lazybloke
Considering a new username
- Location
- Leafy Surrey
Assuming I've got the right date, is anyone going London to Shoreham tonight?
I'll be the guy with one Day-Glo yellow pannier.
I'll be the guy with one Day-Glo yellow pannier.
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Shadow
member
- Location
- edge of the south downs
Just eating a bowl of delicious al dente pasta before riding down to the station....at Shoreham! Train to Vic
due in 11.28, over to NFT, see you there.
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
On my way....
robjh
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire - almost Essex
On my way too. Got as far as Stoke Newington so far where I am filling up with Turkish-style calories
OP
OP
lazybloke
Considering a new username
- Location
- Leafy Surrey
Train problems meant I was late to London.
I didn't even get out of Waterloo Station before being accosted by a group of lads who declared lycra to be "grotesque"!
Then a quick dash to the National Theatre, only just in time for the safety talk, then we were off! Almost immediately our path was blocked by traffic standoff at a pinchpoint in Cornwall Street. I suspect the bus driver won that argument!
Then by the Old Vic someone launched a bottle across the street, which smashed into a thousand pieces just as we were cycling past...
These are the problems of any town/city centre on a Friday night; thankfully we weren't inconvenienced and our route south progressed well.
For a couple of miles we even had a musical escort from something that I can only describe as a 12 foot long motorised desk. Probably some kind of cargo bike loaded up with speakers, which made it look very rectangular, both up front and at the back. I didn't look closely at the rider, but I had the impression he was seated 'chair style' rather than 'saddle style'. And his steed was motorised too. Would have liked a closer look!
Had a small fall at Streatham in a very narrow foot tunnel through a railway embankment; I dismounted on sloping ground, stumbled and was suddenly on the ground. Fortunately a zero speed tumble, so no apparent damage.
At some point we emerged at Carshalton Ponds, familiar to me from when I lived in the area in the 90s, as well as from a BHF London to Brighton ride. We stuck with that BHF route for a while, which meant a climb past the "Purple Distraction" to Woodmansterne, then the a bigger climb up How Lane to Chipstead.
We were now at the top of the North Downs, and shrouded with light swirling mist. Those conditions persisted for several miles, sometimes feeling more like drizzle than mist, so we were all rather damp by the halfway stop.
An hour later, and extra layers had to be donned. By now I was starting to feel a bit sore from my earlier tumble, and I especially struggled with the Handcross to Lower Beeding section, but I was as close to Shoreham as to home so no point on abandoning.
By Cowfold I was feeling more normal, and managed to put on a burst of speed for the rest of the ride and into Shoreham-by-sea. I'd opted out of the cafe breakfast, as I needed to be home promptly, so it was straight back on the trains for me.
So in summary a mixed bag of experiences, but ultimately another good Fridays ride; a great mixture of cycling, new route variations, waymarking duties, and catching up with familiar faces. Really must do more of these.
The drunks in London were right about one thing though; lycra isn't the best look!
Edited to add the most important message of all; Many thanks to Jenny, the all-upper, the TECs, the waymakers, plus anyone behind the scenes for all their efforts. Splendid!!!
I didn't even get out of Waterloo Station before being accosted by a group of lads who declared lycra to be "grotesque"!
Then a quick dash to the National Theatre, only just in time for the safety talk, then we were off! Almost immediately our path was blocked by traffic standoff at a pinchpoint in Cornwall Street. I suspect the bus driver won that argument!
Then by the Old Vic someone launched a bottle across the street, which smashed into a thousand pieces just as we were cycling past...
These are the problems of any town/city centre on a Friday night; thankfully we weren't inconvenienced and our route south progressed well.
For a couple of miles we even had a musical escort from something that I can only describe as a 12 foot long motorised desk. Probably some kind of cargo bike loaded up with speakers, which made it look very rectangular, both up front and at the back. I didn't look closely at the rider, but I had the impression he was seated 'chair style' rather than 'saddle style'. And his steed was motorised too. Would have liked a closer look!
Had a small fall at Streatham in a very narrow foot tunnel through a railway embankment; I dismounted on sloping ground, stumbled and was suddenly on the ground. Fortunately a zero speed tumble, so no apparent damage.
At some point we emerged at Carshalton Ponds, familiar to me from when I lived in the area in the 90s, as well as from a BHF London to Brighton ride. We stuck with that BHF route for a while, which meant a climb past the "Purple Distraction" to Woodmansterne, then the a bigger climb up How Lane to Chipstead.
