Random Tandem - 24th October 2010: OP UPDATED

[Polar Bear]

A quick check online shows that trains from Birmingham and London arriving just after 10.   It is ten minutes tops from there to the car park at the Ken Marriott centre so we could provisionally plan for a 10:30 departure.   

On this basis I would guess that we should be back in Rugby for between 16:00 and 17:00 even with cake stops.   

 

[jogler]

I think we can now set the 24th as the definite date.

I was looking at the start/finish points yesterday.   What I need now is for folk to indicate if they'd be interested in a pub finish or not.

   

With a 1030 start I suggest a meeting point without distractions or the potential for delay is best, to get started punctually.
A finish at a pub or cafe would be good for post ride scoffing & socialising.

[Polar Bear]

I have such ideas Mr Jogler Sir - a couple of local farm shops are ideal. 

I will need folk to indicate whether they wish to 'socialise' in a pub or other location afterwards, or whether they intend to whizz off in a hurry by need or desire!           

[jogler]

Any place that is warm,dry,has a wc,sells cake & coffee will do for me. I'll be using the car so will have no need to dash off for trains & boats & planes.I feel a song coming on.

[Martin109]

I shall also be arriving by car, so a secure, free car park to start and finish at would be ideal for me.  As far as I'm concerned, I can socialise anywhere!

[Kim]

...And it appears that my legs are compatible with Martin109's stoker seat   

[Polar Bear]

Excellent.  

To date we have confirmed...

PB + Mlle PB
Jogler +1
Martin + Kim
Wow + 1?
Crinkles + cake
Team Dasmoth + cake
Team Chris + cake

I'll start on updating the OP in a while.

[Kim]

And a CrinklyLion, either as Wow's +1 or riding solo.

[Polar Bear]

Calling Wow and Crinkles:

Are you a crew or separates please?   

[CrinklyLion]

Don't know!  Wow posted upthread that he might not be available.... and alleged that I had been propositioning him, the very idea 

I'm going to book tickets for me and my bike and see what happens.  If there's a stoker seat available then I'll leave my bike at home and turn up with a bag of cake.  If there isn't I shall turn up with my bike and a bag of cake.  And if I'm not sure, I'll go for the Manningtree strategy i.e. turn up with a bike, a bag of cake and a big  bag of lock.  Covers all eventualities

[Polar Bear]

Okey dokey.  Thanks for the update.   Anybody with cake is always most welcome.       

[chris]

Pencil in between 1 and 5 members of team chris (I'll confirm nearer the time as it's half term and we might be going away). If we come we will bring the BIG panniers full of cake.

[dasmoth]

Emily and I hope to be there!

...and we can probably rustle up a pannier of scones or similar.

[jogler]

My G.d. has just informed me that both of us will be wearing a yacf KOM shirt

[Polar Bear]

I guess that I'd better find a hill or two for you to prove your prowess upon then.   

[jogler]

In my case KoM is an abbreviation of Knackered Onna Molehill

[Tim]

I'm reserving the right to make a late decision when I know whether we've got a tandem back again, though I reckon there's a reasonable chance of it being ready. And KoM jerseys? Pah. <Insert smug - we've got the jersey with our name and bike on it>

[L CC]

No2Son and I will be there. If we can get our tandem in a fiesta we'll be on that, otherwise we'll risk life and limb on a Pitsford machine. No matching jerseys (he wont do that) and we will be net consumers of cake.

[Tim]

I'm reserving the right to make a late decision when I know whether we've got a tandem back again, though I reckon there's a reasonable chance of it being ready.

Have just been phoned by Mercian and the news wasn't good - with the bike stripped cracks in the chainstay have been identified. OK, so unbraze, new bit of pipe and rebraze except for one minor issue - it's non-standard and they're dealing with Reynolds to try and get a suitable replacement piece, timeframe unknown.

[clarion]

*gulp*

Glad they found it and are going to replace.  Mercian are famous for refusing to do repairs if they can't get the frame back to their standards.

[Tim]

Given that it was there for repainting this is at least the most convenient time for it to have happened.

<wonders how long it has been like that>

[Polar Bear]

Out today recce'ing possible route 1.     

Out from Rugby via Newbold, Little Lawford, Easenhall, Pailton, Monks Kirby, Claybrooke Parva, Claybrooke Magna, Frolesworth, Sapcote (via old Fosse diversion), Stoney Cove diving centre.

Bacon butty and a cup of tea, then...

Back to Frolesworth, Ashby Parva, Gilmorton.

Stop for cake at the playground at Gilmorton, then...   

Walcote, Shawell, Catthorpe*, Lilbourne, Clifton Upon Dunsmore, Rugby (Via Butler's Leap for convenient passing of railway station).   Approx 42 miles.

*  Either a pub stop or a tea/coffee stop available here should the mood take the crews!   

Next week:   A ride to Cannons Ashby - 48 miles!

[jogler]

Stoney Cove Dive Centre
30 years ago,my second home

[Martin109]

Out today recce'ing possible route 1.     

Out from Rugby via Newbold, Little Lawford, Easenhall, Pailton, Monks Kirby, Claybrooke Parva, Claybrooke Magna, Frolesworth, Sapcote (via old Fosse diversion), Stoney Cove diving centre.

Bacon butty and a cup of tea, then...

Back to Frolesworth, Ashby Parva, Gilmorton.

Stop for cake at the playground at Gilmorton, then...   

Walcote, Shawell, Catthorpe*, Lilbourne, Clifton Upon Dunsmore, Rugby (Via Butler's Leap for convenient passing of railway station).   Approx 42 miles.

*  Either a pub stop or a tea/coffee stop available here should the mood take the crews!   

Next week:   A ride to Cannons Ashby - 48 miles!

That all sounds good; I'll look forward to hearing about Route 2!

[CrinklyLion]

I have some tickets to Birmingham!