Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Rides and Touring => Topic started by: Polar Bear on 18 November, 2011, 05:22:59 pm
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AWL and I were supping a pint and eating sandwiches in the Green Man (http://www.greenmanlongitchington.co.uk/index.html) in Long Itchington and we hatched an idea for a camping weekend in 2012. We're looking at the middle of May, Friday 18th to Sunday 20th to be precise.
Please give the web site a browse and come back with any questions on the thread for all to see and comment upon.
To tell you how hospitable our landlord is, I rolled up at about 11:55. He was just coming out. He opened up for us. Just as we were leaving later I discovered that he normally does not open for weekday lunch. Not only did we get beer but he made us sandwiches too as well as bringing some gratis nachos and tomato dip. Four real ales on the tap: London Pride, Tribute, Black Sheep Bitter and Pedigree. I sampled the Tribute and the Black Sheep and both were in excellent condition.
Some tasters:
The landlord says that he might come to some arrangement on the £8 a night for a 'party'.
There are six, yes, SIX real ale pubs in Long Itchington.
The landlord can do basic brekkies but within walking distance is the Long Itchington Diner and within wheel distance is Hilltop Farm at Hunningham for the more upmarket breakfast (and lunches though you may need to book).
There are only toilets at the pub but the local community centre can usually help with showers for a small charge. We can investigate this.
Every Friday evening a fish 'n chip van plies his trade outside the pub. You can buy your fish supper and eat it in the pub if you wish.
AWL and I already have some ideas for rides on the Saturday. I'll happily lead a group to Cannons Ashby (NT place) where the cafe is excellent and countryside splendid there and back. AWL was thinking perhaps Warwick or even a trip to Hook Norton. One never knows what advance planning might throw up.
Draycote water is only about 7 miles away and is a great place for a relaxing picnic and a short ride if that's your bag.
The field is virtually flat and can take about 80 tents so says the landlord. Caravans can use the field too (Jogler). There are no electric hookups.
There has been a large bonfire in the field so within reason I suspect he'd let us have a camp fire if we wanted. We would need to ask. There is a small river at the foot of the field so if we gather some fire buckets I guess all would be well.
It is in the middle of the village quite close to houses so we would need to be considerate wrt late night noise.
Easily reached by bicycle from Rugby, Leamington or Warwick. I would be happy to lead a Rugby posse if required.
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Perhaps those interested could email me at polarbearatyacf@gmail.com. Title your email camping then your YACF name, i.e. camping a warwickshire lad. and tell me in the email numbers, and other pertinent details such as tent / caravan / campervan, etc. :)
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A camping weekend within cycleable distance? And barakta's just got a shiny new touring trike? I think we are... :thumbsup:
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The concept of meeting and cycling appeals - but I shall enjoy the comfort of my own bed, it being not too far to ride there and back on a daily basis
The village is amazing with the pubs - one of our regular Weds clubs runs is to the Harvester (not THAT sort of Harvester - a trad pub called by that name)
In the diary.
Rob
EDIT : It's also the CTC Heart of England Audax on Saturday 19 May 2012 - details will be at www.ctc-heartofengland.org.uk (http://www.ctc-heartofengland.org.uk) in the next 2 or 3 weeks.
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Ooh goody.
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Ooh goody.
Ah - entering the Audax then are we ? ;D ;D ;D
Rob
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er, no. ::-)
The ride from Bournville will be quite enough, thank you.
Is that also the service in Meriden for the "Unknown Cylist" weekend? If so I'll probably attend that on the way home.
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The field is virtually flat and can take about 80 tents so says the landlord. Caravans can use the field too (Jogler). There are no electric hookups.
I'm flattered that I'm taken into consideration.Thankyou.
I think the cakeavan may be out of hibernation by then.It's a long way off* but Marj & I are "maybe".
*put it on the Calandar please otherwise I'll forget
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er, no. ::-)
The ride from Bournville will be quite enough, thank you.
Is that also the service in Meriden for the "Unknown Cylist" weekend? If so I'll probably attend that on the way home.
It is - although I'm not sure at the moment what's happening with the rest of the "rally weekend" - interest has dwindled somewhat.
Rob
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There's a staircase of locks on the Grand Onion Canal only a mile away. :thumbsup:
A self-plotted route from Chez Rower40 to the centre of Long Itchington is not only a manageable 88.8 km, but also goes within a gnat's crotchet of Chez Diver300 at about the halfway point.
The route then skirts the suburbs of Nuneaton, which, as any fule kno, is reachable from all compass points by rail. Thereafter no great conurbations, but a smattering of B and A roads.
I may well get the train home again from Leamington Spa, even if it means dangly bike-spaces.
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There's an off-road route all the way into Leamington (& Warwick & Brum) along the old railway line, now called the Offchurch Greenway and the Grand Union. I went along the rather less traversed stretch today which was quite a muddy adventure on the 25mm tyres on the Pompino. The garden hose will have to be got out of the shed tomorrow!
Rather strangely, my internet access is playing up at the moment (conversely to a few weeks ago, I can access YACF, but nowt else!), but do a search for the Long Itchington Beer Festival and you should be able to see all six of the pubs in the village. We'll be there shortly after the festival. It's just too busy that weekend for a trip.
Chapeau to the bikers who will be there camping in the Green Man's garden the first weekend in january!
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May well be interested (with or without Mrs Julesh and Luca the annoying 6 year old O:-)
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Nah, we hate camping. ;)
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Here's the website for the beer festival... (http://www.longitchingtonbeerfestival.co.uk/)
The Green Man's my favourite, although the Harvester is like stepping back to the 70s.
I should add that as well as the Offchurch Highway route to LI, you can also take the canal all the way to the Two Boats. (http://www.2boats.co.uk/)
Oh, and there might be some cycling, as well... :-)
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Oh yep......
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Nah, we hate camping. ;)
Ba...... Oh I see :D
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Here's the website for the beer festival... (http://www.longitchingtonbeerfestival.co.uk/)
The Green Man's my favourite, although the Harvester is like stepping back to the 70s.
I should add that as well as the Offchurch Highway route to LI, you can also take the canal all the way to the Two Boats. (http://www.2boats.co.uk/)
Oh, and there might be some cycling, as well... :-)
And, if you happen to carry on beyond The Two Boats on the towpath it's not very long before you encounter more pubs. ;D
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This sounds like a must-do. :thumbsup:
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Nah, we hate camping. ;)
but you are so good at camping ;D
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That's Bryan Chapman weekend..
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Is it okay if one isn't from the Midlands, and doesn't have a tent (am willing to buy one though)?
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Anybody welcome :thumbsup:
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You may have to provide your own earwigs, though... ;)
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It's a lovely idea. I've no idea if I'll be there - I'll see what happens with tents, money, places and people - but I'm happy just reading about it.
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This sounds like fun. I have no idea whether I'll be able to make it-that's like 6 months away, but I love the idea!
I'm a rubbish camper and reasonably slow cyclist, but up for a bit of fun! ;D
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I'm sorely tempted I have to say. Will need to make quite a long weekend of it if I'm going to cycle from home though. The venue looks great. :thumbsup:
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Pencilled into the diary
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Sounds great fun and May is my favourite month for camping. Interested if I can find a good train route from Swansea. :-\
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Sounds great fun and May is my favourite month for camping. Interested if I can find a good train route from Swansea. :-\
See if you can route to Banbury. You can then take the Oxford canal to near Rugby & then the Grand Union to LI. That time of year, you'll need good fairy-resistant tyres though.
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Is it okay if one isn't from the Midlands, and doesn't have a tent (am willing to buy one though)?
As PB says, anyone welcome, though southerners should not refer to us as northerners & northerners should not refer to us as southerners. Thank you. :)
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As PB says, anyone welcome, though southerners should not refer to us as northerners & northerners should not refer to us as southerners. Thank you. :)
That's okay, I'm a forrinner - I don't see north and south, just silly british people ;).
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Johnny Foreigner, eh?! Well, we'll put you down by the stream... ;)
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You may have to provide your own earwigs, though... ;)
Do you not still have some to spare?
