St Albans and Alban Way (train assisted)

A ride to St Albans and Hatfield, where we will take a train back to King’s Cross. We will go at a steady pace, but this ride is still challenging due to the total distance, a few busy traffic roads and some hills, so it is important that you have confidence on the roads. Skinny tyres are not suitable for this ride. It is a long day. (Note: a shorter and easier version of this ride will be published in due course for those less confident).

We head off via Wembley and Watford, where we join the Abbey Way along the Colne Valley in Oxhey Park, going up a couple of hills too. We will stop here for a short coffee and toilet break.

Soon we will be cycling pretty country lanes in Bricket Wood and How Wood, shortly arriving in St Albans via the Verulamium Park, where we will stop at the Waffle House for lunch, and to enjoy the beautiful views of the Heron Island Lake and the Roman City Wall.

After our break, we continue to St Albans Cathedral and the lovely pedestrianised village, and then make our way to join Alban Way, a traffic-free route all the way to Hatfield, where we will take the Thameslink train back to King’s Cross, cycling back to Roundwood Park. The train costs £10.50 one way and you must have a card/paying phone app as the ticket office is likely to be closed.

We will cycle 32 miles from Roundwood Park to Hatfield, and an additional 7 miles from King’s Cross, making it a total of 39 miles. It is a long day – we aim to be back at around 5.30pm.

If you find this ride fully booked, get in the waiting list as spaces always become available nearer the date. However, please do not sign up if you’re not sure you can join.


IMPORTANT POINTS: *Helmets aren't compulsory but advisable. *Check that your tyres are pumped and bring a spare inner tube and all necessary tools in case of a puncture. *If you have Covid-19 or have been told to self-isolate, or can't make it for any other reason, please cancel your space so someone else can join. *Only riders who booked themselves on the ride will be allowed to join. *Unless the weather takes a nasty turn making it unsafe or unpleasant to cycle, this ride will go ahead even if it rains. Dress for the weather and bring a rain coat just in case.