FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast 19th November - Brighton 2010

[hatler]

Back and happy. Great ride.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Are you nearly there yet?

At the time you posted that we were already there.

 

[martint235]

Cheers to Simon, once again a great ride. Thanks to the waymarkers and TECs, bit busy with blown tyres and broken cranks......

This was I think my favourite one so far so thanks to everyone involved for making it so memorable.

Cheers to Russ and Rimas, the Saturday Morning Ride back to Home was great too.

P.S. Susie it is always a pleasure to talk to you on these rides.

 

[ChrisBailey]

A different route, to me tiring, but that's probably because it's my first ride for a month.

I compared the profile with March's ride and in fact there is not much difference. November at the top.



Took a couple of photos at the start with my new camera. This one came out quite well.



If you click the images they enlarge, must learn how to expand them.

Overall another very good ride, thanks Simon

Chris

 

[StuAff]

A great end to the FNRttC year. I began the evening with a drink & chinwag with some mates from Bikeradar at the Morpeth Arms on Millbank, then up to Kentish Town for a cracking gig from Therapy?. Back down to HPC, meeting up with Becs en route (thanks for that!), and then A Completely Different Route to Brighton. Pebblecombe was in my view a better bet than Reigate (and not because of what happened last time I was there, honest....)- the lack of light & tighter corners force one to take it easier (if you're being sensible). Devil's Dyke was an easier way into Brighton than the Beacon, but that was (IMHO) a mixed blessing- the view from the top of the Beacon is to my mind better, worth the effort to get up there. Yet another comedy pratfall (thanks for the help Frank), no harm done again. Weather was pretty good, and if wasn't for those pesky mechanicals (avoidable ones, so it seems...!) we'd have been down to the Madeira earlier. Shame about those that had to drop out, and Susie's ailment was unfortunate, but I think everyone had a great time. Splendid work again by Glen & Mark and their cafe teams (that bread pudding was terrific), train home uneventful. I was planning to ride home, but thought better of it, anyway there was some hip entertainment at the Madeira

Not forgetting the most excellent cake from Charlie & Martin! And nice to see you making such a great recovery Rich!
Roll on Saaaarfend

 

[PpPete]

A different route, to me tiring, but that's probably because it's my first ride for a month.

I compared the profile with March's ride and in fact there is not much difference. November at the top.

[attachment=1488:FNRTTC Brighton Nov - March 2010.JPG]

Took a couple of photos at the start with my new camera. This one came out quite well.

[attachment=1489:P1000060 (Large).JPG]

If you click the images they enlarge, must learn how to expand them.

Overall another very good ride, thanks Simon

Chris

Sorry chris I didnt spot you were on the ride, I'd have tried to find you to say hi (again).

Brilliant ride - loved it, and great to start putting faces to names. Thanks again Simon.

 

[frank9755]

Friday, 9:30pm – stuck at work. Not worth going home now. Might as well stay in office, play on internet and chat to a couple of colleagues who seem to be working very late and go straight from office. Will ‘save’20 miles of cycling and about 2 hours but means I can’t get an extra layer of clothes and waterproofs. Check weather forecast about 10 times and XC is saying dry and no colder than 7 degrees, so should be ok.

Time flies and I leave office around 11, and get to HPC about 11:30. Chat to some people, then we are off.

Through south London and on into the country. Ride along and chat to various old FNRttC friends such as Rimas, Adrian, Des, Simon, Susie, Claudine, Becs and others – some at length, some only briefly. And people I’ve not met before, like Hannah who paints portraits but doesn’t normally ride more than 20 miles, but seems tobe going well, and shares my cold feet problem, and CharlieB who has interesting looking recumbent trike.

Waymark a bit. Pootle along in the pack, then get a bit chilly so decide to speed up. Hit the front where I zip along at a fair pace with Simon, Rimas, some of the extremely fit skaters, a chap on a yellow fixed and others. Lovely rolling countryside – not easy cycling by any means.

Then my front light battery runs out. Will need to stop to change it, so volunteer to waymark just before Faygate. Simon says it might be a long wait, and it was getting on for an hour before the tail rolls through. Feet are now like ice. Take boots off and try to rub life back into them, but doesn't work. Tim joins me for a while so chat. Then Adam uberTEC shouts ‘all up’ and I sprint off to warm up.

Cabin. Tea. Sausage sandwich. Stand, then sit, as near to the stove as I can without toasting myself. More tea, and stodgy cake. Get a doggy bag to take half of massive piece of cake with. Feet just thawed out when it is time to leave.

