30 Sep 2017: St Albans to Dacorum Cycle Hub

A group of 12 riders met at Morrison’s for this morning’s proceedings and we welcomed a new Breeze rider Julia. We took a short but lovely route to The Dacorum Hub, a familiar way through the back streets of Fleetville and the Verulamium Ind. Estate. Then we headed out on Sandridgebury Road and took the farmer’s road leading to Redbourn Road. I always forget that this is a private road and had a polite reminder from the farmer half way down.

It was then just a case of popping through Childwickbury, up the A5 and then up the undulating road that is Hog End Lane. We traversed the whole of this lane, bringing up conversations and memories of the Buncefield explosion. Couldn’t help feeling a little nervous as we cycled between the new fuel tanks, where they want to store petrol again despite previous assurances.

Soon we arrived at The Hub and we were made very welcome. It’s great to see this new facility for cyclists in Hemel and it was a great, chatty atmosphere, which was commented on by one of the ladies. I had a feeling we may have been the first large group to actually use the place as a destination, or maybe just the noisiest. One of them lined us up and took a great photo of us all.

Leaving the Dacorum Cycle Hub
Photo: Tracey Palmer

After our break we headed for the Nicky line. Here we left Jon and Judy as they thought it would be too muddy for the trike. I must say this part of the ride was really enjoyable. The trees were in great form and the going was slightly squidgy. It was also a mostly downhill ride and very pleasant it was too - a real breeze of a ride. We left the old train track at Redbourn to head back to Fleetville via the A5, Hertingfordbury Mill and over to Ayots End Lane.

We crossed Nomansland Common and headed back through the small village of Sandridge and Oaklands College, where we visited the very shaven alpacas. Along the way I tested the water on thoughts of doing an all day Saturday ride, there were some favourable murmurings.

Neil 30/09/2017