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Is it okay if one isn't from the Midlands, and doesn't have a tent (am willing to buy one though)?
We have a tent you can borrow if you like :).
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See if you can route to Banbury. You can then take the Oxford canal to near Rugby & then the Grand Union to LI. That time of year, you'll need good fairy-resistant tyres though.
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Thanks AWL. Now I've upgraded the bike( gear wise )I found I can only fit 25s as the largest which may not be suitable for the canal run
Had a look at the route via National Rail and Warwick seems to be my best station. Any good routes to follow to Long Itchington from there. ??? Oh and any idea how long it would take to ride at a steady 10k an hour.
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Count me in! And Mrs Miggins I suspect.
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May have persuaded Mrs Oldpeddler(non-cyclist) to come along which would mean I might cheat a bit and arrive with bike on car. Is this within the YACFers camping rules and is there parking for a car onsite. ???
If there's a 'yes' to all these then I think me and Mrs O are definitely up for it. :thumbsup:
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Quite a bit of parking. Vehicles allowed but please, not everybody :)
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Great news PB. We're in then. We've penciled the 18th May in the diary.
Do we have to book anything now or are you waiting till nearer the date to see what the numbers are?
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My thoughs are to see how many show interest over the next week or two, then to launch the event properly :)
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Ok PB. Will keep watching this space.
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Thanks AWL. Now I've upgraded the bike( gear wise )I found I can only fit 25s as the largest which may not be suitable for the canal run
Had a look at the route via National Rail and Warwick seems to be my best station. Any good routes to follow to Long Itchington from there. ??? Oh and any idea how long it would take to ride at a steady 10k an hour.
I'm from Warwick. If you do bring the bike on the train there are several routes to Long Itch. The easiest way is along the Grand Union. It's a pretty good surface if the weather has been kind, especially nearer the towns of Warwick & Leamington. Another option is to take the canal to just the LI side of Leamington & then to take the road route. There's one steep hill just after leaving the canal, but there's a glorious downhill stretch along a quiet road just before LI. Coming in from that direction takes you right to the Green Man. The canal route brings you to the Two Boats. But nowhere in LI is more than half a mile from anywhere else. If you want to avoid the canal altogether, there's a route into Leamington that might even be Sustrans route 41. Leamington isn't that bad cycling-wise and a couple of miles after the town you hit the route I mentioned when you leave the canal. It's about 9 miles to LI from Warwick.
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Johnny Foreigner, eh?! Well, we'll put you down by the stream... ;)
I think _in_ the stream is more traditional, isn't it? This way I can steal your jobs, women, men, and small furry animals. :)
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Is it okay if one isn't from the Midlands, and doesn't have a tent (am willing to buy one though)?
We have a tent you can borrow if you like :).
Thanks, that's really kind of you :thumbsup:, if father christmas doesn't bring me any, I'll get in touch with you a bit nearer to the time.
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Thanks AWL. Now I've upgraded the bike( gear wise )I found I can only fit 25s as the largest which may not be suitable for the canal run
Had a look at the route via National Rail and Warwick seems to be my best station. Any good routes to follow to Long Itchington from there. ??? Oh and any idea how long it would take to ride at a steady 10k an hour.
I'm from Warwick. If you do bring the bike on the train there are several routes to Long Itch. The easiest way is along the Grand Union. It's a pretty good surface if the weather has been kind, especially nearer the towns of Warwick & Leamington. Another option is to take the canal to just the LI side of Leamington & then to take the road route. There's one steep hill just after leaving the canal, but there's a glorious downhill stretch along a quiet road just before LI. Coming in from that direction takes you right to the Green Man. The canal route brings you to the Two Boats. But nowhere in LI is more than half a mile from anywhere else. If you want to avoid the canal altogether, there's a route into Leamington that might even be Sustrans route 41. Leamington isn't that bad cycling-wise and a couple of miles after the town you hit the route I mentioned when you leave the canal. It's about 9 miles to LI from Warwick.
Thanks AWL. Will study this route if Mrs O decides she's not coming along. :thumbsup:
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i am interested in this as it is just in range :)
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Is it okay if one isn't from the Midlands, and doesn't have a tent (am willing to buy one though)?
As PB says, anyone welcome, though southerners should not refer to us as northerners & northerners should not refer to us as southerners. Thank you. :)
Yay! Now the decks are cleared for the East-Midlanders vs West-Midlanders fight! :demon:
If London is "Euston" or "Marylebone", then you're a West-Midlander. If it's "St Pancras" or "Kings Cross", then you're from the East Midlands.
This Public Information post brought to you by Arriva X-Country.
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By that reckoning, I sit firmly in the West-Midlander camp. What about Paddington, though?
I also think that you're straying into heathen country when you start seeing Everards pubs. Having said that, I occasionally stoop low enough to sink a Tiger or two ;)
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We might be able to come to this but it dependS on Stuff.
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It would be nice if we can get some travelling YACF folk. Being quite central in England and near good rail routes makes it an attractive venue IMO.
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...And far away enough from Birmingham to be in the middle of some great cycling country.
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I'm really hoping interest is sufficient to hold the event - which on initial reaction s I'd say it is. I'm looking forward to seeing the Baraktamobile in action.
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I would make it if it was a week earlier. I go off to do an Ireland E2E on the 20th.
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I'm sorely tempted I have to say. Will need to make quite a long weekend of it if I'm going to cycle from home though. The venue looks great. :thumbsup:
Me too - finances/diary permitting. If you fancy some company riding there/back Jim, that would be good :thumbsup:
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Diary stuff could well be our main obstacle too. But it.S too early to say. Willing but not necessarily able.
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It so happens that this is approx 200km from Ipswich.
Except I am supposed to be doing less cycling next year.
I may see if younger guy (age 12) is interested, and fancies cycling from Rugby (and I can put all the luggage on our bikes without a trailer etc. etc.
Taller guy not into camping.
Very tentative so assume not but I will try to keep an eye on the thread.
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That's Bryan Chapman weekend..
+1
Which means we're otherwise engaged.
:(
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Apologies to those who find the date clashes with something else. Unfortunately there will always be these sort of problems for some people. Maybe in 2013... ;)
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I love cycling to the Green Man, and was thinking of doing one quite soon - in spite of the so called "Camping Season", from South Brum in makes a perfect overnight camp. I will come though it may be just for Saturday night.
Oh, there is also a swimming pool and a steam room at Southam, only a few steps from the Diner.
Mark the landlord is a top host!
Terry
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That's Bryan Chapman weekend..
+1
Which means we're otherwise engaged.
:(
But OTOH, gives me an excellent excuse not to attempt an SR series on a somewhat inappropriate bike...
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That's great Kim because I'm hoping to see you and Barakta, especially Barakta* on teh Baraktamobile 8)
* Not favouritism - honest guv :demon:
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That's great Kim because I'm hoping to see you and Barakta, especially Barakta* on teh Baraktamobile 8)
* Not favouritism - honest guv :demon:
Well it's not so great as *I* was hoping to see Barakta on teh Baraktamobile too :P
(though admittedly not on the BCM...)
We'll have to manufacture an excuse to go to the midlands some other time.
But OTOH, gives me an excellent excuse not to attempt an SR series on a somewhat inappropriate bike...
Other 600s are available :demon:
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Other 600s are available :demon:
Yeah, but they're not the BCM, what'd be the point?
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Just found this thread. I'm deffo interested but don't know where I'll be coming from (likely move in the new year). Will keep watching. :)
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Ohh this does sound interesting. I always read the YACF camping adventure reports with envy!
200km from Ipswich you say? That surely means getting the train then LOL. I guess that a rail route may be 'challenging' from Cambridge (it usually is) but I do have relatives in Coventry so maybe could stay there and sort something out....
Will keep an eye on the thread anyway :-)
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Other 600s are available :demon:
Yeah, but they're not the BCM, what'd be the point?
So true :thumbsup:
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Blimey, this had rolled down the forum pages since I saw it and pencilled it in my diary. Is it still a goer and could it be stickied to the front page?
