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We had planned this date to be our Christmas Lunch ride so were a bit disappointed when the weather forecast indicated ice. The Potters Bar pub had been chosen so anyone could get there by public transport if the roads were deemed too icy. As it happened almost everyone made it under 'people power' on the day.
Anyway, we decided if we kept to main roads and tracks then we would be OK on the day. At the start in St Albans, there were five of us: three on chunky MTB tyres and two on narrower ones. Giles was wearing a pristine white wind jacket, but refused my offer of a white fur and snowflake headband to match. Steve's fairy lights didn't work in the cold and my red headdress soon got a bit bedraggled in the damp morning air.
We went along the main road through Hatfield and the edge of Welwyn Garden City before diverting along the Cole Green Way all the way to Hertford to the welcoming and warm Rose cafe. (Note; Giles's garment prior to the muddy track on a mudguard-free bike).
Judy, Neil and Tracey joined us and Tracey won the best-effort prize for decoration of both bike and person, with tinsel and a jolly Santa hat. Steve had a half-hearted attempt at the competition with a single reindeer flashing earring on his helmet, but didn't quite make the grade.
Bill and Peter arrived just before we left and later caught us up on the road to Potters Bar. We went a direct route to minimise the risk of ice and arrived early at the Admiral Byng Wetherspoon pub in Potters Bar.
Jackie, Steve and Stuart cycled to join us together with Dawn and Daniel. Jon had walked over 7 miles from Barnet to build up an appetite for the turkey dinner so we ended up with 16 for a very good-value lunch. We even got a couple of free bottles of wine as the pub had messed up the vegetarian orders.
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We got back to St Albans just in the daylight and had only done 38 miles - shortest ride of the season, but after all, it was a special day.
Tracey - I'll buy you a drink next time you are out as the prize!
Carol 18/12/2011
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