England : London Friday night Oxford to London, 12 Oct 2018

[rogerzilla]

I used to run these three or four times a year but got out of the habit. Leave Oxford station at midnight and ride to Cafe Paolo in Acton for breakfast. Cafe opens at 0530 and we're generally there for 0615. Pit stop at M40 services, unless I find someone to knock up at 3am (it's possible...) The route makes no allowances for terrain and you get to climb Chinnor Hill and the HC Smalldean Lane (we don't do Cryers Hill these days, you lucky people).

Dreaming spires/Bridge of Sighs route out of Oxford then Horspath, Wheatley, Worminghall, Ickford, Thame, Chinnor, Bledlow Ridge, Saunderton station, Walters Ash, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe, Beaconsfield, Seers Green, Chalfont St Peter, Harefield, Ruislip, Greenford, Ealing, Acton.

There is a wuss-out option (West Wycombe) if you don't fancy Smalldean Lane.

Will be cancelled if wet, so buy cheap train tickets.

The cafe is 20 mins from Paddington, if you're returning to the provinces.

 

[ianrauk]

Sorry Rog. It clashes with the FNR to Shoreham.

 

[rogerzilla]

It was originally intended for non-Londoners, on the basis that you can get from London to anywhere by train. It's a lot more challenging to get home to the Midlands from a coastal resort. Having said that, Oxford-London trains are so cheap and frequent that we had a lot of Londoners too.

 

[biggs682]

i keep thinking of doing this from Northampton

 

[rogerzilla]

Might bypass High Wycombe and go through Hazlemere and Penn (nice fast road) to get to Beaconsfield. This involves going up Cryers Hill first. It is aptly named.

 

[kimble]

I wasn't paying attention and missed the Shoreham clash, but I'm going to do this one anyway because cheap tickets and not spending half of Saturday falling asleep on trains (with a ride across London in the middle) appeals. Also Smalldean Lane.

 

[rogerzilla]

We may have our usual astronomer with us. Does this mean lasers too?

 

[PaulRide]

I am due to spend that weekend in Glos with a bunch of musical friends but am trying to work out if there is some way I can include this ride. Tricky. Maybe I can come and heckle in Thame (while climbing into a wheel bin or whatever it is they do at 1.30am here).

 

[rogerzilla]

I think Thame is just passing out on the pavement. High Wycombe is falling asleep between wheelie bins and running after cyclists in your pants.

Of course, if you don't want to ride, you could put the kettle on :-D

 

[PaulRide]

The latest update is that the Glos gathering kicks off on the Friday. So I fear I won't be around.

 

[Spartak]

I used to run these three or four times a year but got out of the habit. Leave Oxford station at midnight and ride to Cafe Paolo in Acton for breakfast. Cafe opens at 0530 and we're generally there for 0615. Pit stop at M40 services, unless I find someone to knock up at 3am (it's possible...) The route makes no allowances for terrain and you get to climb Chinnor Hill and the HC Smalldean Lane (we don't do Cryers Hill these days, you lucky people).

Dreaming spires/Bridge of Sighs route out of Oxford then Horspath, Wheatley, Worminghall, Ickford, Thame, Chinnor, Bledlow Ridge, Saunderton station, Walters Ash, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe, Beaconsfield, Seers Green, Chalfont St Peter, Harefield, Ruislip, Greenford, Ealing, Acton.

There is a wuss-out option (West Wycombe) if you don't fancy Smalldean Lane.

Will be cancelled if wet, so buy cheap train tickets.

The cafe is 20 mins from Paddington, if you're returning to the provinces.

Rode this years ago when posted on the YACF forum. I got a train from Bristol to Oxford via Swindon then a train back from Paddington in the morning....
Great ride with lots of friendly participants & always remember fantastic breakfast at Cafe Paolo...
Seem to remember a 'control' at a 24 hour Tesco's - Pasty & chocolate milk was a perfect mid ride meal !

 

[rogerzilla]

Sadly it's no longer a 24hr Tesco, and nor is the Asda at the other end of High Wycombe, so we'll use the M40 services (which are, helpfully, off the motorway itself).

 

[kimble]

PSA: This has been cancelled.

 

[rogerzilla]

Yes, the gale is quite severe here, with debris flying, and there's still rain. Hopefully the FNRttC, being well to the east, will be ok.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Bummer :-(
Left Oxford at 1330 for Deal, weather getting very gusty in Oxon. Would have made for an interesting night!