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I'd forgotten about this one as well :-X is it still on for those dates? I'm up for it if it is :thumbsup:
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i am interested in this as it is just in range :)
Your Birthday weekend I think Chris? See you there.
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What date is this again? Sorry, I can't find it in the posts above.
edited - 18th May?
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Schedule clash already. Sorry, I can't now attend; I've accepted an invitation to a 4-course lunch onna train for that Sunday. Arriving at Looga-borruga Central station with camping kit will not go down well when everyone else is in suits/posh-frocks.
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Schedule clash already. Sorry, I can't now attend; I've accepted an invitation to a 4-course lunch onna train for that Sunday. Arriving at Looga-borruga Central station with camping kit will not go down well when everyone else is in suits/posh-frocks.
Aww go on - set a trend! :D
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Given your approach to lightweight camping, I don't see what's stopping you turning up with camping kit *and* a suit / posh frock. :P
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Given your approach to lightweight camping, I don't see what's stopping you turning up with camping kit *and* a suit / posh frock. :P
Yebbut it's one of those events to demonstrate that an interest in trains can be maintained without a trans-normal approach to personal hygiene. So if I've been under canvas for two days, and then cycled from Leamington to Loughborough, I'll be letting the side down.
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Can you stash your suit and stuff near the train in advance? You caould always stash your bike, get washed and changed in cafe nero or somewhere and show up looking lovely and pressed :).
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yes your right pd :). do not foget my present ;)
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yes your right pd :). do not foget my present ;)
Depends if you're drinking Pints or them furrin' litre things!
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I may be up for this one....
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Still planned. Perhaps those interested could email me at polarbearatyacf@gmail.com. Title your email camping then your YACF name, i.e. camping a warwickshire lad. and tell me in the email numbers, and other pertinent details such as tent / caravan / campervan, etc. :)
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Email sent :-)
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BUMP
Still planned. Perhaps those interested could email me at polarbearatyacf@gmail.com. Title your email camping then your YACF name, i.e. camping a warwickshire lad. and tell me in the email numbers, and other pertinent details such as tent / caravan / campervan, etc. :)
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Email sent from here too. :)
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PB
sent my email on 29th Jan
Have you seen it?
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Email sent.
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PB
sent my email on 29th Jan
Have you seen it?
I have. :)
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Sorry, can't make a commitment just yet. Due to stuff.
I'd like to come, but it may have to be very much closer to the time before I know whether it is possible.
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Given your approach to lightweight camping, I don't see what's stopping you turning up with camping kit *and* a suit / posh frock. :P
Yebbut it's one of those events to demonstrate that an interest in trains can be maintained without a trans-normal approach to personal hygiene. So if I've been under canvas for two days, and then cycled from Leamington to Loughborough, I'll be letting the side down.
Why not - let's do it. Email will be sent in the next 5 mins.
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:thumbsup:
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Is it too late to register interest? I'll confirm in the next few days. Might bring my better half too :-)
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Never too late Sam :thumbsup:
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Awesome :) So I have the dates free :) So can confirm. What do I need to do?
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i am still hoping to come money permitting :)
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We're not paying expenses y'know. ;D
Hope you can make it.
Now, must add 'PM to AWL' to my list of things to do...
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I think I have confirmed - at least for Saturday.
Need to look at what time it goes dark before committing to Friday!
Terry
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Looks like I can do this by getting a train that arrives at Leamington Spa for 20:36 on Friday. Is there room for another ?
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Still planned. Perhaps those interested could email me at polarbearatyacf@gmail.com. Title your email camping then your YACF name, i.e. camping a warwickshire lad. and tell me in the email numbers, and other pertinent details such as tent / caravan / campervan, etc. :)
Register your interest and I'll do a numbers count in a week or two.
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Looking forward to this.
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OP now modified with instructions on how to register your interest guys.
Thanks.
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Thread title updated to include dates. :)
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What are the nearest stations and how far be they? It's been a while since I've done proper cycling like.
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What are the nearest stations and how far be they? It's been a while since I've done proper cycling like.
10km (6 or so miles) from Leamington Spa. It has fast and frequent trains from London Marylebone, courtesy of Chiltern Trains.
Or about 16km (10 miles) from Rugby, with its Virgin Pendolini and London Midland class 350s. The
road to Long Itchington looks a bit more busy from Rugby than from LeamSpa.
If travelling from anywhere on the X-country network or That Birmingham, Leamington Spa is the obvious choice.
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13 miles from Rugby station using predominantly nice back lanes. I need to check out a minor diversion due to awkward gates for trikes, tandems and loaded tourers.
Leamongton Spa is definitely the best (as in closest) option for rail access from that Larndun!
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Cheers chaps. Lemme know the ride for sat and I'll make a choice if to go for trike or single speed.
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I´m feeling tempted to head for the Green Man this weekend :-\
An over night camp and a few pints on Saturday Hmm!
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Well I did it and it was great!
Couldn't have asked for better weather, and Mark the landlord was his usual very friendly self. Took about 3 hours from home, so I will have to think about whether I would be able to make it in daylight after I will have cycled 8.5 miles home from work.
Still looking forward to meeting you all.
Terry
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If you arrive at Leamington Station, the Grand Union Canal is <100 metres away. The towpath will take you all the way to Long Itchinton. You will know you're there when the Two Boats pub jumps out at you!
However, you can hop off the canal at a big viaduct, do the climb up the hill and a then enjoy a lovely, long descent into the village. This route is more convenient for the Green Man.
There is also a greenway route into the village that you can hop onto at the same viaduct above, but it can be boggy. I recommend the middle route, I.e. the canal & road combo.
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Might be a vehicule for me usual reasons ......... :P
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An update:
I visited today whilst trundling the lanes of Warwickshire getting mildly sunburned. The weekend of 18th - 20th May is now firmed up and early arrivals and late departures are welcome.
I will be checking the email as previously stated and replying once I return from my week oop north ;D For those who have not yet emailed, please do so as follows:
Please email me at polarbearatyacf@gmail.com. Title your email camping then your YACF name, i.e. camping a warwickshire lad. and tell me in the email numbers, and other pertinent details such as tent / caravan / campervan, etc.
Some snippets:
Cost per head is £8 per night. I reckon that the field could take forty tents without resorting to absolute festival standards. Caravans and campervans are also welcome.
The field is actually a Camping and Caravanning Club certified site if that means anything to anybody here (Clarioin and Butterfly maybe?)
There are only toilets onsite but apparently the local community centre is flexible and allows the use of the showers for a small charge. One for either myself of AWL to check out methinks...
On Friday evenings the chip van arrives sometime after 7:30p.m. It arrived at 8:15pp.m. yesterday apparently! Our host is happy that folk buy their chip suppers and eat them in the pub whilst sampling his liquid wares.
Our host can lay on a buffet style fried brekkie working along the lines of an honesty box. Earlier this week they apparently laid on breakfast for 48 cyclists!!!
However, I can also recommend the Long Itch diner (greasy spoon) as well as Hilltop Farm, Hunningham for that slightly more upmarket cooked breakfast.
Mlle PB and I have plans to lead a Saturday excursion to Canons Ashby, a National Trust place in Northamptonshire. The round trip is approximately 40 miles from Long Itch and we can vary the route to avoid retracing virtually all of our pedalling. They do a very nice menu there. Unfortunately this area of the UK is a bit lumpy. There is no way to smooth out the hills so please accept my apologies if you're a flatlander. I was also contemplating a picnic ride to Draycote Water for the less ambitious / more relaxed of us. If there is demand I woudl be happy to lead out the Draycote posse and leave Mlle PB the task of taking the lead to Canons Ashby.
On the Sunday morning I was contemplating doing a YACF jersey stack along the lines of the Penny Stack. For those not in the know, what happens is that we all gather in a line, or maybe a semi circle for the camera, all wearing a YACF jersey, and all supported on our bikes by holding the bike either side of you with your feet on the pedals of your machine. Slightly trickier for those at the ends maybe? Seems like some daft fun and something for other YACF gatherings to try and beat in the future.
