Author Topic: Mid-Essex Mid-Week Nocturnal Series (Read 1761001 times)

The Retiree · « **Reply #5950 on:** 17 December, 2014, 04:34:32 pm »

Quote from: Huggy on 17 December, 2014, 09:53:45 am

Quote from: Oaky on 16 December, 2014, 08:29:29 pm
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/BRTWebUI/Course/747745

has the added advantage of also going past the King Billy on the way home, just in case.
errmm, unless my pooter is having trouble following links this 'new' route appears to have the COR included still

I see we have some COR (that OD would be proud of) still in the mix past Rayne Hall airfield even with the new route option, is that correct?

Oaky · « **Reply #5951 on:** 17 December, 2014, 05:00:12 pm »

Quote from: Doggers Lane on 17 December, 2014, 04:34:32 pm

Quote from: Huggy on 17 December, 2014, 09:53:45 am
Quote from: Oaky on 16 December, 2014, 08:29:29 pm
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/BRTWebUI/Course/747745

has the added advantage of also going past the King Billy on the way home, just in case.
errmm, unless my pooter is having trouble following links this 'new' route appears to have the COR included still

I see we have some COR (that OD would be proud of) still in the mix past Rayne Hall airfield even with the new route option, is that correct?

I was hoping not... let me double check my links etc.

Oaky · « **Reply #5952 on:** 17 December, 2014, 05:02:07 pm »

Grr... looks like BRT was lying to me when I copied the link off screen... give me a moment.

Oaky · « **Reply #5953 on:** 17 December, 2014, 05:05:51 pm »

OK - this looks better -- at least it's given me a different link this time... http://bikeroutetoaster.com/BRTWebUI/Course/747827

tippers_kiwi · « **Reply #5954 on:** 17 December, 2014, 05:29:59 pm »

Oaky · « **Reply #5955 on:** 17 December, 2014, 06:29:42 pm »

And to re-cap: Withamites will be meeting at 7:30 outside Maltings Academy for a pootle up Blue Mills Hill to warm up before collecting Tippers en-route, probably at one end of Sextons lane or the other.

tippers_kiwi · « **Reply #5956 on:** 18 December, 2014, 08:35:47 am »

Great ride out last night. It seems we liberated ALL the hens!

I must get better at using the CO2, it looks lovely I question the function but it is never easy while being watched.

Oaky · « **Reply #5957 on:** 18 December, 2014, 11:09:41 am »

Great night out and not a jot of Comedy Off-Roading!

There were a couple of lanes of OD-compliant flinty-crap-strewn surfaces and a lot of surface water in places (mostly before we got to Water Lane).

As was alluded to above: we drank all of the Speckled Hen, and I think we also saw off the Abbot.

Upon arriving at the pub, tippers noticed a whistling/bubbling sound which turned out to be coming from DL's front tyre. the rest of us gallantly retired to the pub to bag a space while DL fixed it outside. A second unscheduled deflation on the way home on the outskirts of Fuller Street gave tippers the opportunity to give a demo of the art of CO₂ inflation.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #5958 on:** 18 December, 2014, 11:41:40 am »

Meanwhile back at OD Towers I enjoyed a relaxed dinner, a bit of telly watching (getting fatter still), then retired to bed whilst you gallant chaps were still drinking the pub dry. There's some psychology at work here, I fully appreciate I need to get lots of miles in before the Great French Adventure so am purposely abstaining so when January rocks up I'll be so desperate to get back on the road I won't notice the truly shite weather I think we are destined to endure (I have a feeling in my water).

And what's all this nonsense about CO₂ canisters!?!

They are fucking useless! All you need is a decent pump!

The Retiree · « **Reply #5959 on:** 18 December, 2014, 02:07:12 pm »

Certainly was a very enjoyable final MEMWNS of 2014 barring my 2 punctures (I have learnt my lesson and will remember to put fresh air in my tyres in the future).

The highlight for me however was not myself and Oros kitted out as Skeleton twins but the pub quiz they had on at The Bell of which as a group had we partaken officially i'm certain we would have won!
Quote of the night from the man at the bar 'They can't be that brainy as they don't drive a car!' fantastic banter....

Quote from: Oscar's dad on 18 December, 2014, 11:41:40 am

And what's all this nonsense about CO₂ canisters!?! They are fucking useless! All you need is a decent pump!

Sadly OD it doesn't help when dealing with a faulty inner tube with a broken valve stem as Tippers found out much to his perseverance.

