M) to

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-76553656028098547942025-09-13T17:49:00.002+01:002025-09-13T17:50:13.269+01:00

 A new adventure for our group - a weekend away!  Five of us assembled at St Albans City station and whizzed up to Luton on the Thameslink.  We hope Luton station gets another lift soon, it is a bit of a palaver carrying laden bikes up stairs.Five cyclists outside Luton station getting ready to goSoon we were on heading north on the path alongside the guided busway.  We were

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-51730143623213671152025-08-23T21:36:00.002+01:002025-09-17T11:37:18.105+01:00

Usually we have a break in August, but this ride was postponed from July, when we decided to not go riding in a storm.Seven Further Faster regulars met at St Albans City station on a bright morning and made full use of the cycle spaces on the 0911 service Bedford, disembarking at Harlington.  This time next year there should be lifts, but for now we lugged our trusty steeds up and down rusty

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-11288065611192654792025-08-23T20:40:00.000+01:002025-08-23T20:40:24.946+01:00

Today's 'Further Faster Day Out' took our recorded participations to 1000!  Well done us!  We have welcomed a total of 97 riders since we began in 2007.  One woman who came on the very first ride is still riding with the group.Our most-visited cafe is Ayletts (15), with the Inn on the Park (11) in second place, closely followed by Notcutts (10).

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-89091376693916850802025-07-26T15:49:00.008+01:002025-07-28T15:58:57.617+01:00

Considering how dark the grey skies were, we did well to just have a a few drops only of rain.  The six Further Faster riders set off first:We went north via Valley Road and Harpenden Road to Ayres End Lane where we encountered some hedge trimming in action.Up Pipers Lane and a quick flick along the Wheathampstead Road before we plummeted down Leasey Bridge Lane, across the eponymous Lea

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-18371254688679805972025-07-19T16:40:00.003+01:002025-07-20T14:21:49.606+01:00

 One of our leaders, Rona, took herself off to Cheshire in early July to ride the CTC Triennial Veterans 100 mile ride with the Chester and North Wales CTC."It was a great day out, good weather and good company.  Participants are split into groups and I was delighted to be in Sue Booth's group.  In case you don't know, Sue runs the Chester Fabulous Ladies, find the blog here: 

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-856799029614332842025-06-28T20:09:00.001+01:002025-07-08T22:49:39.517+01:00

We brought the start forward by half an hour to give us time to get most of the ride done before it became uncomfortably hot.  Nine riders today, all wanting to go on the Further Faster ride, and no wonder as it was a cracker.You may have heard of the new 'Dutch style' roundabout on Boundary Way in Hemel Hempstead, which opened on 3 June.  It is an Active Travel Fund project, ie

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-70833829619343211612025-05-31T20:48:00.000+01:002025-05-31T20:48:12.666+01:00

Sunny and warm, eleven riders out today.  Let's begin with the account of the Further Faster group of seven:We did a big loop over to Ayot St Lawrence. From Sandridge we took the bridleway across Nomansland, then cycled on the lanes through Amwell. We were on the busy Wheathampstead Road for a short while then went down Leasey Bridge Road, being careful of the gravel. Crossing Lower

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-49839255864557708192025-04-27T19:57:00.001+01:002026-03-07T13:33:13.242+00:00

Somewhat 'atmospheric' weather today, grey and cool with wraiths of low cloud.  Numbers down on previous packed rides, there were nine of us in total. Our destination was Sustain coffee roastery in Old Hatfield, making use of the Alban Way.The slower group set off first, three of them from the start and a latecomer in hot pursuit - 'slow' is relative, they were well into Hatfield before the

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-66971252155348591062025-04-06T18:47:00.001+01:002025-04-06T18:47:20.994+01:00

We had another well-attended ride, split into two groups both heading for West End Barns.  For a change we had Teresa in charge of the 'relaxed' group and Rona leading the 'athletic' group. Teresa led the group of five along the Alban Way then on the bridleway through the Oaklands College grounds, saying hello to the alpacas.From House Lane it was through the houses up to Jersey Lane

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-30607438406670438432025-03-09T09:37:00.000+00:002025-03-09T09:37:04.254+00:00

 After a rather long, grey, wet winter, it was lovely to meet up again to start our 2025 ride programme on a sunny and warm morning.  There were rather a lot of us, 14 in fact.We split into two groups, with Teresa and Lorna taking 8 with them on a circuit of Bricket Wood and Rona going off with 3 on a shorter loop via Potters Crouch, with both groups aiming for the Lazy Llama kiosk in

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-52790129962028186252024-11-23T18:14:00.000+00:002024-11-23T18:14:13.504+00:00

Some of the 5MTF regulars gathered this morning at The Courtyard Cafe on Hatfield Road  to celebrate a long-standing member of the group.  Angela came along on the fourth ever 5MTF ride - in 2008 - and has been encouraging and supporting the group ever since.She soon became our back-marker par excellence and in the fullness of time she formalised that by going on a Cycling UK Ride

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918803908274084459.post-24880357796532331152024-11-16T20:10:00.002+00:002024-11-17T19:40:27.534+00:00

Eight of us gathered to go further faster on a grey but dry morning.  Lorna was leading and her route outline was .... east ..... accompanied by a wave in the general direction of Hatfield.We set off down Sutton Road, across the Camp cycle route and through the Cell Barnes orchard then down Highfield Lane to Tyttenhanger.  There was a Road Closed sign, quick consultation we decided it

Ronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788916350592879569noreply@blogger.com0