Post by: Manotea on 27 March, 2018, 09:46:00 am
It's a 300km ride round London Town, but you'll be far from Madding Crowd, taking in the sexy country shires of the South East complete with a ferry ride across the Thames. What Larks!
The event will run from Chalfont St Peter Community Centre with our traditional 'no-mod-cons' accomodation offer for Friday and Saturday night. The entry fee includes light snacks at the start and finish in Chalfont (Breakfast and Supper!), the Thames Ferry and a Village Hall Control at Leaden Roding in Essex with Cafe Controls at Cranleigh (SW, Surrey), Hildenborough (SE, Kent), Gravesend and Chiswell (N, Hertfordshire).
We are currently set to use the public Gravesend-Tilbury Ferry which rather limits the number of riders, however we are investigating options to provide additional spaces by running the event in both directions simultaneously or even hiring a ferry for the event. More news on this later!
If you live within striking distance of the controls at Cranleigh (SW/Surrey), Hildenborough (SE/Kent), Gravesend (E) or Leaden Roding (NE/Essex) and would like to support the event as a Controller we would be very pleased to have you aboard, even if only for a couple of hours. Please PM for details.
Click the graphic for entry details or just google, 'London Orbital Audax'! :)
(https://goo.gl/rptX5h) (http://londonorbital.paudax.com)
Post by: Ivan on 27 March, 2018, 10:32:50 am
Post by: Huff n Puff on 27 March, 2018, 02:02:16 pm
Post by: alfapete on 27 March, 2018, 03:09:59 pm
Post by: Kangaroocourt on 27 March, 2018, 08:04:42 pm
Post by: LMT on 27 March, 2018, 09:52:01 pm
Post by: Martin on 09 April, 2018, 05:15:08 pm
hope I get round quicker than my last 300 :-[
Post by: whosatthewheel on 26 April, 2018, 12:21:45 pm
Do you know the vessel capacity in terms of bikes?
It's on my wish list, just need to make sure I can actually do it, which depends on a few things... can you give us a shout if entries look close to your set limit at any point?
Post by: AK on 27 April, 2018, 10:48:37 am
Post by: whosatthewheel on 27 April, 2018, 11:25:39 am
Post by: Manotea on 27 April, 2018, 12:29:16 pm
I'm in contact with the ferry operators to develop options and as you'd expect the big unknown is the number of riders. For this first edition I'm expecting to cap entries around 125-150 in each direction, allocating anticlockwise (i.e., south from Chalfont towards Windsor) slots first. Key to all this will be ensuring good communications with riders on the day so they can manage arrival times at the ferry crossing. As long as riders have the same positive and relaxed spirit as those taking part in the Ditchling Devil we'll be fine. 8)
Post by: whosatthewheel on 27 April, 2018, 12:45:16 pm
In an ideal world one might be able to have progressively numbered stickers printed to place on the brevet card... that would be pretty cool, actually
Post by: Laid Back Rich on 27 April, 2018, 03:27:14 pm
Post by: alfapete on 27 April, 2018, 06:48:40 pm
Post by: telstarbox on 01 May, 2018, 09:59:44 am
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-70/
Quote
600km cycling event starting from Battle, E. Sussex. Controls at Coggeshall Abbey, St Albans Abbey, Oxford, Hyde Abbey Gardens and Storrington, plus 3 information controls.
Post by: hippy on 01 May, 2018, 10:32:17 am
Do Perms get locked in at the start of the year or any time.
Post by: whosatthewheel on 01 May, 2018, 10:33:55 am
What are the chances of this being a Perm?
Do Perms get locked in at the start of the year or any time.
You can make it as a DIY perm, if it doesn't exist... there is virtually no difference between the two, other than a paper "brevet"
Post by: hippy on 01 May, 2018, 10:48:03 am
You can make it as a DIY perm, if it doesn't exist... there is virtually no difference between the two, other than a paper "brevet"
Yeah, I always try and do calendar > Perm > DIY to give the org some credit for the route.
I'm not around for the calendar event and wanted to try and use it to encourage my missus to go beyond a 200k :)
Post by: Manotea on 01 May, 2018, 11:40:20 am
I recognise the Calendar event falls mid-summer, so if you want to ride give me a shout, as I'll be looking for feedback from others before the day.
Post by: hippy on 01 May, 2018, 12:00:14 pm
Maybe I should try politics...
Post by: Lee Velo on 13 June, 2018, 01:12:48 am
There will be a perm published with GPS and Receipt validation (and no infos) as soon as I get round to making up the routesheet, probably later this month.
I recognise the Calendar event falls mid-summer, so if you want to ride give me a shout, as I'll be looking for feedback from others before the day.
As emailed, I'd like to test the route when it's ready. I live near Leaden Roding so would probably start there and go clockwise.
Post by: Manotea on 13 June, 2018, 10:24:45 am
Post by: citoyen on 14 June, 2018, 04:29:53 pm
There will be a perm published with GPS and Receipt validation (and no infos) as soon as I get round to making up the routesheet, probably later this month.
I recognise the Calendar event falls mid-summer, so if you want to ride give me a shout, as I'll be looking for feedback from others before the day.
Tempting. Not sure I can do the calendar event but I'll see if I can find a weekend free to do it as a perm...
Post by: Lee Velo on 14 June, 2018, 10:14:23 pm
And for those who think the Orbital sounds too easy...
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-70/Quote600km cycling event starting from Battle, E. Sussex. Controls at Coggeshall Abbey, St Albans Abbey, Oxford, Hyde Abbey Gardens and Storrington, plus 3 information controls.
Any chance of getting the route for this? Looks like it goes through my town near Stansted and could look to DIY it at some point...
Post by: telstarbox on 25 June, 2018, 08:36:17 am
Are you still planning to run the event in both directions simultaneously?
Post by: Manotea on 25 June, 2018, 09:24:43 am
Paul,
Are you still planning to run the event in both directions simultaneously?
It depends on the number of entries as we're constrained by the ferry capacity. Right now, it feels like we'll be able to accomodate all riders in one direction (anti-clockwise) but really it's too early to say.
Post by: FiveFives on 12 July, 2018, 08:51:56 am
hardest part will be riding a few miles from home in the last 30k!
Post by: Matt Robinson on 20 July, 2018, 12:18:58 am
I'm looking at entering this, it looks great; but I don't drive and I'm unable to ride there the night before and don't really fancy riding there on the day at 4am...
Is there anyone driving in from near Hatfield (Herts) with an extra space in their car who could give me a lift?
I'd be happy to pay the fuel costs, and I'm also happy to cycle back home after the ride, so wouldn't need a lift back if inconvenient.
