Storm Ciaran had swept along the south coast and battered Jersey and cancelled the Netherlands Headwind Cycling Championship on Thursday. So although there was no weather warning for St Albans on Saturday, we were a bit wary of the rather poor forecast. Based on past experience of forecasts changing in the run up to a ride and weather usually being better than forecast, we held off cancelling and kept a wary eye on the Met Office. But when the forecast still looked like this...
we decided to call off. However, the Fabulous ride leader had a parcel awaiting collection at the St Albans Cycle Hub, so the offer of a short ride to coffee in the Community Centre cafe was given, and one bold rider accepted.
When considering cancelling a ride, the leaders are not just thinking about whether their waterproofs will keep them dry, they are also considering the conditions on the road. The heavy rain in the early morning had flooded the cycle stands at Morrisons, so what might it be like out in the lanes?
And it had also been windy....
This was the scene on the Alban Way just east of Orient Close. Two lovely gentlemen had given us a hand getting our bikes over the fallen tree, and we had done our bit to help by dragging some of the lighter loose branches out of the way.
We continued along to Cottonmill and found a nice dry spot to park our bikes, then trotted round to pick up the parcel. If you don't already know, you can order online from Freewheel and have the goodies delivered to a local bike shop. The delivery is free, and we have found that it is very quick - if not next day then the day after. And what's more, Cycling UK members can also get a discount on their purchases.
We then dived into the cafe for some coffee and cake and a bit of a natter. Having attended to our sports nutrition, and the rain having lightened, we boldly decided we wouldn't go on the pump track, but we would enjoy two laps of the gravel track, admiring the cyclo-cross course and dirt jumps as we took in the autumn colours.
The Cycle Hub had already reported the fallen tree, and as we approached on our return it looked like it might have been at least partially cleared. But appearances were deceptive, close up it was clear the trunk still blocked the way and there was still manhandling involved, and this time without any lovely men to give us a hand. Ah well, we coped.
It was definitely the right decision to cancel the organised ride, a cold and wet ride on messy possibly flooded roads is potentially an endurance test and we ride for gentle enjoyment. However, a couple of you going off on a very short ride - it is about a mile and a half between Fleetville and the Hub - on a traffic free route can be a lot more fun that you might expect.