We were now at the top of the North Downs, and shrouded with light swirling mist. Those conditions persisted for several miles, sometimes feeling more like drizzle than mist, so we were all rather damp by the halfway stop.
An hour later, and extra layers had to be donned. By now I was starting to feel a bit sore from my earlier tumble, and I especially struggled with the Handcross to Lower Beeding section, but I was as close to Shoreham as to home so no point on abandoning.
By Cowfold I was feeling more normal, and managed to put on a burst of speed for the rest of the ride and into Shoreham-by-sea. I'd opted out of the cafe breakfast, as I needed to be home promptly, so it was straight back on the trains for me.
So in summary a mixed bag of experiences, but ultimately another good Fridays ride; a great mixture of cycling, new route variations, waymarking duties, and catching up with familiar faces. Really must do more of these.
The drunks in London were right about one thing though; lycra isn't the best look!
Edited to add the most important message of all; Many thanks to Jenny, the all-upper, the TECs, the waymakers, plus anyone behind the scenes for all their efforts. Splendid!!!
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StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Pay no mind. I was tempted to reply to those on Waterloo Bridge who referred to us as 'cycle******s', but frankly the likes of these people just lack the flair to carry it off. And remember the lightweights will be in bed when our night's barely started!
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Jenny's debut as night ride leader. She carried it off with aplomb, though delegated the safety talk to Ross (despite her protestations, I'm sure she'd have nailed it). Back a few months ago, after the Reading ride she'd harboured some doubts. Those proved groundless. Nice one, J! Now, if you could ensure a dry morning with an easterly next time…
But back to the beginning. Praise be, an entirely uneventful post-work trip up. Late shift actually made a few minutes, no distruption to services into Waterloo, service bang on time. Crossed paths with @CharlieB (having his traditional coffee & fag) before we went down to a more-quiet-than-usual NT where a mix of faces old and new awaited. @Mr Orange had fashion competition from Mr Even More Orange (who, along with his friends, rode back to Southampton in the morning..130 miles, chapeau). Usual-ish route down through Kennington and Stockwell 'enlivened' by multiple suicidal ninjas with no situational awareness & aforementioned (illegal, he wasn't pedalling) e-bike sound system. Also with no lights and seemingly nothing much between the ears.
We were following Adam's route from 2019, and he'd managed to find a way south that didn't involve Portnalls Road or Farthing Down but was, still, naturally, lumpy. Adam doesn't do flat and neither does Surrey & Sussex. Not entirely convinced these roads were a better option, but they were different. Some of the new riders were somewhat confused about the 'car up/car down' thing & needed to be reminded about the correct method- for this group at least. I felt obliged to say that calling 'rough road' was entirely unnecessary. We're in Britain, that's a given…
For most of the night, we were enveloped in damp. Not raining, but a thick mist. Not unpleasant, atmospheric for the photos, but damp nonetheless. By the time we got to the scout hut (3.15-3.30ish) I think most were hoping for the dawn to burn it off. Chris and team did their usual exemplary job in catering for us, plus we got gently ribbed about not staying outside. Just after 4.30, we were on our way again. Some of those calories quickly got burnt off, as we headed up Turners Hill. From there, we swung west, through Handross and Lower Beeding, with more sustained lumpiness and some very nasty little rises, then south again, through Partridge Green to Steyning. From there, down to the A27 just north of the airport, across that always-busy crossing, and east through Shoreham. Yes, through Shoreham, our breakfast stop was technically in Southwick. As is Shoreham Power Station (suck it up, pedants!). Jenny had opted to follow the Sustrans route options rather than the A259. In this case, route one was definitely the better option. I've been up and down that stretch enough times to know it's perfectly OK by bike 24/7, and when we did cross the 259 it was very quiet indeed. As it was, the chosen route needed rather a lot of waymarkers and the front of the ride ended up with a bit of a wait to regather the group due to a puncture (only the second of the ride). That, and it was 7.30 and they weren't supposed to be open until 8.00. Jenny had to field multiple calls from waymarkers concerned they'd been left (oh yea of little faith....and many of us have waited longer, in worse places, on these rides).
Regathered, over the awkward pedestrian route over the harbour dry docks and round to Carats, of which I had heard good things. They were right. Friendly efficient service, decent breakfast- not top-notch but more than passable. Gordon and Nigel (@Shadow) had formed a breakaway and already cleaned their plates by the time we got there. Suitably refuelled, I left at about 9.45, intending to ride home. Forecast was 'cloud'. Forecast was wrong. Pace was fine, I'd have been home in a little over three hours, and early conditions were pleasant. Still damp, but nothing more. Bombing along nicely at 12-15 mph average, fatigue not evident. Then it started raining. By the time I got to Littlehampton (where I'd have had to change trains anyway) I was soaked and didn't feel like another two hours plus in that. So a 45 minute wait for the next train west it was.
