Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Freewheeling => Tandems => Topic started by: Polar Bear on 15 August, 2010, 08:30:20 pm
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Confirmed participants:
PB + Mlle PB
Jogler +1
Martin + Kim
Wow + 1?
Crinkles + cake ;)
Team Dasmoth + more cake :D
Team Chris + yet more cake ;D
Tim + Kathy - possibles
Boab + No.2 Son
Andrij :(
Paul + 1 ?
I've found an even more convenient parking area - on the A426 Newbold Road just south of the magistrates courts and backing onto Caldecott Park. The parking is on the east side of the A426 and the turn is the southerly of the two from the A426 onto Newbold Road / Park Walk. Google Maps is a bit confusing because the A426 is labelled Newbold Road and so is the bit of side road running parallel to it. This in fact runs in front of the police station and the court. Anyway, take the southern most turn and then turn right into the car park. I tried a Google Maps link but it kept reverting to the whole of the UK. Embarrassed
Free parking and plenty of space for vehicles on a Sunday. Still public enough not to be at risk of break ins but I naturally add that you leave your vehicle at your own risk, just as you would do anywhere.
I've decided on the Stoney Cove ride primarily because the bacon butties are better. Actually, it's because I prefer the route!
Ginger parkin that my friend makes will be veggie friendly as they are veggies and run a small wholefood shop in Rugby.
Rugby station is two minutes from mine and 5 minutes or less from the new start point.
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This would be great fun, but I'm going to need a stoker. Nutkin may not be speaking to me after the last outing! ::-)
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I would volunteer, as I really enjoyed my last (first) go at tandemming - but I think there would probably be an insufficiency of leg issue!
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Hmm. At the current rate of non-progress, it seems extremely unlikely the kim-barakta tandem team will be up to real distances by then, so I could come along in a stoking capacity. Rugby's dead easy by train from here...
I could bring my cassette lockring tool and everything ;)
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This is no race. We pootle along stopping at every junction or convenient regrouping point. Much cake is consumed.
Oh, that reminds me: I'll need to try and locate a playground...
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Rugby's dead easy by train from here...
First train of the day listed at 08:30 from New Street, arriving at 09:02. Plenty of time indeed.
I could bring my cassette lockring tool and everything ;)
Any good at home baking? :)
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Hmm. At the current rate of non-progress, it seems extremely unlikely the kim-barakta tandem team will be up to real distances by then, so I could come along in a stoking capacity. Rugby's dead easy by train from here...
I could bring my cassette lockring tool and everything ;)
That sounds like a great idea - I mean coming along and stoking, not just the lockring tool! :thumbsup:
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I would volunteer, as I really enjoyed my last (first) go at tandemming - but I think there would probably be an insufficiency of leg issue!
I think you're right, CL. But it would be nice to make your acquantance nevertheless. Perhaps Wowbagger's stoker seat will be free?
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I would volunteer, as I really enjoyed my last (first) go at tandemming - but I think there would probably be an insufficiency of leg issue!
I think you're right, CL. But it would be nice to make your acquantance nevertheless. Perhaps Wowbagger's stoker seat will be free?
Or Kim's?
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This is no race. We pootle along stopping at every junction or convenient regrouping point. Much cake is consumed.
It's not about stamina (of which as a non-cyclist barakta has very little) so much as ergonomics and risk of long-term injury from significant time (read: more than an hour or so) on the bike. We've yet to devise a handlebar arrangement that is both comfortable and doesn't require her shoulder to be dislocated to grip the bars. A recent flare-up of her balance problems has put off learning to ride the thing competently, too.
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No disrespect to Kim, who I am 100% certain it would be a delight to stoke for, but I suspect that it would take someone ever so slightly beefier and with the kind of upper body strength that a bit more piloting experience apparently helps to build to balance a tandem with me on the back! I gather that the 'heavier person at the front' isn't an absolute rule, but it might not be ideal for a novice to have a stoker who outweighs them by several stone....
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This is no race. We pootle along stopping at every junction or convenient regrouping point. Much cake is consumed.
It's not about stamina (of which as a non-cyclist barakta has very little) so much as ergonomics and risk of long-term injury from significant time (read: more than an hour or so) on the bike. We've yet to devise a handlebar arrangement that is both comfortable and doesn't require her shoulder to be dislocated to grip the bars. A recent flare-up of her balance problems has put off learning to ride the thing competently, too.
Ah, I have a better understanding now. Thanks, and sorry if either of you felt offended. :-[
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I gather that the 'heavier person at the front' isn't an absolute rule, but it might not be ideal for a novice to have a stoker who outweighs them by several stone....
My thoughts exactly. And while I reckon you'd fit on the back of my tandem fine, I'm not sure that you'd be able to get the saddle low enough on the front, which rules out the changing ends / what could possibly go wrong option.
Also, the gearing on that thing is rubbish. Not that obtaining a sensibly small chainring is a problem, it's just yet to progress beyond my to-do list.
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Ah, I have a better understanding now. Thanks, and sorry if either of you felt offended. :-[
Not offended. Barakta is, unfortunately, a walking excuse for a recumbent trike with some slightly unusual hand controls. We're only seriously experimenting with the tandem thing because one happened to present itself. Enthusiasm has to take second place to risk of arm injury, as her ability to work and have a social life is highly dependent on being able to type.