Back on the road. Up the hill. It’s the Mornington Crescent variation (it’s not that but that’s what everyone calls it). A hard ride. Very few flat bits. But good cycling and feels like it would be really pretty if we could see it. Legs are starting to really ache on the hills. Chat to people a bit and ride fast to keep warm a bit.

People are falling around me! First Hannah has a tumble, but seems ok. Stop while she gets chain back on. Then Luke gets awheel caught in a hidden crater where the side of the road should be, and tips over. Help him get up. He’s not worried about injury but is concerned his white bar tape might have got dirty – which is a good sign I guess. Later I pass Stuart stopped on the hill. Ask if he is ok. He says ‘yes, just stopped for a drink’ then three seconds later I hear a blood-curdling scream and he has gone over! Help him up and it looks like he has been done by a similar crater to Luke.

Susie has adifficult patch. Chat to her and realise how hard I have felt the ride has been, with much up and down. Mentally rule out idea of riding home, as legs too sore. Discuss gears with her and say that I would struggle to get up hills with her gears. Suggest she tells Father Christmas she needs an 11-34 cassette and a new rear mech, as far simpler tweak than a triple and she doesn’t seem to need the racing close ratios.

Some waits for bike repairs. Then as we are about to set off there is a loud BANG! Someone says Simon might have shot someone for repeated bike failures, but it’s just a tyre blow-out. But a bit more wait and the traffic starts to re-awaken.

Up the Devil’s Dyke. It’s a bit of a hill but not too daunting. We get up it no probs.

Then zip down to the Madeira, as it gets light.

Tea. Breakfast. Warmth. Banter. A well-earned, blissful hour or two passes by. Try to think of amusing things to say. Usually I am good at this, but the bar is set high in this company: people like ‘Teef, Adrian and bionic man Rich P effortlessly spout wit from every orifice. People talk about all sorts of things and people. It turns out that one person has size 38C, but someone else says they have 700c. We giggle: why do they use the same system for tits and tyres? Someone says it would be better to have died in their forties than have deteriorating eyesight – ouch!

Simon nods off. His neck looks painful but he is ok. Prosecco arrives. It never rains but it pours as there are many bottles from both the Martletts and then more from Rich P. I feel a bit guilty guzzling so much of it considering I missed the Martletts rides and rode off with Rich’s champagne glasses in my pannier when last in Brighton! But someone has to drink it, I suppose.

Bad news is that the fizzy wine eventually runs out, but good news is that ‘Teef has persuaded a pub to open up AND it is next door! We reassemble at another table about 20 yards away, and settle in. Mischievously, we persuade Becs to stay with us, rather than going to see the friend she is spendign the weekend with. The company of cycling friends with a shared experience and a table full of booze is too strong and she gives in! We’ve all been there and we know it is wrong, but also that it is the most human response in this situation!

Then Claudine goes down tired and gives a good impression of falling asleep at the table. Some sleepy pictures will soon be on the forum, no doubt. Worry that I will be next, so start to panic about getting home and the ride back up hill to the station. Simon and Susie get up to leave, and I think it is now or never, so tag along. Manage to get my bike freed from others’ locks and get to the station. See Simon and Susie there, thenthey seem to just disappear somehow in a puff of smoke. Then there is a train, and it is empty. Bike on, sit down, close eyes. Asleep before the train moves. Next thing I know someone wakes me up to say we are at Victoria – result!

Ride home. Wide awake now. Wonder how long that will last…

Many, many thanks, Simon and fellow travellers for a great, an award-winning, experience. Hope everyone got home ok. Roll on March!

 

[frank9755]

A different route, to me tiring, but that's probably because it's my first ride for a month.

I compared the profile with March's ride and in fact there is not much difference. November at the top.

Interesting, Chris. The difference is that middle section, where your track shows much more up and down last night. I bet if someone has a Garmin track of last night's vs the Turner's Hill route, the total ascent will be a good bit higher (for last night).

 

[StuAff]

Not much in it. Here's my Garmin data for the Martlets ride and last night. Maximum elevation 90ft difference (the Beacon's higher, of course), but only 5ft difference in total elevation gain.

 

[frank9755]

Thanks, Stuart
Good job I didn't put any money on my bet!

 

[martint235]

As I've cycled back from Brighton a couple of times I was terrified we'd attempt the climb that we descend on the way out. Thankfully we didn't though and joined the road at the top of that climb.

