HS2 - not so high speed ride to Banbury - Sat. 6th April

[Davywalnuts]

I had a look at the prices, Ross, and it seems on the day quite expensive. I didn't look at groupsave options however. But in advance maybe a good idea.. then again, Mr FD knows more about trains and booking than I do so you might get a better response..

 

[CharlieB]

I had a look at the prices, Ross, and it seems on the day quite expensive. I didn't look at groupsave options however. But in advance maybe a good idea.. then again, Mr FD knows more about trains and booking than I do so you might get a better response..

Stick with me and my Network Card again, if we can't make a GroupSave, Davy.

 

[Flying Dodo]

I decided to run the ride in this direction, to avoid arriving back in London with all the traffic, as the last 20-30 miles would be grotty, worse than previous rides I've done from Loughborough or Northampton. This way, we get out of London before most of it is awake! The problem with going this direction though is that I can't be sure when we're going to arrive, so I wouldn't recommend getting a specific timed train.

With a Network Railcard, the standard fare is £18.10. If you book a particular train now, they can be had for £6, although the closer to the day and also as they sell more of the cheap seats, the more the price goes up. In fact for departures after 6 pm, they're currently £9 - £15. I'd think though we'll be able to get just as good savings by going for a GroupSave.

So only multiples of 4 can go on the ride.

 

[StuAff]

Just had a look- looks like working out the best option for me will be complicated (Banbury-Pompey service options the planner gives are via Reading or Southampton, so need to work out price and timing of the various options rather carefully). No change there then....

 

[Davywalnuts]

Stick with me and my Network Card again, if we can't make a GroupSave, Davy.

Cheers Charlie, that would be great again.. but I cant go all the way to the finish on this one am afraid. Beer and scantily clad women will be calling me of the evening that night so one must be fresh faced and looking dapper... not bloated and covered in oil...

 

[rb58]

Cheers Charlie, that would be great again.. but I cant go all the way to the finish on this one am afraid. Beer and scantily clad women will be calling me of the evening that night so one must be fresh faced and looking dapper... not bloated and covered in oil...

Oi! What's wrong with being bloated and covered in oil? That's my normal state.

 

[bobcolover]

do i need to register for this; or can i just turn up at euston if the weather is ok and my domestic arrangements allow it?
bob c
recumbent rider

 

[rb58]

Sorry Adam, I'm not going to be able to do this - I'm going to need to be home a little earlier than I think I will be if I come along. Sorry.

 

[Flying Dodo]

do i need to register for this; or can i just turn up at euston if the weather is ok and my domestic arrangements allow it?
bob c
recumbent rider

All are welcome*, and sorry others can't make it.


*Assuming we're not all snowed in, of course.

 

[jayonabike]

Myself +1 will be getting the 7.35 train into Euston for 8.09 (just enough time to grab a coffee before the off). Adam, I have P.M'd you my mobile number, could I have yours?

 

[StuAff]

As posted upthread, I had to work out the cheapest way to London and back from Banbury through careful perusal of the various options (return to London & Groupsave from Banbury-London, single to London then single from Banbury, either via London or not....) and it transpires the simplest way is a return from Pompey to Banbury via London (no through fare on the allegedly faster not-London options). Anyone would think TOCs wanted people to avoid buying cheaper tickets

 

[TimO]

After a not terribly good showing on last Thursday's FNRttC, I'm slight;y nervous about this ride. Another forty miles yesterday made one of my calfs a little tight, but we won't be doing this one at night, and the weather is forecast to be a little bit warmer, so hopefully that'll make all the difference!

The last time I did a ride of this sort of distance (ignoring a couple of superspeedy FNRttCs), I was using the Kaffenback, which is quite a bit heavier than Red, so I ought to have an easier time on the uphill bits.

 

[Flying Dodo]

I did 70 miles today as a recce of part of the route. The cold headwind was a real pain on the home bound section, so if it's due to be warmer, that will be good. More good news is that I've cut the ride down to about 83 miles. I'll post a link for the revised GPX in the next day or so.

 

[StuAff]

More good news is that I've cut the ride down to about 83 miles.

This is not good news if one was planning to get their imperial century for this month out of the way.....

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

count me out, rock climbing instead