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Would a stoker bar riser and/or different stoker bars help? I really didn't get on with the ones on our tandem and had them changed for some others, which are brill. There are quite a few different options, something might work.
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Yeah, plan is for some nice long stoker bars and cunning use of bar-ends. That's on the to-do list just below "learn to ride the bloody thing".
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You need to come on the random tandem ride so Barakta can try some different set ups to see what works :D. If you borrow a recumbent trike to ride there... 8)
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I'm quite tempted to see if Mrs R might want to come along on this RT; I think it would be an excellent opportunity for us to try to overcome our tandem terrors. The next question is whether it would be a suitable excursion to undertake on our 18th wedding anniversary...
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You need to come on the random tandem ride so Barakta can try some different set ups to see what works :D. If you borrow a recumbent trike to ride there... 8)
If ever there was a situation that cried out 'Hase Pino' surely this must be it? Although I suspect you won't get one of those donated for near enough free....
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If ever there was a situation that cried out 'Hase Pino' surely this must be it? Although I suspect you won't get one of those donated for near enough free....
Yes, that was pretty much my thought process when I first heard of the things.
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So when are you having a go on ours?
(Yes, you seem to live in Middle EarthBirmingham, and we're in W. Sussex, but apart from that...
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Damn. We seem to be spending most of October travelling, otherwise it would have been great to get the West Coast Mainline down to Rugby.
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Kim, you really need to have a go at stoking, so that you can fully empathise with barakta when you're piloting!
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Could well be up for this. We're currently in Scotland and the diary is back at home, so I can't vote for a date until I'm back which will probably be in about a weeks time.
Edit: ATM all Sundays are free, so I will not vote.
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Having researched a bit, it must be said that getting to Rugby from York on a Sunday is a bit of a pain... but that's never stopped me before, so if there's anyone looking for a short, hefty and rather inexperienced stoker for this, I'll gladly volunteer and figure out a way to get there somehow. With cake, of course :)
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I'll ask my grand-daughter,when she gets back from Turkey at 0300 hrs tomorrow(grandad's taxi is collecting her from the airport) if she is interested.It would be good practice for the delayed C2C ride.Then it would be dependent on the finalised date.
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Having researched a bit, it must be said that getting to Rugby from York on a Sunday is a bit of a pain...
Is a stopover in Middle Earth any help?
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Is a stopover in Middle Earth any help?
Rummages on nationalrail, national express and megabus sites.... Hmmm, quite possibly!
If anyone actually wants a stoker but is prepared to put up with me (quite a big if) do you think you might be able to squeeze me in on the instrument of torture settee, somewhere between the tandem and the streetmachine? This would have the added advantage that I might get to meet a spork-wielding Barakta - hurrah!
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If anyone actually wants a stoker but is prepared to put up with me (quite a big if) do you think you might be able to squeeze me in on the instrument of torture settee, somewhere between the tandem and the streetmachine? This would have the added advantage that I might get to meet a spork-wielding Barakta - hurrah!
Don't see why not. The sofa-bed is known to eat Thermarests, but is mostly harmless to humans :)
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I'll ask my grand-daughter,when she gets back from Turkey at 0300 hrs tomorrow(grandad's taxi is collecting her from the airport) if she is interested.It would be good practice for the delayed C2C ride.Then it would be dependent on the finalised date.
The G.d.,she say "yes"
I can't do 17th Oct but didn't vote 'cause I'll go with the flow & hope nothing else crops up while a date for this ride is undecided.
The 24th now suits me best so have now voted for same
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We are considering logistics. I think it means into London and out again from here, or changing at Peterborough and Mordor. Neither of these are very appealing. Perhaps I should just investigate hiring one from Pitsford?
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Pitsford is quite a few miles away from Rugby.
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I see that 24th Oct. has a majority with 43.8% of the vote.
Is this the definitive date or will a decision be made later to allow more voting time?
I have suddenly become busy work-wise in mid October & need to make work/leisure plans asap to accommodate everything
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I'd also be keen to pin it down to 24/10 to help plan the month (17/10 is the only one i CAN'T do).
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Only just seen this thread.
I've looked at the poll results and not voted. It seems that 24th is the most popular option but I may well not be able to make this date, which would be a shame because I have already been propositioned approached by a lady keen to mount my steed. :thumbsup:
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It's always good to hear that (paraphrasinging Charlotte's words) there's someone who would welcome Wowbagger's Thorn between her thighs!
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Are you casting nasturtiums upon my character? :P
If Wowbagger's stoker seat were to be available (or, if you can't make it/Mrs Wow or another better-than-me-stoker has already dibs-ed it, someone else's that I'd be able to reach the pedals on!) I do have a weekend pass to go out and play, any weekend other than the last weekend in October when we are hopefully going away to Whitby.
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We have invited some pals for the weekend of 24th, which will involve a lot of cycling, eating, drinking & silliness around Essex & Suffolk.
If they accept the invitation. Which they haven't yet.
I must chase them up.
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Pitsford is quite a few miles away from Rugby.
Not to a regular audaxer. :)
It's an awful lot closer than BSE.
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Pitsford is quite a few miles away from Rugby.
Not to a regular audaxer. :)
It's an awful lot closer than BSE.
Last time I was in Geoffs shop at Pitsford he was hiring out TSOs that would make Rugby seem a very long way from Pitsford.
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Ours isn't exactly santana ti!