If so, please could you contact me at mattrobinson999@gmail.com?
Thanks for reading,
Matt
Post by: Manotea on 20 July, 2018, 05:55:04 pm
You're welcome to stay at the Chalfont Community Centre on Friday/Saturday night... it's no-mod-cons accommodation, so bring a sleeping bag and mat. You can leave your kit with me during the day. We generally meet up at the white Hart in the village for a nightcap then return to base about 11pm to set up and turn in for the night. All very jolly, and most important from my point of view, no danger of oversleeping!
Post by: FiveFives on 23 July, 2018, 08:23:46 am
Received the email from Paul, all looks fun,
is there a GPX lurking around?
Post by: Martin on 23 July, 2018, 05:06:14 pm
Received the email from Paul, all looks fun,
is there a GPX lurking around?
not seen one yet; Manotea's RWG page has a route but don't think it's the advertised one as it goes through the Dartford Tunnel
and also up Whitedown which will cause a significant sense of humour failure if it does....
expect more on M's return 8)
Post by: alfapete on 23 July, 2018, 07:43:04 pm
...suspect it was copied over from a 200km event message!
Post by: Manotea on 23 July, 2018, 08:23:40 pm
I've read Paul's e-mail too. Was amused that we should text the organiser if we were going to be finishing after 9pm. I think I can send that message now!
...suspect it was copied over from a 200km event message!
Guilty as charged...:)
Official finishing time is 02:40 and we will be staying at the centre till morning regardless.
Post by: Andy Corless on 23 July, 2018, 08:30:22 pm
Andy Corless
Post by: Manotea on 23 July, 2018, 09:27:00 pm
Post by: Phil W on 29 July, 2018, 09:07:56 pm
Will be going for the mod cons sleeping package at the hall.
Post by: billyam998 on 31 July, 2018, 08:40:02 am
Post by: Manotea on 31 July, 2018, 11:50:25 am
Or you could train down on Friday evening and ECE home for a 600km weekend... :)
Post by: BeMoreMike on 31 July, 2018, 02:00:38 pm
This looks absolutely fabulous and, riding on the ferry (albeit not the same one) for the first time in 37 years would be an experience. Sadly, travel from leicester is awkward, sadly not far enough from luton to justify ECE and, St pancras / chiltern rail doesn't appeal much either :-(
Get a train from one of the West Coast stations to Watford Junction...Tamworth / Atherstone / Nuneaton / Rugby would be the closest to Leicester.
Thats what i'm doing, from Rugby. £6 each way !!
Post by: billyam998 on 01 August, 2018, 09:43:58 am
This looks absolutely fabulous and, riding on the ferry (albeit not the same one) for the first time in 37 years would be an experience. Sadly, travel from leicester is awkward, sadly not far enough from luton to justify ECE and, St pancras / chiltern rail doesn't appeal much either :-(
Get a train from one of the West Coast stations to Watford Junction...Tamworth / Atherstone / Nuneaton / Rugby would be the closest to Leicester.
Thats what i'm doing, from Rugby. £6 each way !!
Leicester to luton parkway looks my best bet, although I still need to get permission!!
Post by: Manotea on 02 August, 2018, 10:31:23 am
If you are considering riding there are about 15 slots left. We're very much constrained by the ferry capacity and we've allowed for DNS. so there will be no entry on the day.
If you are not planning to ride but would like to see the event in action, we'd be very pleased to have your support at one of the controls, especially at Gravesend in the afternoon and Chalfont through the evening. PM for details.
Thanks for your support, Paul
Post by: AK on 02 August, 2018, 12:41:44 pm
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 02 August, 2018, 12:44:35 pm
Post by: Lee Velo on 02 August, 2018, 03:47:54 pm
It's a week to go and we're almost there. Whilst we cannot compete with the grandeur of North Wales or the Pennines, I think it's a surprising good route.... the final cut will be published after the Helpers Ride this weekend.
If you are considering riding there are about 15 slots left. We're very much constrained by the ferry capacity and we've allowed for DNS. so there will be no entry on the day.
If you are not planning to ride but would like to see the event in action, we'd be very pleased to have your support at one of the controls, especially at Gravesend in the afternoon and Chalfont through the evening. PM for details.
Thanks for your support, Paul
PM sent for Gravesend control
Post by: Manotea on 04 August, 2018, 06:42:25 pm
Post by: Phil W on 05 August, 2018, 07:08:11 pm
Post by: Martin on 07 August, 2018, 08:45:29 pm
Looks like cooler weather may be coming in as well. That will be welcome from me.
should I put nice shiny new wheels on my no mudguard bike to do only its 2nd ever UK 300? it's looking very good from today's forecast but don't want to curse the ride....
Post by: Tomsk on 08 August, 2018, 08:56:53 am
Menu will be the usual grab n'go offerings of salty snacks, cake, biscuits, plus rice pud n'peaches. Proper coffee and the Big Teapot will be deployed.
I've yet to check out the kitchen, but we're aiming to do a veggie ragout [vegan, gluten free], with pasta/jacket potatoes. Cheese, bread and assorted extras too.
Some gluten free bread and cake will be available on request.
Post by: Charlie Polecat on 08 August, 2018, 03:39:10 pm
Those of you who ride audaxes in Britain with its attendant crowd of cheerful pedallers should know how fortunate you are compared with the lonely-ness of the long distance cyclist over here.
100 degrees again today, and not a rain cloud in sight.
Enjoy the ride you band of brothers and sisters.
"We few, we happy few we band of brothers, For he today that rides his bike with me (sic) Shall be my brother be he ne'er so vile.." :thumbsup:
Post by: Phil W on 09 August, 2018, 10:00:08 am
Post by: BeMoreMike on 09 August, 2018, 11:19:59 am
http://www.weatherbagel.com/f/954d551c-9cf0-4ddb-a02a-c775262fac5f
You'll only get wet if you fall off the ferry...speaking of which, i'm a tiny bit anxious / curious on how that's going to work with 150+ cyclists. The only time I've ever used it, albeit in the other direction was also mid Saturday afternoon, i remember it being fairly busy, with several other bikes on board.
As always though with any Auk event, i'm confident it's been well planned and all will be just fine.
See y'all on Friday / Saturday.
Ben.
Post by: citoyen on 09 August, 2018, 11:34:54 am
You'll only get wet if you fall off the ferry...speaking of which, i'm a tiny bit anxious / curious on how that's going to work with 150+ cyclists. The only time I've ever used it, albeit in the other direction was also mid Saturday afternoon, i remember it being fairly busy, with several other bikes on board.
