Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: hellymedic on 07 August, 2010, 08:21:19 pm
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Those who have now received Arrivée should have seen the insert inviting us to York Racecourse Centre for the last weekend in November.
I quiite fancy going again but not all of the place is wheelchair accessible and I needed to be lifted into the big hall and the plastic mattress covers left me hot and itchy.
Who will be there?
Should I bring my data projector again?
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Those who have now received Arrivée should have seen the insert inviting us to York Racecourse Centre for the last weekend in November.
I quiite fancy going again but not all of the place is wheelchair accessible and I needed to be lifted into the big hall and the plastic mattress covers left me hot and itchy.
Who will be there?
Should I bring my data projector again?
Hi Helen
It's a long way from Bournemouth so I'm not too sure yet - but I really do enjoy the AGM re-union weekends. Currently looking at train fares etc. (It's become a kinda b'day celebration too :) Trust you are well.
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Oooh Happy Birthday!
York is easy enough from London and a Disabled Person's Railcard gives me +companion 1/3 off at any time.
I am well, if weak.
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Yes I'll be there, looking at routes up and down again.
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Yes I'll be there, looking at routes up and down again.
Are you doing a Friday night/Saturday morning ride?
I probably will be.
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Probably a Friday daytime ride like last year as I have 2 nights booked off work.
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Could be tempting. I've not been to an AGM, what do you usually do at one?
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Could be tempting. I've not been to an AGM, what do you usually do at one?
Observe silence for recently deceased AUKs.
Standard AGM business:
Apologies
Minutes of last AGM
Agenda items raised by AUK Board
Agenda items raised by other AUK members
Agenda is published in Autumnn Arrivée and put on seats in hall.
Keith Benton usually chairs meeting and gets through business within 80 minutes.
Retreat to bar
'Freshen and dress up'
Migrate to bar
Wait for meal...
Debate can be 'lively' - LEL was big topic last year.
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Oooh Happy Birthday!
York is easy enough from London and a Disabled Person's Railcard gives me +companion 1/3 off at any time.
I am well, if weak.
So Helly, are you/we going then?
Peter the Porter.
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I was thinking of going over - is anyone from the Chester area thinking of riding? Or wants to share a car?
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Never say never, but I suspect I won't be wending my way northwards this year.
Not being a fan of the location (both York and the racecourse) makes it seem especially distant from Surrey.
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I'll be going. Most likely riding up from Shropshire. Possibly on tandem unless Mrs H. sees sense.
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I'll be there. Will probably ride up from Peterbough. Unless I decide I need a break from audaxing in November in which case it'll be the train.
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a break from audaxing
:o
At the moment I hope to be there.
But audaxing not going brilliantly just now.
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Are you doing a Friday night/Saturday morning ride?
I probably will be.
I'll be going and could easily be persuaded to do a Fri/Sat ride. Last year's 300 was fun so perhaps a repeat on a similar route ? This time I will be riding home after breakfast on the Sunday so you might only get one breakfast this time :o
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I'm going. Room booked and paid for etc.
Need to organise a LEL meeting as well, to happen after the AGM. Eek!
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Are you doing a Friday night/Saturday morning ride?
I probably will be.
I'll be going and could easily be persuaded to do a Fri/Sat ride. Last year's 300 was fun so perhaps a repeat on a similar route ? This time I will be riding home after breakfast on the Sunday so you might only get one breakfast this time :o
Sounds like a plan. :thumbsup:
Meet up in the pub at Melton Mowbray again?
Then have supper before the ride up after all the traffic has died down.
Hopefully I'll go a bit better than last year. I still remember not being able to get a hot drink at the Mc Donalds drive thru when I got the knock and laughed because they were happy to serve a few people in their cars who looked as if they were pretty well fed. ;D
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Oooh Happy Birthday!
York is easy enough from London and a Disabled Person's Railcard gives me +companion 1/3 off at any time.
I am well, if weak.
So Helly, are you/we going then?
Peter the Porter.
Yes, I must print out a letter to Pauline as mine got ripped and I can't write. Alternatively, can you fill in the form for me, send Pauline the dosh and I can refund you PDQ by bank transfer if you email me your bank details.
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Just filled in the form and cheque'll be in the post to Pam tomorrow. Room booked. :thumbsup:
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Jeremy Clarkeson. He's the host, he's done with cars.
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Don't know ? It'll be booked up by the time I make up my mind anyway
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The entire BlackSheep club will be there ;)
Might be tempted to make pilgrimage to HG4 4EN
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The entire BlackSheep club will be there ;)
That is two bookings sorted then. :thumbsup:
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Might just ride over for a social ride on the Saturday, the AGM, a few pints then ride home.
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Meet up in the pub at Melton Mowbray again?
Then have supper before the ride up after all the traffic has died down.
Yes to all that.
Hopefully I'll go a bit better than last year. I still remember not being able to get a hot drink at the Mc Donalds drive thru when I got the knock and laughed because they were happy to serve a few people in their cars who looked as if they were pretty well fed. ;D
That was funny. I recall trying to impress on the serving person that I was indeed a valid drive through vehicle by suggesting I ride my bike up to the hatch. She was not having any of it though ;D
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I'm going. Riding one way and train t'other. I've ordered a new frock specially.
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Those who have now received Arrivée should have seen the insert inviting us to York Racecourse Centre for the last weekend in November.
I've lost mine :-[ :(
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My apps in the post.
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I'm going. Riding one way and train t'other. I've ordered a new frock specially.
I hope it's a warm one - it can get cold in November.
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i'm strangely drawn to this
Haven't been to an AGM for years but I my go this year.
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i'm strangely drawn to this
Haven't been to an AGM for years but I my go this year.
Arrow?
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i'm strangely drawn to this
Haven't been to an AGM for years but I my go this year.
Arrow?
Why not ?
Just depends on house-move timing.
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i'm strangely drawn to this
Haven't been to an AGM for years but I my go this year.
Arrow?
Why not ?
Just depends on house-move timing.
I am sure that we could find many reasons not to, but assuming it is not icy that would be good.
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I still remember not being able to get a hot drink at the Mc Donalds drive thru when I got the knock and laughed because they were happy to serve a few people in their cars who looked as if they were pretty well fed. ;D
Yes, I will be going to the AGM, it's a good weekend even with all that meeting stuff going on. But what's this about cyclists being refused at a McDonalds drive thru? (Sorry if this is an old story). I'm riding the Llanfair PG 400 this weekend and plan to use a 24 hour McDonalds drive-thru in Abergele in the small hours. Have others used such facilities with success?
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I think it will depend on the staff. The Spalding one will not serve you at the window stating it's McD's H+S policy.
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I think it will depend on the staff. The Spalding one will not serve you at the window stating it's McD's H+S policy.
That policy is company-wide, though there have been some isolated instances where cyclists have been served at drive-through windows. I've not eaten consumed ingested McD's products for many years, so no recent personal experience.
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i'm strangely drawn to this
Haven't been to an AGM for years but I my go this year.
Arrow?
It's a Dinner Dart or After Dinner Dart. Arrows are something different.
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I expect I'll be there, if I ever get back to Blighty.
MacDonalds story: Jan Geerts' was buying a beer for everyone arriving at Reims control on HCH 1200
Jan: 5 beers please
MacD person: You can only have beer with food.
Jan: But I had a burger half an hour ago.
[heated debate follows. Manager finally adjudicates in Jan's favour]
Later ...
Jan: 6 beers please
Moral: don't keep a Belgian from his beer
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I am considering this, but have lost the sheet that came with the mag.
Could someone please forward me the details so I can send a form off.
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I still remember not being able to get a hot drink at the Mc Donalds drive thru when I got the knock and laughed because they were happy to serve a few people in their cars who looked as if they were pretty well fed. ;D
Yes, I will be going to the AGM, it's a good weekend even with all that meeting stuff going on. But what's this about cyclists being refused at a McDonalds drive thru? (Sorry if this is an old story). I'm riding the Llanfair PG 400 this weekend and plan to use a 24 hour McDonalds drive-thru in Abergele in the small hours. Have others used such facilities with success?
It's their company policy to only serve people in cars at the drive thru. Some kind of health and safety bullshit. I don't know if they'll serve anyone on a motorbike either?
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Could someone please forward me the details so I can send a form off.
If you still need it, I can post you a copy if you pm me your address.
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A
n arrow dart from Monmouthshire to York in the cold and dark is a patently absurd idea.
On that basis it might have to be done. I dont think it will count for this season though and I still need a 400 for my SR, so some training in the gorllewin might be in order..
