Saturday 8 July 2023 Outriding the storm

As last month, a wary eye on the weather forecast, which was different every time we looked in the days and hours before the ride.  As we gathered in Fleetville the forecast was rain around 1pm and a yellow storm warning.

Unusually, the slower group was ready for the off before the speedy group, and we nearly took one of them with us as a result. Three set off up Woodstock Road, dodging the roadworks and 'enjoying' some spots of rain.  We had a lovely ride down Jersey Lane, greeting other path users and getting friendly replies.  As we had made good time to Sandridge and the rain had stopped, we ventured further and headed along the track to Nomansland and along Ferrers Lane to West End Barns.  The sky might look blue in the picture, but that's blue-grey.

Always a good choice of comestibles, this time we particularly enjoyed sausage rolls, flapjack and orange cake.  And we admired the sweet peas by the till.

We had a lovely relaxing and nutritious pause, then we headed back across Nomansland.

A wedding or practice?  Don't know, but the bells were lovely as we arrived back to Sandridge, and up Sandridgebury Lane, through to the Harpenden Road.  One rider peeled off for home, the other two carried on around the Green Ring.  A heavy but brief shower caught us at St Michaels.  We caped up, but stayed dry under a convenient tree. A couple of lightning flashes and thunder rumbles as we crossed the park, but we made it to Morrisons without getting wet, the full loop was 13 miles.

Six further faster riders set off westward along the Alban Way.  Like the slower group, we were cautious as the forecast was for thunderstorms, but we managed to stay ahead of the rain for most of the ride. It was humid, but sunny with some large rain spots. at times.

We went up to Ragged Hall Lane, along Stanley Ave, up Chiswell Green Lane, then down Noke Lane. This was not as gravelly as expected fortunately, as three of us were on road bikes. We took our life in our hands when crossing the A405, then went up Lye Lane to Bricket Wood, and through to Drop Lane where we stopped to take photos.

We returned via Park Street and Chiswell Green to the Lazy Llama café. We then dropped down Robert Ave and along the Alban Way. We arrived back at Morrisons having done 16 miles, but then the rain came as we were cycling home.

It was a really nice ride, and we're glad we didn’t cancel due to the forecast.