FNRttC FNRttC to Brighton - November 27th 2009

[MacB]

I'm another drop out folks, have mailed Simon, sadly just not fit for the distance yet, haven't got beyond 10 miles since last one.

 

[redjedi]

Look at all these drop outs!

Lot's of good excuses, but crashing your bike into a car is a bit extreme Ian, you could have just said your scared of getting wet


I thought about dropping out yesterday after my elbow swelled up. It's a bit better today but I am not going to miss the last FNRttC for anything.

 

[MacB]

I thought about dropping out yesterday after my elbow swelled up. It's a bit better today but I am not going to miss the last FNRttC for anything.

be very careful with that mate all of my problems stem from not sorting the elbow out properly after initial break. It's now looking like I'll have to have a second surgery and they don't give any more guarantees of success than the first one.

It's a shame really, you'd have thought that 'balloon elbow syndrome' would actually give you a nice cushion

 

[Bollo]

Sensible option MacB, I've got a feeling this ride will require all limbs in full working order.

 

[StuAff]

Sorry to hear about still more problems, chaps. And if you have any doubts about your condition, Davy, bail- better that than you end up having problems out in the sticks.
Bollo- as before, you're more than welcome to tag along with me to HPC if you like.

 

[Bollo]

Bollo- as before, you're more than welcome to tag along with me to HPC if you like.

You'll take me back, after me treating you so bad? That'd be great. I'm still planning to get there reasonably early, 22:50 is the best time in to Waterloo for me, but I can hang around. I'll PM mobile etc.

 

[StuAff]

You'll take me back, after me treating you so bad? That'd be great. I'm still planning to get there reasonably early, 22:50 is the best time in to Waterloo for me, but I can hang around. I'll PM mobile etc.

It'll be half an hour waiting...you could be there by that time, even if you take the scenic route as I keep doing (memo to self- left at Buck House, not right!!).

 

[mistral]

It was bad enough


Now .... Ian Davy MacB

 

[dellzeqq]

did half of the route today looking for fallen branches and trees (Davy and I came across a fallen tree the other night) and the roads were pretty clear, although I gave myself points for taking a branch out of the road just above the B2110.

One thing to bear in mind is that in the Weald the wind wanders around a bit. At one point I was heading southwest with the wind coming from my left. A couple of miles later I turned southeast and whoosh! the wind was behind me. That was a 180 degree turn in ten minutes. And the route is pretty sheltered, except for the main road bit between Gatwick and Faygate - and Devil's Dyke.

There's also a branch that is descending just north of Warninglid. I'd probably miss it, but TimO......we'll post a warning.

 

[Tim Hall]

So is it the usual Clapham, Balham, Wallington, Reigate Hill, Lonesome Lane, Gatwick then all creative to get to the Cabin, followed by a southwards bimble through the finest lanes the Weald has towards Devil's Dyke?

 

[dellzeqq]

nothing creative at all between Gatwick and Faygate - the roads via Lambs Green are on the iffy side of iffy, and, if it were to rain, we'd be in trouble. So - A23, then Crawley Ring Road then A264.

We've done this before at night, but there is a trick to it. The cones at Gatwick mean that you have to bunch up and run a rolling road block - this failed last time because Hermann's bike was so crap. This time I'm at the back, with a couple of meaty confreres, and there's no slacking. Adrian and User10571 at the front can decide whether to go for the cones after the Gatwick ramp. Having said all that - there will probably be only one or two cars at that time of night.

But, as you say, after Faygate it's six miles of very quiet lanes, then, a bit after Warninglid, some really nice wide roads. Devil's Dyke is a bit of a bugger, but it has a nice view of the sea at the top.

 

[StuAff]

One-in-seven bit north of Lower Beeding still on the route?

 

[Tim Hall]

New tyres bought yet Adrian?

And can we get a human signpost in the middle of Reigate, to stop me having to try to chase down an exuberant bunch of escapees, heading in a westerly direction?

 

[dellzeqq]

One-in-seven bit north of Lower Beeding still on the route?

yep. It's 15% down, on a dark, narrow, twisting road that is broken up and covered in leaf slime, followed by a few yards of flat across a causeway, and then 15% up on a narrow twisting road that is broken up and covered in leaf slime. Wouldn't fancy it on a Brompton.

You have to change in to your lowest gear, freewheel down at 6mph, and then pedal slowly up the hill the other side, hoping that your wheels don't spin.

 

[Aperitif]

I'll be 'doing' this at lunchtime today...

on this...

and I'll go here on arrival for remedial beers...

(which is outside the Gare Du Nord and across the road - recommended!)

and then to here, with these very people...

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-RpNsfXEik&feature=related


and perhaps here for solids after bewitching hour...

Then a couple of hours later go here

after a l-o-n-g day , hic! we will be going here

oh - they produce a calendar each year too...

and then go and meet the players - Jonny Wilkinson is playing for Toulonand I'll try and get him on a ride eh?

And then breakfast around here, downtown Palaiseau

and get an early train back to possibly rendezvous with mikee and harem at Kings Cross!

Be careful everyone - "I'll be missing you in all the old familiar places..." to paraphrase...

But really...

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtFCcN1Mgug&feature=related


Take care - and get well soon all you injured posse too!