FNRttC FNRttC to Brighton 8th May 2009

[dellzeqq]

Some people arent carrying excess kebab baggage what aids the gravitational pull downhill. Add a factor of tdr1kna drag (no, not a roll up, or womens costume) and coupled with my streamlined physique (pre-2xbreakfasts) and am faster than Superman when he's showing off to Lois Lane! And brakes at the bottom, surely not! That when I get faster! All seriousness, I want to break the 50mph mark. Or 80kph to you funny euro friendly ones!

I'm going to have to have a quiet word in your shell-like. There will be no high speed descending of Reigate Hill, which, in any case, has a 30mph limit. You can have fun on the flat, and if you're at the front you can zip down through Ardingly, although it will be at your own risk....

 

[Blackandblue]

I have entered this ride via a mate at work rather than this forum and have only just found this thread. Doh.

I am going to have to revisit my plans for the ride.

I was planning to ride fixed. I have ridden to Brighton many times both on the BHF ride and on my own/with mates. The uphills are clearly an issue on fixed but it's the descents that are more concerning - particularly the last descent into Brighton off the Beacon.

I also only have a cateye EL410 at the moment which is fine for commuting in London at night but I'm concerned that it won't be enough in the countryside and I hate to have to rely on others.

 

[Davywalnuts]

I'm going to have to have a quiet word in your shell-like. There will be no high speed descending of Reigate Hill, which, in any case, has a 30mph limit. You can have fun on the flat, and if you're at the front you can zip down through Ardingly, although it will be at your own risk....

Oh but Dad!!! Why not! I want to set off some speed cameras... *sobs and walks off to bedroom, slamming door loud and cranking up some Nirvana*..

 

[dellzeqq]

rumour has it that the speed camera just outside Brighton can be set off without risk to others........................

 

[Davywalnuts]

rumour has it that the speed camera just outside Brighton can be set off without risk to others........................

Ohhhhhh! *Gets excited*!!

Ill be a good boy then if am given a warning about this! hehehe!

 

[tdr1nka]

Sorry Del, I think I put Master Walnuts up to that.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Ohhhhhh! *Gets excited*!!

Ill be a good boy then if am given a warning about this! hehehe!

A few years of experimentation shows that the speed camera can off at 36- 37 mph or so, but if you're small and/or crouched down, the camera is unlikely to be triggered. Obviously make sure the conditions (and you) are safe to do that speed, and that you are not overtaking a car at the same time.........

 

[iLB]

Sorry Del, I think I put Master Walnuts up to that.

tut tut

 

[tdr1nka]

A few years of experimentation shows that the speed camera can off at 36- 37 mph or so, but if you're small and/or crouched down, the camera is unlikely to be triggered. Obviously make sure the conditions (and you) are safe to do that speed, and that you are not overtaking a car at the same time.........

I once asked a Policeman who was using a radar gun to catch speeding cars in Greenwhich Park if he could check my downhill speed only to be told there wasn't enough metal surface area on my bike to get a reading.

When I asked if he'd do it if I wore a suit of armor and he told me to 'eff off!

 

[Flying Dodo]

I once asked a Policeman who was using a radar gun to catch speeding cars in Greenwhich Park if he could check my downhill speed only to be told there wasn't enough metal surface area on my bike to get a reading.

When I asked if he'd do it if I wore a suit of armor and he told me to 'eff off!

He was lying! I've had a cop tell me my speed using a hand held gun - 22 mph along Caversham Road in Reading.

 

[Aperitif]

I once asked a Policeman who was using a radar gun to catch speeding cars in Greenwhich Park if he could check my downhill speed only to be told there wasn't enough metal surface area on my bike to get a reading.

When I asked if he'd do it if I wore a suit of armor and he told me to 'eff off!

Was that in your youth Dom? The Dixons behind the Green Dock leaves at Richmond Park nab cyclists on the big, fast (20mph maxwink: descent using their ray guns. A moton waving all over the road trying to feed two nippers while 'phoning their Gran gets away scot free.
But cyclists do get stopped.

 

[TimO]

He was lying! I've had a cop tell me my speed using a hand held gun - 22 mph along Caversham Road in Reading.

Yep, I've certainly recently triggered one of those flashing "30mph" warning signs (around about here), although it must have been set to more or less trigger at exactly that speed, since I was only just barely doing that speed.

 

[dellzeqq]

OK then. It's on this stretch about here, plus or minus a bit.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?...archp=ids.srf&dn=743&ax=531380&ay=107408&lm=0

speaks the man they call 'double flash'.

We're now over the 80 mark...and quite a few more in the pipeline

Mike E
Bed and Breakfaster 1
Bed and Breakfaster 2
Bed and Breakfaster 3
Flying Dodo
Dan Br....er
Simon L (another one)
John F
Paul M
Steve R
Helen B
Jakob B
Niroshee G
Patrick H
Dan P
Adrian C
Marilyn B
Julian D
Stuart A
Rob H
Alastair M
Davywalnutwhips
tdr1nka
ilovebikes
Radius
Aperitif
John G
Jane G
User10571
Martin S
Clive B
Louise L
Jane D
Dan B
Tim H
Sitting Duck
redjedi
lee 1010
Greg C
Marna G
Pete G
Katsura I
Des O'D
Peter C
Rich P
Tom Gr y
Tynan D
Tanya G
Andrij B
Sarah T
John F
Paul M
Dan P
Isa T
Iain C
Peter M
Laura B
Steve D
Rob F
Alan L
Frances C
Mark H
Mista Preston
Alan C
Eddie C
Fred S
Tom S
Charlotte B
Liz N
Alex B
Eric B
Paul B
Colin A
Will1985
David G
Gill C
Matthew S
Adrian B-H
Richard G
Bob Cvr
Jim R
Eddie H
Peter K
Kathy P
Tim P

 

[redjedi]

How are we all going to get on a train back to London with that many bikes? Do you make special arrangements Dellzeqq?

 

[TimO]

Believe it or not, but it tends to work with no additional trains needed! Some of the various reasons:

(i) People leave fairly randomly, some go the moment they arrive in Brighton, others drift off as they get and eat their breakfasts.
(ii) Some people live in Brighton, or near, so don't need a train back.
(iii) Some nutters enthusiasts decide to cycle the whole way back.
(iv) The trains can fit a lot more bikes than the train companies say they can. I forget what the Brighton trains are like, but with the ones that supposedly take 2 bikes in the end carriages, we've fitted at least eight into one carriage, one of which was a Tandem!
(v) Admittedly, sometimes you can't fit in the part of the trains meant for bikes, so you can end up standing near the doorway for the trip, but I don't mind if I get the right train, since I can get off at the first stop, East Croydon (hint, if possible get trains which don't stop at Gatwick, since they always have passengers with big bulky luggage!)

I've never had a problem getting back from Brighton (or any other of the FNRttCs), although occasionally it has been a bit of a squeeze with other bikes or passengers who get on as the journey progresses. With more people on this trip than ever before it may make life a little more difficult, but I don't imagine it'll be worse than slightly irritating.