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Since it is just a dart, a start from Gloucester would make it a 300km day ride rather than a through the night arrow:
Gloucester -> York (http://maps.cloudmade.com/?lat=52.955257&lng=-2.675171&zoom=8&directions=51.865468048540635,-2.24395751953125,52.44680315903381,-1.619110107421875,53.44062753992289,-1.264801025390625,53.954469396648996,-1.07666015625&travel=bicycle&styleId=1&opened_tab=1)
Edit: a Tintern start may just be about doable!!!
Tintern -> York (http://maps.cloudmade.com/?lat=52.315195&lng=-1.864929&zoom=10&directions=51.69788474255005,-2.6806640625,52.44680315903381,-1.619110107421875,53.44062753992289,-1.264801025390625,53.954469396648996,-1.07666015625&travel=bicycle&styleId=1&opened_tab=1)
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I am considering this, but have lost the sheet that came with the mag.
Could someone please forward me the details so I can send a form off.
Do you still want this? I've got a PDF of the AGM form now
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I am considering this, but have lost the sheet that came with the mag.
Could someone please forward me the details so I can send a form off.
Do you still want this? I've got a PDF of the AGM form now
I have a form now thanks
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I am thinking of going to this and cycling there and back from Reading. Anybody up for the trip?
I am considering riding up and arriving Saturday morning. So will be setting off lunch timeish Friday. Riding back Sunday after breakfast.
This should get me there for the AGM on Saturday.
Anybody else considering riding on the route fancy the trip.
BB
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Please could we be sent a copy of the form. Can't find it anywhere.
Thanks,
Sonya and Colin
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I shall not be needing my form so if someone wants it, PM me your address and I'll send it on.
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Since it is just a dart, a start from Gloucester would make it a 300km day ride rather than a through the night arrow:
Gloucester -> York (http://maps.cloudmade.com/?lat=52.955257&lng=-2.675171&zoom=8&directions=51.865468048540635,-2.24395751953125,52.44680315903381,-1.619110107421875,53.44062753992289,-1.264801025390625,53.954469396648996,-1.07666015625&travel=bicycle&styleId=1&opened_tab=1)
Edit: a Tintern start may just be about doable!!!
Tintern -> York (http://maps.cloudmade.com/?lat=52.315195&lng=-1.864929&zoom=10&directions=51.69788474255005,-2.6806640625,52.44680315903381,-1.619110107421875,53.44062753992289,-1.264801025390625,53.954469396648996,-1.07666015625&travel=bicycle&styleId=1&opened_tab=1)
Nice route
It avoids Howden :thumbsup:
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Since it is just a dart, a start from Gloucester would make it a 300km day ride rather than a through the night arrow:
Gloucester -> York (http://maps.cloudmade.com/?lat=52.955257&lng=-2.675171&zoom=8&directions=51.865468048540635,-2.24395751953125,52.44680315903381,-1.619110107421875,53.44062753992289,-1.264801025390625,53.954469396648996,-1.07666015625&travel=bicycle&styleId=1&opened_tab=1)
Edit: a Tintern start may just be about doable!!!
Tintern -> York (http://maps.cloudmade.com/?lat=52.315195&lng=-1.864929&zoom=10&directions=51.69788474255005,-2.6806640625,52.44680315903381,-1.619110107421875,53.44062753992289,-1.264801025390625,53.954469396648996,-1.07666015625&travel=bicycle&styleId=1&opened_tab=1)
Nice route
It avoids Howden :thumbsup:
The route from Gloucester looks good (would probably be Cheltenham for me). Do you have a view on a schedule?
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Eastcoast rail tickets London<->York just went on sale for the Saturday and the Sunday. Currently £10 a go. And you can book bikes on their website too :thumbsup:
.... So I guess this means I better dig out the AGM booking form :)
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Since it is just a dart, a start from Gloucester would make it a 300km day ride rather than a through the night arrow:
Gloucester -> York (http://maps.cloudmade.com/?lat=52.955257&lng=-2.675171&zoom=8&directions=51.865468048540635,-2.24395751953125,52.44680315903381,-1.619110107421875,53.44062753992289,-1.264801025390625,53.954469396648996,-1.07666015625&travel=bicycle&styleId=1&opened_tab=1)
Edit: a Tintern start may just be about doable!!!
Tintern -> York (http://maps.cloudmade.com/?lat=52.315195&lng=-1.864929&zoom=10&directions=51.69788474255005,-2.6806640625,52.44680315903381,-1.619110107421875,53.44062753992289,-1.264801025390625,53.954469396648996,-1.07666015625&travel=bicycle&styleId=1&opened_tab=1)
Nice route
It avoids Howden :thumbsup:
The route from Gloucester looks good (would probably be Cheltenham for me). Do you have a view on a schedule?
<MV wakes up>
If we're doing about 300 from Tintern/Somewhere then I'd guess we'd leave early on the Friday and aim to be there before midnight.
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Yes, I will be going to the AGM, it's a good weekend even with all that meeting stuff going on. But what's this about cyclists being refused at a McDonalds drive thru? (Sorry if this is an old story). I'm riding the Llanfair PG 400 this weekend and plan to use a 24 hour McDonalds drive-thru in Abergele in the small hours. Have others used such facilities with success?
[/quote]
It's their company policy to only serve people in cars at the drive thru. Some kind of health and safety bullshit. I don't know if they'll serve anyone on a motorbike either?
[/quote]
I decided to contact mcdonalds regarding their reasons for not serving cyclists at a drive thru & this is their response:
Thank you for contacting us.
Our aim is to provide 100% customer satisfaction in all aspects of our business. Clearly
this was not your experience when you visited one of our restaurants and I would like to
thank you for giving us the opportunity to address your concerns.
I would like to clarify that McDonald's supports the health and environmental benefits of
cycling, however it is our practice not to serve cyclists using the drive-thru lane or drive-
thru service windows. The drive-thru facility is designed for motor vehicles and, on
balance; we are concerned that use by cyclists could compromise their safety. In
reaching this view we have consulted with our own Hygiene and Safety Department, the
Highway Code, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). I can
appreciate that this is not your desired response and I am sorry if this causes you further
disappointment.
I offer my apologies again for your inconvenience and disappointment on this occasion. I
trust you can fully appreciate the rationale behind this decision and hope you will not be
deterred from future visits to McDonald's.
Regards
Aida Shafiq
Internet Response Team
McDonald's Customer Services Department
11 - 59 High Road
East Finchley
London
N2 8AW
Tel: 08705 244622
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Time for a Critical Mac?
;D
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As with so many cycling "dangers", the only issue I see is hungry motons mowing down cyclists as they're just not expecting them to be there.
I'm sure you could argue that this risk is tiny, but you could equally argue that it is non-zero .... >:(
A better angle of attack would be the requirement of a vehicle at all (assuming that pedestrians cannot be served either) - I don't know if they're breaking any laws, but I could imagine there is something in the legislation about serving food and drink to the public.
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Time for a Critical Mac?
;D
;D
If Mc Donalds served food that was worth eating, I'd be all for it. However, I'm not really prepared to go to so much trouble for that rubbish.
They are very handy for a tea or instant coffee while sitting inside in the warm though. The toilets are handy too and their chocolate muffins aren't too bad, if a little plasticky. The milkshakes aren't all that bad either(if the machine is working ::-)) They're very sugar laden, or at least, they seem to be.
The salads are good though. Even the evil clown can't mess up a salad.
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I have always considered McDonald's to be a public toilet that happens to sell burgers. I would never dream of buying one.
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Rather an appropriate & amusing analogy that, Wowbagger :)
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I have always considered McDonald's to be a public toilet that happens to sell burgers. I would never dream of buying one.
Ah well... may be you've not been in the right place at the right time.
Given the choice between eating a Ginsters "Meat-like substance in pastry" in a wind-swept garage forecourt that stinks of petrol and Derv, or eating a "Meat-like substance" burger in a public loo called Mcdonald's that happens to be warm and dry... well, I think the latter wins TBH.
But, both make Audax sound great, no?
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I have always considered McDonald's to be a public toilet that happens to sell burgers. I would never dream of buying one.
Ah well... may be you've not been in the right place at the right time.
Given the choice between eating a Ginsters "Meat-like substance in pastry" in a wind-swept garage forecourt that stinks of petrol and Derv, or eating a "Meat-like substance" burger in a public loo called Mcdonald's that happens to be warm and dry... well, I think the latter wins TBH.