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Canons Ashby is a lovely site but the baked spuds are a tad chere! O:-)
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i am still hoping to come but i am nervous of committing due my finances at the moment . how late can i leave it before you need to know ?.
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Interested in the response to this. ^
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You can just turn up if you wish. Numbers are a convenience for us organisers but there is flexibility. :)
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How many are signed up now PB?
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Will need to check Canardly.
I also need to check the price as I understand that it has gone up to £9 pppn
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Hi, please put my name down for this :)
You have email and PM :)
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Has this been put in the diary?
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i will make every effort to get to this but i will not know till the last minute. :)
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Has this been put in the diary?
No. I'm clueless as to how to. I can't even find the diary. :(
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See the "link to calendar" button down there? That.
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I'm definitely very interested in this. I haven't yet broached the subject with Mrs. Wow as only yesterday i sprung the York Rally on her and all that camping is just too much to contemplate at the moment.
If it's one or both, it will only be the one tent. I'll ride from Banbury as it's in the Network Card area. Oddly, tickets form London to Banbury are more expensive than tickets from London to Leamington Spa.
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Given that a errm beer festival happens to be taking place during said visit. Does camp site have hedges? Recent experience tells me that FYBO and finding your shoes subsequent to an early (very) morning stiff soled walk for two hundred meters is not good for the soul. Memo to self I must get some of those slip on things.
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Is there? The regular beer festival is not our weekend.
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Thanks Kim. It seems to whiff a bit... :D
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Given that a errm beer festival happens to be taking place during said visit. Does camp site have hedges? Recent experience tells me that FYBO and finding your shoes subsequent to an early (very) morning stiff soled walk for two hundred meters is not good for the soul. Memo to self I must get some of those slip on things.
The trick is to set your shoes up for easy access before you go to sleep. And not to lie there for more than about 10 minutes hoping your bladder will somehow become less full: it won't.
Current thinking from team Kim-barakta is that we're going to try and avoid any kind of railway entanglement: This may involve me carrying literally all our kit in a trailer. It will probably involve a gentle pootle to Draycote Water on the Saturday rather than any serious riding, so that barakta may have enough energy left to make it back up the hill on Sunday.
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Sigh thought the local village had a beer fest... never mind.
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It does. Two weeks earlier.
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Can I register an interest, please?
If I can make it then TD and my no. 2 son in law are also possibles.
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Indeed nobby: The more the merrier. :)
Can I ask you to please email me at polarbearatyacf@gmail.com. Title your email camping then your YACF name, i.e. camping a warwickshire lad. and tell me in the email numbers, and other pertinent details such as tent / caravan / campervan, etc.
I'll be emailing out at the end of the week.
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Although this weekend does not coincide with the Long Itchington Beer Festival, said festival is not your traditional one in one venue. There are six decent pubs (some truly excellent) in a small village & they all throw their doors open for the weekend to all comers. Naturally, the range of beers is wider than usual, but the place is really a hive of activity - rather too busy at times.
All six pubs will be open our weekend, of course, and each of them offers good beers at all times, so it's quite easy to have a good session at any time in Long Itchington. The Green Man itself offers very good beer, but the whole ensemble of pubs is within a kilometre of the GM. You will not go thirsty :)
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I'll be there ;D
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AWL,
You up for a recce sometime next week? We need to check the showering situation as well as ensuring that the beer is up to scratch... ;)
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I'm long overdue some time off, so can we aim for Friday next week just before the BHol?
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Should anyone need guidance to the site from Leamington Spa station, I will gladly meet you there and take you to Long Itchington.
Chiltern Railways stop there and their fares are generally cheaper than Virgin's to Brum. I think their bike policy is a little more flexible too.
I'll be working on the morning of the Friday, but will aim to leave Leamington at about 2pm.
For those of you not able to meet up, the route is very easy. Here is Leamington Spa Station (http://g.co/maps/g3np7) and you need to head up the Tachbrook Road towards the canal. After about 100m, maybe less, on the right side of the road, you will see the ramp down to the canal here (http://g.co/maps/uksnk). Go down the ramp and double back on yourself at the bottom to head towards Long Itchington. If you find yourself going past a LIDL supermarket after about a mile, turn back, you've gone the wrong way!
After a few miles on the towpath - usually easily rideable, but don't quote me on that, you'll come to the Two Boats pub in Long Itchington here (http://g.co/maps/a47kf). Although I think it's been painted white now. To get to the Green Man, go up the Two Boat's driveway to the main road and turn right down the hill. Take the second left, then the first left - ignoring the little residential road - into Church Road. Go past the church on your left and you should be able to see the Green Man. Map here. (http://g.co/maps/aqh3h)
There is an alternative route, getting off the canal at Offchurch. It takes you straight to the Green Man - map here. (http://g.co/maps/7e55h) There is quite an uphill right at the start, and you have to cross the Fosse Way, but once past those obstacles, there is a lovely downhill section to the outskirts of the village. There is often bunting outside the Green Man, so look out for it, otherwise it will become apparent anyway!
There is a coop opposite the church, more or less, with a free-to-use cashpoint and a decent range of food & stuff.
Should anyone have bike problems along the way, there are two shops within five minutes walk of Leamington Station: Broadribbs (http://www.broadribbcyclesleamingtonspa.co.uk/) and John Atkins (http://www.johnatkinscycles.co.uk/home.html).
Southam Leisure Centre - for the showers - is just over 3 miles away by minor roads. (http://g.co/maps/9gzyn) 2.5 by the main road.
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Chiltern Railways stop there and their fares are generally cheaper than Virgin's to Brum. I think their bike policy is a little more flexible too.
IIRC no need for reservations (or pirate carriage keys), but restrictions on peak-hour trains out of London. May be an issue if you're planning to travel on Friday evening.
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Given your approach to lightweight camping, I don't see what's stopping you turning up with camping kit *and* a suit / posh frock. :P
Yebbut it's one of those events to demonstrate that an interest in trains can be maintained without a trans-normal approach to personal hygiene. So if I've been under canvas for two days, and then cycled from Leamington to Loughborough, I'll be letting the side down.
Why not - let's do it. Email will be sent in the next 5 mins.
How best-laid plans etc change in 2 months.
Sorry everyone, but I'm now 100% certain that I can't attend. Distance, other cycling commitments (including piloting a Visually-impaired stoker - which should be a fortnightly appointment, but I've had to duck out of 3 consecutive such trips) and work-related loss-of-weekend syndrome (WRLOWS) (TM) have all conspired to keep me away.
Look, I'm ever so sorry for letting you all down like this. It may be about to become a habit. :'(
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Having been up some of them there rolling hills with Kim of this parish should I be bringing tourer or something a bit lighter given use of said vehicule?
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Only you know the answer to that. Given that the rides will progress at Team Slow pace I doubt that it really matters. :)
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I would generally recommend low gears over lightweight when hauling kit or riding at Team Slow pace, but your cycling style may vary...
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It's looking like we might not be able to attend due to work but will keep you updated x
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I may now be a 'possible' for this, depending on certain domestic factors.
Is there still space? Or am I too late?
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also a possible, depending on getting a job, the weather and wifely enthusiasm.
it's only 90 miles from here, what could possibly go wrong? :)
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Roll up! Roll up!
Plenty of space... :)
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Er..... why does the pub lock up the loos at night given there is a campsite behind the pub? ???
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Er..... why does the pub lock up the loos at night given there is a campsite behind the pub? ???
Is it one of those "Do Your Best; Birmingham Needs The Water" moments?
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Er..... why does the pub lock up the loos at night given there is a campsite behind the pub? ???
Wait, what? That seems deeply suboptimal...
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I'll check but where did you get that gem from Canardly?
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Ah, I see. On their website. I'll give them a call sometime soon. Seems a bit of bad form really.
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I am not worried about it just seemed a tad strange is all. Incidentally looking forward to this. Must get some of those lightweight chairs on offer at go outdoors this week end.
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Is there anybody planning to come who might find having the toiled locked through the small hours a problem? I know that I'm going to have to limit the beer intake if I don't want to pee over the tent next door... ;)
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Is there anybody planning to come who might find having the toiled locked through the small hours a problem?
