Although St Albans was not as hard hit by Storm Babet as other parts of the country, we still had some fairly wild weather in the days before the ride. However, it dawned dry on ride day and five riders gathered to go further and faster. We welcomed two newcomers to the group, and we were glad to have one of the leaders back with us after an injury. For all these reasons a fairly gentle ride had been planned.
We set off eastwards along the Alban Way. Progress was straightforward until we encountered a fallen tree almost entirely blocking the path in Hatfield. A concerted effort managed to move it sufficiently to at least allow a pushchair to get by.
We continued along NCN12, turning off for Woodhall Farm and under the railway to the cafe at Stanborough Lakes. Despite it being October, it was comfortable sitting chatting outside under the awning with our drinks and cake. It was good timing as the tables were filling up as we were about to leave!
The rain's arrival destroyed any notions of a longer
road-based route back, but we were rewarded by a close-up of a heron perched in
a tree by the lake. Thanks to our earlier efforts it was easier to get past the
fallen tree, but the rain was pretty unrelenting, until (as predicted) it died
away when we reached Morrisons and a rainbow rounded off a ride of around 15
miles.
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