St Albans and Alban Way (train assisted)

A ride to St Albans and Hatfield, assisted by a train at the beginning and at the end of the ride. We will go at a steady pace, but mainly through quiet roads and segregated paths, so this is suitable for less confident riders as long as they can handle the distance. Skinny tyres will struggle on the unpaved, and sometimes muddy, paths in Bricket and How Woods.

We meet at Willesden Junction at 9.40 where we will catch the Overground to Carpenders Park at 9.59. The lift isn't working so we will need to help each other bring our bikes down the stairs to the platform. Don't be late, we will not want to take a later train.

From Carpenders Park we cycle to Oxhey Park, joining the Abbey Way in the Colne Valley, and 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 for lunch, and to enjoy the beautiful views of the Heron Island Lake and the Roman City Wall. The cafe at the park has slow service and the Waffle House is always very busy, so we recommend you bring a picnic, which you can also buy from Simmons Bakers at How Wood as we cycle by.

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 £12.70 one way and you must have a card/paying phone app as the ticket office is likely to be closed.

We will cycle 20 miles from Carpenders Park to Hatfield, and an additional 7 miles from King’s Cross, making it a total of 27 miles. It is a fairly long day – we aim to be back at around 5pm. Delays may occur, especially because of the trains, so allow extra time.

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 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. *Please be aware that we sometimes video record our rides which are later published on YouTube. By joining our rides you are authorising your image to appear on the video.

We especially welcome newbies!