I'll be one of Tom's cat-herding team in Gravesend and I won't put up with any funny business from you lot. You'll wait your turn and do as you are told. ;)
Post by: BeMoreMike on 09 August, 2018, 11:51:37 am
I'll be one of Tom's cat-herding team in Gravesend and I won't put up with any funny business from you lot. You'll wait your turn and do as you are told. ;)
I like to think i'm more sheep than cat when it comes to being herded.
Does waiting in turn and doing as your told also extend to the locals with their beat up mountain bikes and bags of shopping ? It's the unknown quantity of these that i can see being more problematic than a bunch of bike riding Morris Dancers !!
Post by: Phil W on 09 August, 2018, 12:45:05 pm
Post by: citoyen on 09 August, 2018, 12:49:32 pm
Does waiting in turn and doing as your told also extend to the locals with their beat up mountain bikes and bags of shopping ? It's the unknown quantity of these that i can see being more problematic than a bunch of bike riding Morris Dancers !!
No idea, tbh. Wait and see!
But I trust Manotea when he says he has done the maths with regards to ferry capacity, and he's an experienced organiser. There will be a few of us in place at Gravesend to ensure order is maintained and manage expectations (riders arriving during the busiest period shall have to put up with a bit of a wait, but the pub next to the pier looks good so it could be worse).
Post by: BeMoreMike on 09 August, 2018, 01:13:53 pm
Having experienced the charms of Gravesend a couple of times, imo it gets a bad rep based pretty much on nothing other than an unfortunate name.
I've always found the riverside area fascinating, and The Three Daws pub by the pier is a fine place to kill time.
Post by: Martin on 09 August, 2018, 01:22:13 pm
Post by: citoyen on 09 August, 2018, 01:30:45 pm
Checked the profile, very little to scare those unused to AAA, Newlands Corner hear Guildford and a couple over by Wrotham, never done the route up to Exedown that way
Just had a look at the route... I've not done that road in that direction either, but have done it as a descent.
That little climb from Ightham Mote is a bit of a tester as well, but at least it's not One Tree Hill.
Post by: Phil W on 09 August, 2018, 01:59:36 pm
That little climb from Ightham Mote is a bit of a tester as well, but at least it's not One Tree Hill.
Routing via One Tree Hill is 1km shorter and Rooks Hill is 2.5km shorter. But in return you get steeper grades. I suspose it depends on how much you like hills and whether the shorter distance makes up for the steeper grades.
Post by: bludger on 09 August, 2018, 03:36:57 pm
It doesn't make a big difference but there's something about it that is weighing on my mind!
To be honest I will probably wuss out and stay with the pack because I'm sure there'll be someone with a 600 lumen beast lamp who I'll want to stick with.
Post by: Martin on 09 August, 2018, 03:55:23 pm
Checked the profile, very little to scare those unused to AAA, Newlands Corner hear Guildford and a couple over by Wrotham, never done the route up to Exedown that way
Just had a look at the route... I've not done that road in that direction either, but have done it as a descent.
That little climb from Ightham Mote is a bit of a tester as well, but at least it's not One Tree Hill.
can't see any reason not to go straight through Ightham and up Exedown Hill a la Invicta Grimpeur (the easier half) appears to shave a bit off; might be up for Rooks Lane too...
Post by: Phil W on 09 August, 2018, 04:11:52 pm
There is only one small change I am tempted to make - there is one point on the return leg where the route dips just inside the M25.
oh, where abouts? That is the sort of thing I'd be likely to want to do.
Post by: bloat on 09 August, 2018, 04:13:13 pm
Checked the profile, very little to scare those unused to AAA, Newlands Corner hear Guildford and a couple over by Wrotham, never done the route up to Exedown that way
Just had a look at the route... I've not done that road in that direction either, but have done it as a descent.
That little climb from Ightham Mote is a bit of a tester as well, but at least it's not One Tree Hill.
The last climb of the day is going to be hard work, Stony Lane at 306km, luckily only a couple of hundred meters long, but its steep!
Post by: BeMoreMike on 09 August, 2018, 04:24:46 pm
There is only one small change I am tempted to make - there is one point on the return leg where the route dips just inside the M25.
oh, where abouts? That is the sort of thing I'd be likely to want to do.
Yes, i was thinking about that. It's km278 - 283. The shortest reroute actually knocks 1km off the total, but has 2km of the A414 North Orbital, or you can skirt through the very south suburbs of St Albans, which adds only an extra km.
Post by: Phil W on 09 August, 2018, 04:41:02 pm
Post by: citoyen on 09 August, 2018, 04:54:57 pm
Routing via One Tree Hill is 1km shorter and Rooks Hill is 2.5km shorter. But in return you get steeper grades. I suspose it depends on how much you like hills and whether the shorter distance makes up for the steeper grades.
I've never ridden up Rooks Hill. Even the Invicta Grimpeur avoids that one.
Post by: BeMoreMike on 09 August, 2018, 05:03:27 pm
You can forget the A414, it's motorway in all but name. Right St Albans it is. Alternate route plotted to stay outside M25.
Indeed...I've just done a street view of the A414; it's got squashed written all over it !!
What detour are you looking at ? i'm thinking through Colney Heath, over the A414 footbridge and 1st left down Barley Mow Lane. Rejoining the route just before the Starbucks/Garage control.
Now that i've plotted it more precisely it actually knocks 2km off the total distance. Bonus :thumbsup:
Post by: Phil W on 09 August, 2018, 05:26:30 pm
Post by: Phil W on 09 August, 2018, 05:37:33 pm
Routing via One Tree Hill is 1km shorter and Rooks Hill is 2.5km shorter. But in return you get steeper grades. I suspose it depends on how much you like hills and whether the shorter distance makes up for the steeper grades.
I've never ridden up Rooks Hill. Even the Invicta Grimpeur avoids that one.
I am tempted, as the 2.5km saving should offset slower progress. There is about 300m (with the first half still involving climbing) of leafy bridleway at the top which should be pretty dry. Time wise probably not a lot in it.
Post by: Phil W on 09 August, 2018, 07:52:30 pm
Post by: BeMoreMike on 09 August, 2018, 08:54:00 pm
Forget my last London Colney route comment. I had only looked from where the route crossed the M25. Yes Colney Heath over bike bridge then will head down Colney Heath lane to Alban Way. Alban Way is paved traffic free greenway and dumps you out in the right part of St Albans to get to the control. Saved an additional 2km as well.
I like that Phil; it's another 700m off my noodle through the housing estates, and everyone loves a bit urban greenway...well, me anyway !
Most importantly, it takes us even further away from the M25 :)
Post by: Phil W on 09 August, 2018, 09:13:03 pm
Forget my last London Colney route comment. I had only looked from where the route crossed the M25. Yes Colney Heath over bike bridge then will head down Colney Heath lane to Alban Way. Alban Way is paved traffic free greenway and dumps you out in the right part of St Albans to get to the control. Saved an additional 2km as well.
