Author Topic: Birthday Ride - 25/3/2018 (Read 3559 times)

Wowbagger · « **on:** 07 March, 2018, 02:36:52 pm »

As has been mentioned elsewhere, this forum will be 10 years old on 25th March.

In honour of this, I would like to organise a WARTY style ride from a station in Essex. Traditional 40-ish miles with a tea room and a pub. Easy train access from London should anyone wish to participate.

Edit 1 minute later:

Oh well, that idea is totally fucked if we want to use the Liverpool Street line. Bus service between Southend & Shenfield, and another between Shenfield & Witham.

It is possible to do something from Upminster, but I don't like the area for cycling as the "minor" roads are all so busy and in my experience the drivers are nastier than in the genteel north of the county.

Maybe something within London itself? Anyone any ideas?

Tomsk · « **Reply #1 on:** 07 March, 2018, 05:44:36 pm »

The Cambridge line looks ok on 25th - up to Sawbridgeworth or Bishops Stortford, then lots of cafe/pub choices in NW Essex/NE Herts.

I'm up for the ride, though I have to get organised in the afternoon for a work-related trip...

cycleman · « **Reply #2 on:** 07 March, 2018, 06:52:54 pm »

I might be able to potter over that way I need to put some miles in and get my camping kit out . I will keep a eye on this thread

robgul · « **Reply #3 on:** 07 March, 2018, 09:48:17 pm »

Quote from: Tomsk on 07 March, 2018, 05:44:36 pm

The Cambridge line looks ok on 25th - up to Sawbridgeworth or Bishops Stortford, then lots of cafe/pub choices in NW Essex/NE Herts.

I'm up for the ride, though I have to get organised in the afternoon for a work-related trip...

Certainly that's the better part of Essex and more accessible to folks from a wider area. I may possibly be up for the jaunt.

Rob

Wowbagger · « **Reply #4 on:** 07 March, 2018, 10:11:20 pm »

So the better part of Essex is actually Hertfordshire...

robgul · « **Reply #5 on:** 08 March, 2018, 06:52:53 am »

Quote from: Wowbagger on 07 March, 2018, 10:11:20 pm

So the better part of Essex is actually Hertfordshire...

.... Saffron Walden, Thaxted, Great Dunmow and a plethora of surrounding picturesque villages are all Essex ..... although it can get Ugley just north of Bishop's Stortford (in the very corner of Herts)

Rob

Canardly · « **Reply #6 on:** 08 March, 2018, 10:06:28 am »

and Nasty.. (Herts)

Wowbagger · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 March, 2018, 02:19:11 pm »

OK, here's a route suggestion.

http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=http://peter.chesspod.com/routes/eastanglia/yacfbirthday10.gpx

I haven't done a great deal of riding in this area, but I did spend quite a few years driving a couple of times a week to S. Walden to teach. I know this area isn't flat, so it will be a reasonable workout without being too taxing. Any local knowledge (Tomsk?) would be gratefully received.

There seem to be a couple of pubs in Steeple Bumpstead which will do quite nicely for lunch. From memory the best tea room in Thaxted (Poppy's Tea Room) closed a few years back. The only alternative I can find is Parrishes. Their website shows a picture of bicycles outside it. Must be OK.

Oh, getting to Audley End by train is a total PITA for me. It involves 2 1-hour journes with a change at Lpoo St. I shall drive. It's about 45 miles from Southend.

Looking at the train times, I reckon that starting after the arrival of the 10am train (8.50 out of Lpoo St) should work well. The 9.32 from Cambridge gets in at 9.47.

orienteer · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 March, 2018, 04:47:55 pm »

Could be up for this, seem to recall a previous YACF ride from Audley End Stn.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 March, 2018, 05:04:39 pm »

We've done a few. We had that rather turgid ride last year on NYD, and I think Mike OTP has also done one or two. It's a nice part of Essex - very up-market - and rather different from other bits of the country in my view. I don't rode there that much because of the problems with trains. When I've finished a ride I prefer to get on a train rather than spend an hour driving a car. Bloody driving spoils the day rather for me.

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8610.msg187140#msg187140

And another!

Wowbagger · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 March, 2018, 07:54:04 pm »

OK, bumping this to see how committed people are...

orienteer · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 March, 2018, 08:00:56 pm »

Well, the weather's looking good for Sunday so planning to ride.

Polar Bear · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 March, 2018, 09:44:19 pm »

We'll be out in the lanes of Warwickshire, Leicestershire and/or Northamptonshire. Slow ride with many stops starting in Rugby at 10:00 Just in case anybody is interested.

Wobbly John · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 March, 2018, 01:03:34 am »

I didn't realise this was so close, time wise.

I'll try to get a pass to ride from Mrs WJ tomorrow.

EDIT; Granted...

Canardly · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 March, 2018, 03:24:11 pm »

Will most likely be there. What are timings? Driving over.

orienteer · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 March, 2018, 04:24:29 pm »

10.00 start according to reply#7.

I shall be driving too. Station car park is £3.30 on Sunday.

Shall have to get up "early" as we lose an hour overnight!

cycleman · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 March, 2018, 09:42:45 pm »

I am waiting for my newly electrified mobile deckchair this weekend so I will miss this ride . Have a great ride all of you

Wowbagger · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 March, 2018, 09:14:15 am »

Looks like 4 of us, unless Jan decides to join us. Aren't we the same 4 that did a NYD ride from Audley End a year or two ago?

I'm contemplating coming on the leccy tandem. It will save me time on the hills!

Wobbly John · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 March, 2018, 11:01:05 am »

I think Tim O was on that ride too.

I'm hoping to get up early enough to get there by train. As I'll be planting potatoes etc on the allotment, today, as soon as I've finished my coffee, it all depends on how much I ache in the morning...

orienteer · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 March, 2018, 12:04:33 pm »

Quote from: Wowbagger on 24 March, 2018, 09:14:15 am

I'm contemplating coming on the leccy tandem. It will save me time on the hills!

I was relying on you keeping the pace down

Canardly · « **Reply #20 on:** 24 March, 2018, 12:09:45 pm »

Ditto....will bring a tow rope.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #21 on:** 24 March, 2018, 02:08:38 pm »

OK! It'll be the Thorn, unless Jan decides to come. She's not really much of a "morning" person, and the advancement of the clocks will almost certainly see to it that she stays at home...

Wowbagger · « **Reply #22 on:** 25 March, 2018, 09:31:41 pm »

Only 3 of us in the end, but it was worth doing!

http://gentlemancyclist.org.uk/2018/03/25/256/

Canardly · « **Reply #23 on:** 25 March, 2018, 09:35:28 pm »

You forgot Roger's end! Huge number of cyclists about, the majority of whom said hello, and this included a biker or two. To be fair the motorists today were very patient in the main, although I still fail to undertand why people who wish to live in a period piece down a narrow lane always seem to drive a huge 4 x 4. Was a tad cool, although highly enjoyable. Lunch was most agreeable and a good choice, we each tried what proved to be a wonderful plum porter. I am suffering a bit tonight with winter dormant muscles having been called up and having lost an hours sleep. Essex (yes I Know) is not flat but beautiful (2700 ft of climbing today). Wobbly is becoming a bit of a whiz with 3d printers, so place your orders now.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #24 on:** 25 March, 2018, 10:12:29 pm »

Has he made something prosthetic for you, Bob?