Author Topic: Mid-Essex Mid-Week Nocturnal Series (Read 1741207 times)

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #14600 on:** 16 May, 2020, 11:12:23 am »

How do we feel about coordinated bivvy night this Wednesday after Virtual MEMWNS? The forecast looks encouraging.

Tomsk · « **Reply #14601 on:** 16 May, 2020, 05:43:34 pm »

Quote from: Septimus Fitzwilliam Beauregard Partridge on 16 May, 2020, 11:12:23 am

How do we feel about coordinated bivvy night this Wednesday after Virtual MEMWNS? The forecast looks encouraging.

I was wondering even if we might be ready for some sort of Socially Distant meeting, not necessarily on a Wednesday evening? Out and about today on foot I've seen a lot of one-to-one socialising in Dunmow, especially around the Doctor's Pond - typically one on a bench and one on the grass - us well equipped campers have bike-portable chairs though. How about a circuit of several venues in the Mid-Essex orbit, ridden round at random and moving on when a third turns up?

tedshred · « **Reply #14602 on:** 16 May, 2020, 07:24:52 pm »

Add in Trangias and tea and you may be onto something.

Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #14603 on:** 16 May, 2020, 10:18:57 pm »

Quote from: tedshred on 16 May, 2020, 07:24:52 pm

Add in Trangias and tea and you may be onto something.

Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

Don’t see why not!

Tomsk · « **Reply #14604 on:** 17 May, 2020, 06:02:00 pm »

Out and about today, there's a lot of social riding going on: a club run spread over about a mile, with pairs of riders, many other pairs looking like club mates rather than families - lots of them too of course. In the Chilterns, it felt like there was some sort of cycling event. Hundreds out! When I stopped in a village for elevenses out of my saddlebag, I was expecting irate locals with pitchforks, but all passers by were cheerful and friendly. Though nearer to home, Finchingfield is plastered with 'keep out of our village' signs by the way.

I'll think about some suitable Mid-Essex village venues, with seats/bus shelters, lots of open green space and not right in front of houses. Open to suggestions! Next Saturday or the Bank Holiday Monday maybe? I think this might call for another thread. Got a roast dinner to cook now, so in a day or two ...

psyclist · « **Reply #14605 on:** 17 May, 2020, 07:47:11 pm »

Quote from: Tomsk on 17 May, 2020, 06:02:00 pm

Out and about today

Were you heading in towards Bishop's Stortford on the Stansted Road this afternoon, about 3:15pm? I passed someone most like you, but there were cars in both directions at the time so not sure.

Tomsk · « **Reply #14606 on:** 18 May, 2020, 07:25:47 am »

Quote from: psyclist on 17 May, 2020, 07:47:11 pm

Quote from: Tomsk on 17 May, 2020, 06:02:00 pm
Out and about today

Were you heading in towards Bishop's Stortford on the Stansted Road this afternoon, about 3:15pm? I passed someone most like you, but there were cars in both directions at the time so not sure.

Yes! To get the distance, I put a Herts loop into the end of my Bricks and Moretaine 200 route, rather than do the Braintree end which is very well trodden. I also used the A11 roundabout for the first time in a long while by bike [at least at normal non 'audax o'clock' times] - one car and three motorbikes went round with me!

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #14607 on:** 18 May, 2020, 01:00:38 pm »

Hello! How are we all? Two things from me...

Thing 1

Who is up for a coordinated bivvy this Wednesday night?

Thing 2

We were supposed to be going away the weekend after next and I had booked Friday 29th off work, obvs we aren't going anywhere now but I will still take the day off. Of course this weekend is a Bank Holiday so that means I have two consecutive 3-day weekends coming up

If B&Q honour their promise to deliver some wood on Thursday we can finally begin Operation Raised Flower Bed which will hoover up much of the aforementioned 3-day weekends however I would like to devote one day to attempting a 100 mile ride, something I haven't done since May last year when we were in the Loire Valley. I could do the loopy route I posted last Wednesday or I could ride on the coat tails of Tomsk's idea mooted above.

What if we were to devise a 100 mile circular route which incorporated suitable Mid-Essex village venues, with seats/bus shelters, open green spaces which weren't right in front of houses? Some of us could ride it clockwise, others clockwise, then we'd be likely to meet up or could loiter at the rendezvous points for socially distanced one-on-one chit chat. If someone could produce a list of rendezvous points I don't mind having a stab at a route or I'm happy to follow someone else's. In terms of dates I'm happy with this Saturday or Bank Holiday Monday as Tomsk suggests but equally happy with another date.

What do we think?