I like that Phil; it's another 700m off my noodle through the housing estates, and everyone loves a bit urban greenway...well, me anyway !
Most importantly, it takes us even further away from the M25 :)
Yes, it is nice bit of smooth Greenway. You get to ride the full length plus three other greenways on my Hertfordshire Greenways 100 in September http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-268/. Will be doing route sheet check the following Sat. Was going to do it last Sat but couldn't be bothered in the heatwave. So it was a no brainer to use it when I saw the options plus I am familiar with that way.
Make yourself known at start and if we are in touching distance by Leaden Roding it may be worth doing that section together.
Post by: Martin on 09 August, 2018, 11:18:19 pm
You can forget the A414, it's motorway in all but name. Right St Albans it is. Alternate route plotted to stay outside M25.note from Colney Heath to StA you will have to ride a little way along the A14 on what's known locally as the Longabout, a bit of an accident blackspot, take care!
Post by: Phil W on 10 August, 2018, 12:13:03 am
You can forget the A414, it's motorway in all but name. Right St Albans it is. Alternate route plotted to stay outside M25.note from Colney Heath to StA you will have to ride a little way along the A14 on what's known locally as the Longabout, a bit of an accident blackspot, take care!
It is the A414 not A14 and no you don't need to ride on the longabout section of the A414 dual carriageway. There is a seperate cycle track on the pavement there next to the A414 that takes you to the Colney Heath road and away. In total about 200 metres of cycle track to cover to get you past the A414.
Post by: Martin on 10 August, 2018, 12:35:57 am
Post by: Phil W on 10 August, 2018, 10:45:27 am
ok thanks for that
See you on the London "outer" orbital parcours section. ;D
Post by: tippers_kiwi on 10 August, 2018, 11:47:32 am
Post by: BeMoreMike on 10 August, 2018, 11:53:44 am
Does waiting in turn and doing as your told also extend to the locals with their beat up mountain bikes and bags of shopping ? It's the unknown quantity of these that i can see being more problematic than a bunch of bike riding Morris Dancers !!FWIW I crossed the ferry at 10am last Saturday. Earlier than riders on the Orbital will arrive. There were three bikes. Me, a woman on a loaded touring bike (who bought a return, which made me wonder why she was taking all those panniers over to Essex and then bringing them back) and a chap whose bike I'm afraid I don't remember. He arrived at the last minute and then got off before me.
So ... a sample of one. At the wrong time.
Previous experiences of the ferry: August 2016 there were two of us, mid afternoon on a Friday. We were the only cyclists. December 2016, a Saturday, early evening. It was cancelled due to fog, but no announcement or information of this was available anywhere, so I sat freezing my nuts off for ages before getting on the phone and finding out.
Well fortunately for us there's no fog forecast for tomorrow afternoon, so that greatly improves our chances of safe passage.
When I used it last year it had some bizarre pricing where a return ticket is a few pence cheaper than a single. My journey was definitely one way, but I remember the ships first officer advising me to buy a return.
I like to think that Kent & Essex have some sort of immigration / extradition quota system and this encourages the natives to return home every day.
Maybe. :-\
Post by: Phil W on 10 August, 2018, 12:50:53 pm
I have circled where you would have crossed the M25 to go inside it.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/yktafu01x6g8so3/Capture.JPG?raw=1)
Post by: bhoot on 10 August, 2018, 02:46:35 pm
Hoping that all the rain that's just fallen on East London has used up the quota for a couple of days, cooler weather is welcome but dry preferred!
Post by: Neil C on 10 August, 2018, 03:17:17 pm
It will probably be dark before I get there but I can see that another option is to stay on Colney Heath Lane to the end and follow the Hatfield Road into the centre of St Albans before turning left down to the control.
Decision to be made tomorrow based on weather, light, and the state of my body and brain.
Weather is looking good, but maybe I need to dust off the longs again for the start.
Post by: citoyen on 10 August, 2018, 03:21:45 pm
Hoping that all the rain that's just fallen on East London has used up the quota for a couple of days, cooler weather is welcome but dry preferred!
Even if it's not raining tomorrow, today's rain will have washed a good deal of crap into the roads... Pack plenty of spare inner tubes!
Post by: Phil W on 10 August, 2018, 03:40:10 pm
Thanks Phil. I pieced together your route from your previous posts but it is nice to see it on a map.
It will probably be dark before I get there but I can see that another option is to stay on Colney Heath Lane to the end and follow the Hatfield Road into the centre of St Albans before turning left down to the control.
Decision to be made tomorrow based on weather, light, and the state of my body and brain.
Weather is looking good, but maybe I need to dust off the longs again for the start.
You go past a school on the left, then you will see the St Albans City sign, then go over a bridge, the bridge is over the greenway, shortly after on the right you turn to descend to the greenway. Turn right at the bottom then keep going straight to the end.
Post by: Martin on 10 August, 2018, 05:55:31 pm
Longabout bridge looks good too!
Post by: Phil W on 10 August, 2018, 06:36:14 pm
I'd forgotten about the Greenway, rode to Hatfield on it a couple of months ago; does it go all the way into the centre of St Albans? I know the way to Chiswell Green from there.
Longabout bridge looks good too!
It finishes near St Albans Abbey railway station. If you went right from where it ends, then second left down Prospect road you would know where you are. The end of Prospect road is the main A5183. The station is signed from the end. So it ends slightly south of the centre on the right side of St Albans for getting to Chiswell Green.
If you go left at the end then imm. right right then that takes you the way I am going. Only 500m shorter so either way works just fine.
Post by: teethgrinder on 10 August, 2018, 08:48:35 pm
You can forget the A414, it's motorway in all but name. Right St Albans it is. Alternate route plotted to stay outside M25.note from Colney Heath to StA you will have to ride a little way along the A14 on what's known locally as the Longabout, a bit of an accident blackspot, take care!
It is the A414 not A14 and no you don't need to ride on the longabout section of the A414 dual carriageway. There is a seperate cycle track on the pavement there next to the A414 that takes you to the Colney Heath road and away. In total about 200 metres of cycle track to cover to get you past the A414.
That's where my grandfather was killed on his bike (long before I was born)
I used to cross that junction every week to get to the Herts CTC club night before I moved to Milton Keynes.
If you don't fancy the dual carriageway (and I wouldn't blame you, especially if you're tired) you can either get onto the pavement just before you get to the dual carriageway and ride over the footbridge (it's a shared use cyclepath) or another thing I sometimes did if it wasn't so busy was to ride onto the central reservation at the obvious place, then cross the other carriageway onto the shared use cyclepath. That's actually the crossing for horses. Assuming nothing has changed very much since I last visited...