Especially on a 600 in January when it's cold, wet and windy and you've just cycled 120 miles into the wind and rain. I don't eat Ginsters pasties or Mc Ds burgers. :sick:
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The salads are good though. Even the evil clown can't mess up a salad.
My wife found a (live) caterpillar in her salad the last time we used one as a family (five years ago?). I guess at least that means it was vaguely fresh, though as a vegetarian she didn't appreciate the additional protein.
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I love Maccy Ds when I'm on a big ride. You can get better food than a garage forecourt, the coffee's cheap, and the disabled loos are ace when you need to take off three layers of wet clothes first.
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:
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The route from Gloucester looks good...
The route to Gloucester looks good...will 'borrow' & butcher that for a 300 home on Sunday :thumbsup:
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Never mind McDondald's. For those of you audaxers travelling over from the Western parts, this looks like a good breakfast control option:
Terrifying huge breakfast is free if you eat it in 20 minutes - Boing Boing (http://boingboing.net/2009/09/16/terrifying-huge-brea.html)
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Never mind McDondald's. For those of you audaxers travelling over from the Western parts, this looks like a good breakfast control option:
Terrifying huge breakfast is free if you eat it in 20 minutes - Boing Boing (http://boingboing.net/2009/09/16/terrifying-huge-brea.html)
I agree. I reckon I'd need about an hour to get throught that lot though. Maybe more.
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has anybody got a booking form (came with the last Arrivee IIRC) they could scan and email me please? :)
thinking (if I do go) of a train up Sat then an ADD back to Land of cheap Southerners train fares on Sun; do we have to book both nights accom?
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has anybody got a booking form (came with the last Arrivee IIRC) they could scan and email me please? :)
thinking (if I do go) of a train up Sat then an ADD back to Land of cheap Southerners train fares on Sun; do we have to book both nights accom?
http://aukweb.net/official/agm_booking_form_2010.pdf
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I've never been to an AGM of anything. What's it like?
A dart to York from Cambridge is nice and flat.
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A dart to York from Cambridge is nice and flat.
And if you want, you can be greeted with cake when you get there :)
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A dart to York from Cambridge is nice and flat.
And if you want, you can be greeted with cake when you get there :)
I recommend Crinkly's post arrow cakes :thumbsup:
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I've never been to an AGM of anything. What's it like?
A dart to York from Cambridge is nice and flat.
I refer the honourable gentleman to reply #7 in this thread.
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=36567.msg688992#msg688992 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=36567.msg688992#msg688992)
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booked on the 13.00 train from That London to York, this gives me 2 mins to get to the AGM assuming it's at 15.00
doing an ADD 200 Southwards the next day if anyone has any ideas for a route.
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Looks like iddu and I (gulp) will be reversing the panoramix route home as far as hopping off points (brum? - need to have a chat...) for heading westwards.
Got to be 200km in there somewhere...
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I've never been to an AGM of anything. What's it like?
A dart to York from Cambridge is nice and flat.
I'm going up stupid early Saturday and getting the train back. Looking for a non-flat route as I can't face fenland tedium again.
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I've never been to an AGM of anything. What's it like?
A dart to York from Cambridge is nice and flat.
I'm going up stupid early Saturday and getting the train back. Looking for a non-flat route as I can't face fenland tedium again.
Out to Oakham and then turn north from there, maybe?
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A Fenland plod for me; viamichelin makes it 222km shortest to Huntingdon which is the nearest place I can get a walk-up cheap train fare rather than booking a specific train
although Kings Lynn also possible at 206km but involves The Road of Death
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Out to Oakham and then turn north from there, maybe?
Something like that. Ish.
(ie I haven't really looked at it yet)
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Put a 700cc wheel of the front and a 650cc on the back, ride in a bigger gear, and wear glasses with (transparent) pictures of hills over the lenses.
Virtual hills in the fens.
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Out to Oakham and then turn north from there, maybe?
Something like that. Ish.
(ie I haven't really looked at it yet)
There's a new 300 from Cambridge in April which goes out to Oakham. Goes through some of the same countryside as the 200k this weekend. I'm not the organiser. Saves me the effort of having to think about putting one on, too.
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Since it is just a dart, a start from Gloucester would make it a 300km day ride rather than a through the night arrow:
Gloucester -> York (http://maps.cloudmade.com/?lat=52.955257&lng=-2.675171&zoom=8&directions=51.865468048540635,-2.24395751953125,52.44680315903381,-1.619110107421875,53.44062753992289,-1.264801025390625,53.954469396648996,-1.07666015625&travel=bicycle&styleId=1&opened_tab=1)
An indication of interest. Would be a Cheltenham start for me.
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A Fenland plod for me; viamichelin makes it 222km shortest to Huntingdon which is the nearest place I can get a walk-up cheap train fare rather than booking a specific train
although Kings Lynn also possible at 206km but involves The Road of Death
although I'm swayed by joining Manotea for the 215km to Northampton;
aka "The Chocolate Cobblers" ;D
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I'll be cycling up, what are the rules for a dart. Has it got to be done in 24hr?
The calendar page says start allowed on Thurs and Sat also so I take it long rides are ok ;D
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I've been persuaded I'm too ancient and knackered for a proper ride, so doing 2 200s up there.
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Just entered the dart. Plan is to leave *early* Friday to get right across London before the rush, and then spend the day at it. Will probably be 350k+ by the time we roll in.
Anyone got the requirements on proof of passage to hand? Something at the start, and then a receipt whenever we happen to stop on route (around 50 - 80km between each). OR do we need to provide Sheila with a plan in advance, DIY-like?
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...OR do we need to provide Sheila with a plan in advance, DIY-like?
You do indeed. Start and a couple of controls should do it. AUK calendar (http://www.aukweb.net/cal/index.htm) 26th Nov.
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Looks like I'll be taking a tow from Rich Forrest on a two day tour of the flatlands up to York to arrive Friday evening.
Controls are : Chiswick-Saffron Waldron (RV with Rich)-Needham Market-Attlebourough-Necton-Chatteris-Oundle-Spalding-Boston-Horncastle-Lincoln-Gainsborough-Barton upon Humber-Market Weighton-York. Much excitment pour moi for my first visit to the Humber Bridge, albeit after dark. Sad but true.
For the return the current plan is to stick with the Panoramix route to give: York-Bramley-Derby-Atherstone-Stratford-Witney-Missenden-Chiswick with Iddu and Martin. Martin will peel off around ~200km in search of a train home whilst Iddu and I will stay together until past Stratford whereon Iddu will push South for Lambourn and I'll head East for London.
November is still a long way off though.
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Does anyone know if space is still available as I may be able to make it over now. There only seems to be an address on the booking form!
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Does anyone know if space is still available as I may be able to make it over now. There only seems to be an address on the booking form!
You need to give Pam a call. I'll email you her details.
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Thanks for that Dan :)
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I'm sorted now. Ride from Basingstoke to Alfreton on Friday, Alfreton-York-Derby on Saturday, Derby-Basingstoke on Sunday, giving me very roughly 250km each day on Friday and Saturday, then 220km on Sunday. Like last year I'll be at the meeting then hang around a bit afterwards, but not staying for the meal.
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anyone know what time breakfast is from on Sunday a.m? (thinking of when to start the ADD)
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Always time for breakfast :)
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What's wrong with a Ginsters?
AC
What's wrong with any food substitute?
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I've paid my money;
I want my "The Yorkshire way, the Proper Way" breakfast
(do Quorn do Black Pudding?)
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I've paid my money;
I want my "The Yorkshire way, the Proper Way" breakfast
(do Quorn do Black Pudding?)
I bloody hope not >:(
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I've just been told off by my mum for my dart plan.
So to placate her: does anyone fancy protecting me keeping me company for a not-too-fast overnight Peterboro-Newark-Goole-York on the Friday.
O, and strange men need not apply. ::-)
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I've just been told off by my mum for my dart plan.
So to placate her: does anyone fancy protecting me keeping me company for a not-too-fast overnight Peterboro-Newark-Goole-York on the Friday.
O, and strange men need not apply. ::-)
Do I fall below the strangeness cutoff? I wasn't planning on AGMing but since Peterborough is a very easy train ride for me, I could be up for the dart. Let me think about it at some time that's not the middle of the night.
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If anyone here is riding to the AGM from either SE England or Scotland, then you might want to consider testing parts of the LEL route for the LEL team. You can ride it as part of your dart or your DIY.
If you want to incorporate part of the route into your DIY or dart , then get in touch with your local DIY or dart organiser, and I'll make sure they've all got a copy of the routesheet to share with you.