Many thanks to Oros and Tippers for the inner tube and CO2!

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #5960 on:** 29 December, 2014, 04:35:31 pm »

Greetings fellow East Anglians, I hope the festive season is treating you well.

My self imposed lay off has to end, given my ambitions for 2015. So, I am out on me bike on Saturday 3rd January, would anyone like to join me? I plan to leave the Spa Rd roundabout at 8:30am (hopefully it won't be too icy) and follow my newly finessed Classic North & South of the A12 46.6 mile route. I need to be back by 2pm and hope to have time for a coffee stop.

Fancy it?

slipgate · « **Reply #5961 on:** 29 December, 2014, 05:15:23 pm »

Looks nice - I think my legs are okay now. A little earlier than I like to get out of bed but I reckon I should make it!

Also, when you said coffee stop you meant beer stop right?

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #5962 on:** 29 December, 2014, 05:27:54 pm »

Quote from: slipgate on 29 December, 2014, 05:15:23 pm

Looks nice - I think my legs are okay now. A little earlier than I like to get out of bed but I reckon I should make it!

Be good to see you again.

Quote from: slipgate on 29 December, 2014, 05:15:23 pm

Also, when you said coffee stop you meant beer stop right?

That depends on how we're doing for time, I have to be back by 2pm. Mind you there's nothing to prevent anyone with me stopping for a beer while I press on.

NB: the route has been further finessed. If I get a chance I will post the latest version.

More NB: whilst there is no COR there will be suspect surfaces and I gather Bumfords Lane is flooded so there might be a bit of paddling. And before we get there the Paulk Hall Lane ford has to be dealt with not to mention the Nounsley ford later in the ride. I think using the foot bridges in both cases would be wise so there will be mud to walk through.

Tomsk · « **Reply #5963 on:** 29 December, 2014, 08:23:30 pm »

...Possibly....we have a lurgy affected family gathering to re-schedule next weekend.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #5964 on:** 29 December, 2014, 08:39:30 pm »

The more the ...

Tomsk · « **Reply #5965 on:** 02 January, 2015, 09:52:57 am »

Fingers crossed, I WILL be there tomorrow morning at 08:30: I'll take the long way round via Braintree probably..... forecast looks a trifle wet.....
Don't wait around if I'm late - elevenses at Paper Mill Lock?

tippers_kiwi · « **Reply #5966 on:** 02 January, 2015, 10:08:00 am »

I'll aim to be there for 8:30 as well although you know how I am with Wet Weather! IF I decide against rule 5 and 9 I'll drop you a text. If I am running late don't wait up for me, I will get the route int he Garmin and find you along the way!

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #5967 on:** 02 January, 2015, 10:10:37 am »

Nice one chaps. Yes, a stop at PML sounds like a good idea. The pace will be gentlemanly as I appear to have put on about half a stone

Andy C33 · « **Reply #5968 on:** 02 January, 2015, 12:32:37 pm »

Room for one more ?

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #5969 on:** 02 January, 2015, 12:41:21 pm »

Quote from: Andy C33 on 02 January, 2015, 12:32:37 pm

Room for one more ?

Yes, of course!

huggy · « **Reply #5970 on:** 02 January, 2015, 01:39:52 pm »

I'm giving Rule #5 a swerve and blaming RL for not joining you all on this damp adventure, I will however be in the dry indoor gym this evening for the first time in 2015.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #5971 on:** 02 January, 2015, 02:01:27 pm »

Quote from: Huggy on 02 January, 2015, 01:39:52 pm

I'm giving Rule #5 a swerve and blaming RL for not joining you all on this damp adventure ...

You are merely putting off the inevitable

tippers_kiwi · « **Reply #5972 on:** 03 January, 2015, 07:48:52 am »

I have decided to also swerve rule #5 and enjoy a nice bowl of milk (meow).

Tomsk · « **Reply #5973 on:** 03 January, 2015, 03:57:07 pm »

How pleasant to be warm and dry!

Rule #5 complied with

well done everyone! It's a good route OD, with plenty of skoggy lanes, fords and other excitement to make it a proper adventure, pity we didn't have time for Bumfords Lane, but the pub stop was a good call.

3 p#n(tur£s and a broken chain between the 6 of us....not bad for a morning's ride! Hope Simon made it back ok after his second visitation.

73 miles for me today

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #5974 on:** 03 January, 2015, 04:16:03 pm »

indeed! A good start to 2015.