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #14608 on:** 19 May, 2020, 09:21:41 am »

Regarding Thing 2 above ^^^ I have added a few POIs to RwGPS that might constitute social distanced meet up points. I couldn't think of many but you should all be able to add your own favourites then it should just be a simple job of joining up all the dots. CLICKY

tedshred · « **Reply #14609 on:** 19 May, 2020, 11:17:39 am »

Finchingfield and Great Yeldham

but nothing for the Eastern Easy Riders

How about something at Abberton Reservoir, Feering or Kelvedon and Totham/Blackwater Ridge somewhere ?

Tomsk · « **Reply #14610 on:** 19 May, 2020, 11:38:19 am »

Abberton Reservoir would be a good place - I was thinking of linking into a ride to the coast for a change. Abberton Dam on Wigborough Road, Heybridge Basin lock/sea wall & Danbury Eves Corner? A good chance of accidentally meeting up on the road for a chat as well. I guess full-blown picnicing is still verboten, Trangias etc. I'll probably just pack a flask of coffee and some snacks.

I'd prefer Saturday as we'll most likely do family stuff on Bank Hol. Monday. Timing? I'll probably be out early to do the bulk of the miles, then would prefer to wend my way back from the easternmost point for me at Abberton mid morning and home for lunch. Gmaps isn't playing at the moment for some reason so I'm not sure of mileages, but I'd aim for a long-ish morning ride of about 6 hours/70-80 miles.

Everyone in ACME kit, so we'll stand out from the hordes of riders?

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #14611 on:** 19 May, 2020, 02:34:11 pm »

Quote from: tedshred on 19 May, 2020, 11:17:39 am

Finchingfield and Great Yeldham but nothing for the Eastern Easy Riders

How about something at Abberton Reservoir, Feering or Kelvedon and Totham/Blackwater Ridge somewhere ?

Sure, mark up the map on RwGPS.

tedshred · « **Reply #14612 on:** 19 May, 2020, 03:40:56 pm »

I'll stand down the Eastern Easy Riders protest, we can use the hats and badges for a different campaign.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #14613 on:** 19 May, 2020, 03:51:10 pm »

Quote from: Tomsk on 19 May, 2020, 11:38:19 am

Abberton Reservoir would be a good place - I was thinking of linking into a ride to the coast for a change. Abberton Dam on Wigborough Road...

...Everyone in ACME kit, so we'll stand out from the hordes of riders?

I've added Abberton Dam to the map and ACME / yacf kit is a must!

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #14614 on:** 20 May, 2020, 02:40:15 pm »

Hello peeps...

I have produced a suggested social distancing compliant 200km CIRCULAR ROUTE which hopefully has something for everyone with potential meet up points marked on the RwGPS map at:

Witham
Great Yeldham
Finchingfield
TMNH summit
Danbury
Abberton reservoir
Heybridge Basin

My plan is to set off early doors on Saturday and go round the route anti-clockwise, my thought was that Tomsk might proceed clockwise as per...

Quote from: Tomsk on 19 May, 2020, 11:38:19 am

Abberton Reservoir would be a good place - I was thinking of linking into a ride to the coast for a change. Abberton Dam on Wigborough Road, Heybridge Basin lock/sea wall & Danbury Eves Corner? A good chance of accidentally meeting up on the road for a chat as well. I guess full-blown picnicing is still verboten, Trangias etc. I'll probably just pack a flask of coffee and some snacks.

I'd prefer Saturday as we'll most likely do family stuff on Bank Hol. Monday. Timing? I'll probably be out early to do the bulk of the miles, then would prefer to wend my way back from the easternmost point for me at Abberton mid morning and home for lunch. Gmaps isn't playing at the moment for some reason so I'm not sure of mileages, but I'd aim for a long-ish morning ride of about 6 hours/70-80 miles.

Everyone in ACME kit, so we'll stand out from the hordes of riders?

What do we think? See you on the road hopefully

Tomsk · « **Reply #14615 on:** 20 May, 2020, 05:37:26 pm »

I'll aim for the southernmost points, heading back from the coast [offshore if I get up early enough] ie clockwise - aiming for Abberton about 10:30. More or less OD's route, with a bit of optimisation ...

Tomsk · « **Reply #14616 on:** 21 May, 2020, 07:29:54 am »

Bivvy Night : Just about warm enough in my 3 season bag. Woken at around 04:00 by the dawn chorus, back to sleep, then Alfie [the large tabby] started to burrow in with me - a bit tight - and he managed to turn round and settle down outside! He hung around, but I didn't get much more kip as his presence set our blackbird off cursing him at intervals. No midge bites, a bit dewy on my sandals and the groundsheet.

