CycleChat Ride - 2 May - Manningtree/Colchester/Tiptree (i.e. north-east Essex)

[Aperitif]

Sorry to hear you can't make it, Rabbitfood. Perhaps some other time!

Hare hare!

 

[Auntie Helen]

With those last two puns, 'Tif, I think I may have to have a lie-down in a darkened room.

 

[MacB]

Disaster, crisis, what can I do???? Just rang up to buy train ticket and book bike on Ilford to Manningtree 0842 Saturday morning.

Guy told me there were no tickets available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not for bikes just for passengers, he says all trains, ALL DAY, are fully booked.........can this be right??????????

 

[Sig SilverPrinter]

Disaster, crisis, what can I do???? Just rang up to buy train ticket and book bike on Ilford to Manningtree 0842 Saturday morning.

Guy told me there were no tickets available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not for bikes just for passengers, he says all trains, ALL DAY, are fully booked.........can this be right??????????

WHAT
I'll try and check tonight at Romford when I go home

 

[ChrisKH]

So... attendee list is as follows:

Current list of people intending to attend is:
User1314
Stevevw
FatFellaFromFelixstowe
Auntie Helen
TheDoctor
SigSilverprinter
Arallsopp (who is talking about cycling there and back )
ilovebikes (who is talking about cycling there and back )
Aperitif (who is talking about cycling there and back )
Burak
Topcat1
MacBludgeon (who is talking about cycling there and back )
redjedi
Uncle James (probably for part of the ride, not the whole thing)

Possibles
Dellzeqq
Wowbagger (possibly on tandem, from YACF)
User10571 (from YACF)
Delthebike (from YACF)
Lynn Knight (from Bromley Cyclists)

(I keep the list updated on the first post in this thread)

<sob> I am deeply hurt I'm not on the list <sob>

 

[stevevw]

Helen
BOAB not coming? He had a better offer of a err Lay in for the Herts ride. What's the excuse this time?

 

[Sig SilverPrinter]

Disaster, crisis, what can I do???? Just rang up to buy train ticket and book bike on Ilford to Manningtree 0842 Saturday morning.

Guy told me there were no tickets available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not for bikes just for passengers, he says all trains, ALL DAY, are fully booked.........can this be right??????????

right i've just looked trains running from ilford seem to be intercity to norwhich where you have to reserve bike space and it looks like you change trains
there are trains from romford[ but i'm sure they also start at ilford ]that go to harwich international that i don't think you need to book
i will check tonight.
if you are right then its a train to benfleet meet up with ChrsKH then 46 mile cycle to manningtree

 

[redjedi]

WHAT
I'll try and check tonight at Romford when I go home

Both the stations are on the same line so it may not make much difference.

Have you already booked your tickets?

I'll give them a try at lunch time, see if I can get any information.

 

[Sig SilverPrinter]

Both the stations are on the same line so it amy not make much difference.

Have you already booked your tickets?

I'll give them a try at lunch time, see if I can get any information.

I know both are on the same line what i mean is some are intercity trains
some are not and they have different policies i didn't think about booking tickets my local station is romford so i'll ask on the way home

 

[Aperitif]

...someone mention trains..?

 

[MacB]

Panic over folks, sorry, I looked at booking the same ticket online and no problem. So I rang National Express again and the lady I spoke to apologised for the misinformation. It is a non-bookable service, ie you can't reserve a seat, so it appears as non-bookable on their system. The guy I spoke to earlier must have been new and thought this meant the trains were full. You also can't reserve a bike space so just turn up and go, £18.40 super day return.

As said I'm aiming for the 0842, if I get on great, but there are 3 trains after that which will still get me to the ride on time. Usual belt and braces approach from me.

Red, unless Aperitif advises me otherwise, I'll be cycling through London from Staines up to HPC. Then down to Victoria embankment and along past Blackfriars. Wending up the A211 Minories to join the A11 by Aldgate. Along A11 til I can join the A118 Romford Road which should take me all the way to Ilford Station.

I'm planning on leaving home at about 0415 which allows 4.5hours for the 45 miles. Should give me time for rests and mooching/eating at Ilford before the train leaves. I'll pm you my mobile if you want to hook up anywhere along the route....cheer.....Al

 

[ChrisKH]

right i've just looked trains running from ilford seem to be intercity to norwhich where you have to reserve bike space and it looks like you change trains
there are trains from romford[ but i'm sure they also start at ilford ]that go to harwich international that i don't think you need to book
i will check tonight.
if you are right then its a train to benfleet meet up with ChrsKH then 46 mile cycle to manningtree

Can't we sleep on Auntie H's yacht the night before?

I could ferry four bikes from the Kent/London/Essex vicinity to Auntie H's the night before if this is possible, if there is room and it removes any bike-train problems for Saturday. Just a thought.

I can't get the car for Saturday unfortunately, otherwise I would ferry them on the day.

 

[redjedi]

...someone mention trains..?

No! Nothing to see here, move along.

Are you still planning on cycling the whole way?

A round trip of over 200 miles, you may even break a sweat

 

[MacB]

...someone mention trains..?

you have an illness, I advise seeking immediate medical attention.

Alternatively meet me at the Clockhouse Rdb in Staines, in the early hours, and shepherd me across London If you get on the train I promise I'll try the cycle back with you.

 

[Auntie Helen]

Can't we sleep on Auntie H's yacht the night before?

I could ferry four bikes from the Kent/London/Essex vicinity to Auntie H's the night before if this is possible, if there is room and it removes any bike-train problems for Saturday. Just a thought.

Nice try but Uncle James would never go for it!