FNRttC to Brighton March 9th
- Thread starter dellzeqq
- Start date
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That count's the majority out then...
What does? The flashy bit, or the young bit?
51 is the new late twenties. Or hadn't you heard?
But counts you in!That count's the majority out then...
Actually I had heard that. I mostly heard it from a bunch of 50-year-old men on bicycles. I'm sure it's no less true for that!
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Right, I haven't got round to doing a report before as I was a little busy after leaving Brighton. Rode home (partly to make the ton and partly as due to engineering work I'd have had to have ridden between Worthing and Barnham anyway). Five hours kip (was out like a light), another train to the smoke, a somewhat not-particularly-scenic route to Greenwich, and then in the splendid company of User10571, Andrijj, Tim O and Mark Grant, on to Kent to watch this, as filmed by our ride leader:
On to Ramsgate for another splendid breakfast at Miles, and then trains home...
Back to Friday. I was planning to give the splendid folding missile that is Chutney its FNRttC bow. Lights on, tyre pressure checked a couple of days before (I thought), set off for the commute. As I have done for most recent night rides, going just down the road from work to the town station made much more sense than going home, changing- and quite possibly missing my train...Unfortunately the rear tyre was rather soft in a really uncomfortable way, I seem to have de-inflated it
. Back over the road to home, impromptu bike swap to the jack-of-all-trades and master of most that is the Portland. An exceedingly pleasant bike on which to do a century (four on it so far...). Made it to work in time, thankfully. I was on an earlier duty time than normal this week, and with the work for my section knocked on the head at half-eight, I made the earlier, faster train into Waterloo rather than the usual stopping-everywhere service.
As I was into town nearly an hour earlier than normal, went to Victoria to join the pre-HPC meet-up. Talked to a familiar-looking lady whose recalled her first Friday night ride was last Good Friday, when she was amazed to meet four blokes who'd ridden up from Portsmouth of all places (I just pointed at myself). Also admired a rather nice Planet X Dirty Disco (disc-braked carbon crosser)- funnily enough its rider's having the same nice relaxing night out this coming Friday as me (Killing Joke gig in Pompey).
At HPC, Simon for some reason felt obliged to point out to me that a fellow rider was a paramedic. Can't imagine why
Ride itself was pleasingly uneventful in terms of mechanicals. Waymarking (when Tanya and fellow skaters left a vacancy! 
) was as joyous as ever, unencumbered by long waits. Reigate Hill yet again successfully negotiated without incident...
Again, sterling work by the scouts at bargaintastic prices. They seemed to have rather a lot of cake, so tried to help them clear their excess. Carb loading/reloading for the night, day, and night ahead. And it all tasted fantastic.
Isobel's cleat malfunction is I think a first- glad to see Tim's keeping up the all-important role of having that bit no-one thought you'd need, when you need it. Shame Sonia was unable to tackle the Beacon again- next time I hope- and Ruby, it really does get easier, honest. Four years back 59 miles on the IOW (my longest ride to that date) left my legs sore for about three days. I seem to have got a bit better at covering distance....
In what Greg described as attention-seeking, I had a thankfully harmless topple setting off from the greenhouses before the Beacon (lost my balance, was all) before I made it up in straightforward fashion. Those oldfangled triple chainsets work just as well as compacts in this regard.
As ever, excellent service by Greg and team at the Madeira. After nosh and chinwagging, left the brown and yellow beer drinkers and made my way west...
Thanks one and all. See you for Bognor!
On to Ramsgate for another splendid breakfast at Miles, and then trains home...
Back to Friday. I was planning to give the splendid folding missile that is Chutney its FNRttC bow. Lights on, tyre pressure checked a couple of days before (I thought), set off for the commute. As I have done for most recent night rides, going just down the road from work to the town station made much more sense than going home, changing- and quite possibly missing my train...Unfortunately the rear tyre was rather soft in a really uncomfortable way, I seem to have de-inflated it
. Back over the road to home, impromptu bike swap to the jack-of-all-trades and master of most that is the Portland. An exceedingly pleasant bike on which to do a century (four on it so far...). Made it to work in time, thankfully. I was on an earlier duty time than normal this week, and with the work for my section knocked on the head at half-eight, I made the earlier, faster train into Waterloo rather than the usual stopping-everywhere service.As I was into town nearly an hour earlier than normal, went to Victoria to join the pre-HPC meet-up. Talked to a familiar-looking lady whose recalled her first Friday night ride was last Good Friday, when she was amazed to meet four blokes who'd ridden up from Portsmouth of all places (I just pointed at myself). Also admired a rather nice Planet X Dirty Disco (disc-braked carbon crosser)- funnily enough its rider's having the same nice relaxing night out this coming Friday as me (Killing Joke gig in Pompey).
At HPC, Simon for some reason felt obliged to point out to me that a fellow rider was a paramedic. Can't imagine why
Ride itself was pleasingly uneventful in terms of mechanicals. Waymarking (when Tanya and fellow skaters left a vacancy! ) was as joyous as ever, unencumbered by long waits. Reigate Hill yet again successfully negotiated without incident...Again, sterling work by the scouts at bargaintastic prices. They seemed to have rather a lot of cake, so tried to help them clear their excess. Carb loading/reloading for the night, day, and night ahead. And it all tasted fantastic.