Yes. :-[
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OK. I'll see what can be done, if anything.
The drastic alternative is to relocate to Manton Road Farm campsite which is only just outside of the village and does have toilets and showers. I need to speak with AWL and get his POV before we consider changing anything though.
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Its very odd, attached seems to confirm the loo situation but does extol virtues of the site. Has to be something to do with loos being internal to the pub I guess.
http://www.coolcamping.co.uk/campsites/uk/england/cotswolds/warwickshire/green-man
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That is a real pain for the ladies on the team!
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Sorry, PB. We can't make it. :(
We're pretty skint right now, and something going on nearer home meant we could have a couple of days we need at home to get a few things sorted out.
Hope to see you all soon, though.
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Surely we can rig a peek a boo shelter somewhere on site? Incidentally that shelter that Butterfly was using at Wing Hall alongside the tent, was that a beach shelter? Seemed to be a reasonable alternative to a tarp if the weather is not too frisky.
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Just a quick note to say that 3 years ago, the Manton Rd toilets were just about adequate. Bit of a Portakabin job.
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I think that we should check Manton Road on Friday. I have a tarp that I might be able to hang between a couple of trees for night time emergencies. Not ideal but...
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If a couple of us can bring a tarp then we can fix an enclosure.
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Will also need poles of which I have none suitable.
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I am sure that can be addressed. Peeps need to remember that PB booked this in good faith and PM'd people expressing interest. I am sure that we can provide an environment that will not leave peeps feeling uncomfortable in fact quite the reverse and will be a bit of fun.
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Just nominate an area that after 10 pm is strictly ladeez only. Simples.
When we were in East Clare a couple of weeks ago, we drank in a bar most nights that had no loos. Well, technically it did, if you wanted to ask the landlord for his front door keys, walk out of the bar, in through his front door, spend a polite 5 minutes passing the time of day with his family. tromp upstairs, try several bedrooms, airing cupboards etc before finding the bathroom.
The locals explained the preferred method. - Round the side to the field - but keep left. The ladies go to the right. Seemed to work OK.
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I like the sentiment Basil although the layouit of the land doesn't really lend itself with a lack of natural cover. The camping field is open with a few trees in one corner so I'll be looking at whether I can use those with a few tarps or windbreaks to create a night time only facility.
Time for a roll call methinks...
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I'm still a possible, as is Mrs. Wow. Much depends on Dez.
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At risk of stating the what-I-thought-was-obvious, it's not the lack of cover that bothers me. Ideally I'd like the option of something sturdy and flushable to sit on for 20 minutes during a [TMI] attack, with copious bog paper and running water on standby. While I'm able to compromise on some of that, it's not the sort of thing you want to be doing in the corner of a campsite, no matter how well concealed you are at the time.
If it was just a 3am pee, the faff of a shewee is acceptable.
As such, I'm in pending the settling-down of my digestive system, which has been awful for about two weeks now.
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Hmmm... Thanks Kim.
I'm going over this Friday to inspect and I'll talk with the landlord. If there is no option suitable then I'll gon look at Manton Road farm.
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i am still planning to get there . i have a 76 mile route planned :)
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I have stayed at the Marton Road campsite. There is a caveat and that is that it was during the very busy beer festival weekend. Being a bank holiday it naturally poured down & I mean poured! The toilets and showers were adequate for the traffic. I think on a quieter weekend they would be fine.
The site itself got a little boggy, but the rainfall was very considerable and it had drained well a day later.
Long Itchington is not a big place and although Marton Road is on the outskirts, it's still only 15 mins walk from the furthest pub and <5 mins to the nearest one. The Green Man site is handier, but I can well understand the concerns at the (lack of) facilities.
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Overnight loos problem sorted. Will expand later when at a proper pooter. :thumbsup:
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OK, so I'm at a proper pooter now.
I met with Andy at the Two Boats in Long Itch for a quick pint and a spot of lunch. Have to say that the ploughmans lunch there was rather poor. If that is indicative of the menu I'll probably not eat there again.
Anyhow, after supping and chatting we went to examine both sites.
Marton Road Farm resembles a quagmire with very large areas of cut up grass, great swathes of gloopy mud and lakes of standing water. The loo block is still the portacabin which AWL has spoken of previously.
The Green Mad field was remarkably green, flat, not cut up at all and still quite firm although I guess a tent peg will be relatively easy to push home.
The landlord popped out to chat and I raised the issue of the overnight loo access. He said that there are two solutions: Firstly, if I remind him late on in the evening he will not lock the outer door allowing access. Secondly, if I forget then if you need the loo, whatever the time of night, just ring the pub number and he will come and open up. He is a very decent chap and comes across as sincere.
We may be sharing with a few venture scouts. He says that they've been before and that they are a tame and decent group.
I have a nice 40ish mile route to Cannons Ashby planned for on Saturday, weather permitting, and AWL will have an alternative 25 miler. There is also the potential picnic ride to Draycote water for those interested.
I hope that we've removed any concerns and you're all now looking forward to a great weekend. .
Ok, who's definitely coming then? :)
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To save me ploughing through all the posts what's the likely timetable for Saturday's rides ... i.e. start times for 25 or 40 milers? [I'm "car park attendant" at Meriden for the CTC HoE Audax first thing but will be hoping to get to Long Itch to ride]
Rob
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I guess it will be somewhere in the region of 10:30 to 11:00. Lunch serving begins at CA from 12:30 IIRC. Normal group ride protocols apply and it will be a leisure ride, not a race.
I might end up taking the Draycote picnic ride with Mlle PB taking the CA and AWL on an alternative route should demand require it.
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Yes. Well done PB sounds just fine.
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i am still highly probable for this :thumbsup:
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Just bumping to remind folks... 8)
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I'm out.
It was marginal for me cycling legs wise (I died horribly after last week's 50km) but now my "good" shoulder's crapped out :'( there's no way I'll survive camping this weekend even if I cheat.
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Sadly I think I'm out :(
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Sorry - we're out too.
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Aaaaargh! the disappointing but inevitable drop outs.
Any definites to lift the impending gloom?
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I'll be turning up on Friday night.
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Sorry PB
Got to go out to France to sort out a restoration thats gone pear shaped! :(
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Yes intending to arrive Friday evening
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Goody goody. Looking forward to seeing some of you guys. :thumbsup:
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OK, crunch time.
I'll commit myself. Mrs. Wow is more than doubtful, having a bad back.
I'll be network-carding it, which I think means that Banbury is my best bet. I haven't worked out a route yet, but if I get the first train after 10 a.m. Friday that arrives at about 1p.m. I'll sort out a route and then post an expected mileage/ETA.
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I'm in. Will be nice and straightforward without barakta (in the nicest possible way), as it's just a couple of hours from home.
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I'm afraid I'm out, sorry. Domestic commitments have taken over.
Have a good time!
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Here's my first stab at a route.
I can probably knock about a mile off that by going north in Priors Hardwick rather than east and then north.
I should arrive by 4 p.m.
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Sorry everyone but I have a family situation come up that means I won't be able to make it this weekend. :'(
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Here's my first stab at a route.
I can probably knock about a mile off that by going north in Priors Hardwick rather than east and then north.
I should arrive by 4 p.m.
That'll be the Welsh Road East. Nice route. I'd recommend in Southam that you don't take the main road to Long Itchington, rather take the Welsh Road West and then turn right when you see the Long ithc / Bascote signs. At the junction there is a manicured stables on the left in your direction so you shouldn't get lost.
For another alternative, we could ride out to meet you and bring you in, including if time permits, a nice coffee shop stop on a different, slightly longer route.
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That sounds like a nice idea! I'm never one to knowingly turn down a coffee stop.
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I'd better double-check the coffee stop then! :D
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Naomi's Cafe (http://www.cakesjustso.co.uk/contact/)
Time permitting, we're hoping ton use it on the way back from Cannons Ashby on Saturday too. :)
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I shall be absent :(
I hope the weather & all other considerations will be +/+ for you all.
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i am coming. i have packed the trike and loaded the route into the gps .aiming for a friday eve arrival :thumbsup:
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Excellent. :thumbsup:
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Here's my first stab at a route.