17 miles will take me an hour anna bit, and my friend will drive the stoker over. (I haven't actually determined which one will get this treat yet..)
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Be warned boab, the maintenance state of Pitsford's bikes is variable. I have hired a tandem from them twice and twice I've had to fettle it to get the gears workign and the brakes to be safe. Oh, and put some air into the tyres on both occasions too.
I'll see if I can get my heavy Orbita clunker back from filimg duties just in case a spare is required.
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I see that 24th Oct. has a majority with 43.8% of the vote.
Is this the definitive date or will a decision be made later to allow more voting time?
I have suddenly become busy work-wise in mid October & need to make work/leisure plans asap to accommodate everything
BUMP.
yea or nae?
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I think we can now set the 24th as the definite date.
I was looking at the start/finish points yesterday. What I need now is for folk to indicate if they'd be interested in a pub finish or not. I did manage to confirm yesterday that the carpark at the Ken Marriott leisure centre is free to use. It's so easy to get to from the railway station as well, simply exit station by the ticket office, L, R@T, SO @ rbt (3rd exit), SO @ rbt (2nd exit), SO @ rbt (2nd exit).
Solo riders are most welcome BTW. 8)
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I'd like to add this to the Calendar, but, inexperienced as I am, I find that it want me to create a new thread rather than being able to link to this one. Anybody know how to resolve this please?
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Solo riders are most welcome BTW. 8)
Ta. Interested, but will someone let me have a go on their tandem? Pretty please?
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I'd like to add this to the Calendar, but, inexperienced as I am, I find that it want me to create a new thread rather than being able to link to this one. Anybody know how to resolve this please?
It's on the Calendar now but it didn't turn out as I expected ::-)
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Bonkers innit! :D
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Having investigated tickets and all that, I can get cheapy advances now. And I have an offer of overnighting in Middle Earth, which neatly bypasses the issue of how to get to Rugby on a Sunday morning from York (and should mean I get to go for a bike ride with Barakta - hoorah!). But I don't know if there's a spare seat for me on Santa's tandem, if indeed Santa's tandem is able to attend.....
So my vague and wooly plan is to book some tickets and a bike space, bake some cake and see what happens. It's always worked for me in the past!
However, I do need to work out what time train I should be aiming for back from Brum. What time do we reckon on being back at Rugby or thereabouts?
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I suppose that means that I'd better get planning... :)
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A quick check online shows that trains from Birmingham and London arriving just after 10. It is ten minutes tops from there to the car park at the Ken Marriott centre so we could provisionally plan for a 10:30 departure.
On this basis I would guess that we should be back in Rugby for between 16:00 and 17:00 even with cake stops.
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I think we can now set the 24th as the definite date.
I was looking at the start/finish points yesterday. What I need now is for folk to indicate if they'd be interested in a pub finish or not.
With a 1030 start I suggest a meeting point without distractions or the potential for delay is best, to get started punctually.
A finish at a pub or cafe would be good for post ride scoffing & socialising.
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I have such ideas Mr Jogler Sir - a couple of local farm shops are ideal.
I will need folk to indicate whether they wish to 'socialise' in a pub or other location afterwards, or whether they intend to whizz off in a hurry by need or desire! :)
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Any place that is warm,dry,has a wc,sells cake & coffee will do for me. I'll be using the car so will have no need to dash off for trains & boats & planes.I feel a song coming on. ;D
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I shall also be arriving by car, so a secure, free car park to start and finish at would be ideal for me. As far as I'm concerned, I can socialise anywhere!
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...And it appears that my legs are compatible with Martin109's stoker seat :thumbsup:
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Excellent.
To date we have confirmed...
PB + Mlle PB
Jogler +1
Martin + Kim
Wow + 1?
Crinkles + cake
Team Dasmoth + cake
Team Chris + cake
I'll start on updating the OP in a while.
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And a CrinklyLion, either as Wow's +1 or riding solo.
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Calling Wow and Crinkles:
Are you a crew or separates please? ;D
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Don't know! Wow posted upthread that he might not be available.... and alleged that I had been propositioning him, the very idea ;)
I'm going to book tickets for me and my bike and see what happens. If there's a stoker seat available then I'll leave my bike at home and turn up with a bag of cake. If there isn't I shall turn up with my bike and a bag of cake. And if I'm not sure, I'll go for the Manningtree strategy i.e. turn up with a bike, a bag of cake and a big bag of lock. Covers all eventualities :)
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Okey dokey. Thanks for the update. Anybody with cake is always most welcome. 8) :-*
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Pencil in between 1 and 5 members of team chris (I'll confirm nearer the time as it's half term and we might be going away). If we come we will bring the BIG panniers full of cake.
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Emily and I hope to be there!
...and we can probably rustle up a pannier of scones or similar.
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My G.d. has just informed me that both of us will be wearing a yacf KOM shirt :)
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I guess that I'd better find a hill or two for you to prove your prowess upon then. :D
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In my case KoM is an abbreviation of Knackered Onna Molehill
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I'm reserving the right to make a late decision when I know whether we've got a tandem back again, though I reckon there's a reasonable chance of it being ready. And KoM jerseys? Pah. <Insert smug - we've got the jersey with our name and bike on it>
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No2Son and I will be there. If we can get our tandem in a fiesta we'll be on that, otherwise we'll risk life and limb on a Pitsford machine. No matching jerseys (he wont do that) and we will be net consumers of cake.
