Brighton with the old cars - Sunday November 6 - honk honk

[Mark Grant]

I was asked 'Is it pedal powered?'

 

[Blue Hills]

Every one is in a great mood, car drivers and cyclists alike.

I stuck with Arallsops velomobile all the way to Brighton, keeping station and testing myself trying to keep up. Boy, does that thing shift.

If you haven't done this ride, then put it in your calender for next year. I think the estimate was that there was about 50 cyclists at Croydon. Not bad at all.

Yep, the best demonstration of share the road I know. I found the velomobile almost spooky as it whoosed by - last I saw of it was just after Paese Pottage Services.

Tom Crispin's party of 13 hit the pier at 3:30 - a bunch which included a 10 and 12 year old as well as two 15 year olds.

A lot of us did an extended stop in South Croydon to let the vets past which gave us a really good ride in the midst of the field.

Thanks to all for coming.

We bumped into some chaps from Pollards Hill Cyclists at Ansty - they are regulars as I eventually realised who they were - they left East Croydon a bit earlier than us I think - their informal leader (everything's pretty informal on this ride) described it as the best cycle ride of the year.

Thanks to everyone for coming.

To next year - first Sunday of November.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Despite all my "ifs" mentioned earlier, I did manage to turn out for this one!

However, due to a combination of late running trains, I didn't actually get to East Croydon until about 08.40. So, as I knew everyone else would have set off earlier, I simply set off at a rapid pace, following my GPS due south. I thought I'd soon catch the others up, but despite going into speedy mode, I only saw a couple of other cyclists before the half way point. I did however stop off in Redhill when I thought I saw a load of Messerschmitts:-

For a lot of the journey, I was following this splendid car:-

I spotted TC1 popping into Asda in Crawley, and met up with Ian, Andy & his incredible cycling machine

plus Tim & Annie on their Pino and few others The mystery of the missing cyclists was solved after about 30 minutes when lots more appeared, as it seems they didn't initially go south from Croydon. Although I guess that's understandable with the one-way system.

It really was amazing seeing the complete contrast of innovation and direction taken by 100 year old cars:-

Although there weren't just the vintage cars there:-

On the way, there was a Caterham 7 rally, and quite a few other rare vehicles zooming around. Although as was to be expected, the further south we went, the greater the number of vehicles stopping for a mechanical. Although when the engine looks like this

instead of a mass of electronics, it's probably much simpler to repair - I did spot one guy with a blowtorch working on the underside of one car.

Anyway, after a quick dash along the cycle path, it was along the front to the Madeira for fish & chips. It seemed weird to see so many people around in Brighton.

A very good day out, and the rest of my photos are shown here.

 

[zigzag]

I stuck with Arallsops velomobile all the way to Brighton, keeping station and testing myself trying to keep up. Boy, does that thing shift.

a fun day out and a shame i couldn't come. those velomobiles are a work of a devil - the speed difference on the flats and downhill is phenominal (we were intimidated by a few during pbp). glad to hear it reached bromley safely, barring mechanicals . i hope it's not too costly to fix it.

 

[Mista Preston]

Nice Pic in today's Metro... ( is that a CCer? )

Thanks Becs for spotting it !

 

[Davywalnuts]

Wot wot wot is that.. ahem.... pedal powered contraption???

Is it wide enough for thighs like mine?

And... is it rain proof?? Silly question maybe, but the internal spray?? I could imagine it like going down a water slide.....

 

[arallsopp]

Wot wot wot is that.. ahem.... pedal powered contraption???

Its a velomobile, dear boy, and yes, pedal powered.

Is it wide enough for thighs like mine?

No. Actually, quite seriously, no. The current one affords me a good 2mm either side.

And... is it rain proof?? Silly question maybe, but the internal spray?? I could imagine it like going down a water slide.....

Monocoque, with wheels on the outside. I'm cocooned. Come rain, or shine, I'm a sweaty wreck.

 

[dellzeqq]

This brings to mind the time The Kid came home about three in the morning. She'd called to say she had no money for a taxi, and could we meet her at the door with the cash. All went to plan. Except that she had her mum's £450 handbag with her.

All I'm saying, Andy, is that it's just a matter of time............

 

[clarion]

Marvellous ride. I very much enjoyed the way everyone seemed to be able to share the road happily for just one day (with the exception of the Clio driver, who zoomed past shouting 'Why aren't you on the cycle path?' As he didn't get far, the next time we passed him, I quietly asked, 'Why aren't you on the motorway?').

It did get pretty smoky a couple of times, and I'm glad I was carrying my Ventolin, but that wasn't too much of a problem. I was impressed with the three guys I saw on Ordinaries, at least one of whom had ridden from London. I think I shall have to get a period Safety to do a future ride (even if it does mean pushing it up the hills).

Tea and chips at the Madeira with the wonderful Adrian was a great way to finish. It was the second time ever I'd ridden to Brighton (and the second within a month), the furthest our friend had ever ridden, and the longest ride I've ever managed on my lovely Woodrup.

Can't wait for the commercials ride next...

 

[Tim Hall]

A lovely day out for me and Mrs. Hall

Got to Crawley a bit on the early side (much to the annoyance of Mrs. Hall), then had a call from dellz to say they were at Hooley. We went back home to grab a better pair of gloves and do some microfettling of the head set. Then back down town to find the Scouts weren't selling Bread Pudding, so bacon butties were substituted.

We bimbled to the south end of the High Street to find ianrauk, arallsopp, TimO, jane and others. Blimey, the arallsopp machine is a thing of beauty and wonderment. I directed people to the coffee shop. Dellz, The Babe and Adrian arrived and promptly hid in Asda. The lovely Mrs. arallsopp appeared with two small arallsopps, who were slightly shy at first but as charming as can be.

Then we were off, and I immediately unshipped the chain, as the peloton shot through the lights. We then sort of leapfrogged our way southwards, making and losing contact with various riders, getting a good turn of speed thanks to the friendly tailwind.

Brighton, Madiera cafe, fish n chips, chatter, met Ham, helped the smaller junior arallsopp with her car (which seemed to have cloned number plates) and drink. Then off to Falmer to visit a friend and home via Her Majesty's Railways.

 

[TimO]

... It was the second time ever I'd ridden to Brighton (and the second within a month), ...

Can't wait for the commercials ride next...

Why wait that long, someone will quite possibly organise another Definitely-Not-The-FNRttC ride in the slightly nippier months of the year, before next years rides start up.

Last year it wasn't too cold in January, although we went to Bognor, not Brighton.

You've got some studded tyres now, so even a little bit of ice or snow shouldn't stop you.

(...although I'm not sure about riding Vince, the snow bike, that far. He's rather heavy!)

 

[Tim Hall]

I was asked 'Is it pedal powered?'

I was asked "Can you move it? It's blocking the gangway and people have to get through" by the charming broom wielder at the Madeira Cafe.

 

[User10571]

I was asked "Can you move it? It's blocking the gangway and people have to get through" by the charming broom wielder at the Madeira Cafe.

You don't ...... don't ...mean Chair and Table Man, do you?

 

[User10571]

The very same.

... ssshhhhudddderrrr....

 

[User10571]

Just think of it as performance art

From a dark, dark place....