If you want to know more about the new LEL route, or the new LEL permanent, DIY-way to LEL, then look out for your next copy of Arrivee, which should be hitting your doormat imminently.
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I've just been told off by my mum for my dart plan.
So to placate her: does anyone fancy protecting me keeping me company for a not-too-fast overnight Peterboro-Newark-Goole-York on the Friday.
O, and strange men need not apply. ::-)
boab - I would love to go for a ride with you, but won't volunteer because I am far far too slow and that's far far too far. But if you are in need of somewhere to stay/get a nice warm bath/eat some CAKE when you get to York, give me a shout!
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I've just been told off by my mum for my dart plan.
I don't tell my mum. She doesn't know a fraction of what I get up to. Certainly hasn't read any of my Arrivee articles. She'd worry too much. ;)
If anyone here is riding to the AGM from either SE England or Scotland, then you might want to consider testing parts of the LEL route for the LEL team. You can ride it as part of your dart or your DIY.
I'll be riding up from Milton Keynes on Friday night, meeting Mike Kelly at Market Harborough. I'll be riding back home on the Sunday. We/I may be able to check some of the route.
I'm also thinking of going mountain biking in the North York Moors at Christmas, so I would be able to look at some of the route then too.
just give me a routesheet anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up doing bits of the route on my travels.
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I got my ADD card back; has anyone had confirmation of the meal / accomodation?
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I got my ADD card back; has anyone had confirmation of the meal / accomodation?
I had a booking ack from Pam late September.
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I got my ADD card back; has anyone had confirmation of the meal / accomodation?
You're on Pam's list.
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I think I can manage that :)
Of course The North isn't the only place there's cyclists who can rip my legs off... There's just more of them up there who can.
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just refining my After Dinner Dart route; is that disused railway line over the river just S of the racecourse OK? (it's shown as a LDP); using that and going straight from Derby to Rugby is 208km
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just refining my After Dinner Dart route; is that disused railway line over the river just S of the racecourse OK? (it's shown as a LDP); using that and going straight from Derby to Rugby is 208km
the York -Selby path aka The Planets route is OK but narrow and slow in places. A19 is OK.. too
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just refining my After Dinner Dart route; is that disused railway line over the river just S of the racecourse OK? (it's shown as a LDP); using that and going straight from Derby to Rugby is 208km
the York -Selby path aka The Planets route is OK but narrow and slow in places. A19 is OK.. too
I only need to use it to get over the river
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It was recently resurfaced so it's fine, if a bit narrow as Mr Nesbitt says. The A19 really is fine though.
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AUK reunion? I imagine a lot of middle-aged men, ashen-faced and emaciated after a long season, staring fixedly at an imaginary horizon and occasionally twitching as if a car had just passed too closely. And the AGM supper will consist of Ginster's pasties, rotgut espresso or Frijj for those hoping to sleep for the first time since the BCM.
Obviously the car park will be empty (of cars) and there will just be hundreds of bikes with paper-thin rims and bizarre home-brew lighting kits leaning against the wall. None require a lock because just looking at them makes a bike thief's brain melt at the lack of marketability.
The speeches will include tales of Bob Hardknutt, the northern legend who rode the last 599km of a 600 without a saddle, and Dennis Granitarse, who got to Eskdalemuir on the outward leg of LEL, realised he'd left his spare headset in London so popped back to get it and still finished within the time limit.
Paying the entry fee of 50p gets you a free map iof the best local bus shelters for afterwards.
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It was recently resurfaced so it's fine
Are we talking tarmac here?
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AUK reunion? I imagine a lot of middle-aged men, ashen-faced and emaciated after a long season, staring fixedly at an imaginary horizon and occasionally twitching as if a car had just passed too closely. And the AGM supper will consist of Ginster's pasties, rotgut espresso or Frijj for those hoping to sleep for the first time since the BCM.
Don't believe a word of it. There will be a lot of re-hydration therapy taking place
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just refining my After Dinner Dart route; is that disused railway line over the river just S of the racecourse OK? (it's shown as a LDP); using that and going straight from Derby to Rugby is 208km
the York -Selby path aka The Planets route is OK but narrow and slow in places. A19 is OK.. too
If you download the gps file attached to this AUK event (http://www.aukweb.net/cal/calsolo.php?Ride=10-605) it includes a tracklog along that path.
(And all the planets are marked too)
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AUK reunion? I imagine a lot of middle-aged men, ashen-faced and emaciated after a long season, staring fixedly at an imaginary horizon and occasionally twitching as if a car had just passed too closely. And the AGM supper will consist of Ginster's pasties, rotgut espresso or Frijj for those hoping to sleep for the first time since the BCM..
sort of;
the normal guests
(http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r137/dcounsell/AUK%20AGM/CIMG1977.jpg)
the AUK lot in the room next door (lost points for LEE there; making eye contact)
(http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r137/dcounsell/AUK%20AGM/CIMG1991.jpg)
The Dinner Dart organiser telling a 400k rider he's out of time
(http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r137/dcounsell/AUK%20AGM/CIMG1976.jpg)
this rider's so out of it he hasn't noticed he left his card in Derby
(http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r137/dcounsell/AUK%20AGM/CIMG1992.jpg)
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(http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r137/dcounsell/AUK%20AGM/CIMG1992.jpg)
That photo has had a surgical glove 'shopped out of it.
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Those attending the festivities may be interested to know that York Bike Rescue is apparently having a bit of a clear-out sale that weekend prior to moving premises, and are not a million miles away from the racecourse. I may be there at some point. Possibly with cake.
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Erm... anyone else monitoring the weather forecasts?
* stifles a snigger *
We'll be ministering to one crew's needs as they take a break from heading north later in the week. I'd better get some camp beds together in case this is as far north as they get ;).
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Sounds about like when I did my after dinner dart from Guildford. Liveable but not masses of fun.
Bigger roads will have more grit on them. (Assuming there's been a restocking since last year etc.)
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Weather forecasts aren't reliable a week out.
It's going to be much, much worse.
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The weather geeks at uk.sci.weather seem convinced -- a lot of them get pretty worked-up about cold snaps.
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A glorious morning in London. Shame we aren't riding today!
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Looking at the MET office forecast this morning,I think your'e spot on.It looks like it should be manageable with all your Michelin man layers on.
We've opted just for the forty miles across to Berwick for the train this year so hoping for not too icy and for the North Easterly to swing round to the West for a few hours Friday morning.Then of course back to Easterly on Sunday. 8)
Really looking forward to seeing everyone at York and hoping to join the Saturday morning ride.See you there :thumbsup:
Sounds about like when I did my after dinner dart from Guildford. Liveable but not masses of fun.
Bigger roads will have more grit on them. (Assuming there's been a restocking since last year etc.)
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Last year was pretty bad coming over from Greenfield to Holmfirth - a passing Police 4x4 stopped to make sure I wasn't in trouble, very few other cars were attempting the road but the ones that had been through compressed the snow into ice. I'll be coming up more easterly this year, so hopefully it'll be better.
(http://haigh.org/aukagm-1-2.jpg)
(http://haigh.org/aukagm-2-2.jpg)
I'll be spending a couple of days in Helsinki this week to acclimatise; the temperature there will be between -10 and -7, snowing every day. Lovely :)
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brilliant
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If you were looking to scare the bejasus out of me you have succeeded admireably.
I've just been considering how best to line my overshoes with bubble wrap...
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If you were looking to scare the bejasus out of me you have succeeded admireably.
I've just been considering how best to line my overshoes with bubble wrap...
+1. I reckon I wont be in my sandals this weekend.
I'm not really worried about being cold, but I really really really don't want to fall off (again!) this year. Ugh.
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If you were looking to scare the bejasus out of me you have succeeded admireably.
One tries ones best :)
The second photo was taken when I stopped to check why gear changes were very sluggish. That is a build up of ice on the rear mech, which explained why things weren't too smooth!
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I'm hoping for some ice and snow this year - I want to prove to myself whether a winter 200 is possible on studded tyres. I suspect it'll be a 12-13 hour epic, but satisfying if it's weather like in Matt's photo. Shame I'm not coming to the AGM, looks like I could've got the studs out early. :thumbsup:
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I'm hoping for some ice and snow this year - I want to prove to myself whether a winter 200 is possible on studded tyres. I suspect it'll be a 12-13 hour epic, but satisfying if it's weather like in Matt's photo. Shame I'm not coming to the AGM, looks like I could've got the studs out early. :thumbsup:
It's certainly possible without studded tyres, as I recall from several snowy and icy brevets.
