Thames Path Meander, Mk V (22/09/12)

[Andrij]

It's back!

I'll only be running this ride once in 2012, on Saturday, 22^nd September*.  There's been no time so far this summer and I refuse to attempt it during the Olymp1c5.

You can read about the previous versions of the ride here, here and here.

Now for the usual the usual spiel...

The route is roughly 50km, exploring along the Thames.  We start from the Southwark Needle (south end of London Bridge) at 10:00, then head east to Woolwich, stopping for a pub lunch along the way.  After a ferry crossing we return to the City, following the north bank, including a tea stop.  There are lots of surprises along the route.  I've also picked up loads more trivia to amaze and fascinate my fellow riders.

I'll be doing a recce closer to the actual day.  The route can be done on skinny tyres; tandems and trikes (of both varieties) may have some difficulties.  If a trike or tandem is your only option then please PM me ASAP!  There are diversions which can be used, but I'd like to know in advance so I can double-check maps.

I don't want to scare folk away, but it is only fair that I am completely honest about the route.  There will be:
* gates
* bollards
* steps (not full flights)
* kerbs (up and down, not many)
* cobbles (lots)
* uneven paving stones
* busy roads (less than 1km in total)
* NCN paths
* points of interest (many)
* photo opportunities (lots)

Who's interested?

* It's also London Open House that weekend, so we may take advantage of a diversion or two.

===============

Who's coming?
cycleman
dibdib
Gandalf
why1040
andrewc
Wowbagger

? Olena (NOTP)
?

[cycleman]

can i join you again ?. i have enjoyed the previous ones 

[Ham]

I'll put me name down as a possible

[Kim]

*wonders if barakta might be interested*

[why1040]

I've really enjoyed the couple of these I've done, so count me as decidedly interested! 

[Andrij]

*bump*

Following on from a thread on a similar ride, thought I'd remind folks about this one again.

I shall recce the route, but be warned that if any current Olympic obstructions aren't removed by the time of the ride we may have to be 'creative'.

[Dibdib]

Yup! Count me in if it's dry.

[matthew]

*thinks*

I arrive back south from my three week tour of the scottish islands that morning. I would love to do this ride but with a full camping load of four panniers, rack bag and bar bag I suspect the barriers and lunch stop may be a bit nerve wracking.

[Tim Hall]

You seem to have misspelt 'an opportunity to be seized with both hands'. HTH

[TimO]

*thinks*

I arrive back south from my three week tour of the scottish islands that morning. I would love to do this ride but with a full camping load of four panniers, rack bag and bar bag I suspect the barriers and lunch stop may be a bit nerve wracking.

I'm guessing that you're coming back into a central London railway station.  Is there anyone who you could temporarily dump the majority of the luggage off with, or even leave it with left luggage at a station?

[matthew]

I shall be going from Euston to Waterloo, office storage of bags has been offered and I shall see nearer the time how I am feeling after three weeks of touring.

[andrewc]

Sounds like it could be a nice day out, put me down as a possible.

[cycleman]

i am still looking forward to it 

[Kim]

Still a possible.

Suggestion: change the title of the OP so it doesn't have a confusingly wrong date in it.

[Andrij]

Wasn't wrong, just not 100% complete (September 2012, init?). 

Subject modified accordingly.

[Kim]

Ah, I missed the all-important apostrophe, and assumed it was carried over from a previous instance...

[Andrij]

Less than two weeks to go, so I've added a list of names to the first post.  I'd be grateful if you could confirm as soon as you can if you definitely plan on joining us.  If you're coming and this is your first TPM please send me your mobile number via PM, I'll reply with mine. 

Also, if you will be riding a tandem / trike / recumbent please tell me ASAP as I need to plan for diversions.

Finally, barring catastrophes, we will start at 10:00 (earlier if we're all there). 

[cycleman]

i am looking forward to it count me in 

[Gandalf]

Following some febrile negotiations with SWMBO, I'd like to join you 

[why1040]

I appear to still be free, this is in my calendar and I'm looking forward to it!  Count me in! 

[andrewc]

What time do we anticipate the ride finishing ?   

[Andrij]

What time do we anticipate the ride finishing ?

IIRC, around 6pm.

[andrewc]

OK, tickets booked.   Arriving at Euston at 08:59,  departing at 20:11, which will probably see me spending ££ at the Euston Tap 

[Andrij]

OK, tickets booked.   Arriving at Euston at 08:59,  departing at 20:11, which will probably see me spending ££ at the Euston Tap 

I can think of worse places to spend ££.   There's also the option of food/drink where the ride finishes.

For All You Others:
I should also add that if anyone wants to join us for only part of the ride they're welcome, but note that if you're meeting us part-way through you'll have to catch us - we won't have time to wait.  Likewise, leaving early is OK, but remember there limited number of river crossings (if such is required to get you home).

[Gandalf]

I might have to slip away a tad sharpish, it's my daughter's 30th birthday so there's bound to be some evening shenanigans.  Blimey that makes me feel old.