I'd be riding this event if some kind soul hadn't got me a ticket to see Iron Maiden at the O2. Maybe next year...?
Phil's 200km ride might be a good trip down memory lane for me though. I used to work in a factory less than 50m away from the greenway. It was a rough track then, but I hear it's been improved since I last rode it.
Phil's route on the greenway also avoids a small amount of climbing (if I remember the proper route correctly)
Post by: Manotea on 11 August, 2018, 05:39:22 am
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/ye2ihl26bw65tz9/IMAG0148.jpg?raw=1)
Post by: bhoot on 11 August, 2018, 02:38:20 pm
Post by: citoyen on 11 August, 2018, 05:40:20 pm
Post by: telstarbox on 11 August, 2018, 06:00:07 pm
Post by: Charlie Polecat on 11 August, 2018, 08:07:02 pm
Quote
175 Brevet Cards waiting to be collected for the inaugural edition of the London Orbital Audax!
Incredible number! We don't get more than half a dozen riders for a brevet over here. Well done the organisers. :thumbsup:
Post by: jiberjaber on 11 August, 2018, 11:41:37 pm
Great to bump in to lots of friends from the Audax world whilst serving the tea and coffee :)
Post by: Tomsk on 12 August, 2018, 06:14:46 am
Well that was a heap of fun helping out at Leaden Roding, such a great diverse crowd from the chap in civys riding round to show his nephew you don't need to spend a fortune to achieve things to the carbon and Ti weapons making fast paces plus a lot of cycle club groups (who I hope I managed to advertise the ACME rides to for good measure!).
Great to bump in to lots of friends from the Audax world whilst serving the tea and coffee :)
:thumbsup: The other side of the Audax coin - I heartily commend helping at a control, as an alternative way to spend the day. Thank you to all my helpers at Leaden Roding [almost all of whom rode over from across the county and even over the borders in Suffolk and Hertfordshire], very much appreciated by me and all the riders - note for next time, helpers: bring an empty pannier for left-overs! We ran out of several items, but thankfully the little village shop just up the road was well stocked. Left-overs won't go to waste - Redbond Lodge [old folks home] will benefit from bananas, bread, biscuits and cake today...tinned stuff and sundry other non-perishables will turn up again next year on another of my events.
Post by: bludger on 12 August, 2018, 07:28:15 am
The state of me this morning though... 😳
Post by: grapefruits on 12 August, 2018, 08:24:07 am
I had an bloody lovely day. Thanks to all involved.
Post by: Phil W on 12 August, 2018, 10:50:41 am
Cracking ride and was expecting traffic to get busy any moment as the day progressed but it never happened. Lovely rural route and but for the closed roads we could have avoided Brentwood. A few boy racers but they gave wide passes so I was happy enough.
Did anyone else see the red sports car in the ditch? I opened the door and thankfully no one inside.
Followed my shorter route via the Alban Greenway to stay outside the M25. Also confirmed as quicker then the official route as I saw riders I had been with heading to the control as I headed off back uphill for the final leg having stopped for a feed.
Post by: bludger on 12 August, 2018, 11:52:56 am
Today's agenda; absolutely nothing except hanging up laundry.
Post by: Martin on 12 August, 2018, 02:45:35 pm
Did anyone else see the red sports car in the ditch? I opened the door and thankfully no one inside.
yes, the door was locked when I tried.
A real 360o ride in all respects, Slough was frustrating as the lights are phased for 30mph (which must have been even more frustrating for the hoots on tandem) but once in Windsor Great Park was fantastic with almost nobody else there and the mist hanging over the lakes. I ignored the closed road ssigns after Newlands Corner which wasn't a problem as there was a loop to avoid the actual "road up". Note to self next time the Garmin says turn left into a scrap yard DO as it was the Cranleigh control! (had to backtrack 5k to find it)
Familiar route through Edenbridge to Hildenborough, now I know where Kent Velo Girls come from! (and Boys which I've never seen before)
Then some Grumping to get to Exedown where TomJ's route down to Gravesend was just the job! Got the ferry with enough time to chat with TomJ Citoyen Fixillated and Mike P. The ferry was real fun (note to Manotea for 2019; gonna need a bigger boat!)
Lovely route to Leaden Roding where Café ACME absolutely hit the spot! then it got a bit damp but was gentle all the way (nice road past the wildlife park never been in those parts before). It stayed warm so I was able to go back to just a jersey for the rest of the ride once the rain passed.
Did the purist M25 external route but went via brother's in St A. Sense of humour failure on Stony Lane and even more so with a front puncture 5k from the finish.
Cracking event! not sure I'll do it again as it's a long way to ride solo, but glad to have done it this time,
Thanks Manotea and all your helpers too numerous to mention.
Post by: citoyen on 12 August, 2018, 03:26:08 pm
gonna need a bigger boat!
Post by: Phil W on 12 August, 2018, 04:58:41 pm
Phil's 200km ride might be a good trip down memory lane for me though. I used to work in a factory less than 50m away from the greenway. It was a rough track then, but I hear it's been improved since I last rode it.
Phil's route on the greenway also avoids a small amount of climbing (if I remember the proper route correctly)
All smooth tarmac now.
Post by: bhoot on 12 August, 2018, 07:15:46 pm
Everyone else has commented on the excellence of arrangements so I won't repeat that, instead some geeky facts and figures (unless of course you know better....)
Taking Charing Cross as the definitive point to measure "London" distances from, the furthest away point was just after the Cranleigh control (47.1km) and the nearest was Colney Street (25.3km) unless you used a "keep outside the M25" variant when the nearest was at the Chiswell Green control (28.9km)
There were 50 roundabouts to negotiate, giving an MDBR (mean distance between roundabouts) of just over 6km. I think this is probably an interesting measure of "urbanity" of a route!
We crossed 22 radial railway lines, plus a few not quite so radial like the Grays/Tilbury Loop and the Redhill-Tonbridge line. (We used the crossings as a measure of progress, as in "OK now we have crossed the Waterloo lines and we are on to the Victorias", "once we get to the Kings Cross line we must really be North and no longer East" etc.... little things amuse minds on these long rides).
Hats off to the Clapham Chasers - four women tackling their longest ever ride (they liked the Ditchling Devil so came back for more). We rode quite near to them for a lot of the day. Although they were faster on the road and powered past several times, we did pull off a few "local knowledge" shortcuts to pop up ahead again. Anyway they all finished well in time, hopefully having had a good but tough day.