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I'm reserving the right to make a late decision when I know whether we've got a tandem back again, though I reckon there's a reasonable chance of it being ready.
Have just been phoned by Mercian and the news wasn't good - with the bike stripped cracks in the chainstay have been identified. OK, so unbraze, new bit of pipe and rebraze except for one minor issue - it's non-standard and they're dealing with Reynolds to try and get a suitable replacement piece, timeframe unknown.
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*gulp*
Glad they found it and are going to replace. Mercian are famous for refusing to do repairs if they can't get the frame back to their standards.
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Given that it was there for repainting this is at least the most convenient time for it to have happened.
<wonders how long it has been like that>
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Out today recce'ing possible route 1.
Out from Rugby via Newbold, Little Lawford, Easenhall, Pailton, Monks Kirby, Claybrooke Parva, Claybrooke Magna, Frolesworth, Sapcote (via old Fosse diversion), Stoney Cove diving centre.
Bacon butty and a cup of tea, then...
Back to Frolesworth, Ashby Parva, Gilmorton.
Stop for cake at the playground at Gilmorton, then...
Walcote, Shawell, Catthorpe*, Lilbourne, Clifton Upon Dunsmore, Rugby (Via Butler's Leap for convenient passing of railway station). Approx 42 miles.
* Either a pub stop or a tea/coffee stop available here should the mood take the crews! ;D
Next week: A ride to Cannons Ashby - 48 miles!
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Stoney Cove Dive Centre :thumbsup:
30 years ago,my second home ;D
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Out today recce'ing possible route 1.
Out from Rugby via Newbold, Little Lawford, Easenhall, Pailton, Monks Kirby, Claybrooke Parva, Claybrooke Magna, Frolesworth, Sapcote (via old Fosse diversion), Stoney Cove diving centre.
Bacon butty and a cup of tea, then...
Back to Frolesworth, Ashby Parva, Gilmorton.
Stop for cake at the playground at Gilmorton, then...
Walcote, Shawell, Catthorpe*, Lilbourne, Clifton Upon Dunsmore, Rugby (Via Butler's Leap for convenient passing of railway station). Approx 42 miles.
* Either a pub stop or a tea/coffee stop available here should the mood take the crews! ;D
Next week: A ride to Cannons Ashby - 48 miles!
That all sounds good; I'll look forward to hearing about Route 2!
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I have some tickets to Birmingham!
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Anybody fancy taking on TEC duties please? :)
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I have some tickets to Birmingham!
Excellent news. :thumbsup:
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Can I just post to put this thread on my rtu radar?
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I think that you just have. :)
Are you coming?
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Well, it goes like this:
Tandem: Yes
Interest: High
Availability: tbc
Stoker: ditto (need to speak to Suzy, but tentative approach to Andrij (if Suzy's not up for it/baby sitters cannot be arranged) acknowledged).
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I'm going to book tickets for me and my bike and see what happens. If there's a stoker seat available then I'll leave my bike at home and turn up with a bag of cake. If there isn't I shall turn up with my bike and a bag of cake. And if I'm not sure, I'll go for the Manningtree strategy i.e. turn up with a bike, a bag of cake and a big bag of lock. Covers all eventualities :)
CL, if you end up bringing your bike and then not riding it, you'd be very welcome to store it in my car. I will have transported Bertie the Tandem in it, so it'll swallow up a CL bike no problem.
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Just a bounce to remind all you tandemistas that the Random is growing ever nearer. For those tandemistas and soloists yet to sign up, stick your proverbial X in the reply to thread box please. 8)
The weather over the past two Sundays has scuppered recces. I will be out this weekend though checking another route. I might even do it on the tandem just for authenticity!
Could those coming please indicate if they are coming by rail and what time then will need to be catching any booked return services.
If you have any questions, please ask. :)
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I'm coming on a train from Brum - don't know what time, I probably ought to check (but I'll be with Kim and she's dead good at trains so I may get to abdicate responsibility :) ) and I have a train booked leaving brum at a time that utterly escapes me right now, but I seem to remember that it allowed for several fairly sensibly times possibilities from Rugby. That wasn't really very useful information, was it?
Must go find where I put my tickets.....
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I shall be coming by car. Please organise weather like we're having now... :thumbsup:
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CrinklyLion and I will be... ah, scratch that, just seen her post.
To quote the informative PM I was just consulting:
The latest cheap ticket out that I could get was the 19:30 from new st, which would work with the 17:15/18:15 midland services from Rugby or the Virgin one at 17:49 - I think/hope that one of those ought to be feasible!
That any help?
(I'll be on the same train, but only travelling as far as Mordor on a day return, so don't have to worry about specific trains.)
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The 17:49 Virgin would require reservations whereas the two London Midland do not.
I would imagine we should be able to get you on the 17:15 if necessary.
For cyclists arriving at Rugby by train, platforms 1, 5 and 6 are served by stairs and lifts. The lifts will only take one solo bicycle at a time. I usually shoulder or bump a bike down the steps. Platforms 2,3 and 4 have ramped access to the underworld!
Ride departure still planned for 10:30. Any issues with that?
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The 17:49 Virgin would require reservations whereas the two London Midland do not.
The Eastcoast website seems to think otherwise. Unless you mean bike reservations, of course. We weren't planning on bringing bikes, in our capacity as stokers.