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I certainly don't want to fall off either. I've just booked my train tickets and I'm quite looking forward to the hike to the station
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I've just been considering how best to line my overshoes with bubble wrap...
Couple clicky (http://www.dtworldwide.com/product4-Heating-Shoe-Insole.htm) hooked into your hub (with some bodgery) should see you right.
OTOH, we could just carry an emergency stock of Boy Scouts, Rubbbing Together type.
We'll be fine as long as we stay ahead of the snowline and wolf packs :)
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The second photo was taken when I stopped to check why gear changes were very sluggish. That is a build up of ice on the rear mech, which explained why things weren't too smooth!
There's yer problem ;)
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Well, my singlecross was in Sweden :-)
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If you were looking to scare the bejasus out of me you have succeeded admireably.
One tries ones best :)
The second photo was taken when I stopped to check why gear changes were very sluggish. That is a build up of ice on the rear mech, which explained why things weren't too smooth!
I understand the traditional approach for freeing the mechs is to pee on them. However that does involve getting ones todger out in blizzard conditions, or more to the point, finding it.
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I decided that single speed was fine :)
To be fair, the day was much better once I'd lost some height. The roads became damp rather than frozen, and 30 minutes after that photo (about 8am) the bike was de-iced and rolling nicely. I did have a problem in that I hadn't set off from home on the bike, I'd driven to my parents with my kids, and dumped them there whilst I rode to the AGM. Too far from home to turn the car around I realised that I'd not packed my waterproof cycling jacket, so I rode in the very warm but not at all waterproof Rohan walking jacket I had in the car (a pertex skinned insulating jacket that zips into a goretex shell).
This was OK in the morning when it was very cold, but in the evening when it rained I got very, very wet, followed by getting snowed on again on the return crossing (though slightly further over - crossing Standedge on the A62) :(
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.
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I understand the traditional approach for freeing the mechs is to pee on them. However that does involve getting ones todger out in blizzard conditions, or more to the point, finding it.
Ho hum ...
I am even more tempted to bring my ladies bike for ladies (& not for gurls)
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It's time for me to face unpleasant facts:
My knee and ankle, dodgy for three weeks, are refusing to get better, and I can't attempt getting to York.
Anyone able to use a Travelodge room? I've got bookings at Leicester Markfield for Thursday 25th and Sunday 28th, and I'll be delighted if anyone can use either or both. PM me for the booking details.
And, anyone interested in picking up a passenger from the Bath/Bristol area and back?? £ offered, obviously. Couldn't afford the last-minute train fares.
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I decided that single speed was fine :)
That's a very pragmatic decision, when the entire block is a cone of ice, apart from the one cog you've been using for the last 3 hours ...
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... Anyone able to use a Travelodge room? I've got bookings at Leicester Markfield ...
Somewhat OT, but anyone staying at Leicester Markfield Travelodge should check that they've got the water back on - we stayed there at the weekend and awoke yesterday morning to find that there was no hot water, and then shortly afterwards there was no water at all. >:(
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I decided that single speed was fine :)
That's a very pragmatic decision, when the entire block is a cone of ice, apart from the one cog you've been using for the last 3 hours ...
I'll be on the fixed, so nothing can go wrong, can it.
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
Yes. You're going to The North. HTH.
:)
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I am terribly jealous of you all.
H
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I am terribly jealous of you all.
H
News reports of blizzards, sub-zero temperatures, gale-force northerlies should soon cure you of that ;D
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
You might eat too much cake? Oh, and if you're allergic to cats the CrinklyDen might make you sneeze :)
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Most forecasts have the snow as far South as Durham, which is in the North, York is in the middle of the country. I'll be packing a chainsaw and my skis as I have a bit of work in Ripon I want to finish off and Yad Moss might beckon on Sunday, as for cycling.
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York is in the middle of the country
Has anyone told the good burghers of Meriden?
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
Wild packs of whippets and ferrets, maurauding through the lanes on the hunt for soft southern flesh.
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
Wild packs of whippets and ferrets, maurauding through the lanes on the hunt for soft southern flesh.
Don't be silly, that's only in the further reaches of Upper Wharfedale. You're safe enough in York.
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
Wild packs of whippets and ferrets, maurauding through the lanes on the hunt for soft southern flesh.
The consequences of being forced to eat the stomach linings of farmyard animals.
Ignore me - I'm talking tripe.
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York is in the middle of the country
Has anyone told the good burghers of Meriden?
It's a complicated subject.
BBC NEWS | UK | Stuck in the middle with ewe (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2271914.stm)
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If anyone has an idea of coming to York via Yad Moss I'd advise against it.
Yad Moss 6 Day Snow Forecast & Skiing Weather for 725 m - Snow-Forecast.com (http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Yad-Moss/6day/top)
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
I'm starting to get afraid. Very Afraid.
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stick to the A roads, there's nothing on them at night anyway.
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
I'm starting to get afraid. Very Afraid.
You'll be fine. You are taking a more westerly route, away from the North Sea coastal strip. It'll be cold - wrap up well, but I don't see anything too nasty before the weekend.
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
I'm starting to get afraid. Very Afraid.
Too afraid to the point where you'll willingly accept the company of weird men?
Hmmmmmmmm?
H
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
I'm starting to get afraid. Very Afraid.
Too afraid to the point where you'll willingly accept the company of weird men?
Hmmmmmmmm?
H
I feel I should point out that the real Hummers is 5'3" and portly, with a comb-over and trousers that reach to his nipples.
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As opposed to the real arabella who is 5'2.75", not very portly, no combover. I prefer what my sons call 'hoisties' but it's difficult finding them in the shops at the moment.
I have every intention of sticking to the A roads.
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Query: Should anything have come back from Pam regarding AGM dinner? Cheque's been cashed...
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Query: Should anything have come back from Pam regarding AGM dinner? Cheque's been cashed...
You're on the list, if that helps.
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
I'm starting to get afraid. Very Afraid.
Too afraid to the point where you'll willingly accept the company of weird men?
Hmmmmmmmm?
H
I feel I should point out that the real Hummers is 5'3" and portly, with a comb-over and trousers that reach to his nipples.
Like looking in the mirror...
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You're on the list, if that helps.
That'll do, thanks...
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
I'm starting to get afraid. Very Afraid.
Too afraid to the point where you'll willingly accept the company of weird men?
Hmmmmmmmm?
H
I feel I should point out that the real Hummers is 5'3" and portly, with a comb-over and trousers that reach to his nipples.
Like looking in the mirror...
How many aliases do you have, Hummers?
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I am doing a risk assessment at the moment.
apart from snowy lowy visibility, iciness and horrible coldness, is there anything else beyond the usual Audax riskiness?
I'm starting to get afraid. Very Afraid.
Too afraid to the point where you'll willingly accept the company of weird men?
Hmmmmmmmm?
H
I feel I should point out that the real Hummers is 5'3" and portly, with a comb-over and trousers that reach to his nipples.
Like looking in the mirror...
How many aliases do you have, Hummers?
There can only be one.
Anyway, where can I get me some comb-over trousers?
H
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Just got back from the north coast (Norfolk).
Lots of snow there, just along the coastal 5km or so. Ooh... Christmassy...
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I'm not sure that I fancy a 150 mile all nighter and running into snow.
I'll probably travel via choo choo this year...
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....couldn't afford the last-minute train fares.
But I've bought the train tickets anyway.
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Yay to Tony!
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We've got some of that white stuff in York today! Wrap up warm, everybody.
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TG probably going by train... this means ANYONE can.
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<fingers in ears> la la la la I can't hear you
It's all going to melt on Friday.
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2oC and a 19mph tailwind for us Southerners returning on Sunday :thumbsup:
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<fingers in ears> la la la la I can't hear you
It's all going to melt on Friday.
Of course it is. And I shall have cake and bacon and hot baths and fluffy towels and warm blankets waiting ready for you.
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Tweet from RichForrest. I think the cold has affected his fingers:
At saffron warden 80km done. Lost. All drive earlier so had to set light to it!!
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Another fantastic day here, but it was very, very cold first thing
Lots of cars in the hedgerows on the lanes. Not good cycling conditions.
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I'm not sure that I fancy a 150 mile all nighter and running into snow.
I'll probably travel via choo choo this year...
If you have the afternoon off and are catching a train on Kings Cross route, look out for me. I hope to be on the 14:00 arriving York 15:53.
See you in the 'chilly' Centre!
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<fingers in ears> la la la la I can't hear you
It's all going to melt on Friday.