Wobbly John · « **Reply #14617 on:** 21 May, 2020, 07:55:31 am »

I'm sorry not to have been keeping up with MEMWNS news - I only found out about the bivvy night when SFBP posted on his Facepage.

I joined in (in a Cambridgeshire Fens distanced sort of 'joined'), by setting up a tarp just before midnight and spending a night starwatching and snoozing - well..., actually, I slept better than the previous night's tent camp-out.

(Army 'Goretex' bivi-bag, Down sleeping bag, silk liner, inflateable (only half inflated) pillow, and Lidl air mat.)

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #14618 on:** 21 May, 2020, 08:51:21 am »

Quote from: Tomsk on 21 May, 2020, 07:29:54 am

Bivvy Night : Just about warm enough in my 3 season bag. Woken at around 04:00 by the dawn chorus, back to sleep, then Alfie [the large tabby] started to burrow in with me - a bit tight - and he managed to turn round and settle down outside! He hung around, but I didn't get much more kip as his presence set our blackbird off cursing him at intervals. No midge bites, a bit dewy on my sandals and the groundsheet.

Nice one Tomsk!

I had a reasonable night. Just before bedding down, as I was enjoying my Horlicks, Vic the Cat decided to jump on the tarp landing on my head when it wouldn't support his weight. There were assorted other feline comings and goings.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #14619 on:** 21 May, 2020, 08:53:18 am »

Quote from: Wobbly John on 21 May, 2020, 07:55:31 am

I'm sorry not to have been keeping up with MEMWNS news - I only found out about the bivvy night when SFBP posted on his Facepage.

I joined in (in a Cambridgeshire Fens distanced sort of 'joined'), by setting up a tarp just before midnight and spending a night starwatching and snoozing - well..., actually, I slept better than the previous night's tent camp-out.

(Army 'Goretex' bivi-bag, Down sleeping bag, silk liner, inflateable (only half inflated) pillow, and Lidl air mat.)

Fantastic! You'll have to join us on Zoom one Wednesday evening in the near future!

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #14620 on:** 22 May, 2020, 01:59:37 pm »

My new bivvy multi-tool has arrived, I'm thrilled, every self respecting bivvist should have one, BUY YOURS NOW although I note the price has risen from £6.40 to £7.99. Its quite heavy and probably completely pointless but I should point out I chopped a twig up with the axe

tedshred · « **Reply #14621 on:** 22 May, 2020, 02:01:53 pm »

A shorter social distancing route for Saturday if anyone is heading east of the central hub https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32715922

I will be leaving at 9(ish).

Carlosfandango · « **Reply #14622 on:** 22 May, 2020, 02:10:26 pm »

Quote from: tedshred on 22 May, 2020, 02:01:53 pm

A shorter social distancing route for Saturday if anyone is heading east of the central hub https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32715922

I will be leaving at 9(ish).

Looks sensible ted, in a good way.

I'm looking forward to hearing Septic's stories (or most likely excuses) about his 100 mile ride to Abberton Reservoir.

I'm not sure if I'm able to make it unfortunately. We'll see.

Carlosfandango · « **Reply #14623 on:** 22 May, 2020, 02:16:57 pm »

Quote from: Septimus Fitzwilliam Beauregard Partridge on 22 May, 2020, 01:59:37 pm

My new bivvy multi-tool has arrived, I'm thrilled, every self respecting bivvist should have one, BUY YOURS NOW although I note the price has risen from £6.40 to £7.99. Its quite heavy and probably completely pointless but I should point out I chopped a twig up with the axe

You're getting into the outdoors in a big way Septic. I think you could upstage Bear Grylls or even Psyclist in the survival stakes.

What are you like at drinking your own urine, eating animal faeces as emergency "food" and of course fighting off a Grizzly?

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #14624 on:** 22 May, 2020, 02:19:22 pm »

Quote from: Carlosfandango on 22 May, 2020, 02:10:26 pm

Quote from: tedshred on 22 May, 2020, 02:01:53 pm
A shorter social distancing route for Saturday if anyone is heading east of the central hub https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32715922

I will be leaving at 9(ish).

Looks sensible Ted, in a good way.

I'm looking forward to hearing Septic's stories (or most likely excuses) about his 100 mile ride to Abberton Reservoir.

I'm not sure if I'm able to make it unfortunately. We'll see.

I take it you are referring to my good self? Who knows what might transpire? I will set off in good heart, full of good intentions and see how we get on.

I think it might be SPD sandal weather, although commonsense dictates socks might be prudent for the earlier hours