Ride departure still planned for 10:30. Any issues with that?
I was going to say "sure, no problem", but I just checked and discovered that the local trains between here and New Street don't start early enough on a Sunday morning. We'll probably have to use a *shudder* bus (a subject on which I shall have to consult with barakta), or re-think the not-bringing-bikes approach (especially if Martin109's car is available for storage thereof).
Either way, I don't think a later start is going to improve anything, as we'll just get tighter for time at the end.
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My train-fu is is dreadful, we'll be bringing the car.
Plenty of room if extra bike-stashing space is needed.
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Acksherly, I doesn't have a stoker seat at the moment (to the best of my knowledge) so am currently planning on bringing cake+bike. And possibly asking Martin if I can leave my jammies and toothbrush in the car when we all go out to play on out bikes. I mean, I wouldn't want to be carrying excess weight round would I?
(looks in mirror and falls off chair guffawing)
Kim, assuming I have a bike with me, you could always bring the comedy folder to get to New Street to give a better chance of me keeping up with you be sure of bike trainage/storage being less of an issue?
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Kim, assuming I have a bike with me, you could always bring the comedy folder to get to New Street to give a better chance of me keeping up with you be sure of bike trainage/storage being less of an issue?
My thoughts exactly.
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Though I earlier expressed interest in this ride, I've just realised it clashes with this month's FNRttC (Whitstable). Sorry, maybe next time.
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Ride departure still planned for 10:30. Any issues with that?
Absolutely none, but I shall be aiming to arrive earlier (ideally 9.30) to allow enough fettling and test-ride time so that team Martin-Kim are truly up-to-speed and ticketyboo.
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Though I earlier expressed interest in this ride, I've just realised it clashes with this month's FNRttC (Whitstable). Sorry, maybe next time.
That's a shame. :(
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Though I earlier expressed interest in this ride, I've just realised it clashes with this month's FNRttC (Whitstable). Sorry, maybe next time.
Some of us are stupid enough to attempt both... ::-)
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Though I earlier expressed interest in this ride, I've just realised it clashes with this month's FNRttC (Whitstable). Sorry, maybe next time.
Some of us are stupid enough to attempt both... ::-)
But Kim - what could possibly go wrong?
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But Kim - what could possibly go wrong?
It's okay, I'm having a trial run by doing a WARTY off the back of the FNRttS this weekend. ;D
I reckon I'm either going to die, get arrested for stabbing some railway jobsworth with a titanium spork, or get sucked into audax.
Which of these is the optimal outcome left as an exercise for the reader...
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Though I earlier expressed interest in this ride, I've just realised it clashes with this month's FNRttC (Whitstable). Sorry, maybe next time.
Some of us are stupid enough to attempt both... ::-)
I've opted for the après ride conviviality in Whitstable that weekend.
If my bike was in better condition, I would be doing the same rides as you tonight & tomorrow.
And you want to aim for getting sucked into Audax — it's so wrong it's right! :thumbsup:
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But Kim - what could possibly go wrong?
It's okay, I'm having a trial run by doing a WARTY off the back of the FNRttS this weekend. ;D
I reckon I'm either going to die, get arrested for stabbing some railway jobsworth with a titanium spork, or get sucked into audax.
Which of these is the optimal outcome left as an exercise for the reader...
It's alright, Kim, it's OK to fell asleep as a stoker, as long as you don't loll to one side (lol!) or stop peddling, or fail to stop peddling when the captain stops peddling.
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I'll be there. Coming by bike. Not sure if I'll be tandeming, the stoker is away this week but at the last ask he wasn't sure.
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Wowbagger confirmed his non-attendance to me earlier. This means there's a stoker going spare...
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I know that boab is, obviously, rock hard.... but could she balance a tandem with me on the back?
Cos I is still a F bird on a bike....
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I know that boab is, obviously, rock hard.... but could she balance a tandem with me on the back?
Cos I is still a F bird on a bike....
F= Fasterthanjogler
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Been out recce'ing another route as the weather is unseasonably warm.
Left Rugby going south to Barby (up the first challenge of the day - Carthorse hill) before a long fast descent to Willoughby. Nice quiet lanes to Lower Shuckburgh before the climb over Long Hill and descent into Napton. The top of Long Hill makes a great cake stop at about 12 miles.
After Napton cross country to Long Itchington via Stockton where there is a decent greasy spoon, the Long Itch Diner (18 miles). We had a nice breakfast roll there today with a mug of tea. Alternatively, we can press on to Hunningham and the Red Lion (http://redlionhunningham.co.uk/) where it all looks nice but we've yet to try it (24 miles). Perhaps we'll put ourselves through the mill next weekend just to report back to you guys.
Leaving Hunningham on the B4453 we soon leave the busier road for the back road past Wappenbury Woods before entering Stretton-on-Dunsmore. From SoD we climb up to Frankton and divert to Draycote reservoir via Bourton on Dunsmore. There are one or two decent picnic spots around Draycote for us to have a final cake stop before the ride back to Rugby (33 miles).
The ride is about 38 miles, a short one. However, there are a number of hills so it feels a bit longer, especially if you're not from Northamptonshire where you're always either going up or down! :D
One downside for me is the run back from Dunchurch to Rugby. We can use the cycle farcility which is reasonably good but is shared use in places, and, there is a tendency for the local dog walkers and horse riders to ignore the signs and use it too.
