recce ride to Brighton
- Thread starter dellzeqq
- Start date
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MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
dellzeqq said:
no way Dell, you don't get away with that, do I have to resort to death threats again?
I was just having my breakfast...
It was a dark night. No moon. Overcast. The air was thick with moisture. The tarmac was waterlogged. We went down roads that were narrow, had no white lines and were completely overshadowed by trees - for mile after mile after mile. The last 24 miles took about 2 hrs 10 and we were pushing it - Davy just went off the edge of the road on a downhill and cartwheeled on to the grass - he just couldn't see. When I was ahead I just looked for stuff at each side and steered for the middle. When Davy was ahead I just followed the reflection of his rear light on the tarmac. There were ups, downs, bends, deer jumping in front of us...great stuff.
There's a one in seven downhill which we did in bottom gear and on the brakes - because, on the other side of the river, there was a one in seven up hill covered in water. I've just looked at my brake blocks - they're gone. And the rears were only a couple of weeks old.
So we have to think this through - are we going to just head for the B2036, or will dry roads and moonlight make it a sensible thing to do?
And this, by the way, was without the Lamb's Green diversion with its two metre wide roads, potholes and loose stuff - Lonesome Lane was dark enough, and, by the time we got to Horley any thought of doing the Gatwick to Faygate section on anything other than the dual carriageways was well and truly offed.
It was a dark night. No moon. Overcast. The air was thick with moisture. The tarmac was waterlogged. We went down roads that were narrow, had no white lines and were completely overshadowed by trees - for mile after mile after mile. The last 24 miles took about 2 hrs 10 and we were pushing it - Davy just went off the edge of the road on a downhill and cartwheeled on to the grass - he just couldn't see. When I was ahead I just looked for stuff at each side and steered for the middle. When Davy was ahead I just followed the reflection of his rear light on the tarmac. There were ups, downs, bends, deer jumping in front of us...great stuff.
There's a one in seven downhill which we did in bottom gear and on the brakes - because, on the other side of the river, there was a one in seven up hill covered in water. I've just looked at my brake blocks - they're gone. And the rears were only a couple of weeks old.
So we have to think this through - are we going to just head for the B2036, or will dry roads and moonlight make it a sensible thing to do?
And this, by the way, was without the Lamb's Green diversion with its two metre wide roads, potholes and loose stuff - Lonesome Lane was dark enough, and, by the time we got to Horley any thought of doing the Gatwick to Faygate section on anything other than the dual carriageways was well and truly offed.
MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
dellzeqq said:
Strange I was under the impression that it wasn't possible to move slower than Davy going uphill?
Thanks for the report, having reviewed in detail we'll leave it up to you as usual
I am so liking the sound of the new adventurous route + with lots of people the road might end up been lit a little better. It's the last ride of the 2009 season so it only seems right to go out with a bang, also we shouldn't make the entire decision on whether to ride it or not based on Davy's bike handling skills...
He'll no doubt be struggling to concentrate anyway, too busy "chatting" to the +4's...
He'll no doubt be struggling to concentrate anyway, too busy "chatting" to the +4's...
mike e said:I am so liking the sound of the new adventurous route + with lots of people the road might end up been lit a little better. It's the last ride of the 2009 season so it only seems right to go out with a bang, also we shouldn't make the entire decision on whether to ride it or not based on Davy's bike handling skills...
He'll no doubt be struggling to concentrate anyway, too busy "chatting" to the +4's...
Is that why he crashed last night? Practising his lines?
And if that fails going for the sympathy vote
I had two Cateye EL-530s. It was the first time they'd been found wantingBollo said:
I was thinking of leaving my big light at home for the 27th, but now I'm not sure. Was it just a lack of Wattage or was the moisture in the air whiting everything out?
Davywalnuts
Chief Kebab Taster
- Location
- Staines!
wey hey!
finally home!
well, i must admit that was an excellant ride, really was! hard work, determination, grit n skill all came into what would say has been one of my favourite rides! even when i decided to have a mud bath i found it fun! yes, i am bruised battered n bloody but it hasn't dampened my spirit at all!
can't wait now for the real thing!
for now, am off too bed, 125 very hard miles has taken it out of me and my poor zebra!
finally home!
well, i must admit that was an excellant ride, really was! hard work, determination, grit n skill all came into what would say has been one of my favourite rides! even when i decided to have a mud bath i found it fun! yes, i am bruised battered n bloody but it hasn't dampened my spirit at all!
can't wait now for the real thing!
for now, am off too bed, 125 very hard miles has taken it out of me and my poor zebra!
BigonaBianchi
Yes I can, Yes I am, Yes I did...Repeat.
- Location
- Iskele TRNC & Mordor UK
..all the best peeps grew up there