Are you closing your eyes as well? We've got a whiteout in the farmyard. :(
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Well, I'm a couple of miles out of York and we've now got slightly slushy pavements, wet roads and sunshine :)
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It's now snowing heavily in south York.
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It's now snowing heavily in south York.
And here in Norfolk. :(
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But not here in Wakey, just 30 miles south of York.
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2oC and a 19mph tailwind for us Southerners returning on Sunday :thumbsup:
That would be rather nice. I've got to do a detour via Biggleswade on the way for a committee meeting of another club I'm in. They know I ride, but haven't seen me after two days and 700km on the road...
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Saw 2 middle-aged and somewhat bewhiskered AUKs passing through Ashton this p.m. I suspect that they had started near Reading and were heading for York.
I was on a bus, out of the nasty cold air :-)
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And here in Galashiels.Hope we can make it across to Berwick for the train in the morning ::-)
It's now snowing heavily in south York.
And here in Norfolk. :(
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<fingers in ears> la la la la I can't hear you
It's all going to melt on Friday.
I'm more concerned about the ride home on Sunday. The threshold of heavy snow seems to be north of York, but if it moves further south I'd have a very slow ride home. It's close enough getting home with time for sleep before work on Monday morning when it's not snowing, let alone if I have to ride slowly or walk some of the way. I could leave York very early I suppose, but that'd mean missing breakfast. :o
I see no point in taking risks, especially at this time of year when all the riding is done. Now's the social season. I won't get fit with broken bones...
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And here in Galashiels.Hope we can make it across to Berwick for the train in the morning ::-)
It's now snowing heavily in south York.
And here in Norfolk. :(
hope you have better luck that I did today Lucy. 7 hrs 15 mins from edinburgh to london by train when it should have been 4hrs 20. Multiple train failures.
still more civilized than flying though. :)
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The Intrepid Three (RichForrest, Manotea and Peter T) have abandoned their 600 to York, and have holed up here for the night. Meanwhile, it continues to snow outside. The roads are very icy - Manotea suffered a slight, low speed departure from adhesion with the road just before they got here, and Peter T arrived with a rear flat.
Good decision to stop, I think. I suspect the roads are drier and less icy west of here, as the snow in East Anglia seems to have only been affecting Norfolk and Suffolk, but Fenland is no place for a cyclist in the middle of the night, when it's -5c :(.
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Thanks YLG.We're just about to set off for the ride across.Here's hoping!
And here in Galashiels.Hope we can make it across to Berwick for the train in the morning ::-)
It's now snowing heavily in south York.
And here in Norfolk. :(
hope you have better luck that I did today Lucy. 7 hrs 15 mins from edinburgh to london by train when it should have been 4hrs 20. Multiple train failures.
still more civilized than flying though. :)
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I'm riding from work in Wakey to York later. Unless it drops a ton later, in which case I'll get a nice comfy intercity.
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I'm ditching plans to ride. I'll let the train take the strain. I tried to ride to work this morning and gave up within a mile. Even if the roads are gritted all the way I have to get my bike to Bury tonight without falling off and I'm not sure I'll manage that.
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The Intrepid Three have resumed their (reworked) ride, rested and breakfasted at
Rivendell Our Dump.
They needed to walk to the gritted "school loop" in the village. Further overnight snow looks pretty, but the roads are less so.
Their plan is to ride main roads to Peterborough and jump on a train to York.
It's a lovely crisp morning - alternating between sunshine, and snow.
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About to (finally) leave home now. 240km to do today, travelodge, then 130km to do in the morning. A frosty start here, at least my faffing has given that time to lift :)
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Weather in sunny Ipswich fine.
Am chewing over options of
go-it-alone as planned
postpone and do it Sat and miss AGM etc.
give up and stay here
use train
edit: I think I will go to Newark and see. It will be worse after Newark. Newark has a Premier Inn and a station.
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Up past Oxford, it's a fantastic day for riding, if a bit chilly. Just had lunch, only 160k to go :)
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Up past Oxford, it's a fantastic day for riding, if a bit chilly. Just had lunch, only 160k to go :)
Good luck. :thumbsup:
You can always use the choo choo to York tomorrow if the roads are bad.
The Intrepid Three (RichForrest, Manotea and Peter T) have abandoned their 600 to York, and have holed up here for the night. Meanwhile, it continues to snow
Crafty buggers! None of them told me there was a 600k ride to York. Not sure I'd have joined them in this weather though, so serves them right. Har har har! ;D
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as Pam's probably already left can someone order me a veggie meal for tomorrow night? :)
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Yes I'll let her know :)
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So, Mr Forrest, you've survived the snow then?
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Yes by train ;D
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Arrived at Alfreton travelodge about an hour ago.
Frozen water bottles since 6:30! (Obviously replaced the ice at a garage stop, but it froze again later).
Now I'm wondering about those racing camelbaks which are stitched into a vest for long winter rides- this happens to me a few times a year.
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It's all gone a bit white outside in York. Hope those who are riding are keeping safe and warm enough!
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It's all gone a bit white outside in York. Hope those who are riding are keeping safe and warm enough!
Can you let us know what it's like in about 10 hours time ? either on here or txt me
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Met office have a weather warning out for the east coast until 1100 tomorrow for snow
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Snowing here now :-(. No AGM for me it seems
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Knackered after time trialling across the fens & was in bed by 9:30. Up at 5 this morning to be greeted by winter wonderland. About 4" of proper crunchy snow out there. Bother!
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Snow here too.
Having breakfast, will venture out soon to see if it is passable. Apparently the M1 is closed. Good thing I won't be needing it ;)
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We're setting-off from Tewkesbury in a few minutes time, roads all clear although the fields are a greener shade of pale.
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Off from KX - Light dusting on the way in; we'll see how up country is
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A nice training ride for me up from Peterborough:
I took the Dervla Murphy option at Newark (proceed with something else providing propulsion).
1/it took me 5 1/2 hours to get there - likelihood of finishing out of time even if I hurried up
2/cycling through snow is like cycling through treacle, with the added bonus of the snow between wheel and mudguard giving extra braking power
3/ it was going to get snowier and colder (actually it was pretty warm, it was more not being able to see anything due to snow glinting in my lights/snow stuck on my glasses), I just didn't fancy when it all froze up
4/premier inn in Newark had a chair in reception I could sit in, motionless, for 3 hours until there was a train ... directly to York
Am now at CrinklyLion's being fed etc. along with boab.
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It's all gone a bit white outside in York. Hope those who are riding are keeping safe and warm enough!
Can you let us know what it's like in about 10 hours time ? either on here or txt me
Sorry Mr Nesbitt - I didn't spot this before. There's still plenty of snow around, but the main roads are mostly slushy or clear and we haven't had any more that I've noticed since before I went to the station to meet boab last night.
She, and Ara on her ladies bike for ladies, have set off for the pub. They may have some crinklycake about their persons.....
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I abandoned. The A38 was completely blocked with stationary traffic. With four-six inches of snow I couldn't get around it. The back roads had precisely the wrong sort of snow for riding on (impossible to get traction or keep the bike upright). There was no way I'd be able to get up enough speed to cover the couple of hundred miles I needed to do (to the AGM, then back to a travelodge ready to go to another meeting tomorrow).
I decided it wasn't sensible to continue, with a real risk of me becoming stranded somewhere (and certainly not much fun), so I turned round and headed home, where I am now. So I travelled 300 miles round trip to spend a few hours in a Travelodge bed :)
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ADD Apocalypse sees southern sorties with miles to go scrambling for motor assisted transport.
RichF on the train, Steve Abs (sans bike) & Manotea (with bike) in the USS Melk. Zoom insisted on setting off home on silly B roads and rescued after 10km with cold hands after fixing a puncture.
High jinks route finding but I think we are safe for a while now we are on the M1.
Iddu missing, reports suggest he set off for home last night after dinner!!!
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I didn't do my dart in the end - I thought riding east would be lunacy.
I did ride home though - 90km round Wetherby, North Leeds, Bradford and Halifax. It was a bloody gorgeous day to be out on the bike, and TBH I could have happily stayed out until it got dark.
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So I travelled 300 miles round trip to spend a few hours in a Travelodge bed :)
Some would say that is the perfect Audax
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It was close to perfect, though it didn't have a Tesco as the turn around point. However, when I went past the TL into Alfreton in search of some warm food the nice man in the chippy gave me two large pieces of fish (each of which I'd have considered a reasonable serving) and a decent sized portion of chips for £3.50 :thumbsup:
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It was close to perfect, though it didn't have a Tesco as the turn around point. However, when I went past the TL into Alfreton in search of some warm food the nice man in the chippy gave me two large pieces of fish (each of which I'd have considered a reasonable serving) and a decent sized portion of chips for £3.50 :thumbsup:
Coincidentally, just as you posted on here that you'd packed, I was asking someone if they'd seen you. I was ever so slightly concerned you'd not turned up. Glad all is well.
