Funnily enough, as I sat on a train yesterday my mind drifted gently through the idea of train out/bike back excursions. What occurred to me was that the Leggian transitions would have reverse polarity and might lead to a sense of disappointment and loss of freedom on arriving in London, as opposed to the liberating feeling of arriving at the sea.Riding INTO London does work:
How about Maldon and then a short ride back to Chelmsford Station for return journey??
Whitstable is probably the easiest route, but as I mentioned above, there wouldn't be a halfway stop, and it would be a question of hoping one of the cafés in the High Street opens around 8 am.
Friday 18th December will be the date.
As for destination, personally, I'd really prefer not to go to Southend. Although it would have a halfway stop at J31 services, and I like arriving at Southend, seeing as almost all of the route is through built-up areas, it's most of the actual journey I find rather boring, apart from the last 5 miles!
Whitstable is probably the easiest route, but as I mentioned above, there wouldn't be a halfway stop, and it would be a question of hoping one of the cafés in the High Street opens around 8 am.
Although it's a longer distance, if we look at Bognor, then we can use Pease Pottage services near Crawley as a halfway stop, and on the assumption it will be a fairly small group of 10-15 max, then upon arrival, there's the station café in Bognor which I'm certain will be open, or Jasper can recce something else that opens early on a Saturday.
Although I like Whitstable very much, I'm inclined to look at Bognor simply because it doesn't feature much on the official rides list! Route-wise it would be the traditional Brighton route as far as Gatwick, then south through Crawley to the services, then a back road to Horsham linking up to the published Bognor route.
Anyone else got any preferences?
I will be away on the 18th. But any help with the route abd stuff will not be a problem.
Whitstable is probably the easiest route, but as I mentioned above, there wouldn't be a halfway stop, and it would be a question of hoping one of the cafés in the High Street opens around 8 am.
Adam, don't dismiss the The Waterfront Club if you do decide on Whitstable. I think Faye and Sharon are there from 08:00 anyway - a quick call would confirm...
Alternatively there is Deb's Place, a greasy spoon-like affair, on the left along Canterebury Road before you reach the the railway bridge and the chippy we've used.
Although I've not used it myself, Deb's was recommended to me by someone local.
Deb's Place
Tel: 01227 261268| 58, Canterbury Rd, Whitstable, Kent CT5 4HD.
I think it opens early but lacks any view of the sea.
I will be away on the 18th. But any help with the route abd stuff will not be a problem.
I live by the sea so ending up in London would be a whole new concept for me.
For a halfway break on the Whitstable route, there is a 24 hour Asda in Chatham where we could stock up on food/drink and lounge around for a bit.
... no preference for route. Should be nicely fuelled up following the work Christmas lunch.
Portnalls is a hill? A large bump more like ;)
Portnalls is a hill? A large bump more like ;)
Yikes, she's gone over to the dark side. The leggness is strong in this one. ;D
That would mean CM would actually be on 18th Dec. I'll be in town that day. Mag ik pannenkoeken, alsjeblieft!
Excellent - you can come along for this (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=25862.30) as well!
...or I could just say Sod It, and buy my ticket on the day, and avoid having to get a specific train back. ;D
That would mean CM would actually be on 18th Dec. I'll be in town that day. Mag ik pannenkoeken, alsjeblieft!
Excellent - you can come along for this (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=25862.30) as well!(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/4169392646_9306d79e51_o.png)
Guess I'll be coming along, then.
However, I don't think we'll be getting to Bognor before 07.56............
However, I don't think we'll be getting to Bognor before 07.56............
I did wonder, but considering it was two quid, I figured nothing lost.
I, for one, will not be trying to keep up with you to catch that train ;)Spoilsport.
I, for one, will not be trying to keep up with you to catch that train ;)Spoilsport.
I, for one, will not be trying to keep up with you to catch that train ;)Spoilsport.
(grits teeth and tries to ignore the challenge). ;)
Revised rollcall.I have added my name.
Me
TimO
Adrian
Jurek
Pippa
Mistral
MacB
thorny
Andrij
hillclimber
Clivedb
LouiseL
TopCat1
Bollo
Davywalnuts
Aperitif
ilovebikes (possibly)
adamski
Also, given the responses to my 07h56 train booking, I've also booked a train for around 09h50.
Also, given the responses to my 07h56 train booking, I've also booked a train for around 09h50.
One man.
Two trains.
How does he do that? :D
Also, given the responses to my 07h56 train booking, I've also booked a train for around 09h50.
One man.
Two trains.
How does he do that? :D
Well, so long as it isn't in the style of one cup two girls
I've just been looking at the route. The nasty bit looks to be the 500 foot of climbing in a couple of miles, and then an equal drop, just before Arundel.
If I've got it right, that's basically going over the South Downs, although it looks like you could avoid that by following the river, although on the OS map it appears to be footpaths, so that would be a few miles of pushing the bike (through mud?)
As far as I can see, on the August ride, we went to the East of the river around there, and only went up about 300 feet. It's possibly slightly longer that way, but less climbing. Adam, is there any particular reason why you went the steeper route?
Tim that was the off-road bit on the chalk and flint path.
Fri 18 Dec
There is a moderate risk of severe weather affecting southeastern parts of England. Snow showers, especially during the first half of the day, will give local accumulations of 5 to 10cm.
I'm going to wait and see, it's only Tuesday, and a lot can happen to the forecast before Friday night.
It's a shame, as there's a little treat lined up for breakfast at Bognor.
Pippa's just finding an excuse not to come along 'cos she knows the treat is a stripper.
....... so sadly, this ride is now CANCELLED.
To avoid having to dig snow caves like Yehuda Moon, that sounds like a smart move. Shame, but sensible.
....... so sadly, this ride is now CANCELLED.
Sadly but sensibly, methinks, Adam.
Who would have thought we'd get snow this time of year?
I think you are a bunch of wusses. :P
I think you are a bunch of wusses. :P
It was only a little treat, but it can remain for the re-run.
My main hope is that Pippa can be persuaded to make more alcoholic choccy goodies (as I'm assuming the current batch is all gone now).
I don't think any of the last match made it beyond HPC! Sadly, I arrived too late. :'(
It was only a little treat, but it can remain for the re-run.
My main hope is that Pippa can be persuaded to make more alcoholic choccy goodies (as I'm assuming the current batch is all gone now).
For the November '08 FNRttC I took a flask of sweet black coffee with a splash, or three ;), of rum, which went down very well at the Ditchling greenhouses. I was planning on making more for this ride, but I probably won't be able to attend the rescheduled ride, so someone else will have to fill in for me.
...
As it happens, the booze choccy didn't get made so the requisite ingredients (booze and choccy plus stuff) are sitting around waiting for the rescheduled ride. I just need the packing guru aka Jurek to figure out a way I can carry said booze choccy on my bike without the need for a rack or panniers :thumbsup:
I have childcare duties to perform on the Saturday, which would preclude me from joining this ride.
However, that doesn't mean that I couldn't turn up at HPC with Pippa's chocofrolic goodness to wave you off.
Back to the main topic, as Tim had originally suggested Friday 22nd January as another day, and the snow might have melted by then, who's able to make that one?I'm going to be away some of that week and by Friday I'll be knackered and in no fit state to do an overnight ride. But as I don't live in London, I don't consider I have much power over which date you should chose.