Isobel's cleat malfunction is I think a first- glad to see Tim's keeping up the all-important role of having that bit no-one thought you'd need, when you need it. Shame Sonia was unable to tackle the Beacon again- next time I hope- and Ruby, it really does get easier, honest. Four years back 59 miles on the IOW (my longest ride to that date) left my legs sore for about three days. I seem to have got a bit better at covering distance....
In what Greg described as attention-seeking, I had a thankfully harmless topple setting off from the greenhouses before the Beacon (lost my balance, was all) before I made it up in straightforward fashion. Those oldfangled triple chainsets work just as well as compacts in this regard
.As ever, excellent service by Greg and team at the Madeira. After nosh and chinwagging, left the brown and yellow beer drinkers and made my way west...
Thanks one and all. See you for Bognor!
Wobblers
Euthermic
- Location
- Minkowski Space
A night with many fond memories.
My train got into Marylebone before 11pm, so I made my way to Victoria to join my fellow reprobates. After a coffee, and Chris rejecting my proffered inner tube, and leaving me to pack it back into its box (I hold grudges, BTW
) we set off for HPC in time to hear Dell's safety talk.
After that things just seemed to flow smoothly. Apart from the clicking noise from my pedals or cranks that went from mildly distracting to deeply irritating as the night wore on! The fresh tarmac on Lonesome Lane was marvellous, so much so that I almost suggested to Dell that we do it again. The scout hall was fantastic - they were all happy to see us and the welcome couldn't be warmer. And the cake! I had two slices, but it got me up Ditchling! There was a brief interlude where I had to recall Martin and entourage to the flock after he decided to strike out on his own unofficial FNRttC. We managed to catch a glimpse of Mars on top of Turners Hill.
The Madeira and Greg were their usual excellent selves - and even allowed us to enjoy some proper beers in convival surroundings and company.
I can't really put my finger on why this FNRttC was so good. It wasn't the weather (mild, but disappointingly cloudy). The route hasn't changed. It certainly wasn't the train to London. I think that, really, it was simply down to being in the company of friends, and that made the miles rush by and later the beers rush by: it was nice to catch up (all too briefly, in some cases) with everyone - I'm not mentioning names, because I'll forget someone.
So thank you one and all.
My train got into Marylebone before 11pm, so I made my way to Victoria to join my fellow reprobates. After a coffee, and Chris rejecting my proffered inner tube, and leaving me to pack it back into its box (I hold grudges, BTW
) we set off for HPC in time to hear Dell's safety talk.After that things just seemed to flow smoothly. Apart from the clicking noise from my pedals or cranks that went from mildly distracting to deeply irritating as the night wore on! The fresh tarmac on Lonesome Lane was marvellous, so much so that I almost suggested to Dell that we do it again. The scout hall was fantastic - they were all happy to see us and the welcome couldn't be warmer. And the cake! I had two slices, but it got me up Ditchling! There was a brief interlude where I had to recall Martin and entourage to the flock after he decided to strike out on his own unofficial FNRttC. We managed to catch a glimpse of Mars on top of Turners Hill.
The Madeira and Greg were their usual excellent selves - and even allowed us to enjoy some proper beers in convival surroundings and company.
I can't really put my finger on why this FNRttC was so good. It wasn't the weather (mild, but disappointingly cloudy). The route hasn't changed. It certainly wasn't the train to London. I think that, really, it was simply down to being in the company of friends, and that made the miles rush by and later the beers rush by: it was nice to catch up (all too briefly, in some cases) with everyone - I'm not mentioning names, because I'll forget someone.
So thank you one and all.
Wobblers
Euthermic
- Location
- Minkowski Space
You didn't seem to be that bad when I left to catch my train. Don't worry, you just need a bit more training
martint235
Dog on a bike
- Location
- Welling
Well I was that bad by the time I got into the station. Working my way back over what I had to drink, I put it down to lack of sleep. The number of beers I had was way less than I would have on a normal Saturday afternoon although obviously I wouldn't normally try to control a bike afterwards.I am surprised I got home in one piece!You didn't seem to be that bad when I left to catch my train. Don't worry, you just need a bit more training
I have a feeling that in future I won't be allowed to drink in sight of Lelly, in a similar way to you're not allowed to drink within sight of the football pitch at a stadium.
very sensible, Martin. We all of us have specific aptitudes and weaknesses, and you would be best advised to take it easy when out with the big boys and girls, especially those who have developed their powernapping skills. A half of lemonade should suffice from now on!
srw
It's a bit more complicated than that...
Likewise. Instead, I managed to impress all and sundry by not getting myself and my brother off a train at Castle Cary (It was dark! It looked like the middle of nowhere!), requiring Mrs W to hare off to Taunton to pick us up, and arriving in Wells two hours late.
Just how superspeedy will Southsea be?
