FNRttC to Brighton 13th May 2011

[theclaud]

 

[Shadow]

Since bognor my shoulders are slowly recovering and should be ok for this and it is quite shorter, so am ready to tackle brighton. Any room for me , please?

 

[Wobblers]

tourist? panniers?

Hast thou not read 'the basics'?

Hah! I wouldn't listen to a word that Dellzeqq fellow says. My first FNRttC was on a Dawes Galaxy. With rack. And pannier. And mudguards. He still let me back the next time (though that may be because he hadn't noticed!).[1]

On a more serious note, you'll be fine. The pace is slow: about 10 - 12 mph, with plenty of stops. If you're used to touring, it's unlikely that you'll hold anyone back.


[1] So pointing this out is perhaps not the wisest thing I could have done...

 

[BalkanExpress]

Hi folks. Just found my way to this forum (I usually lurk at the CTC forum). I am the "John S" who has appeared recently in Simon's list of registrations. First time for me and I confess to a distinct nervousness. Not about the distance nor about the climbing nor even about being teased for cycling with a single pannier - but about speed, being a cyclist rather of the "tourist" variety. I know and believe you won't leave anyone behind but I'd be mortified if I held everyone up! But anyway I'm committed now (and I've sold my wife on the idea that this is a much milder form of mid-life crisis than having an affair or getting divorced). See you next week.

John

I have similar concerns about my speed and offered to TEC. So now I'm not slowing everyone down....I am instead performing a vital service

But more seriously ONE pannier

 

[dellzeqq]

Since bognor my shoulders are slowly recovering and should be ok for this and it is quite shorter, so am ready to tackle brighton. Any room for me , please?

send me an e-mail, and yes...

 

[dellzeqq]

In all seriousness, John, http://fnrttc.blogspot.com/p/its-most-definitely-about-bike.html is worth a read.

It's not a long ride, but it can feel a lot longer if you're hauling stuff along. I generally do a bit of wayfinding immediately before the halfway stop, having let the front of the ride off the leash for the last few miles. I see people coming in at the back of the ride panting, and that's often because they're bike is unbalanced by luggage and they've got too much bulky clothing on. If you're at all worried then strip everything off that you don't need - your bike will run more freely, you'll feel a good deal fresher, and you'll save your breath for the stuff that FNRttCers do best - chatting.

It's not the set-piece hills that will do you in - walking those is no disgrace - it's the long drags up through Sutton and Crawley Down, and the seemingly endless road in to Ditchling which has a rise of about 150 feet in a tad over 3 miles. That's when you need the bike to respond to a bit of pressure going up any slight stiffening of gradient.

Nobody ever starved to death on our rides. Leave the cake at home. Bring some energy drink, but dump the pannier and rack, and burn the mudguards (which have caused at least one half hour delay to the entire ride...). I let McW get away with all that clobber because he's pretty damn speedy.

Many of us manage with lightweight layers on our top halves that can be stripped off and put in a back pocket. If it's a dry night then don't wear a bulky anorak.

The trick is to not think of it as a bike ride at all. It's a fun night out on wheels. Ian's quite right in saying that you won't hold anybody up, but part of the joy of a night ride is the sense of freedom that comes from empty roads, and the friendships that spring up as you wheel along without a care in the world.

 

[rich p]

Speak for yourself, tmn! I am reliably objectionable, and as for that Rich P....

You're just a big sweetie really TC, as am I

Just a mixed up kid is all, ya hear?

 

[PpPete]

Crisped up maybe ?

 

[PpPete]

Hi folks. Just found my way to this forum (I usually lurk at the CTC forum). I am the "John S" who has appeared recently in Simon's list of registrations. First time for me and I confess to a distinct nervousness. Not about the distance nor about the climbing nor even about being teased for cycling with a single pannier - but about speed, being a cyclist rather of the "tourist" variety. I know and believe you won't leave anyone behind but I'd be mortified if I held everyone up! But anyway I'm committed now (and I've sold my wife on the idea that this is a much milder form of mid-life crisis than having an affair or getting divorced). See you next week.

I'm a cyclist of the "tourist" variety too. Ridden my elderly Dawes Galaxy tourer on both FNRttC in which I have participated. You are unlikely to be holding anyone up.

I must admit that although I have removed rack and pannier and find a small bar bag more than adequate, I have not removed the mudguards ...

 

[rich p]

I'm not sure that I would describe you as a kid Rich, mixed up or other.

More of an old goat perhaps?

 

[Aperitif]

More of an old goat perhaps?

More shrewed than anything else I think. Is a donkey O.T... or am I tilting at windmills here?

 

[rich p]

Is Ditchling Beacon a hill?

No, a rise Sir Vantes

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Is a donkey O.T... or am I tilting at windmills here?

He's more Panzer than Panza.

 

[dellzeqq]

'Senor 'Teef - can I charge this one, por favor'

'Sorry, Ricardo, but nobody's going to be impressed by that crisp packet on the end of your lance!'

 

[Aperitif]

Rich came out of the bar of The Cricketers with crisps the other day. I didn't like to say anything at the time, for fear of dragging the tone down but the image was disturbing.

The thought never really crossed my mind, but I'm sure one or two playmates sitting adjacent would have been happy to help Rich 'assume the position' - and, indeed, help with packet positioning.
Creative lot these Brightonians.

The German tourists were rallying in anticipation perhaps?