Thanks everyone, hoping the early forecasts for this Friday are overly pessimistic!
But back to the beginning. Praise be, an entirely uneventful post-work trip up. Late shift actually made a few minutes, no distruption to services into Waterloo, service bang on time. Crossed paths with @CharlieB (having his traditional coffee & fag) before we went down to a more-quiet-than-usual NT where a mix of faces old and new awaited. @Mr Orange had fashion competition from Mr Even More Orange (who, along with his friends, rode back to Southampton in the morning..130 miles, chapeau). Usual-ish route down through Kennington and Stockwell 'enlivened' by multiple suicidal ninjas with no situational awareness & aforementioned (illegal, he wasn't pedalling) e-bike sound system. Also with no lights and seemingly nothing much between the ears.
We were following Adam's route from 2019, and he'd managed to find a way south that didn't involve Portnalls Road or Farthing Down but was, still, naturally, lumpy. Adam doesn't do flat and neither does Surrey & Sussex. Not entirely convinced these roads were a better option, but they were different. Some of the new riders were somewhat confused about the 'car up/car down' thing & needed to be reminded about the correct method- for this group at least. I felt obliged to say that calling 'rough road' was entirely unnecessary. We're in Britain, that's a given…
For most of the night, we were enveloped in damp. Not raining, but a thick mist. Not unpleasant, atmospheric for the photos, but damp nonetheless. By the time we got to the scout hut (3.15-3.30ish) I think most were hoping for the dawn to burn it off. Chris and team did their usual exemplary job in catering for us, plus we got gently ribbed about not staying outside. Just after 4.30, we were on our way again. Some of those calories quickly got burnt off, as we headed up Turners Hill. From there, we swung west, through Handross and Lower Beeding, with more sustained lumpiness and some very nasty little rises, then south again, through Partridge Green to Steyning. From there, down to the A27 just north of the airport, across that always-busy crossing, and east through Shoreham. Yes, through Shoreham, our breakfast stop was technically in Southwick. As is Shoreham Power Station (suck it up, pedants!). Jenny had opted to follow the Sustrans route options rather than the A259. In this case, route one was definitely the better option. I've been up and down that stretch enough times to know it's perfectly OK by bike 24/7, and when we did cross the 259 it was very quiet indeed. As it was, the chosen route needed rather a lot of waymarkers and the front of the ride ended up with a bit of a wait to regather the group due to a puncture (only the second of the ride). That, and it was 7.30 and they weren't supposed to be open until 8.00. Jenny had to field multiple calls from waymarkers concerned they'd been left (oh yea of little faith....and many of us have waited longer, in worse places, on these rides).
Regathered, over the awkward pedestrian route over the harbour dry docks and round to Carats, of which I had heard good things. They were right. Friendly efficient service, decent breakfast- not top-notch but more than passable. Gordon and Nigel (@Shadow) had formed a breakaway and already cleaned their plates by the time we got there. Suitably refuelled, I left at about 9.45, intending to ride home. Forecast was 'cloud'. Forecast was wrong. Pace was fine, I'd have been home in a little over three hours, and early conditions were pleasant. Still damp, but nothing more. Bombing along nicely at 12-15 mph average, fatigue not evident. Then it started raining. By the time I got to Littlehampton (where I'd have had to change trains anyway) I was soaked and didn't feel like another two hours plus in that. So a 45 minute wait for the next train west it was.
Thanks everyone, hoping the early forecasts for this Friday are overly pessimistic!
Great report as always Stu
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
As Gordon put it, 'Car up your a**e, car down your throat'!
robjh
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire - almost Essex
A fantastic ride, a great group of people to cycle through the night with. I've neglected these rides for a couple of years and it was nice to catch up with old friends and talk to new people who, it would be nice to think, may become the regulars of the future. Superb leading debut from Jenny. I enjoyed the new (to me) route down to Burstow. The only shame was the drizzle and low cloud that obscured the South Downs, but even that couldn't dampen* the mood on this fine ride.
*pun intended
Looking forward to 2022 with the Fridays now.
*pun intended
Looking forward to 2022 with the Fridays now.
