Easter Arrows 2017/2018

[megajoulesexpenditure]

Just to let everyone know I have sent out the Easter arrow certificates for 2017 today so should be with everyone shortly.

That also means it's time to start planning this year's adventures so just a nudge to get organised. Some already in but I know there's plenty more still plotting

Pedal Up!

Lucy

[Bianchi Boy]

Team from Reading ogranised. I have managed to round up a team of four from RCC and we will be starting at Reading station. If you would like to be the 5th member of the team then please PM me.

BB

[bhoot]

If anyone is struggling to get bike reservations or reasonably priced train tickets to head south from York, you might consider Leeds. Plenty of trains in the afternoon with £16 advance tickets and bike spaces when we booked a few days ago. It is a 45 (ish) km ride but it should be possible to get a bike on a local train from York to Leeds if needed (no booking on Northern Rail, two bikes max per train officially, most likely cheaper to buy that ticket separately). We went to Leeds last year as with the tandem it's much less stressful to get on at the start of the journey than in the middle - more time and can get the right space!

[Wycombewheeler]

If anyone is struggling to get bike reservations or reasonably priced train tickets to head south from York, you might consider Leeds. Plenty of trains in the afternoon with £16 advance tickets and bike spaces when we booked a few days ago. It is a 45 (ish) km ride but it should be possible to get a bike on a local train from York to Leeds if needed (no booking on Northern Rail, two bikes max per train officially, most likely cheaper to buy that ticket separately). We went to Leeds last year as with the tandem it's much less stressful to get on at the start of the journey than in the middle - more time and can get the right space!

I just booked york to London for £29, they told me that the 13:57 was the only train remainng with a space.

[longflaps]

One place remaining on the 2018 Arrow Team from Oxford. Leaving 7am on Good Friday from Oxford (central) station. PM me if interested.

[Bairn Again]

One place remaining on the 2018 Arrow Team from Oxford. Leaving 7am on Good Friday from Oxford (central) station. PM me if interested.

yes my ankle ligament injury has created a vacancy,  if i recover in time i will do a DIY400.

[mmmmartin]

I just booked york to London for £29, they told me that the 13:57 was the only train remainng with a space.

When the Friday Night Ride to the Coast does our annual overnight York-Hull ride, there is sometimes someone who can't get a bike reservation. So they take the wheels off the bike, wrap it in clingfilm or similar and put the frame (which doesn't have wheels so it's not a bike innit) in the guard's van and carry the wheels on to the train with them.
At destination, reassemble.
The idea came when I saw someone do exactly this - the wheels went in a large blue Ikea bag. I asked the guard if this was OK and he said it was because what the chap had put into the guard's van was not a bicycle.
I'd be the first to admit it's better to have a bike reservation, but needs must when the devil drives.

[megajoulesexpenditure]

With a bit over three weeks to go until this years Easter arrows,entries are now coming in thick and fast despite the efforts of the Beast from the East. I have so far 20 teams registered and a few more that I know are on the way. Can anyone planning a team who has not yet been in touch with me at all just let me know so that I can get a better idea of final numbers. I plan to let the Postern Gate in York know again to expect us.

Thanks

Lucy

[Diesel]

Which spoons is the end point? Is it Postern Gate then, I was thinking The Punch Bowl?

[megajoulesexpenditure]

There is no official end point but the Wetherspoons many teams finish in to now is the Postern Gate. The Punch Bowl nolonger welcome's us after problems two years ago.

Which spoons is the end point? Is it Postern Gate then, I was thinking The Punch Bowl?

[Bianchi Boy]

There is no official end point but the Wetherspoons many teams finish in to now is the Postern Gate. The Punch Bowl nolonger welcome's us after problems two years ago.

Which spoons is the end point? Is it Postern Gate then, I was thinking The Punch Bowl?

I think this is a shame. The Punch Bowl was smaller and you rubbed shoulders with many riders. The Postern Gate is a bit like an aircraft hanger and people are all spread out.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[Revolution9]

There is no official end point but the Wetherspoons many teams finish in to now is the Postern Gate. The Punch Bowl nolonger welcome's us after problems two years ago.

Which spoons is the end point? Is it Postern Gate then, I was thinking The Punch Bowl?

I think this is a shame. The Punch Bowl was smaller and you rubbed shoulders with many riders. The Postern Gate is a bit like an aircraft hanger and people are all spread out.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

When we arrived at 9am last year, the place was packed with riders. I'm glad the venue wasn't any smaller.
I think we got the last table for breakfast

[Somnolent]

Last year there were that many riders that a venue the size of an aircraft hanger was a must !
As Revolution 9 says it was full to capacity around 9 am - and the clientele was at least 75% cyclists.
I think the Punch Bowl's decision that 'we were no longer welcome there' did us a big favour.

[Feanor]

Our team arrived at about 08:00, and it was still fairly quiet, but with a fair few teams already there.
I think one of the teams ( ACH? ) had arranged to set off a bit early and so had arrived early.

After we'd had our breakfast, the place had livened up quite a lot.
We had to leave fairly soon afterwards to catch our train back to Embra, so I can't say how busy it got later in the morning.

I think the venue size was about right for the number of riders that showed up.
Importantly, they were not fazed by the number of people ordering large breakfasts, and the kitchen and serving staff were well up to the task.

[postie]

Plus being spread out means i dont have talk to the many cycling idiots what will be there

[Tomsk]

The Postern Gate is also convenient for any team making a Thursday evening start and staying at the Travelodge next door on Friday night - that was us last time, looking fresh and relaxed at breakfast on Saturday morning  Lots more room than the Punchbowl for bike parking too.

This time we'll be arriving in daylight on Saturday and, I hope, with enough time in hand to visit the grave of noted Essex randonneur Dick Turpin in St George's churchyard nearby.

[Wycombewheeler]

what happened in the punchbowl in 2016?

[postie]

Punchbowl 2016 something like fawty towers.

[Revellinho]

what happened in the punchbowl in 2016?

It is not spoken of.

[mattc]

The Postern Gate is also convenient for any team making a Thursday evening start and staying at the Travelodge next door on Friday night - that was us last time, looking fresh and relaxed at breakfast on Saturday morning 

Hmmm ... that sounds like a much more appealing way to Arrow! Maybe I'll be tempted again one year ...
 

[Wycombewheeler]

Forecast for good Friday and easter Saturday looking pretty bad. Subzero overnight. Hope things improve.

[Pingu]

Still more than a week away - plenty of time for the forecast to change.

[Tomsk]

Forecast for good Friday and easter Saturday looking pretty bad. Subzero overnight. Hope things improve.

Ha, we had worse in..............[fill in the blank]!

[Bianchi Boy]

Forecast for good Friday and easter Saturday looking pretty bad. Subzero overnight. Hope things improve.

That will make it fun as will the northerly wind. 
BB

[eck]

Not many people will know this, but it's advisable to take a Spare Jumper™.