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 12 August, 2018, 08:52:05 pm
Sense of humour failure on Stony Lanelocal road for me, well known so not a surprise, my slowest attempt by some margin.
loved the route, controls were good, and quick and the Leading Roding control was excellent. Thanks to all the volunteers
If i did it again, I would go for the outer route, which I hadn't planned as i was contemplating a McDs after Colney Heath, but the weather put paid to that, getting into the warm and dry would have made going into the rain again very unappealing.
Post by: FiveFives on 13 August, 2018, 09:16:17 am
Really enjoyed this as my first 300 (hiving ridden LWL from here a few months ago).
The cooler weather certainly helped, though I did have it as 3 degrees at 4am before heading over the HQ! Quite a shock now I'm completely adapted to our new Mediterranean weather.
The route through Windsor park was fantastic, I've not done that before and really enjoyed it, probably pushed a little to hard to stay with the group on a few hills. The road closure caught me out a little but a braver rider headed straight through and I followed him (Howard, with local knowledge here) and we ended up riding the rest of the day together) but had a great first stint and ended up at the first control just after 8. Headed straight on for the rolling ride to the next control, riding with Howard and the chap with the cool shut up legs tattoos (Sorry never did catch your name), working well and feeling good as the weather warmed. Over the hilly bit after the control I kept catching Matias (sp) as he stopped to check the route sheet at the junctions before zipping ahead on every hill!
We were all hoping to make the ferry before the 2pm interval, and rolled in to Gravesend a little before 1 and managed to get straight on, I think there were 12 bikes on the ferry?
Tilbury, why do they even name somewhere that has nothing in it! Having foolishly nipped through Gravesend without picking up any provisions, Howard and I stopped in a shop in Billaricy (after the football stadium im guessing). I think we both were pushing a little to much, but after some food and taking it a bit easier for a few miles we were soon rolling towards the ACME control, and for me starting to get to the edge of my known cycling world (being Hertford based).
The ACME control was amazing, they really did an amazing job, thanks so much for that. It was here we picked up Tim, who just sat on the back and wasn't useful to the group at all, oh no wait, he towed us all the way!! Huge thanks Tim,
Now we headed under Harlow, through Broxbourne and into the woods, firmly in my patch, before heading under St Albans (we followed the original route), it was around here it started raining, and we rolled into Starbucks soggy and a little down!
The ride back from here was wet and I cant believe how many short sharp hills they found! We were all quite ready to finish by now, then Howard got a puncture about 8k out, and in the top gear spirit we left him! Howard did insist to be fair, and Matias and I rode in to the control in the last of the fading light. Tim had nipped off before going back out to round the ride up to 200 miles.
We were very well looked after at the Arrivee, Howard arrived puncture fixed (as did the chap who'd punctured a mile from the finish!)
A really great event, good route and nice with everyone I rode with knowing their patch. A great effort to find so man nice routes in what could be very urban areas.
Post by: telstarbox on 13 August, 2018, 09:52:13 am
https://www.strava.com/segments/18516630
Post by: whosatthewheel on 13 August, 2018, 09:54:45 am
Which joker has made a load of Strava segments named after Orbital tracks? :thumbsup:
https://www.strava.com/segments/18516630
I was wondering the same...
Post by: Lee Velo on 13 August, 2018, 10:02:29 am
Tilbury, why do they even name somewhere that has nothing in it! Having foolishly nipped through Gravesend without picking up any provisions, Howard and I stopped in a shop in Billaricy (after the football stadium im guessing). I think we both were pushing a little to much, but after some food and taking it a bit easier for a few miles we were soon rolling towards the ACME control, and for me starting to get to the edge of my known cycling world (being Hertford based).
I grew up in Tilbury and it's a good call by the org to not route through the actual town. There is a Tesco Express and a co op in the town centre however. The route takes you around the outside towards East and West Tilbury (which have nothing in them). Would have been possible to divert at Stanford Le hope to pick up provisions I believe.
Post by: Bernster on 13 August, 2018, 10:23:28 am
Well that was a heap of fun helping out at Leaden Roding, such a great diverse crowd from the chap in civys riding round to show his nephew you don't need to spend a fortune to achieve things to the carbon and Ti weapons making fast paces plus a lot of cycle club groups (who I hope I managed to advertise the ACME rides to for good measure!).
Great to bump in to lots of friends from the Audax world whilst serving the tea and coffee :)
:thumbsup: The other side of the Audax coin - I heartily commend helping at a control, as an alternative way to spend the day. Thank you to all my helpers at Leaden Roding [almost all of whom rode over from across the county and even over the borders in Suffolk and Hertfordshire], very much appreciated by me and all the riders - note for next time, helpers: bring an empty pannier for left-overs! We ran out of several items, but thankfully the little village shop just up the road was well stocked. Left-overs won't go to waste - Redbond Lodge [old folks home] will benefit from bananas, bread, biscuits and cake today...tinned stuff and sundry other non-perishables will turn up again next year on another of my events.
Another ACME volunteer here who thoroughly enjoyed helping out - it was nice to get to meet the whole field as the afternoon progressed. Based on comments from riders as they left the control, it seemed that the food and TLC provided was appreciated, and came at the right point in the ride. I'd urge anyone who hasn't done so before to volunteer at a control - it's a really sociable experience, and interesting to see things from the other side of the control desk - the 7 or so hours that I was there really flew by! :thumbsup:
Post by: bludger on 13 August, 2018, 10:31:59 am
Just about managed to resist lying on the sofa at the end of the hall as that would have been the death knell!
Post by: Neil C on 13 August, 2018, 01:20:25 pm
Which joker has made a load of Strava segments named after Orbital tracks? :thumbsup:
https://www.strava.com/segments/18516630
I thought I was going well at the start but that shows I was 69 out of 70 by the time I got to Cranleigh!!
Still time for a Full English before heading for Hildenborough where I bumped the control with the intention of stopping for a sandwich at the next shop I saw. That shop never appeared so resorted to a Wetherspoons curry while I waited for the ferry.
Somehow I lost a glove between Gravesend and Tilbury. It wasn't on the boat but I decided not to go back to Gravesend to look for it!
Leaden Roding was amazing but finally had to head out into the increasing dampness. The next couple of hours were a learning experience as I struggled to see the road, the potholes, the routesheet and the Garmin through misted up glasses. I failed to follow Phil's Alban Way route but saw the delights of the centre of St Alban's instead. Maybe I'll return in September for Phil's ride and see it all in daylight.
The rest of the route seemed increasingly uphill but narrowly avoided the 24" gear.There was still a light on and a warm welcome when I got to Chalfont.
Thanks to Paul and all the helpers for a great day out - a full lap of London and four seasons in one day.