Shadow
member
- Location
- edge of the south downs
The symmetry of riding the 20+km to Shoreham-by-Sea station, train to London, in order to ride back to Shoreham-by-Sea held much appeal. The sky was clear and as soon as I turned onto the A283 , a large creamy ball was visible in the night sky just above the hedge line. When partially hidden by mature trees, it created an arboreal kaleidoscope effect. A lovely start!
Plenty of peeps at Victoria, much more lively than in july, men in dinner jackets, ladies in short tight bandages, inebriated commuters heading home. A dash along Victoria Street, around Parliament Square, over Westminster Bridge and left to Southbank to meet the 40+ bunch, just in time to sign in with Ride Leader Jenny before the safety session. The warmth revealed many riders with tanned forearms and thighs, unusually on show for late september. The balmy evening obviously encouraged many locals to use the outdoor spaces at various pubs, clubs or hostelries en route out of Town.
Taking CS7, trundling through the suburbs, passing the delightful pond at Carshalton and soon up and over the North Downs. The climb near Chipstead was followed by a super descent that I do not recall from previously, possibly because the road was dry. This was not to last long. Cloud cover increased, the moon merely a small glow, the air felt moist. Droplets were visible in the glare of our lights, yet without becoming a dull drizzle. By Burstow it was noticeably damp as we relished the customary superb service from the Scout group.
Saddles wiped of heavy dew and some having donned various warmer accessories, our Leader led off on her Brommie (B) festooned with multicoloured lights. She was flanked by 2 other B's, plus Mr Orange's B. At some point, I pondered the vision of a Fridays ride being led by 4 Bromptons. There was at least one more, as @CharlieB came on his 'heavy' B. He may well have regretting this well before the top of Turners Hill, where any chilled peep was now cosily warm. There were 2 recumbents, one making his first Fridays outing.
After Lower Beeding, we swiftly took the narrow, winding and rolling Sussex lanes, the sky imperceptibly lightening under the low dank cloud. The group now strung out and waymarking was a contemplative time. No sounds. No buildings. Several lights edging closer spied through hedges. A slightly muffled 'all-up'. Myself and @Gordon P rode on, moving marginally quicker than the TECs. We agreed this was an enchanting time of a Fridays ride - the mist, trees eerily silhouetted beyond the field boundaries, distant dwellings, occasional dog barks, bats flitting frighteningly close to us, we were alone together, yet knowing TECs not far behind and a waymarker would appear at a junction soon.
Fridays' fauna always fascinates; the ubiquitous urban fox near Hackbridge, little birdsong as they prepare for autumn and of course this being the sticks, the sheeps, coos and 'osses. At the roadside, with varying degrees of sadness, the deceased: a pigeon, a badger and a deer.
After Steyning, the short, sharp incline of Annington Hill and roll down to the A27 crossing, made much easier by being surprisingly closed to eastbound traffic. Crossing the River Adur over the wooden ancient toll bridge, we stopped to admire the Shoreham Airshow Crash Memorial. Still, the very low mist shrouded Lancing College chapel perched on the hill, usually visible from afar. Knowing the café would not yet be open, we chose to take a mini-tour of old and new Shoreham town - St Marys church, local flint walls, terraced housing architecture, stall holders setting up for market, stopping on the Adur Ferry bridge, houseboats grounded on the mud due to low tide, RNLI station and lighthouse. Negotiating the footway over the locks, we arrived at Southwick beach where 3 early swimmers were enjoying the calm, flat sea and looking over the Channel was a grey haze, an almost indiscernible horizon between sea and sky. Except for the ghostly outline of a tanker drifting east so slowly it seemed anchored.
Wondering why the front of the peloton had not yet arrived we sat down to order better-than-anticipated breakfast (better than Madeira café, not as good as Lobster Pot) to watch early joggers, a cyclist waiting for a riding pal, dog walkers and 2 surfers. Bizarre that surfers would want to go out on water that was as flat and calm as a flat and calm thing. And folk say we nightriders are mad!
No local bar was open before 10.30 for rehydration, so decided to join @rb for the first part of his SMRbtH, as we rode to the south end of the Downs Link and headed north to Steyning where he carried on northwards and I went west . Back home by 10.30, just as the bar at Carats was opening. Mine is better stocked. Afternoon nap followed by home made pizza in the evening, washed down with a delightful bottle of montepulciano d'abruzzo I missed with my friday night pasta.
Only my second FNR this year, good as ever and nice to ride to Shoreham ending at the coast. Thanks to all.
p.s. hoping someone can post/send a link of the last 5 km, so I can see where the ride should have gone between the toll bridge and the beach!
