Mid-Essex Mid-Week Nocturnal Series

[slipgate]

I should be okay. I'm trying to get myself closer to Liverpool Street tomorrow afternoon.

[Tomsk]

So, anybody got a PLAN? Chelmo would suit me...

[Oaky]

Chelmo beer festival suits me ... I'll do it on the stealth bike in that case, with big locks and a shorter route than normal

I'm thinking something like a 7:15 or 7:30 departure from Witham with a planned arrival at the festival of ~8:30.

[huggy]

Probably not going to make it out tonight 
Don't forget extra pannier space for your festival glasses!

[Oaky]

I will have bar bag or pannier space for a glass or two 

I should also be able to get my gert big Abus chain round both mine and slippy's bikes

It's looking more likely to be 7:30 than 7:15 for me tonight since there are parents evening meetings at the Acorns' school, at which I will not be wearing my cycling gear.  There's a very small chance that it may even be 7:45...

slippy - I'll keep you posted, but for the moment lets assume 7:30 at the Jack and Jenny?

[Tomsk]

I'm coming over via the Chelmer Hut to pick up a jersey - currently apparating/regenerating as another of those green and yellow lions of Mid-Essex....Probably at the Fest by 8:30-ish.

[Oaky]

I think a route something like this for the Witham contingent - outbound via North hill and Chelmsford's finest cycling infrastructure, back via the Springfield and Boreham roads.

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=576735

[slipgate]

Errr, I won't be making it. I got nearer lpool street, account manager meeting, but people keep buying me beer. Oh well 

[Oaky]

Errr, I won't be making it. I got nearer lpool street, account manager meeting, but people keep buying me beer. Oh well 

It's a hard life

[Oscar's dad]

Are you still at the beer fest?

[Tomsk]

I even left in daylight - but in my defence, Mrs T got home late from a school open evening, so I wanted to earn points.

Beer was all excellent as expected - unfortunately too busy with 'Hereward' [and going to another Thaxted Fest. concert Saturday eve] to get back to Chelmo this weekend.

[Oscar's dad]

I'm guessing Oaky still hasn't managed to tear himself away 

[Oaky]

Ha!

I stayed a little later than Tomsk (chatting to Joss who was volunteering on the bar there).  home before I turned into a pumpkin though.

[huggy]

In another breakout of advanced planning I am leading a Witham Cycling ride on Wednesday evening this week along a route like this setting off at 7:30.  A 24 mile loop for Withamites, picking up any Maldon type people along the way; once I have safely guided the Witham cyclists home I'll continue back to Maldon to deliver back any en route pick ups making a total 36 miles for me, if there is anyone left after our first return to Witham.
The rehydration stop is planed to be The Bell at Tolleshunt Major, although on past experience of WC led rides this will not be for more than a swift one!  Riding pace likely to be very steady with the previous led ride rolling along at about 10mph 
There is even some OD off-roading included!!
Feel free to join us or pass by at some point and have a snigger at the slow pace call out some encouragement.

[Oscar's dad]

 

Where is the comedy off-roading?  Should I add it to my best shite mid-Essex roads data base?

Speaking of which, I did some research the other day.  I was forced to conclude that 23c tyres might not be best suited to some of the cycling super highways I have discovered.  One section left my shins covered in stinging nettle stings 

[huggy]

Where is the comedy off-roading?  Should I add it to my best shite mid-Essex roads data base?

Speaking of which, I did some research the other day.  I was forced to conclude that 23c tyres might not be best suited to some of the cycling super highways I have discovered.  One section left my shins covered in stinging nettle stings 

The bridleway between Braxted Road and Little Braxted Lane alongside Colemans Reservoir- another BikeRouteToaster special!  Not too bad when dry until the Lttle Braxted Lane end where nettle stung shins are highly probably too.
An alternative on-road route through Rivenhall and down Rickstones Road will be offered if the innocents are not up for the untarmaced surface.

[Tomsk]

I can't make this Weds    But I'm going to a party 

Have fun!

[Oaky]

I can't make this Weds    But I'm going to a party 

Have fun!

I thought you'd be out, practicing cycling past pubs at speed, grabbing pints handed up from the roadside by running volunteers?

[Tomsk]

.....cycling past pubs at speed, grabbing pints handed up from the roadside by running volunteers?

I'll be picking up pints, but they will be very sensible ones.

There are a number of inviting-looking pubs on the finishing circuit. Once at 'my' timekeeper, I'm treating myself to a proper pint. Back at HQ, all I want to do is lie down and be pampered, then go home.

[Oaky]

In another breakout of advanced planning I am leading a Witham Cycling ride on Wednesday evening this week along a route like this setting off at 7:30.  A 24 mile loop for Withamites, picking up any Maldon type people along the way; once I have safely guided the Witham cyclists home I'll continue back to Maldon to deliver back any en route pick ups making a total 36 miles for me, if there is anyone left after our first return to Witham.

mrs_o has procured the services of a babysitter so our plan is that she will join the ride as above and I will set off for a blast around a loop on my own, meeting up with you chaps and chapesses at the Bell (or possibly catching you before depending on pace and/or the length of loop I find to do).

[Oscar's dad]

Have fun tomorrow night.

Tonight I shall be riding round the Berkshire Downs*

(*) Give Doris a minute or so to get warmed up.  Which is actually a good tip for life in general.

[huggy]

In another breakout of advanced planning I am leading a Witham Cycling ride on Wednesday evening this week along a route like this setting off at 7:30.  A 24 mile loop for Withamites, picking up any Maldon type people along the way; once I have safely guided the Witham cyclists home I'll continue back to Maldon to deliver back any en route pick ups making a total 36 miles for me, if there is anyone left after our first return to Witham.

mrs_o has procured the services of a babysitter so our plan is that she will join the ride as above and I will set off for a blast around a loop on my own, meeting up with you chaps and chapesses at the Bell (or possibly catching you before depending on pace and/or the length of loop I find to do).

There won't be any en route pick ups in Maldon as far as I know now, so we will only be doing the 24 mile loop and likely be at The Bell about 9pm for swift pint.  As I won't need to return anyone to Maldon a post-ride drink in the 'spoons might be in order 

[Oaky]

Not sure if you'd looked at their website, but if I read this correctly:-

http://www.beckinghambell.co.uk/s_opening_times.asp
it looks like the Bell may close at 9pm on a Wednesday.

[huggy]

Not sure if you'd looked at their website, but if I read this correctly:-

http://www.beckinghambell.co.uk/s_opening_times.asp
it looks like the Bell may close at 9pm on a Wednesday.

Thanks for the heads up!
Just called them to ask if they would be open past 9pm this evening - apparently they will be and are now expecting us 

[Oaky]

cool.

I'll be taking a slightly longer route to the pub, hoping to see you there or possibly catch you just before depending on pace.