The ride finishes with a slalom test for the most skilled of crews. Rather than come back into the centre of Rugby we can cut through St. Cross hospital and take the path into the Ken Marriott Centre car park. We always ride it solo but never on the tandem. I think that if you're good enough you could ride it but I seriously doubt that the triplet will make it given the restricted turns.
If we're to do this ride I'd be interested in views on whether to use the Long Itch Diner greasy spoon or the Red Lion pub for a lunch break.
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Polar Bear, ver' important question.... What flavour cake would you like?
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Oooooo my. What a lovely way to start my day. :-*
I'm a lemon drizzle fan / crispy cake / caramel slice / etc., etc., etc fan so maybe I'm not the best person to ask ;D
Maybe we should have a poll?
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Well, I have a friend who who says that her rocky road recipe is good. I could learn a new cake :o
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So long as it doesn't have any seafood in it then I'm always happy to be a cake tester.
I see Green & Blacks are after a taste assistant (http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/restaurant-news/2010/oct/Green_And_Blacks.htm) position. Maybe I'll just go and apply... 8)
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I'm not a fan of rocky road... but that's not why I'm out.
My parents are coming to decorate my bathroom and it seems a little churlish to leave them to it while I spend Saturday night with my friend, and Sunday Random Tandem-ing. :(
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That's a shame Boab but understandable. I'll have to take a roll call.
I've decided that the Stoney Cove route is better on many counts, not least having the far better return into Rugby than the very shitty Dunchurch Road / Ashlawn Road farcility. The motons get very angry and irrational when a cyclist dares to use the road. Come the revolution...
Now, I just need to shake this rotten flu-like lurgy which is keeping me off the bike just now. :(
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Rocky road isn't vegetarian generally :(
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Thought that I'd best update on this one:
I've been ill with the hacking snots for a few days but recovering so should be fit to ride on Sunday.
Ride to commence 10:30.
I've found an even more convenient parking area - on the A426 Newbold Road just south of the magistrates courts and backing onto Caldecott Park. The parking is on the east side of the A426 and the turn is the southerly of the two from the A426 onto Newbold Road / Park Walk. Google Maps is a bit confusing because the A426 is labelled Newbold Road and so is the bit of side road running parallel to it. This in fact runs in front of the police station and the court. Anyway, take the southern most turn and then turn right into the car park. I tried a Google Maps link but it kept reverting to the whole of the UK. :-[
Free parking and plenty of space for vehicles on a Sunday. Still public enough not to be at risk of break ins but I naturally add that you leave your vehicle at your own risk, just as you would do anywhere.
I've decided on the Stoney Cove ride primarily because the bacon butties are better. Actually, it's because I prefer the route!
Ginger parkin that my friend makes will be veggie friendly as they are veggies and run a small wholefood shop in Rugby.
Can we have a roll call please? Anybody needing directions / station collections please PM me.
Thanks guys. :)
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I'm currently nursing an intermittently excruciatingly painful knee after a test ride of my repaired bike and not-so-repaired body yesterday. It's not quite the same as the usual problems I get with the knee, so it may well be related to my off. As such, no idea if this is going to be better by the weekend or not (doubly annoying, as I'm planning to do the FNRttC too). :-\
I'll let you know of developments nearer the time. My current plan is to keep resting it and try riding on Thursday if the pain stops.
Dunno if seatpost heights are such that CrinklyLion could stoke for Martin109 if I have to pull out?
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Myself & g.d. will be attending
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I'm currently nursing an intermittently excruciatingly painful knee after a test ride of my repaired bike and not-so-repaired body yesterday. It's not quite the same as the usual problems I get with the knee, so it may well be related to my off. As such, no idea if this is going to be better by the weekend or not (doubly annoying, as I'm planning to do the FNRttC too). :-\
I'll let you know of developments nearer the time. My current plan is to keep resting it and try riding on Thursday if the pain stops.
Dunno if seatpost heights are such that CrinklyLion could stoke for Martin109 if I have to pull out?
:(
That's not good. Fingers crossed for a miraculous recovery....
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I think that's going to be my best option, combined with strong doses of anti-inflammatories and harsh language.
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Try my method - the power of faith (or the lack of it). I managed for the last couple of weeks by refusing to believe in the existence of asthma. ;D
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Yeah, I've used that to good effect (cf. Smalldean Lane onna bent) on asthma in the past. Not sure it works on exploding knees though.
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Dunno if seatpost heights are such that CrinklyLion could stoke for Martin109 if I have to pull out?
Stoker saddle height range: 620mm to 820mm (BB spindle to top of saddle).
HTH
Sorry to hear about your knee, Kim. :'( Take care of it!
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To allay any fears that you might have re your knee Kim, the ride is predominantly the gentle 'flats' of Leicestershire as oppose to the corrugated landscape of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.
And, the ride pace will be easy. As I said up thread, I've been suffering with a head/chest infection so I've not been awheel for nearly two weeks. :(
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I had no idea what the bb to saddle height on my bike is, and the most accurate measuring implements I can find where I am are a 30cm ruler or a bright yellow plastic metre stick. The latter leads me to believe that said distance is about 60cm. But anyway, that's irrelevant because Kim will be better (power of positive thinking or summat).