Plenty of peeps at Victoria, much more lively than in july, men in dinner jackets, ladies in short tight bandages, inebriated commuters heading home. A dash along Victoria Street, around Parliament Square, over Westminster Bridge and left to Southbank to meet the 40+ bunch, just in time to sign in with Ride Leader Jenny before the safety session. The warmth revealed many riders with tanned forearms and thighs, unusually on show for late september. The balmy evening obviously encouraged many locals to use the outdoor spaces at various pubs, clubs or hostelries en route out of Town.
Taking CS7, trundling through the suburbs, passing the delightful pond at Carshalton and soon up and over the North Downs. The climb near Chipstead was followed by a super descent that I do not recall from previously, possibly because the road was dry. This was not to last long. Cloud cover increased, the moon merely a small glow, the air felt moist. Droplets were visible in the glare of our lights, yet without becoming a dull drizzle. By Burstow it was noticeably damp as we relished the customary superb service from the Scout group.
Saddles wiped of heavy dew and some having donned various warmer accessories, our Leader led off on her Brommie (B) festooned with multicoloured lights. She was flanked by 2 other B's, plus Mr Orange's B. At some point, I pondered the vision of a Fridays ride being led by 4 Bromptons. There was at least one more, as @CharlieB came on his 'heavy' B. He may well have regretting this well before the top of Turners Hill, where any chilled peep was now cosily warm. There were 2 recumbents, one making his first Fridays outing.
After Lower Beeding, we swiftly took the narrow, winding and rolling Sussex lanes, the sky imperceptibly lightening under the low dank cloud. The group now strung out and waymarking was a contemplative time. No sounds. No buildings. Several lights edging closer spied through hedges. A slightly muffled 'all-up'. Myself and @Gordon P rode on, moving marginally quicker than the TECs. We agreed this was an enchanting time of a Fridays ride - the mist, trees eerily silhouetted beyond the field boundaries, distant dwellings, occasional dog barks, bats flitting frighteningly close to us, we were alone together, yet knowing TECs not far behind and a waymarker would appear at a junction soon.
Fridays' fauna always fascinates; the ubiquitous urban fox near Hackbridge, little birdsong as they prepare for autumn and of course this being the sticks, the sheeps, coos and 'osses. At the roadside, with varying degrees of sadness, the deceased: a pigeon, a badger and a deer.
After Steyning, the short, sharp incline of Annington Hill and roll down to the A27 crossing, made much easier by being surprisingly closed to eastbound traffic. Crossing the River Adur over the wooden ancient toll bridge, we stopped to admire the Shoreham Airshow Crash Memorial. Still, the very low mist shrouded Lancing College chapel perched on the hill, usually visible from afar. Knowing the café would not yet be open, we chose to take a mini-tour of old and new Shoreham town - St Marys church, local flint walls, terraced housing architecture, stall holders setting up for market, stopping on the Adur Ferry bridge, houseboats grounded on the mud due to low tide, RNLI station and lighthouse. Negotiating the footway over the locks, we arrived at Southwick beach where 3 early swimmers were enjoying the calm, flat sea and looking over the Channel was a grey haze, an almost indiscernible horizon between sea and sky. Except for the ghostly outline of a tanker drifting east so slowly it seemed anchored.
Wondering why the front of the peloton had not yet arrived we sat down to order better-than-anticipated breakfast (better than Madeira café, not as good as Lobster Pot) to watch early joggers, a cyclist waiting for a riding pal, dog walkers and 2 surfers. Bizarre that surfers would want to go out on water that was as flat and calm as a flat and calm thing. And folk say we nightriders are mad!
No local bar was open before 10.30 for rehydration, so decided to join @rb for the first part of his SMRbtH, as we rode to the south end of the Downs Link and headed north to Steyning where he carried on northwards and I went west . Back home by 10.30, just as the bar at Carats was opening. Mine is better stocked. Afternoon nap followed by home made pizza in the evening, washed down with a delightful bottle of montepulciano d'abruzzo I missed with my friday night pasta.
Only my second FNR this year, good as ever and nice to ride to Shoreham ending at the coast. Thanks to all.
p.s. hoping someone can post/send a link of the last 5 km, so I can see where the ride should have gone between the toll bridge and the beach!
The back of the peloton discovered that what looked like a potential brawl was actually some yoof batting for The Fridays and seeing off the Young American who had nonchalantly tossed a glass at the front group....
Oh come on - where's the romance of being obscure?!!
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Lovely report @Shadow and I enjoyed our last stretch together.
This shows what Jenny intended... https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36695562
