FNRttC syndication

[dellzeqq]

Liverpool to Llandudno.

not a bad thought. Frequent trains from Llandudno Junction to Chester. Colwyn Bay's not entirely awful, either - well, except for the fact that the DfT decided to build a motorway slap through it...........

 

[Crackle]

not a bad thought. Frequent trains from Llandudno Junction to Chester. Colwyn Bay's not entirely awful, either - well, except for the fact that the DfT decided to build a motorway slap through it...........

The big fly in the ointment would be permission to use the Birkenhead tunnel but cycling events do go through it, so it's not totally alien to them. The rest I don't know. It just suddenly occurred to me as having some of the right things going for it.

 

[dellzeqq]

I agree Dell, I like Cleethorpes and in fact my dad liked it so much he was born there! It was more a reference to the No2 Refreshment Rooms at the train station where the residents of Top-Town were already taking an early brunch when we arrived.

well Mike E and I shared beers with those same locals when we went there, and we thought ourselves blessed. But, then again, neither of us have the kind of airs and graces that might raise a bit of autochthonous dander.

 

[theclaud]

well Mike E and I shared beers with those same locals when we went there, and we thought ourselves blessed. But, then again, neither of us have the kind of airs and graces that might raise a bit of autochthonous dander.

Not that I'm casting aspersions on your charms or Mike E's, but if this is the case then I'll put money on them not being exactly those same locals...

 

[theclaud]

The big fly in the ointment would be permission to use the Birkenhead tunnel but cycling events do go through it, so it's not totally alien to them. The rest I don't know. It just suddenly occurred to me as having some of the right things going for it.

Including this!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Not that I'm casting aspersions on your charms or Mike E's, but if this is the case then I'll put money on them not being exactly those same locals...

I think the lady that was due before The Beak raised an autochthonous dander when she broke that woman's jaw.

 

[StuAff]

There remain interesting and varied possibilities in the south east. A mere 75 miles or so from HPC with not too much climbing, there a city with such attractions as a fine example of high-rise modern architecture & a well-worn football stadium, and the opportunity not only to have breakfast in a mere cafe, but a castle no less. And with frequent services to Victoria, Waterloo, and both west and eastwards.
I'm not getting my hopes up.....

 

[Crackle]

You can cycle through the Quensway tunnel after 8.00pm. They say no cycling through the Kingsway tunnel but if you were escorted, which appears to cost £15, they might allow it. Anyway it seems doable, whether the rest is, is another matter.

 

[srw]

So Bicester to Severn Beach isn't really grabbing you, then?

Courtesy of Bicester village, a fine Tescos and Jones the Winemerchants, Bicester has better upmarket shopping than anywhere in the Southeast outside London - it's a metaphorical Mecca for every Saudi princeling and Japanese Shogunette that visits the UK. It has a one-way system with no logic to it, fine old buildings that have been comprehensively trashed by modern retail development, acres and acres of shoe-box jerry-built housing estates, a pedestrian precinct with concrete sheep and two railway stations on different lines. What more does an upstanding civic centre of some importance need?

How about (and this has just popped into my head, so I have not thought it through at all) Glasgow/Edinburgh to Ardrossan? What's at Ardrossan, I hear you ask... it is a ferry port - destination Brodick on Arran. First ferry 7am (I did check that much). Or you could go to one of the other islands - Bute, maybe? Ardrossan is good because there are plenty of trains (I think...)

Did I mention Rothesay, on Bute, by any chance? Ardrossan is pretty and has a nice beach (though I didn't see chips and beer), but it's not exactly a challenging ride from Glasgow.

 

[Aperitif]

There remain interesting and varied possibilities in the south east. A mere 75 miles or so from HPC with not too much climbing, there a city with such attractions as a fine example of high-rise modern architecture & a well-worn football stadium, and the opportunity not only to have breakfast in a mere cafe, but a castle no less. And with frequent services to Victoria, Waterloo, and both west and eastwards.
I'm not getting my hopes up.....

What would you know, Stu...you're never there!

All the 'new startinations' should be rideable in reasonable time from London! Cleethorpes - rough pending justice. Blackpool - Frank, Adrian, Mick and self were cosseted by a woman who was proud of her ASBO for being pissed in charge of a pram. Can Liverpool offer better? Tooting Bec last month was a bit of a shocker for thug outside pub...someone needs to write a book, 3BM - a ply yourself!

 

[Aperitif]

Lots of riders have commented "Bicesters a rat" after an FNRttC...

 

[User169]

Shame that Oban didn't make the cut as the very short midsummer nights up there make for something a bit different and the roads are very quiet, but I expect the logistics might have been challenging.

But, if suggestions are wanted, I think that the one that is crying out to be done is Bruges. Ride to Harwich, then the ferry to Hoek is, in my opinion, the least unpleasant form of ex-UK international travel. They even have decent food! Its then about 130km to Bruges, which is a great destination with quality beer aplenty to wash down the moules frites!

To come home, there is an easy connection to the Eurostar, or, for the ride-backers, pedal to Oostende or Calais and get the ferry.

There are plenty of variations - obviously Amsterdam if people don't mind flying home or Gent spring to mind. Brussels would be good but unfortunately it's a bit shite.

I've ridden from Hoek-Amsterdam, and a fair bit around Bruges, and it is all wonderful cycling of the pancake flat[sup]™[/sup] variety.

The only issue is that I think it would work best as a day ride from London, an overnight ferry, then a day ride from Hoek to Bruges, so not much night riding! But maybe the day ferry would work too...?

Doing Hoek-Brugge (or vice versa) overnight would take a bit of careful timing with the ferries if using the most obvious route. On the other hand, the Delta Works are pretty impressive if civil engineering is your thing. Cycling over this is pretty cool...

Might well try it as an overnighter myself!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

someone needs to write a book, 3BM - a ply yourself!

If I wasn't 3 sheets I wood. And I could write.

 

[dellzeqq]

There remain interesting and varied possibilities in the south east. A mere 75 miles or so from HPC with not too much climbing, there a city with such attractions as a fine example of high-rise modern architecture & a well-worn football stadium, and the opportunity not only to have breakfast in a mere cafe, but a castle no less. And with frequent services to Victoria, Waterloo, and both west and eastwards.
I'm not getting my hopes up.....

Hummers has been on at me to go to Portsmouth for years.

1. Portsmouth is not the seaside
2. whichever way you slice it, the last ten miles are dull
3. The Sail is not architecture.
4. In all seriousness, it's a long way when Bognor is just down the road, and such a nice ride. Granted the 'old A3' has its charms, but it's more suited to a SuperSpeedy than the standard format.

 

[dellzeqq]

Courtesy of Bicester village, a fine Tescos and Jones the Winemerchants, Bicester has better upmarket shopping than anywhere in the Southeast outside London - it's a metaphorical Mecca for every Saudi princeling and Japanese Shogunette that visits the UK. It has a one-way system with no logic to it, fine old buildings that have been comprehensively trashed by modern retail development, acres and acres of shoe-box jerry-built housing estates, a pedestrian precinct with concrete sheep and two railway stations on different lines. What more does an upstanding civic centre of some importance need?

fewer fights on a Saturday night?

Did I mention Rothesay, on Bute, by any chance? Ardrossan is pretty and has a nice beach (though I didn't see chips and beer), but it's not exactly a challenging ride from Glasgow.

you did, and you were not alone, but it's not quite hitting that Oban button. And, now I start to concentrate a bit, rather than dream, Edinburgh to Dundee looks a better bet.