Four ladies were lucky enough to enjoy a shower-free morning - but we did not know that would be so at the outset, and took the precautionary approach of choosing a 'loop' route, sticking close to the St Albans occidental perimeter. West along the Alban Way, with a pause to look with dismay upon the empty stand for the Lost Rails display board at London Road station. A consolation pause to enjoy the view over the Watercress Beds Wildlife area. At the end of the Alban Way we turned onto NCR6, which took us up Abbots Avenue and across Watling Street and through to the Watford Road. West a short way, then into Greenwood Park, up to Chiswell Green and along past the cyclists' entrance to Butterfly World and into the lanes.
As you can see, the lane was flooded right across at one point. A quick tutorial on how to get through - take the middle i.e. high point of the road so the water is shallowest, and send the leader through first to check for sharks and potholes. Which puts the leader in a good position to take photos of the rest of the gang coming through. We enjoyed the peace of Gorhambury Estate, even if it does involve a hill, but the ruins of Nicholas Bacon's house offer history and recuperation (and then a thrilling freewheel down). Coffee stop at The Inn on The Park. We then made our way in accordance with the byelaws through Verulamium Park, thereafter along Prospect Road and back onto the Alban Way.
