Author Topic: Country bumpkins RIDE AGAIN to London! (3/4th October inc evening of 2 Oct) (Read 40094 times)

Oscar's dad · « **on:** 26 May, 2011, 05:43:51 pm »

I have been accused lately of over zealous forward planning but what the hell, here goes with another forward planning "crime"

...

I have just had my pass signed for a weekend cycling camping expedition for Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September

(this year

). My plan is to set off from Witham, mid-Essex (CM8) and pedal down to Tilbury, get the ferry to Gravesend, then cycle to Crystal Palace and camp at the Caravan Club site. I have checked and they do take small tents belonging to non-members. It would be luverly to meet up with London based YACFers on Saturady night for beer and food etc.

On Sunday my plan was to stop by a London tourist attraction (Trafalgar Square?) for photo opportunities, pause at the Victoria Park cafe for refreshments then northwards through Lea Valley Country Park. If time allows I wouldn't mind having a quick shuffty at the North Weald WW2 airfield museum (Douglas Bader was a boyhood hero). Then home via the quiet country lanes.

If anyone fancies getting involved for some or all of this plan feel free to make your intentions known. Some Essex based YACFers have already expressed interest so the more the merrier.

Love un stuff,

OD
xxx

PS - if you have any better ideas please shout!

L CC · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 May, 2011, 06:06:53 pm »

O I don't know at all OD, I's scared of that London.
There's, like, cars and that. Buildings, too. And lots of people.

/continues chewing grassy stalk contemplatively

PaulR · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 May, 2011, 06:08:40 pm »

Crintle Panis (for so it was pronounced by our offspring when young) is within shockingly easy reach of a good number of YACFers, myself included, and I can easily envisage some beer in September. We could do some late night hillclimbs up from the tollgate at Dullege Collwich.

Manotea · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 May, 2011, 06:55:38 pm »

Ah, Essex. That's abroad isnt it? Somewhere near East Anglia, I believe.

mmmmartin · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 May, 2011, 06:58:05 pm »

the London Eye is well worth the vast cost. Well worth it.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 May, 2011, 07:04:47 pm »

Quote from: boab on 26 May, 2011, 06:06:53 pm

O I don't know at all OD, I's scared of that London.
There's, like, cars and that. Buildings, too. And lots of people.

/continues chewing grassy stalk contemplatively

I know, but we should be brave.

I imagine the London YACFers will soon tire of our constant comments such as ...

"Trains running in tunnels under the ground!!! You're pulling my leg!!!"

"I've been had!!! The streets aren't paved in gold!!!"

"Ah, I've worked out these traffic light things. Green means go and so does red!"

nicknack · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 May, 2011, 07:06:36 pm »

Quote from: martinbrice on 26 May, 2011, 06:58:05 pm

the London Eye is well worth the vast cost. Well worth it.

Indeed. Had the "Champagne Experience" on it last week (depping for a mate who can't stand heights). Twas brilliant.

But a word of warning.

If you've been on the beer beforehand make sure your bladder is well emptied before you go. It's half an hour in a glass box with no possibility of relief. I know 2 people who have suffered because of this (one was my son

).

Jurek · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 May, 2011, 07:15:49 pm »

I am sure yacfers will endeavour to make you most welcome in the Metropolis and its suburbs.

Bring a lock.

A proper lock.

Not like the mickey-mouse one I carry when I'm out your way.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 May, 2011, 07:20:58 pm »

Good advice, thanks. Given the amount of forward planning I have built into this plan I have plenty of time to dig up Papermill Lock on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation and bring it with me.

Jurek · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 May, 2011, 07:42:48 pm »

Tomsk · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 May, 2011, 07:49:05 pm »

Top marks OD this is a brill plan. I was wondering about riding the Lea Valley route into/out of London Town and this was suggested by new MEMWNS recruit JOC just yesterday!

There must be a better way to the Tilbury Ferry other than going thru' Tilbury itself, its truly grim. Maybe a ruff-stuff route

?

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #11 on:** 26 May, 2011, 07:51:19 pm »

I haven't got as far as looking at the Witham to Tilbury route. Rough stuff sounds like fun!!!

TimO · « **Reply #12 on:** 26 May, 2011, 08:06:18 pm »

I didn't know Crystal Palace had anything as rural as a Caravan Club site.

As many others, I'm only a stones throw from Crystal Palace, and since I live in Croydon, that's not a euphemism.

I should even be allowed to cycle by that point, so some sort of random YACF meetup would be good.

itsbruce · « **Reply #13 on:** 26 May, 2011, 08:51:36 pm »

I would be up for attending a Sunday ride around London.

Andrij · « **Reply #14 on:** 26 May, 2011, 09:23:43 pm »

Definitely interested in meeting up, and probably join you for the Lea (often my stomping grounds).

токамак · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 May, 2011, 08:17:14 am »

Sounds good. Bobb and I have have cycled to Tilbury (from Chelmsford) for the Gravesend ferry before, and apart from a bit of main road around Brentwood, I seem to remember that it was a fairly pleasant ride. I'll make an entry in my calender for this one...

[edit] the Tilbury to Gravesend ferry connection necessarily involves a bit of industrial estate action. Maybe we could inject some excitement here with a bit of street racing or something

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 May, 2011, 08:20:53 am »

Bring bobb! Do you have a "bobb is my co-pilot" t shirt?

токамак · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 May, 2011, 08:26:34 am »

No, I don't have a t-shirt like that, but I'm sure I could make one.

chief · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 May, 2011, 11:55:35 pm »

Evening, this sounds like a grand idea, hope to be along to it

itsbruce · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 May, 2011, 09:23:13 pm »

So, potential meeting point and timing?

Wowbagger · « **Reply #20 on:** 01 June, 2011, 06:54:27 am »

So far as I am aware I don't have any plans which preclude this.

Gattopardo · « **Reply #21 on:** 01 June, 2011, 07:10:09 am »

Remember to get your passport stamped and that your shots are up to date.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #22 on:** 01 June, 2011, 07:56:43 am »

Quote from: Wowbagger on 01 June, 2011, 06:54:27 am

So far as I am aware I don't have any plans which preclude this.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #23 on:** 01 June, 2011, 07:57:28 am »

Quote from: Lynx on 01 June, 2011, 07:10:09 am

Remember to get your passport stamped and that your shots are up to date.

Cos we're going to Kent? You're right, you can't be too careful

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #24 on:** 14 August, 2011, 03:35:44 pm »

As suspected, I'm going to have to change the date as I can no longer make 24th / 25th September, an old mate has decided to be 50 years old and is having a party.

I can make of the weekends on either side of the original date (17th / 18th September or 1st / 2nd October). Does anyone thinking of taking part in this caper have any preferences?

As suggested by Jurek, once we get off the ferry in Gravesend I thought it might be nice to follow the Thames Path into London.

Poll

Which dates would you prefer?

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Author Topic: Country bumpkins RIDE AGAIN to London! (3/4th October inc evening of 2 Oct) (Read 40094 times)