Post by: dave d on 13 August, 2018, 03:52:05 pm
Some other comparisons vs the Ultra: Saturday's route seemed the much more pleasant of the two, generally avoiding built-up areas much better. Length was only slightly longer (315k vs 306k), climbing a bit less (2,660m v 2,848m). Interestingly our moving time was very similar, our average speed was faster but overall time an hour longer. This mainly reflected the slow trudge through central London traffic on the Ultra vs the wait for the ferry at Gravesend (we probably could have squeezed on the 13:30 but waited for the 14:00). Interestingly I see the Revolution are to start and finish from the Essex side next year to aviod the London crowds.
We were unfortunate to arrive at the road closure past Newland's Corner just as a road worker arrived in a large lorry and he refused to let us through. However once the crowd of waiting cyclists had grown to over a dozen, our weight of numbers prevailed. We did find the last stage negotiating 28 instructions in 28km on undulating, dark, wet, tree-covered, poorly surfaced country lanes a trial. I asume there is no better direct way. Going clockwise rather than anti-clockwise would solve that as the first 30km were very easy navigation. However that would probably mean missing the delights of Windsor Great Park (I don't think you are allowed in after dusk?) and there is not much to do in Tilbury waiting for a ferry!
Overall a great ride and I am sure it will prove to be a very popular ride in years to come if repeated.
Post by: billyam998 on 13 August, 2018, 05:14:07 pm
Tilbury, why do they even name somewhere that has nothing in it! Having foolishly nipped through Gravesend without picking up any provisions, Howard and I stopped in a shop in Billaricy (after the football stadium im guessing). I think we both were pushing a little to much, but after some food and taking it a bit easier for a few miles we were soon rolling towards the ACME control, and for me starting to get to the edge of my known cycling world (being Hertford based).
I grew up in Tilbury and it's a good call by the org to not route through the actual town. There is a Tesco Express and a co op in the town centre however. The route takes you around the outside towards East and West Tilbury (which have nothing in them). Would have been possible to divert at Stanford Le hope to pick up provisions I believe.
Lee - cough - "grew up" haha, Tilbury really isn't that bad and, quite tame compared to how it was in the 80's when it really did resemble the wild west. A little local knowledge would have taken you to a one stop just off the route on the road that leads up to gun hill, but, never mind. I chose to divert slightly going over the pedestrian bridge that replaced the hairpin, straight up montreal road, past st chads - which is now a posh housing estate and, up chadwell hill timing the lights to perfection, I then called in at my mums for a 88th (hers not mine) birthday cup of tea before pushing on through orsett, bulphan, brentwood, the wealds to get back en route shortly before the acme check. I don't go "home" very often, it doesn't take me long to realise why.
Post by: Martin on 13 August, 2018, 05:16:37 pm
We crossed 22 radial railway lines, plus a few not quite so radial like the Grays/Tilbury Loop and the Redhill-Tonbridge line. (We used the crossings as a measure of progress, as in "OK now we have crossed the Waterloo lines and we are on to the Victorias", "once we get to the Kings Cross lines we must really be North and no longer East" etc.... little things amuse minds on these long rides).
but Redhill - Tonbridge used to be radial (before the line through Hildenborough opened, and indeed it had direct trains from London the last timetable change, not sure about Grays / Tilbury). Did we cross both the arms of the Great Eastern (Southend and Norwich) or was it before the junction? maybe depends which way we went through Mountnessing.
I missed the Watford - St Albans line by staying outside the M25 and not using the Greenway. We also crossed over examples of all types of (current) UK rail electrification and of course diesel only.
Someone will be along in a minute with all the waterways or rivers crossed as they did with Double Dutch
Post by: bhoot on 13 August, 2018, 05:58:27 pm
(click to show/hide)
Now who has the list of trunk roads?
Post by: Martin on 13 August, 2018, 06:14:17 pm
Post by: Phil W on 13 August, 2018, 07:34:46 pm
You missed the Hertford North loop! (admittedly it was in a tunnel and it was also dark, when I went over it at least!)
Indeed you passed over it about 3km after Paradise Wildlife park.
Post by: alfapete on 13 August, 2018, 07:48:37 pm
The couple hills in Kent were a little less severe than the profile had suggested but an hour and 25 minute wait for the ferry was unwelcome (I think I arrived at the worst possible time, just at the back of the bulge). I used the time on a pizza, a beer and a rest for the poor muscles but I was happy with how things were going at this point. Essex felt nice and flat, but the breeze and rain were features for the next hour or so. Thanks to the ACME guys for the feed at Leadon Roding, and the complimentary comments about the Rourke.
The telepathic fairy read my thoughts at around 250km ("this would be a really bad place to get a visit...") and sure enough at 255km the rear went flat. Fortunately a light in a (closed) pub doorway aided the repair but I couldn't locate what had caused the problem and sure enough 5km later it went down again as one of the ACME controllers greeted me on his way home. The lights of the town helped me find the offending thorn and I was on my way again, significantly delayed. And just a little peeved.
The next section seemed to be a long succession of gentle upwards drags with little respite and the legs grew progressively more laboured and the wheels rotated more and more glacially. At Starbucks in rolled Padraig who was struggling the same as me. We agreed to set off together already aware of a yacf rumour that there might be some slopes in the final section. Despite perfect navigation via gps all day long I lead the team of two the wrong way at successive junctions, thankfully quickly corrected by my accomplice.
We jumped off our bikes in synchronised swimmer unison on three occasions and always agreed at the top of the hill that walking was at least as painful as riding. Padraig was giving regular updates of distance and time allowed to the Arrivee and we rolled in with ten minutes to spare, surprised to see Paul and two other volunteers still awake. Poor Padraig had another 20km to ride home but I headed for the sleeping bag and knew nothing more till first light.
It's tough at the bottom!
Thanks to Paul and all the volunteers for the repeated lesson that I never seem to learn from about where my limits are.
Post by: Phil W on 13 August, 2018, 08:10:38 pm
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Post by: Phil W on 13 August, 2018, 08:27:10 pm
I would imagine that if you were marginally out of time then a look at your arrival time at Gravesend and allocated ferry time would be taken into consideration. I do not know whether they recorded your arrival time and ferry time though.
Post by: Bernster on 13 August, 2018, 09:10:09 pm
The telepathic fairy read my thoughts at around 250km ("this would be a really bad place to get a visit...") and sure enough at 255km the rear went flat. Fortunately a light in a (closed) pub doorway aided the repair but I couldn't locate what had caused the problem and sure enough 5km later it went down again as one of the ACME controllers greeted me on his way home. The lights of the town helped me find the offending thorn and I was on my way again, significantly delayed. And just a little peeved.
