The Fridays Tour de Normandie 2015

[fimm]

Is that an invitation? If so, thank you, but I have my holidays booked for this year (I'm also at the wrong end of the country, and although I think going on holiday with a bunch of people off the internet would be fun, I don't think I could convince my wonderful boyfriend...)

 

[velovoice]

I remember talking with somebody at some point this past weekend about bells that can be fitted to road bikes -- as recommended by @mmmmartin for all the Low Countries cycle paths we'll be on in September. Who was that?
Here are the drop bar Crane bells I was telling <insert name> about. I have the top cap mount version on my Surly Cross Check commuter and it is easy to reach and use. There are also versions for mounting on the head tube (as a spacer substitute) or handlebar (if you've got or can make space*). Only downside is, occasionally when setting off, my waist strap of my rucksack catches on the striker. (Not a problem of course when not wearing the rucksack!)

* Speaking of bar space... I also recall talking with @wanda2010 on the ferry home about how to create more space on narrow drop bars. I use this on my Enigma and this on my Puch (shown fitted here). The first is probably the more useful option for touring and still leaves room for a handlebar bag, even with cross top brake levers as also discussed. Unless of course you've got steering tube height above your stem, in which case the second one could be mounted so that it sits above everything else (not an option for me).

 

[redfalo]

.... going on holiday with a bunch of people off the internet...

really funny to see how The Fridays appear to an outsider somebody not yet familiar with its magic.

 

[martint235]

I wonder if that's part of the problem. When I started riding to the coast on a Friday night, back in 2011 or it may have been 2010,there weren't any outsiders. There were just people we hadn't met yet who hadn't discovered the pleasure of staying up all night.

This is just an observation not a criticism of anyone. Even though I joined the Friday's when the club formed, even I sometimes feel intimidated by what it has become.

 

[velovoice]

The only changes I'm aware of are: we now pay £2/year and we have proper insurance.
Looking ahead, it may be that we have more day rides and fewer night rides.
But it's the same people (except a few people like you @martint235 aren't around as much, which is a shame) and the same vibe = rolling house party.

 

[martint235]

The only changes I'm aware of are: we now pay £2/year and we have proper insurance.
Looking ahead, it may be that we have more day rides and fewer night rides.
But it's the same people (except a few people like you @martint235 aren't around as much, which is a shame) and the same vibe = rolling house party.

Again no criticism intended, I think an incredibly good idea has evolved, developed and changed into something it wasn't. I don't think the vibe is what it was. I can't put my finger on it and describe what has changed but it has. I've made many, many friends from riding to the coast in the middle of the night and gained so many fantastic memories. But what was "Hey, you fancy a laugh and breakfast in Brighton" has turned into "Do you really want to ride through the night and screw up your weekend".

It might be me. And I must admit I lost my mojo for quite a while there. But I'm back now and the Fridays just doesn't seem the same.

 

[velovoice]

Again no criticism intended, I think an incredibly good idea has evolved, developed and changed into something it wasn't. I don't think the vibe is what it was. I can't put my finger on it and describe what has changed but it has..... But what was "Hey, you fancy a laugh and breakfast in Brighton" has turned into "Do you really want to ride through the night and screw up your weekend".

It might be me.

Sounds like you answered your own question.

I'm back now and the Fridays just doesn't seem the same.

Yep: day rides don't screw up your weekend - but you still have to plan for them.

 

[redfalo]

Intimidated? Oh dear . Do you mean too many lycra warriors?

Guys like these?

 

[martint235]

That's the thing though, I've got night rides coming up but they are rides I'm looking forward to . The difference is they aren't FNRttC.

I think you have to accept that it's a changed beast. It may still be me but I'm not the only one to have stopped riding them

 

[frank9755]

Martin is right: things change and people change.
I've certainly changed plenty since Brighton in Feb 2010. Simon's changed too. So it's not suprising that Friday night rides aren't the same as they were.
Was there a golden era? Maybe, but probably not the same era for all.
All I know for certain is that the trip around Normandy was really great fun: with my favourite group of random people from the internet!

 

[martint235]

Frank, as ever what I was aiming for but much better explained

Like many people, I owe an incredible amount to the FNRttC. 5 years ago if you'd told me I'd ride past Gatwick on a bike, I'd have laughed at you. If you said there was such a thing as LEL I'd have asked for you to be locked up. I have in no way repaid that debt but I have encouraged people who could go no further. I've cajoled people over Ditchling. I've ridden behind people who would otherwise be demoralised by being the back.

I'm not saying the Friday's are no more, just that it's changed. There shouldn't be "outsiders" though

 

[User10571]

Cycling with the Fridays is always magic - even in plain daylight, and especially if it's a tour. This one was no exception whatsoever. Great company, a meticulously planned route, benign weather. Time flew by, and at the same time on day 2 it already felt like we had been on the road for at least a week. Kat also loved it. What a blast - I'm already looking forward to the Lowlands, as well as @Trickedem's July 18 night ride to Whitstable. I'll also try to organise another Brighton night ride after the summer break, probably in late September or early October.

As only Strava premium members can download GPS tracks, I've uploaded the whole route here. Note that the route to Brix may be different than what you did, as Kat and I rode there on Friday night on our own. On the last day, you rode a different route after the ferry, when we were sorting out @mmmmartin 's tyre issues.

That's a million to @dellzeqq !

Here are some photos. (more here: https://plus.google.com/photos/1012...101258385711830372076&authkey=CMyM1fjNzY7bjgE)

Job done - the ferry zuchtmeister.

Man on a mission

@dellzeqq asked me to take a good photo of the tiger at the Bruce Castle in Brix. I was in two minds which one to focus on, though.

Hinge and bracket

"I wish you could see the bridge opening!"

Some excellent images there, Olaf

 

[redfalo]

I'm not saying the Friday's are no more, just that it's changed. There shouldn't be "outsiders" though

Bad wording from my side - "people not yet familiar with the Fridays' magic" would have been the far better expression.

 

[velovoice]

Getting (slightly) back on topic...
I am starting to put together my "ride report" over on my blog. I'm doing it day by day as otherwise it would take all day to do!
Here's Friday's doings.
I'll try to get Saturday's (a lot more interesting!) done tomorrow night.

 

[anothersam]

Good heavens! How many people?!!!

31. Counted every morning.

Yes, but are they always emerging from the same bedrooms? Am keeping fingers crossed for a saucy sexcapades 'ride report', as cycling isn't the only continental pleasure…