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I ran out of positive thinking somewhere near the mysterious place called Ebbsfleet, unfortunately. I'm currently on a slow train back to London after bailing the FNRttC at Rochester. Knee is doing a repeat of last week so it looks like I'm out of this one :(
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Bad luck, Kim. Another time.
I'll still be there with a tandem, riding solo if necessary.
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Martin - I need to check with Kim that she's still OK for me to crash at hers, and look at maps to figure out the chances of me making it from there to Rugby without a babysitter to save me from the perils of Virgin trains and Birmingham traffic. Assuming I make it,
1) can I leave my overnight pannier in your car whilst we're all out riding
2) if Kim's out :( shall I bring my spd shoes on the off-chance that the stoker seat fits?
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No problem with you staying but can't meet you at the station. Have taken an earlier train and have an appointment with a large dose of codeine.
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Martin - I need to check with Kim that she's still OK for me to crash at hers, and look at maps to figure out the chances of me making it from there to Rugby without a babysitter to save me from the perils of Virgin trains and Birmingham traffic. Assuming I make it,
1) can I leave my overnight pannier in your car whilst we're all out riding
2) if Kim's out :( shall I bring my spd shoes on the off-chance that the stoker seat fits?
1) yes
2) yes
HTH ;D
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Aaaaargh! Pre ride flies! Dropping like! :D
For those who can't make it: :( For those who can: :-* :thumbsup:
Obviously Crinkles and Martin are still coming, as is Jogler and gd?
Who else is still coming please? :)
If anybody needs information of any kind please PM me. I'll check in here hourly after 15:00. Jobs to be done...
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Aaaaargh! Pre ride flies! Dropping like! :D
For those who can't make it: :( For those who can: :-* :thumbsup:
Obviously Crinkles and Martin are still coming, as is Jogler and gd?
yes we are
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So, three cakes might be enough? I've got St Clements (orange and lemon), Chocolate and banananananananana and chocolate fridge cake. But I have got several of each, if we want them.....
Martin - where and when should I meet you for tandem testing? I can get a Virgin train from New St that gets in to Rugby at just after 9, which I'd need to book a bike space for (but I can sort that out today) then the next one doesn't get in til 10. I'm going to bring my bike too, just in case. It's the Manningtree strategy :)
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So, three cakes might be enough? I've got St Clements (orange and lemon), Chocolate and banananananananana and chocolate fridge cake. But I have got several of each, if we want them.....
Martin - where and when should I meet you for tandem testing? I can get a Virgin train from New St that gets in to Rugby at just after 9, which I'd need to book a bike space for (but I can sort that out today) then the next one doesn't get in til 10. I'm going to bring my bike too, just in case. It's the Manningtree strategy :)
I'm aiming to get to the Leisure Centre by 9.30am, to leave sufficient time for tandem fettling etc etc.
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Martin,
New meeting point upthread.
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I've found an even more convenient parking area - on the A426 Newbold Road just south of the magistrates courts and backing onto Caldecott Park. The parking is on the east side of the A426 and the turn is the southerly of the two from the A426 onto Newbold Road / Park Walk. Google Maps is a bit confusing because the A426 is labelled Newbold Road and so is the bit of side road running parallel to it. This in fact runs in front of the police station and the court. Anyway, take the southern most turn and then turn right into the car park. I tried a Google Maps link but it kept reverting to the whole of the UK. :-[
Free parking and plenty of space for vehicles on a Sunday. Still public enough not to be at risk of break ins but I naturally add that you leave your vehicle at your own risk, just as you would do anywhere.
Thanks, PB. Got it.
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Is it something like this?
Google Maps (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Rugby+Railway+Station&daddr=Lancaster+Rd,+RUGBY,+Warwickshire+CV21+2QN+(Caldecott+Park)&hl=en&geocode=FeY9HwMdUOvs_yldgB_OwUB3SDHrU4MdVoIWnA%3BFag1HwMdXLzs_yHvkMjFI4XutQ&mra=ls&sll=52.379712,-1.264887&sspn=0.006012,0.01929&ie=UTF8&ll=52.377708,-1.257527&spn=0.00634,0.01929&z=16)
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Brilliant Crinkles - almost :thumbsup:
However, you cannot take the first turn as that passes before the police station and Magistrates courts and is restricted. You take the second turn.
Thank you. :-*
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I was checking this out yesterday and Google Maps view has the southernmost turning flagged as one-way, which was a bit confusing (the arrow only shows up when you're zoomed right in, but it does seem to affect the routing).
A quick check on Streetview shows no evidence of this, though, and you can see the car park immediately on the right.
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Google Streetview is also a tad out of date. There is a large sign opposite the turn which does not appear on Streetview.
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I did battle with the dangly space and the hen party and the big group of drunks, didn't tackle the person in my booked seat because there was another nearby and am on a train to brum. I say I'M ON THE TRAIN. SORRY, YOU'RE BREAKING U......
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Sorry guys, I don't think we can make it now. If we can we'll see you at the start, but it's looking unlikely.
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Lights.Will we need lights?
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I did battle with the dangly space and the hen party and the big group of drunks, didn't tackle the person in my booked seat because there was another nearby and am on a train to brum. I say I'M ON THE TRAIN. SORRY, YOU'RE BREAKING U......
Please give a report in due course on Kim the Zombified... ;)
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Pity me, for I have been to Mordor and verily it is the work of stan...
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stan who?
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Our contribution to the CAKE supplies (actually chocolate brownies) are in the oven.