That was me - glad that you made it round OK. I was on a bit of a mission to get home for dinner otherwise I'd have stopped to assist :thumbsup:
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 13 August, 2018, 09:20:36 pm
Going clockwise rather than anti-clockwise would solve that as the first 30km were very easy navigation. However that would probably mean missing the delights of Windsor Great Park (I don't think you are allowed in after dusk?) and there is not much to do in Tilbury waiting for a ferry!
Overall a great ride and I am sure it will prove to be a very popular ride in years to come if repeated.
With the starbucks as the only 24 hour control, the issue would be more likely to be the last control for those going anticlockwise, also no one would be interested in stopping after 29km going clockwise. Personally I would rather have taken the ferry south as I got on quite quickly after arrival, and would have stopped for lunch if possible after crossing.
Pete.no allocated ferry times, just a ticket, so turning up at 13:20 I went for the 13:30 rather than getting food and then maybe, or maybe not getting on the 14:00, unfortunately this meant no proper lunch as nothing seemed to be available on the north side. But even if I had managed to acquire lunch and eat it inside 30 minutes, I suspected the number of riders at the dock by 14:00 would exceed the boat capacity, and I suspect there would have been a considerable number by 15:00, as judging by the previous controls, I was only marginally ahead of the peak.
I would imagine that if you were marginally out of time then a look at your arrival time at Gravesend and allocated ferry time would be taken into consideration. I do not know whether they recorded your arrival time and ferry time though.
Post by: bludger on 13 August, 2018, 09:28:26 pm
That and the back pocket brie got me to the ACME and from there it was gravy.
Post by: Phil W on 13 August, 2018, 09:44:03 pm
Pete.no allocated ferry times, just a ticket, so turning up at 13:20 I went for the 13:30 rather than getting food and then maybe, or maybe not getting on the 14:00, unfortunately this meant no proper lunch as nothing seemed to be available on the north side. But even if I had managed to acquire lunch and eat it inside 30 minutes, I suspected the number of riders at the dock by 14:00 would exceed the boat capacity, and I suspect there would have been a considerable number by 15:00, as judging by the previous controls, I was only marginally ahead of the peak.
I would imagine that if you were marginally out of time then a look at your arrival time at Gravesend and allocated ferry time would be taken into consideration. I do not know whether they recorded your arrival time and ferry time though.
There were allocated ferry times on tickets later on (if you had not made the 2pm sailing), which meant riders were stationary in Gravesend for roughly between 1 to 1.5 hours.
Post by: Martin on 13 August, 2018, 10:04:30 pm
I don't usually do coffee after breakfast although I doubt it would have kept me awake at the finish...
Post by: citoyen on 13 August, 2018, 11:26:44 pm
There were allocated ferry times on tickets later on (if you had not made the 2pm sailing), which meant riders were stationary in Gravesend for roughly between 1 to 1.5 hours.
Not strictly true. We were marking ferry times on the tickets but that was purely indicative of the maximum waiting time based on a count of 15 bikes per ferry, which was what we had been told was the capacity, but in fact some crossings were taking more (I know at least one took 18 bikes). They also laid on an extra crossing during the time they were supposed to be having their lunch break. So in fact most riders were getting the ferry ahead of the time we were marking on their tickets. The times we marked certainly weren't prescriptive, anyone was free to try to get on whichever ferry they wanted to.
Post by: Martin on 13 August, 2018, 11:52:25 pm
I duly sat out the next one to give earlier riders their place but the one I got had a few spaces when it left
ETEOTD it was all part of the fun, don't think anyone was OOT at any controls as a result *
* I hope
Post by: Phil W on 14 August, 2018, 12:10:35 am
There were allocated ferry times on tickets later on (if you had not made the 2pm sailing), which meant riders were stationary in Gravesend for roughly between 1 to 1.5 hours.
Not strictly true. We were marking ferry times on the tickets but that was purely indicative of the maximum waiting time based on a count of 15 bikes per ferry, which was what we had been told was the capacity, but in fact some crossings were taking more (I know at least one took 18 bikes). They also laid on an extra crossing during the time they were supposed to be having their lunch break. So in fact most riders were getting the ferry ahead of the time we were marking on their tickets. The times we marked certainly weren't prescriptive, anyone was free to try to get on whichever ferry they wanted to.
Ah, that wasn't made clear; I thought it was prescriptive. British queuing etiquette.
Post by: Martin on 14 August, 2018, 01:38:38 pm
Which joker has made a load of Strava segments named after Orbital tracks? :thumbsup:
https://www.strava.com/segments/18516630
I was wondering the same...
Thanks! I haven't actually bought any Orbital since Chime; just logging onto Amazon music :thumbsup:
Post by: Phil W on 14 August, 2018, 05:15:45 pm
I arrived on the gangplank just before the 1500 ferry but having no routesheet (which was to haunt me the whole day) didn't realise I had to check in at the pub.
I take it you bought a ticket then as the ferry ticket included in event price was given out when they did your brevet card at the pub.
Post by: Martin on 14 August, 2018, 05:59:12 pm
Post by: Tim Hall on 14 August, 2018, 06:19:05 pm
Post by: Martin on 14 August, 2018, 06:46:52 pm
Post by: Phil W on 14 August, 2018, 11:56:28 pm
Post by: jiberjaber on 17 August, 2018, 07:05:38 pm
There was a good farm shop on the north side of the thames. Caught it just as it was shutting and I made off with a sausage roll, a bag of chocolate raisins and peanuts, 6 chocolate teacakes and a rocky road flapjack plus a morale raising ton of cold cream soda. Result!
That and the back pocket brie got me to the ACME and from there it was gravy.
Can you remember where the farm shop was located?
Post by: Phil W on 18 August, 2018, 08:15:23 pm
There was a good farm shop on the north side of the thames. Caught it just as it was shutting and I made off with a sausage roll, a bag of chocolate raisins and peanuts, 6 chocolate teacakes and a rocky road flapjack plus a morale raising ton of cold cream soda. Result!
That and the back pocket brie got me to the ACME and from there it was gravy.
Can you remember where the farm shop was located?
Think it was around Little Burstead.
Post by: jiberjaber on 22 August, 2018, 05:33:54 pm
There was a good farm shop on the north side of the thames. Caught it just as it was shutting and I made off with a sausage roll, a bag of chocolate raisins and peanuts, 6 chocolate teacakes and a rocky road flapjack plus a morale raising ton of cold cream soda. Result!
That and the back pocket brie got me to the ACME and from there it was gravy.
Can you remember where the farm shop was located?
Think it was around Little Burstead.
Yes - think I came past it on Saturday - didnt need to stop as I had rehydrated at Howden on the Hill