I can probably knock about a mile off that by going north in Priors Hardwick rather than east and then north.
I should arrive by 4 p.m.
Change of plan: I'm getting the same train but to Leamington Spa. Arrives at 13.22. I've decided on advance tickets because it's cheaper than using the network card for an open return, by about £7. The tickets are train specific, but that's no hassle because they are the trains I was intending to get anyway.
I should therefore be in Long Itchington not long after 2 p.m.
I have to be in Leamington Spa for the 12.16 on Sunday 20th.
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I can't leave work before 5ish on Friday. After faffing, that will make for a late and tiring ride. Or I could ride over on Sat morning, but as I am currently suffering from slow, I'd not arrive in time for ride.
I'll prolly just ride over, camp, ride home. Just to say hi, like.
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So... ? :)
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:)
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Why not get the train out to Leamington on Friday evening?
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Weather forecast is for cool,cloudy and mainly dry. A significant improvement over what we've endured here for the past month or so.
Here's my first stab at a route.
I can probably knock about a mile off that by going north in Priors Hardwick rather than east and then north.
I should arrive by 4 p.m.
Change of plan: I'm getting the same train but to Leamington Spa. Arrives at 13.22. I've decided on advance tickets because it's cheaper than using the network card for an open return, by about £7. The tickets are train specific, but that's no hassle because they are the trains I was intending to get anyway.
I should therefore be in Long Itchington not long after 2 p.m.
I have to be in Leamington Spa for the 12.16 on Sunday 20th.
We might be there or we may have gone for a pootle. Tent is a green Hilleberg Nammatj 3GT and isi likely to be over by the eastern side of the field, the left as you arrive.
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I shall be absent :(
I hope the weather & all other considerations will be +/+ for you all.
at the risk of developing an onthebusoffthebus syndrome
circumstances are changing again & I might get there.If so it will be a brief visit:ride over on Saturday (it's approx 100km),socialise Saturday evening,camp & ride home Sunday.
JIC I'm going to start sorting bike,panniers & kit.*
*which may now need to include some sort of knee support,assuming today's discomfort is obviated before the weeend.We need a "fingers-crossed" emoticon
ETA
I'll bring the yacf baton with me;in order to recieve it you must be riding to & from the event using only bicycle wheels.
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Change of plan: I'm getting the same train but to Leamington Spa. Arrives at 13.22. I've decided on advance tickets because it's cheaper than using the network card for an open return, by about £7. The tickets are train specific, but that's no hassle because they are the trains I was intending to get anyway.
I should therefore be in Long Itchington not long after 2 p.m.
In which case, see two route options from L. Spa stn here (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=53970.msg1216257#msg1216257).
For family reasons, I will probably not be camping, though I'm hoping to make an appearance on Friday, however brief.
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I'll be getting into Leamington Spa at approx 20:30 on Friday, and will ride to the campsite.
Don't drink all the beer !
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There is plenty of the stuff to go round in Long Itchington. A brief, biased overview of the six places:
1) The Green Man. A proper pub that concentrates on beer and does passable food as a sideline. Also the base for the weekend.
2) The Duck on the Pond. Sprawling place with multiple bars. To me it has an identity crisis as it doesn't seem to specialise in anything. Still worth a visit, of course.
3) The Harvester. Even more of a proper pub than the Green Man, inasmuch as it doesn't seem to do any food other than crisps & nuts. The 70s decor alone makes it worth a visit, although dark Budvar is usually on draught and should be tried.
4) The Buck & Bell. Poncy food place that happens to serve good beer.
5) The Two Boats. Great canalside location. Has recently changed hands by all accounts. Whilst the beer I tried with Polar Bear last week was decent enough, PB's ploughman's was distinctly average and was sourced from LIDL rather than locally.
6) The Cuttle. On the other side of the canal to the Two Boats in more ways than one. Has a younger crowd and music at weekends. Great beer garden all the way down to the canal.
PB will possibly introduce you to the delights of the Long Itch Diner during your stay. Good value fodder, though don't expect a Michelin star. More bacon sarnie than pork medallions. There are various YouTube videos of the various petrolhead events that centre around the place.
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Why not get the train out to Leamington on Friday evening?
Leamington????!!! I'd have to pay money to do that! :o
I can, however get to Coventry for £0. Hmmmm
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There is plenty of the stuff to go round in Long Itchington. A brief, biased overview of the six places:
3) The Harvester. Even more of a proper pub than the Green Man, inasmuch as it doesn't seem to do any food other than crisps & nuts. The 70s decor alone makes it worth a visit, although dark Budvar is usually on draught and should be tried.
The landlord is worth seeing too - funny old boy that moans about everything ... we turn up (having phoned first) seventeen strong on a Weds club run and he moans about all the cooking they have to do!! (He doesn't mean it really ... he, his wife and their son just have a constant 3 way bickering session)
Food is way more than crisps - ham, egg & chips, faggots, some sort of fish - all available last time we were there ... and I'm Ride Captain when we go there again this coming August.
Rob
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Why not get the train out to Leamington on Friday evening?
Leamington????!!! I'd have to pay money to do that! :o
I can, however get to Coventry for £0. Hmmmm
Howzabout you use your West Mids freebie card to Cov and just buy a ticket from there to Leamington ... every little helps!
Rob
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Hardly seems worth changing trains for, thobut...
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...or take a London Midland or Chiltern train to Dorridge & ride along the Warwick Road or head up to Knowle & pick up the Grand Union. I can't vouch for the towpath from Knowle to Lapworth, but it will be muddy in parts near the Shrewley Tunnel, at the very least after all the rain we've had. Best part of 30 locks to ride down en-route. Very scenic at Knowle where they're crammed together.
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& pick up the Grand Union.
:hand:
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I think I'd quite like to do the Grand Union between Brum and That London at some point. Preferably in the dry. On a mountain bike.
It's really not towpath weather atm.
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I think I'd quite like to do the Grand Union between Brum and That London at some point. Preferably in the dry. On a mountain bike.
It's really not towpath weather atm.
Sounds like a plan for a lightweight bivvying trip. Are you going to do the organising? ;)
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I have visited the machine that dispenses orange-trimmed cardboard this evening and come back with more than 30 pieces thereof.
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As I'm working thursday night and not likely to get much sleep. I have train tickets to Rugby and will be riding across from there.
It's the first time MissSB will have been camping and 40 miles with full panniers may be a bit too far to cycle in a rush there. 40 miles is almost the longest she has ridden also.
We do plan to ride back down to MK on Sunday though :-D
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What's your route Rich?
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OK, I give up. Where in this thread is the actual location of the camp site? ???
(Browsing at work is limited to 30 second blips, so it's most likely that I haven't looked properly.
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What's your route Rich?
Head south from the station ;D
Quieter roads likely through Rugby as Dawn is quiet new to cycling, and a bit slower than me. Down and around the west side of the Draycote Water following the cycle track and lanes through Birdingbury.
I'd be inclined to blast straight down the A426 if it was just me :)
OK, I give up. Where in this thread is the actual location of the camp site? ???
(Browsing at work is limited to 30 second blips, so it's most likely that I haven't looked properly.
There's a link to the pub in the first post, Basil.
Rich
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Ah. Pub. I see.
Thanks Rich
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What's your route Rich?
Head south from the station ;D
Quieter roads likely through Rugby as Dawn is quiet new to cycling, and a bit slower than me. Down and around the west side of the Draycote Water following the cycle track and lanes through Birdingbury.
I'd be inclined to blast straight down the A426 if it was just me :)
OK...
The 'pedestrian and cycle' access around Draycote Water consists of awkward gates. You'll get a loaded tourer through but if you're on any sort of trike, forget it. Otherwise it's quite a nice route that one.
OK, I give up. Where in this thread is the actual location of the camp site? ???
(Browsing at work is limited to 30 second blips, so it's most likely that I haven't looked properly.
The camp site is at the back of The Green Man (http://www.greenmanlongitchington.co.uk/index.html) in Long Itchington. The beer is really rather good... :thumbsup:
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It has become clear that I cannot attend :(
PB,yhpm
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Come on you guys! It's time to take this thing seriously!