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Who's managed to get home again? (I let the train take most of the strain).
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John Radford and friends were planning to ride to Mirfield via the A64 cycle path. It was only on my ride home that it occurred to me that it probably wasn't gritted. I hope they didn't get stuck.
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It was close to perfect, though it didn't have a Tesco as the turn around point. However, when I went past the TL into Alfreton in search of some warm food the nice man in the chippy gave me two large pieces of fish (each of which I'd have considered a reasonable serving) and a decent sized portion of chips for £3.50 :thumbsup:
Coincidentally, just as you posted on here that you'd packed, I was asking someone if they'd seen you. I was ever so slightly concerned you'd not turned up. Glad all is well.
Thanks for the concern. I didn't find anywhere to sit down and eat whilst riding back (not that I tried particularly hard), and didn't want to stand fiddling with my phone in the cold to post. I did try from the one garage stop I made, but had trouble accessing the forum :(
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Who were the trophy winners this year?
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Who were the trophy winners this year?
Marcus for distance, Jackie Popland for, like, everything, Steve Snook for services to AUK, Rob Bialek for being totally hardcore, boab for fixed (os) and something else I think.
I'm sure others will fill in the gaps.
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I rode 100km or so to my Mum's.
Left York with the Derby Mercury quartet (Jim Hopper, Ed Hargraves, Jim & Harry Crew) in glorious sunshine. Had tea & soup at a cafe in Howden. Jim and Harry left us at Belton to get the train from Doncaster.
My freewheel started slipping after Howden, and after a stop for coffee & cake with Jim and Ed at Epworth Garden Centre the pawls wouldn't engage at all, so I cable-tied the big sprocket to the spokes (not easy when it's snowing) and got back without further mishap. The only time I had to ride on compacted snow was the last 400 metres down Willingham High St.
Many thanks to Ed and Jim for helping with the bodge.
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Ian H Sir, are you now the new Chair..
Doffs cap.. :thumbsup:
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John Radford and friends were planning to ride to Mirfield via the A64 cycle path. It was only on my ride home that it occurred to me that it probably wasn't gritted. I hope they didn't get stuck.
Jackie popland offered me a lift home instead of the train, but I declined. I changed my mind when Mel Kirkland offered, thinking it'd be good to talk to someone for a change.
We spied John Radford and a friend along the A64.
Mel tried his best to get lost, but had me with a map and manotea with a satnav an we just about managed to keep him on track. Tears were shed and I haven't laughed that much in a while, probably since Ian H got his wheel stuck in a wall pumping his tyre up.
We also rescued Zoom, who had chosen to use the icy B roads instead of the A19 and had managed to put a hole in his tyre...
My freewheel started slipping after Howden, and after a stop for coffee & cake with Jim and Ed at Epworth Garden Centre the pawls wouldn't engage at all, so I cable-tied the big sprocket to the spokes (not easy when it's snowing) and got back without further mishap. The only time I had to ride on compacted snow was the last 400 metres down Willingham High St.
Many thanks to Ed and Jim for helping with the bodge.
When you get to Milton Keynes on Wednesday, I can fix your bike properly.
Gears!... ::-) :P
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Ian H Sir, are you now the new Chair..
Doffs cap.. :thumbsup:
Yes, I'm just reading the instruction book that came with the gavel. Keith will be a hard act to follow.
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Tears were shed and I haven't laughed that much in a while, probably since Ian H got his wheel stuck in a wall pumping his tyre up.
Sir is this in the Manual.. :thumbsup: to Keith..
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Who's managed to get home again? (I let the train take most of the strain).
yes ; but only rode from Chiswick (70km total including the abortive but very pretty ADD) BTW it was more than just a p**ct**e; needed a new tyre (thanks tg :)) although getting my fingers to do another repair today may have been a tall order. Plus my rear bearings have been tightened to buggery by some numpty and won't roll properly.
I did find the railway bridge over the river though (another nutter was riding back along it on a trike)
top after dinner story from El Presidente about the Queen barenaked ladies
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The amendment to the motion to replace regulation 5.6 had us all on the edge of our seats.
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5214795731_8f20379331.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner/5214795731/)
The Guest of Horour was in fine form (and what a bow tie).
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5214792981_1fc132b03b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner/5214792981/)
Ed Hargraves on the B1228
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5215389532_86bc7c4303.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner/5215389532/)
Jim & Harry Crew
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5004/5214798371_b7dc92d8a4.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner/5214798371/)
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Facebook pictures suggest boab's other award was for women's merit.
We should not forget that at some previous AGM, Mel K argued very strongly that the AGM should be held in November, rather than January, as the weather was riskier in January...
(Weather is unpredictable and Mel K is a good and sensible chap.)
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The amendment to the motion to replace regulation 5.6 had us all on the edge of our seats.
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5214795731_8f20379331.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner/5214795731/)
That's mean ;) Sleepy living up to his name!
It was after the meal and a few drinks I hasten to add! ::-)
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Ian H Sir, are you now the new Chair..
Doffs cap.. :thumbsup:
Yes, I'm just reading the instruction book that came with the gavel. Keith will be a hard act to follow.
Hummers is confident that you can rise to the challenge.
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I see that Duffers was wearing my old school's away-day uniform.The house uniform had black edging to the vertical stripe on the blazer. :)
He seems to have forgotten the straw boater.
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I beleive "Marvelous Mel" Kirkland won the Vets trophy. Things won tandem award, John Hamilton won organiser's award. Gregory Jnr won an award, as did master Crew.
Memory cells then suffer fade - due to 5.2% dark ale consumption.
I offered to buy our patron a pre-dinner pint of Black Sheep from "The Fox & Roman", I was :o to learn he's a lager-boy.
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I got home eventually, trains delayed for horrid weather further North.
And then resorted to walking some of the way in Norfolk and Suffolk as the roads aren't gritted.
Me n Ara's room this morning:
(http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae7/fboab/DSC00136.jpg)
;D
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Congrats to all gong winners! :thumbsup:
H
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Saturday Morning:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5214968115_ab8e57a686.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner/5214968115/)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5215558858_e86af1e8c2.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner/5215558858/)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5215556594_27b2106b0f.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner/5215556594/)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5215554578_f00f6dabbe.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner/5215554578/)
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Quite a few of you will know Robert Bialek who picked up the Male Merit Award at the AUK annual dinner in York last night.
He left for home this morning intending to ride on A-roads to avoid the icy conditions on minor roads. Unfortunately, only a few miles after setting out, he was in a collision with a coach, which he said started to overtake him very closely indeed and then veered towards him. The next thing he remembers is being on the floor a good few yards in front of his bike which was under the coach's rear wheels.
Ambulance and police were on the scene very quickly and he was taken to York Hospital where A&E patched him up and put his right leg in plaster as a temporary measure to deal with what sounds to be at least a seriously broken ankle.
He's now in Ward 28 there, and expects to have an operation on the leg tomorrow.
When I talked to him on the phone earlier he couldn't say what would happen after that, and I guess he will have to wait to find out.
While phoning him up to express commiserations might not be the best way to help him to cope with this right now, I'm sure that he'd appreciate the odd supportive text message on 07759 397959
Chris
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as an AUK club, yacf (and ACF, wot a certain someone turned into a single club, as a club won):
most AUK points (collected by Rich)
most ride(r)s of 1,000km or longer (collected by Joth, whereat I snaffled it off him 'cos I had to have some medally thingies for my 1/2 of the ladies room for ladies nesspa (see photo ante))
So once I have shoved it down people's throats shown it off at Xmas anyone who is
a/ registered as yacf/ACF on AUK
b/ did at least 1 ride of 1000 or more km last season
can ask me for it
(first come first served etc.)
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Quite a few of you will know Robert Bialek who picked up the Male Merit Award at the AUK annual dinner in York last night.
..........................Chris
Sorry to hear this news, it put's a bit of a dampener on the whole weekend.
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Well we had a very nice weekend. It was great to (finally) meet a number of you. The trophy is now sat on the shelf ;D
Our train wasn't until 4pm, so we spent the day at the railway museum. It started snowing quite heavily around 1pm, and the trains were quite disrupted especially as two trains had also broken down at York. Due to the disruption, we ended up catching an earlier train. We ended up without a seat for most of the journey, but the tandem had a nice comfy ride in the guard van, all by herself.
