Herts Greenways Lite - aiming for an Audax

Enjoy 40 miles of cycling on Hertfordshire country lanes and greenways - all in peak bluebell season!
All the photos in the gallery below were taken on Sunday 12th April - one week before this ride.

Audax UK – the long-distance cycling club – are celebrating their 50th anniversary year with a major initiative to increase the number of women entering their cycling events. They have designated some special 50:50@50 events to try to get at least 50% women entrants.

This "Aiming for an Audax" Breeze ride is designed to help women prepare to ride an Audax event but of course others are very welcome to join too.

With the Hertfordshire Greenways 120km Audax just a week away, we will ride the 63km (40 mile) Herts Greenways Lite route which has been shared by the organiser to help participants prepare for the longer ride. With sections on the paved Cole Greenway and an unpaved (but smooth) part of the Ayot Greenway, it gives a feel for what the greenways are like.

Our planned route can be viewed in the attached picture and online here:
https://footpathapp.com/routes/herts-greenways-lite/1B962AA0-7BBB-4621-9476-B39D183B44E6?s=708452&units=metric
(We will follow the route clockwise)

We will have a short stop half way through the ride in Welwyn Garden City or Welwyn - near a bakery, shops and toilets - bring a snack and drink with you if you wish.

Our pace will be steady, we will expect to cover between 10 and 12 miles per hour - but no one will be left behind. Please bring a spare inner tube that fits your bike tyres along with basic tools.

Find out more about the 50:50@50 events on the Audax UK website at
https://www.audax.uk/about-audax/women-in-audax/

Find 50:50@50 Audax events on the main Audax UK Calendar Events Page
https://www.audax.uk/choose-a-ride/calendar-events/#

Some local Audax rides coming up are:

26 April Hertfordshire Greenways (120km)
https://www.audax.uk/event-details/calendar/14286-hertfordshire_greenways_505050

11 July Cambridge Randonnee (165km)
https://www.audax.uk/event-details/calendar/13931-cambridge_randonnee_150_505050

If you are coming by train, here are directions to the meeting point:

Take the lift up from the platform and then turn right and walk towards Town Centre.
Continue straight over the footbridge across the dual carriageway.
Walk through the covered area which is decorated with photos of famous Stevenage residents past and present.
Continue straight down the ramp and we will gather at the bottom where there is a big plaza area and some seating. There are public toilets nearby as required