Planning for this one started, in my case, some months ago. The date had already been set when Ministry announced a UK tour, solitary London date on the Saturday night. As with Southend in March (Underworld gig on Good Friday), the option of getting home and then back up to the smoke wasn't a sensible one. I had absolutely no intention of missing the show, had bought my ticket for that pronto in any case, and Whitstable is a favourite of mine. Solution: a room for the night at LSE Bankside (directly opposite Tate Modern) for £36 including breakfast. I was intending to stash the bike in the room, hence the choice of Chutney (somewhat less valuable than the other bike with a rack, and it folds...) In the end, as posted above, the outside bike parking (well lit, right by 24hr manned reception & covered by CCTV) was fine, so used that rather than negotiate many, many fire doors.
Luggage was therefore in two panniers not one. This, and the sheer act of being on a folder, led some new riders to remark on what hard work it must be, 'well dones' on the sprint into Whitstable…well meant words, but (i) It's a road bike, just one that has small wheels and a couple of hinges- oh, and the front one's lighter than whatever you have on your bikes (ii) The engine's the same, he rides a lot, and he (very) thoroughly carb-loaded at the halfway stop thanks to the fine efforts of Mr & Mrs Decker. All those calories were well-used in those seven miles, and not because of wheel size or luggage. Needed to make room for breakfast
As ever for a night ride in a working week, it was a case of all clear-race to station-get on train (other options are, as Sam Goldwyn allegedly said, 'in two words, im possible'). Unlike the last Whitstable ride, I had time enough to make the 2138 rather than hanging about for half an hour. Given the start location, I opted to go straight there rather than Victoria, and that stretch proved a bit of a trudge thanks to roadworks and red lights. Nonetheless, there in plenty of time (or more accurately, outside the pub across the road, where the early arrivals had gathered!). Lovely to see
@iZaP back again after a long, long time (nice bike BTW), and to congratulate the Transcontinental
@frank9755 on his recent exploits.
Jolly good route for the most part. Woolwich variation was a definite improvement on earlier versions. Can't say I enjoyed the canal path much this time- as for Manchester-Morecambe, I was on the wrong bike for that kind of surface, smaller wheels are much more vulnerable to skipping about, but I doubt I've have enjoyed it much on the Litespeed either, frankly. Bad dog! Bad dog! Or more accurately, bad dog owner!
As ever, the stop in Strood made giving to charity a delicious pleasure. What was that fruit cake with the frosting (well, apart from excellent, obviously) ? I put a tenner in the bucket as like others, I have a bird-like appetite. In my case though, it's like that of Big Bird. I always go back for seconds & it only seemed proper to chip in more. Our exit saw a discussion on one of those bizarre (and legally nonsensical) 'Legal Name Fraud' billboards, before I had rather a long waymarking stint on account of the puncture (good call getting the track pump).
Basser Hill defeated me again (not down to the extra weight, it's a slog at the best of times). Once again, Angry Woman of Faversham was missing presumed incoherent. And then, time for the sprint. Early position in the peloton ruled out even a brief challenge for the win, and a whole four minutes slower than my best time for the seven mile stretch. A mere 17.5 mph average though, so not too shabby....Having worked up an appetite, the large Waterfront sated it (for a bit), before heading back into the smoke on the 1028, back into Victoria just before noon. Couldn't check into LSE Bankside until three, so pootled down to Brixton Cycles to find my name on the wall, along with quite a few other familiar ones, before back up to the south bank & a most excellent Italian lunch at
Vapiano- recommended (Tour peeps, branches in Tilburg, Cologne & Aachen...). Into the digs, a couple of hours kip, and then up to Kentish Town & a splendid evening's entertainment from Al Jourgensen & band. Back home after an excellent breakfast this morning.
Splendid job Tim, thanks one and all!