Emma
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However just a word.......................
Those who aim to line up in Paris next year need to be fit but if you try too hard at this time of year and break a leg it's a bit of an own goal.
I did 200k to get to and from the AGM and bizarrely despite riding on some slippy roads slipped and fell in a cafe. Not much damage done but falling off your bike can be a real show stopper.
Rode through Thorpe Willoughby today on the A63 there is a 45degree level crossing that is a real hazard. Don't ask me how but Bob Johnson sensed all was not well and dismounted to walk across. As we did so first the front wheel and then the back slipped on the rails and tried to wrench the bike from our hands. Winter is a challenge for Bikies and sometimes you need to be sensible.
AndyC
[/quote]
+1
Hence my (much mocked ;D) train ride up to the AGM this year. The first time I've not cycled to attend an AGM in almost 20 years as a member.
Also why I mentioned here that I won't be cycling this year, after all, if I'm not cycling, that might tell you something...
You might have been OK on the level crossing if you could hit the to use the rails square on, bikes are more slidy without someone sitting on them. But a good move by Bob.
We were just very unlucky with the weather this year. Usualy my ride to the AGM at worst has a risk of ice, but not very often and I always ride overnight when it's much colder than the daytime. I don't remember ever riding home from an AGM in November in the daytime and coming across any ice. You can never guarantee good weather in November, but this year was exceptionally bad.
I hope Robert heals OK and he can still ride events, as well as riding to and from them.
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Iddu missing, reports suggest he set off for home last night after dinner!!!
I'm not quite that dedicated ;)
Went back to the YH for kip, as I knew I needed an early (7am) start - chings, that was briskchuffin COLD(1)...
Suprisingly, the roads were OK; A's & B's at most has a central slush line, but the (car) wheeltracks were clear.
Had to walk about two mile of X-country lanes, where ungritted compacted SNO was laid over refrozen stuff, which was clench-inducing.
Got to Rughy (225K), asked the beeplebox how much more & it said 140K - decided I couldn't be fagged to get in at 3am & hopped on the train. So, sadly a FAIL on the DIY, which blocked the dart..
Off to a warm bed. :thumbsup:
(1) Bumped into Colin (Bezant) on the train - he gadgetted it as being -7/8 when he started at 8am. Brrrrrr...
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Looking at the York University weather station (http://weather.elec.york.ac.uk/graphs.html), 8am Sunday was indeed the low point at -7.7 Celsius. I'm glad I was in bed at that point :)
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Glad to hear from you Iddu, and both chapeau and commiserations for your efforts.
From the comfort of USS Melk it occured to me the best solution would have been to hop a train to say Nottingham to get clear of the snow and than ride home from there for 2~300. As always, having decided not to ride the weather looked glorious though a tadge 'parky'.
I paid a penance in the gym this evening, opening my account Concept2 Holiday Challenge with 8km.
Edit: Just read upthread about Robert and can only add my best wishes for a speedy recovery for both him and bike.
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I rode 200 km around York yesterday: York - Thirsk - Malton - Bridlington - Beverley - York. I mostly stayed on main roads which were reasonably OK. It snowed a couple of times during the day and around Bridlington it was horrible, with driving sleet for a while.
Now waiting at York railway station for my (delayed) train to Peterborough.
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Speaking as someone who had 3 months of 2007, half of 2008 and 2 months of 2010 wrecked through injuries after crashes on slippery roads I am so glad I decided to stay at home this weekend. Really sorry to hear about Bob B. it sounds like it could have been much more serious. Glad haven;t heard about anyone else having crashes and pleased to hear many people took the decision to let the train/car take the strain
(http://www.mseries.plus.com/x-ray.jpg)
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Thanks to all for excellent weekend company!
Audaxy skills of patience were useful on my extended return train journey. Mainly standing (no spare floor to sit/lie on).
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Really sorry to hear this.We only met him for the first time at the AGM. Hope he's back out Audaxing before long and back to full health.
Team Megajoules journey was ok till Berwick on the train but to get from Berwick to home at Galashiels was impossible.There was nearly a foot of snow just on the station platform :o
We had a choice.Either sit it out by staying at the Berwick travelodge overnight or persuade huge 4 by 4 taxi to take us home with bikes.With the forecast for another foot of snow overnight,waiting it out seemed a bit pointless.We could be there for days so we got persuading and employed the 4 by 4 and made it home two hours later(43miles).An expensive journey but at least we're home and warm to watch the snow falling outside 8)
Great to see everyone again although not for long enough as usual.Happy hibernation and hope to see people out in good health next spring. :thumbsup:
Quite a few of you will know Robert Bialek who picked up the Male Merit Award at the AUK annual dinner in York last night.
He left for home this morning intending to ride on A-roads to avoid the icy conditions on minor roads. Unfortunately, only a few miles after setting out, he was in a collision with a coach, which he said started to overtake him very closely indeed and then veered towards him. The next thing he remembers is being on the floor a good few yards in front of his bike which was under the coach's rear wheels.
Ambulance and police were on the scene very quickly and he was taken to York Hospital where A&E patched him up and put his right leg in plaster as a temporary measure to deal with what sounds to be at least a seriously broken ankle.
He's now in Ward 28 there, and expects to have an operation on the leg tomorrow.
When I talked to him on the phone earlier he couldn't say what would happen after that, and I guess he will have to wait to find out.
While phoning him up to express commiserations might not be the best way to help him to cope with this right now, I'm sure that he'd appreciate the odd supportive text message on 07759 397959
Chris
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Thanks to all for excellent weekend company!
+1.
And once again, thanks to Pam and Dave Pilbeam (and their helper, whose name escapes me - sorry) for the mamoth effort they put into making the weekend happen.
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And once again, thanks to Pam and Dave Pilbeam (and their helper, whose name escapes me - sorry) for the mamoth effort they put into making the weekend happen.
The splendid Alan Rayner. They all made it LOOK so easy!
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Edit: Just read upthread about Robert and can only my add best wishes for a speedy recovery for both him and bike.
Aye. Traffic was light (apart from the M1/M6 interchange), and drivers were all being considerate - it's sad to hear that he found the bad 'un, and all the best for a quick return to health...
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Great weekend. +1 to the thanks already posted to Pam and Dave Pilbeam and to Alan for all their hard work.
Great company too; super walk on Saturday, thanks to Ann; and thanks to Tony for carrying my bag (long story.
Stayed an extra night in a super B&B (very cheap) which I can heartily recommend - he can take a few bikes too. It's called http://www.romleyhouse.co.uk/ (http://www.romleyhouse.co.uk/). Walked absolutely everywhere in a magical York, snow rising rapidly from 1pm. Went to the Advent service in the Minster ('fraid I don't usually attend) and it was so atmospheric with the choir singing in a dark, but for the candles, church.
Winter wonderland returning through York gates at 8:30pm and began to wonder if I would get home OK. I was extremely lucky and had a very good journey on a very late train (according to timetable) but 'just in time' for me :thumbsup:
Sad to hear about Robert's accident; pleased to hear others all arrived safely home - was thinking about Lucy and Dick, so good to hear Lucy's account.
Cheers everyone :) Off to the physio now, hopefully to sort my neck out :'(
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Good to see you again, LV!
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Glad you enjoyed your extra day.Hope the physio fixes your neck ok.
Pedal Up 8)
MJ
Great weekend. +1 to the thanks already posted to Pam and Dave Pilbeam and to Alan for all their hard work.
Great company too; super walk on Saturday, thanks to Ann; and thanks to Tony for carrying my bag (long story.
Stayed an extra night in a super B&B (very cheap) which I can heartily recommend - he can take a few bikes too. It's called http://www.romleyhouse.co.uk/ (http://www.romleyhouse.co.uk/). Walked absolutely everywhere in a magical York, snow rising rapidly from 1pm. Went to the Advent service in the Minster ('fraid I don't usually attend) and it was so atmospheric with the choir singing in a dark, but for the candles, church.
Winter wonderland returning through York gates at 8:30pm and began to wonder if I would get home OK. I was extremely lucky and had a very good journey on a very late train (according to timetable) but 'just in time' for me :thumbsup:
Sad to hear about Robert's accident; pleased to hear others all arrived safely home - was thinking about Lucy and Dick, so good to hear Lucy's account.
Cheers everyone :) Off to the physio now, hopefully to sort my neck out :'(