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I've packed some stuff into panniers, and I think my garmin knows which way to go.
ETA: Arrgh, earworm.
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One way or another I will be there.
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I've packed some stuff into panniers, and I think my garmin knows which way to go.
ETA: Arrgh, earworm.
My sleeping kit is already in a pannier - has been since my Welsh trip. I just need a few clothes.
Oh, I suppose I ought to take the wherewithal to make some tea and eat some breakfast.
I have also been detailed by my older daughter to photograph 4, Mill Street, Leamington, as it's where she lived during her second year at Uni.
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Packing now.
The Dalwhinnie is in the pannier.... :P do I need anything else ?
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Ah yes. Packing. ::-)
Nah! bollox to that. I'm going to bed.
The Dalwhinnie is in the pannier....
*pitches tent next to Andrew*
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Ah yes. Packing. ::-)
Nah! bollox to that. I'm going to bed.
The Dalwhinnie is in the pannier....
*pitches tent next to Andrew*
*is almost tempted to sleep with basil*
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:o
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Drinking the first pint of the day* feeling slightly concerned about the noisy Dalwhinnie Three...
* My tea mug is a pint jobbie :)
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That reminds me - I must put the kettle on.
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Where does one put bikes on Chiltern Trains? Dangly? Rack? Doorway?
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How not to over pack.
Leave it until the morning when you are staggering around getting ready for your commute. ::-)
I think I’ve forgotten erm…. Most things.
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Weather http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/England/Leamington_Spa~2644737/
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Sun has popped out here just now though I don't expect it to last.
Ride departure time in the morning for the social ride to Canons Ashby will be 10:00 - 10:30 and the route will be:
Long Itch, Bascote, Southam, Priors Hardwick, Byfield, Eydon, Canons Ashby, lunch, Depart towards Preston Capes but missing it, then long heading west back to Priors Harwick, take back lane and head to Napton on the Hill before stopping off for caik. Then meander back to Long Itch lby whichever route Mlle PB decides upon. We will not know that until she makes her mind up when leading us out after caik! :D
Total ride less than 40 but there are a few sharp 'Northamptonshire' inclines to test the legs.
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I'm on the first train, bound for Fenchurch Street. It costs £5 less than one bound for Lpoo St. I should have at least an hour for coffee and cake at Marylebone.
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Where does one put bikes on Chiltern Trains? Dangly? Rack? Doorway?
Class 168 opposite the reveal-a-door toilet job, IIRC.
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Correct! I am wondering why Chiltern railways can offer free WiFi when east fecking coast charge £4.50 an hour. Apart from the fact that EC are profiteering bastards, of course.
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Okay, I'm setting off now, reckon it'll take about 3 hours...
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Okay, I'm setting off now, reckon it'll take about 3 hours...
Wish I could set off now, instead of sitting here in this hell hole. :(
I'll be catching the 18:13 London Midland from Mordor Central to Cofa's Tree.
See you later
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Bugger :(
Finances were touch and go for this after just moving house. Had just enough to get through the weekend and next week until I get paid. Just had EON clear most of this out by DD though :(
Have a good weekend all, see you next time.
Rich
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Correct! I am wondering why Chiltern railways can offer free WiFi when east fecking coast charge £4.50 an hour. Apart from the fact that EC are profiteering bastards, of course.
The machine that reels out / reels in the interweb cable doesn't have to wind it up so fast (100mph top speed vs 125 mph). Nor does it cross any national borders, and has no interference with that pesky 25kV traction current.
Also, on East Coast, the WiFi is free in First Class, so the charge in Standard is an inducement to trade up. Chilterns don't do First Class, so they might as well give the WiFi away to everyone.
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I'm now not going to make it this weekend unfortunately - it's time for me to concede that I can't fit a quart into a pint pot just now!
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After a longer than expected towpath journey I am now in the pub drinking beer!
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In my tent listening to drizzle, pub noises, mild snoring, the distant main road and some mysterious wildlife sound from the direction of my bike...
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Have a hangover for me will you!
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Well that was s set night. No one drowned so far as I know.
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06:44, it's still drizzling & I've got the first brew on.
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Hope everyone is having a great time :)
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Still in the campsite. It's stopped raining and we will shortly be leaving for the breakfast stop
.
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Basil has just found an earwig in his saddlebag. He says he feels like a proper camper now.
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:D
Have a great time, all!
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About to consume a breakfast at the Long Itch Diner.
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Dinner at The Harvester. Steak,chips,potatoes,peas,fine beans beer...
Lunatic company :-)
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Phew! Kin was worried that Andrewc's last post was going to be a picture of a cock whilst he was in the Gents...
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Phew! Kin was worried that Andrewc's last post was going to be a picture of a cock whilst he was in the Gents...
I didn't take my camera to the gents! People might talk about me !
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That's because you took it into the ladies'.
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The Harvester at Long Itchington
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7233710796_baee667bbf_h.jpg)
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Well, I've just given the assembled company something to talk about by fainting at the table, giving myself a nasty cut lip in the process!
Only had 4 pints, it normally takes more than that...
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You clearly need more practice.
Keep calm & carry on.
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I'm in my nice dry tent, I can hear Basil wondering where his tent is outside...
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That was a splendid day followed by a superb evening, Andrew's rather worrying incident apart. The Harvester pub (not part of a chain, which I've always considered to be a bit slack) provided us with some wonderful steaks and amusing banter.
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Sounds like a fab time. Really wish I was there!
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Sitting up in my tent, drinking tea & nursing a sore lip.
One minute I was laughing at a picture I'd taken of Kim, the next thing I was on the floor bleeding....
Damn, she's fast.....;-)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5079/7233713330_6159808f44_h.jpg)
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I've just consumed a very welcome bacon and egg Butty courtesy of Canardly's Camp Kitchen. Most welcome.
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Sitting up in my tent, drinking tea & nursing a sore lip.
One minute I was laughing at a picture I'd taken of Kim, the next thing I was on the floor bleeding....
Damn, she's fast.....;-)
http://t.co/z0ETpBC4
GWS and all that, but you posting the picture of Kim that caused the incident as well? :)
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Sitting up in my tent, drinking tea & nursing a sore lip.
One minute I was laughing at a picture I'd taken of Kim, the next thing I was on the floor bleeding....
Damn, she's fast.....;-)
http://t.co/z0ETpBC4
GWS and all that, but you posting the picture of Kim that caused the incident as well? :)
Some things aren't worth the risk...
;-)
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A lovely weekend, comedy fainting incident excepted. Many thanks to PB for organising it and to Mrs PB for leading us around some lovely lanes. I'm now at Leamington Spa waiting for the train home.
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A splendid weekend, despite the November weather. Andrew and I are in the Pump Room cafe consuming very substantial slabs of spicy apple cake.
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And I'm home. 3 hours 20 minutes door to door. Kept finding myself in the middle of organised cycle events (http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/support_us/events/palace_to_palace/wm_palace_to_palace.aspx), much to the confusion of their participants. Saw a Basil-shaped cyclist on the Pershore Road, but when I caught up it wasn't him.
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I'm still fighting with trains. Just past Gerrards Crorse. There are only slow trains from Lpoo St.
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And, here I am home again. Decided against my original plan of riding to Brum via the Meriden do. Just didn't fancy hauling those over weight panniers any further than absolutely necessary. (And it was cold)
I rode to Coventry station c12 miles, ignored the first two trains which were Virgin and Cross Country as I couldn't be bothered to deal with the hassle of finding the correct carriage and of not having a reservation. Took the first London Midland (no reservations needed) to Mordor Central.
At Mordor Central I found that the Platform for the cross city line was packed solid and everyone seemed to have a double baby buggy, so I knew there was no hope at all of getting the bike space.
So I abandoned rail and rode the 5 miles home.
Great w/e. Great ride. Thanks to the PBs for organising. We should definitely do it again.
The ride on Saturday was fantastic. A Greasy Spoon start, and then TWO Cake-Stops. :thumbsup: Thanks again, Pauline.