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Veggie friendly ginger parkin has arrived.
Lights: There are no tunnels etc. We should be finished before dusk so I doubt it. Haivng said that I will have my Use Exposure on the bars as that's where it generally lives.
Sad news Chris. :(
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Pity me, for I have been to Mordor and verily it is the work of stan...
Pity me for I have to go there twice weekly. :(
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Bananna gaurds loaded & programmed to goto Defcon 2 1100rs 241010
Maltloaf sliced,buttered,wrapped in clingfilm & loaded into loc&loc box ready for random scoffing
Go bars & dark chocolate kitkats on standby
Water bottles cleaned,filled & in fridge.
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That's a shame Boab but understandable. I'll have to take a roll call.
I've decided that the Stoney Cove route is better
is that as per post #71?
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Indeed. :)
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Four tandems turned up, all stopped for lunch :)
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Hurrah! The tandem fits :) And the day is beautiful, the roads quiet, the company excellent and the chips are good.
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:thumbsup:
And you presumably survived Virgin Trains, too?
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We're on to the next tea stop, which has bonus cute dogs, many pumpkins, rat cider and nice coffee.
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rat cider
Sounds like something you get in Silly Oak.
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We currenly have hail (plus glorious sunshine)
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We're back - thanks all for a lovely day out!
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Thanks P.B. for organising that.I really enjoyed it & Emily is like a dog with two tails having doubled her previous maximum ride distance.She talks of "next time" & the word "again" is much-used on the way home.
Enjoyed meeting all the riders who,except for C.L.,were new faces & the usual fine folk in typical YACF style :thumbsup:
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Indeed, a VERY large and deserved well done to the smaller Emily in attendance - going from a previous longest ride of 30km to 72 today is a massive achievement, of which she (and you!) should be very proud. And she did it in style, with good cheer, no complaining (or if there was, it wasn't audible to anyone other than her pilot) and a most delightful grin on her face every time I looked. And she looked fresh as a daisy at the end :)
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Now back in Slough. Many thanks to all, especially PB, for making it such a successful ride.
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I'll have to pass the plaudits back as those who made it here made it the ride it was.
You were all great company and, with the exception of Martin who had a loose screw, we just about got round incident free*. ;D
Weather was just about perfect, Stoney Cove food stop seemed to work very well (especially as I now know that they serve chips) Crinkles and Dasmoth supplied us with the most awesome cakes, and I did a jig in the hail at the tea shop stop!
Oh, and I'm trying to persuade Criinkles to pop along to the Tunnels Ride. I know that she'd love it really.
Thank you for coming guys! 8) :thumbsup:
* I'll overlook the shipped timing chain on the Dasmoth Santana right at the end.
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Oh, and I'm trying to persuade Criinkles to pop along to the Tunnels Ride. I know that she'd love it really.
This sounds like an excellent idea, what could possibly go wrong, etc. :thumbsup:
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Well, I would fall off my bike and land in the canal and you'd all laugh and point, for a start.
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Is that all?
We'd take photos as well If we remember to charge our camera batteries up :-[
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The cake would get wet!
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The cake would get wet!
I offer to carry the cake for Crinkles just as I did so today. ;D
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The cake would get wet!
Tupperware boxes can help with this.
Some Ortlieb enthusiast might claim that the panniers are sufficient (although I suspect a complete immersion in the canal might be a bit buch even for them).
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Good point Dasmoth. Crinkles, put the cake in the Ortlieb pannier...
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The Very Lovely Valencia and I are safely back in York, having survived both Virgin and Cross Country trains. I might even write a proper ride report, now that I have access to a real keyboards and all that, but not tonight cos I is sleepy. Thanks all for a lovely day!
edit to add:
One ride report!
Random Tandem 24/10/10 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=39783.0)
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What a splendid and comprehensive ride report! Glad you found the experience of stoking Bertie an enjoyable one!
Did anyone manage to get any photos, apart from CL's lovely one of cake?
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:-[ the batteries on our compact seem to have decided to discharge overnight. I suppose I could buy some new ones.
The stupid thing is: We debated briefly bringing the dSLR. It lives in a barbag en velo and is readily to hand for snaps. I was overruled. :-\ ;D
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Sadly, only got a few very hurried shots with the little camera-chip in my phone, but:
(http://www.derkholm.net/thomas/rndtnd1.jpg)
(http://www.derkholm.net/thomas/rndtnd2.jpg)
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rat cider
Sounds like something you get in Silly Oak.
It was actually Ratt cider. But Ivan is yet to be convinced:
(http://www.derkholm.net/thomas/ratt.jpg)
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I am dead jealous of you lot. Out on the tandems when all I had to interest me was a family do in Eastbourne............. Next time.
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Be jealous. Be very jealous.
It was a fantastic day with lovely company. I'm thinking about putting the 2011 event in the calendar really early so folk can book early. :)
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Maybe we can have it in September?
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But not to clash with Lee's camping weekend :).
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Well, the calendar stops at December 2010 so I cannot yet book a date.
Is there a known date for Lee's camping weekend?
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Maybe we can have it in September?
Why wait?
Providing PB is happy it can be done early in the year/season;just after Easter?
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I have been following this thread with interest, but Mrs Mothy and I were away in Dorset while you lot were having such a good day. We'll certainly try to attend in future, complete with teabread, applecake or w.h.y.