Also, it is possible to have a very good meal in an establishment named "Harvester"
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Saw a Basil-shaped cyclist on the Pershore Road, but when I caught up it wasn't him.
Are you sure it wasn't me? I've just come down the Pershore Road about 45 mins ago.
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I'm still fighting with trains. Just past Gerrards Crorse. There are only slow trains from Lpoo St.
You should've waved! I live in the next village over! :)
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After a fast train journey home and a helpful Virgin chap at Stafford the train is now stopped on the approach to Liverpool Lime St!
*edit* and I'm home. Courtesy of the good ship "Virgin Invader"......... what were they thinking of.....?
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*waits impatiently for picture of Andrew's cock*
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Saw a Basil-shaped cyclist on the Pershore Road, but when I caught up it wasn't him.
Are you sure it wasn't me? I've just come down the Pershore Road about 45 mins ago.
Heading towards Mordor, only one pannier, bright yellow hat, no comedy moustache.
Just out of the shower and I think I've lost a couple of kilos in accumulated grime.
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I am on a stationary train at Lpoo St. It leaves at 2.45. I could have tried for the earlier and faster 2.40 from Fenchurch St but my ticket says Prittlewell on it and a jobsworth might have quibbled. They don't mind when engineering works Bugger up the trains .but today seems to ne the one Sunday this year when both lines are working normally.
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Great weekend and good to see you all. Got home to find that our O2 router has died a terminal deth so I'm currently connected via a wifi hotspot!
I have spoken with AWL and he's hinting at redeeming himself with an August outing to Long Itch. Might require actual use of the showers in August!
*waits impatiently for picture of Andrew's cock*
Honestly Basil, haven't you had enough cock this weekend already? I'm patiently awaiting the picture of Kim with Andrew's cock.
I reckon Kim is really a ninja. She dresses predominantly in black, smiles innocently but moves so fast that there was barely a blur before Andrew hit the deck. Once he'd gone down of course all of us were paying attention to Andrew whilst Kim was left unobserved settling herself back into her seat and gulping down a half pint of gin sake ...
It was the look of bemused shock and surprise on Andrew's face that got our attention. Hope you're not suffering any after effects mate - best wishes from us.
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*waits impatiently for picture of Andrew's cock*
Just for you Basil, here he is.
What a splendid thing to encounter first thing in the morning.....
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/7233678852_633cb25890_k.jpg)
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With a head admirably red with tumescence. A good eye and quite a pecker...
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Ok. I've just tested my tourer's computer over a known distance.
It appears to be under-reporting by 0.04 per mile. This seems consistent with the variance with other's recorded mileage over the weekend.
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Ok. I've just tested my tourer's computer over a known distance.
Would that be a distance of about 1.4 miles? :)
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Actually, it's only 1.1 anna bit via the main road.
1.2 anna bit via the flat-cut.
But yes, you've guessed correctly.
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Here's my tracklog of the ride (http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/maps/cycling/2012-05-18.html) for those who were interested...
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*waits impatiently for picture of Andrew's cock*
Just for you Basil, here he is.
What a splendid thing to encounter first thing in the morning.....
It's the look of total haughty disdain he gave us in the mornings that did it for me. :)
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Here's my tracklog of the ride (http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/maps/cycling/2012-05-18.html) for those who were interested...
I can see your speed profile[1] and the elevation profile, but the grey box that I assume should show a map is just a grey box with Google written in the bottom left hand corner. My computer bad?
[1] Seems you were not stationary at either of the cake stops.
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I can see your speed profile[1] and the elevation profile, but the grey box that I assume should show a map is just a grey box with Google written in the bottom left hand corner. My computer bad?
Probably. Got another browser you can try? It's an interactive scrollable zoomable google map thingy. Might take a while to load.
[1] Seems you were not stationary at either of the cake stops.
A boring artefact of plotting against distance with a relatively low horizontal resolution. Speed profiles are best not taken too seriously anyway.
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What a lovely part of the world. Great week end, good company, good food, good beer and really enjoyable ride out. We were located behind the only pub I know where a mobile fish and chip producer comes along each friday, the whole of the pub queues up outside to purchase offerings and then takes said purchase back into the pub creating marvellous sociable atmosphere. Weather was a tad Yuk however, with heavy rain overnight friday, Saturday cold so no basking in the May sunshine unfortunately. Thanks to PB and P for organising. Trust all is well with Andrew C.
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OK. Tried IE (which is hardly ever used on this 'puter. Same result. :(
Went back to Firefox again and this time it showed more or less instantly. ???
Sorry for the interruption. Carry on.
Thanks Kim.
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If I had a camera, I could take more photos...
Waiting to regroup outside Long Itchington in the drizzle:
(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/cycling/IMG_20120519_102305.sized.jpg)
Fish and chips[1] with well-timed flash artefact:
(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/cycling/IMG_20120518_202911.sized.jpg)
Not a patch on andrewc's cock:
(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/cycling/IMG_20120518_161354.sized.jpg)
[1] And inferior gut-friendly camping food :(
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A few more photos.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7233680414_172a7ba653_h.jpg)
Breakfast at the Long Itch Diner....Wowbagger, Cycleman & Polar Bear
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7098/7233684408_26092ac4c6_b.jpg)
It was a long wait, but worth it... :P
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5280/7233697504_25b96107f5_b.jpg)
Kim, Basil & Canardly
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7233699360_386b926821_b.jpg)
Mrs PB (Pauline)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7233700614_b2c2cd160f_b.jpg)
Wowbagger joins the Men in Black
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7233701658_20a8e7e55d_b.jpg)
Cycleman
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5156/7233704470_eff418e1bf_b.jpg)
Waiting for dinner at The Harvester
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/7233669894_dc1c14671e_b.jpg)
Another cock shot...
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a very enjoyable weekend :thumbsup:. thanks for setting the meet up pb and p :).
good company and a pleasant potter through gently rolling countryside with atmospheric views .. i left on my return run at 9.30 am reaching bicester at 5.00pm and thame at 8.000pm. at that stage i decided i might as well press on home arriving at 12.30 am . tent is now airing and the rest of the kit is being sorted ready for the next trip . :)
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And
Appalling Tarpaulin Dave! :D. It looks like a lot of fun, wish we could have made it. Hope everything is sorted out soon AndrewC.
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(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7233701658_20a8e7e55d_b.jpg)
Cycleman
The smartest I have ever seen him! :o
Is that a new trike cycleman?
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(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7233701658_20a8e7e55d_b.jpg)
Cycleman
The smartest I have ever seen him! :o
Is that a new trike cycleman?
He didn't look that smart in the flesh, Del. :D I reckon that pic has been photoshopped!
Thanks to the organisers and I'm sorry we could only get there for Saturday and Sunday. Otoh, a night spared from Cycleman's snoring is a bonus in any camping year :)
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Yes, that photo makes it look as if he had a functioning sleeve. ;D
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it is a 2011 model del bought in june last year :).
of course nobby is just jealous of my good looks and style ;) :D.
and i do not snore ::-),if i did it would wake me up , a light sleeper me ;D
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of course nobby is just jealous of my good looks and style ;) :D.
As ever young Christopher! Yes, indeed, your good looks and stile. ;D
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walked over again ::-)
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And happy birthday for Sunday. It completely slipped my mind at 6 o'clock on Sunday morning as I was staggering to the bog.
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walked over again ::-)
;D :thumbsup:
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(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5156/7233704470_eff418e1bf_b.jpg)
Ah, PolarBear lives upto his name I see.
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A few of my photos, which have been lurking on the camera.
(http://peter.chesspod.com/gallery/d/16094-2/DSC08505.JPG)
Some locks
(http://peter.chesspod.com/gallery/d/16124-1/DSC08515.JPG)
Kim in Canons Ashby
(http://peter.chesspod.com/gallery/d/16127-1/DSC08516.JPG)
It would have been a beautiful view if the weather had decided it wasn't still November
(http://peter.chesspod.com/gallery/d/16130-1/DSC08517.JPG)
Basil's latest camp shoes