And could I just add I quite like Ditchling, it's a nice climb so long as anyone struggling pulls over to the left. One of my bugbears last night, ok my only one, was that on the climbs the right hand side of the road had a tendency to get clogged with people going nowhere. I fully understand that not everyone wants to climb quickly or at all, but a little bit of space would be nice. Please don't flame me......

 

[PpPete]

wouldnt dream of it.... keping left is only common sense, and respctful of other road user (not just us cyclists)

 

[GrumpyGregry]

A poor start to the evening. Despite offers of a lead out from Adrian and Tim no way will I get to the off for midnight. Darn it. A quick text to Simon to ascertain the route to Faygate. "Newdigate and Betchworth he says; but you'll need a map. Betchworth isn't signposted, Text me your intentions he says". Fortunately being a north sussex boy born and bred I know well where Betchworth is. 01:00 I set off north from Horsham solo, the warm glow of my Garmin showing a track I used back in April from Epsom to home which ran through Betchworth.

North of Newdigate I get the heebie-geebies, as I sometimes do on solo night rides, I have become an eleven-year-old again, there is something following me I swear, if I can just turn around fast enough I'll see it. Eventually I pull myself together.

I pass Betchworth and as I turn onto the old road I swear I can hear Simon's voice. I wait. In the distance I here a shout of "Car!" "That will be my AyUps I chortle and whoosh the peleton sweeps by Simon at the head. "Lovely rural village, full of bankers so keep the noise down" he calls. "Hi Simon Greg here" I call in reply. "Ah Greg. Good." he says and off we go.

I know that headband, it's TheClaud. I know those calves. It's 'Teef. That looks like Origamist. Was that Stuart. Way hay, game on.

Retracting my tyre marks we seem to rush back to Rusper in half the time it took me on my own, and then we are back at the Cabin. Sausage sarnie and thinks "I know that face" Welcome to the FNRttC fold Bruce! The Warninglid Variation is announced. Solemn warnings are dispensed. "But that's one of my routes to work" I think. Colgate and on to the Hammer pond, Warninglid is achieved, I think there may have been a tumble or two, but not on the bits we were warned about. Such is night riding I guess. Wineham and on to the quaintly named Shave's Thatch where "Kapow" is swiftly followed by "Has anyone got a spare tyre?". "Yeah" I think, "just behind my navel".

The Dyke. a comfort break at the bottom. A right turn at the Gold Course turning where mentally heap hot coals on our beloved leaders head. Effing Brighton is effing behind me now and I'm effing riding away from it. Uphill. Eff. A few get off and push. I refuse though it is tempting. The golf club is gained but the view, which on a clear day is SPEC-TAC-YOU-LAR is, well, fankly, grey, and a bit damp around the edges.

Down we go, dropping into England's party city. Not too much vomit on the roads this morning. Point someone at the station, and down we continue, past the clock tower, onto the seafront and... and... and... it is accomplished. Queue up and get the best sausage roll and coffee I've had this year. Even find a seat indoors. Adrian, Claud and Susie, plus another couple of chaps whose names I caught but which promptly escaped, are hilarious, even though Susie is visible shaking. Get well soon. Simon comes in singing. Isn't love grand? Fizzy alcohol arrives courtesy of the Martletts. £50k makes standing at Slugwash Lane for hours and vomitting on top of the Beacon worth it, as does the wine.

A text. A text. Oh dang. A problem at work, Can I call, come in, intervene, do something asap? Karma is a funny thing, my boss' team goes on to squander a two goal lead and lose to their arch rivals this afternoon at wendyball. I'm sure these texts are the cause. So much for staying down for a few beers as originally planned. I make my excuses and apologies and leave.

Up to the station following the splendid Hase Pino which attracts much attention when we arrive. Only bike that gets more stares from non-cyclists than my Strida I reckon. The trains are broken. Wrong kind of electricity, rain, or is it perhaps the wrong kind of train? A plan is hatched; hang back a bit, let the London bound lot get on, then get the next one up to Gatwick then back down. Lovely chats on the train. The mysteries of the tandemisti in generaly and the pinotisitti in particular are unlocked. Gatwick and this old dog learns a new trick splendidly helpful when going multi-model without a folder. Lovely cake. Tim goes off the the loo. The train arrives. I board and depart waving at the too late returned Tim and his lovely wife... hope you didn't have to wait long for the next one lovely peeps. The issue at work is not a serious as it appeared, thank goodness for all involved, and a few phone calls to various colleagues later it's established the fallout can wait until Monday to sort. I'll get drunk with you all next year then folks.

Horsham. People stare as the man in black exits the station. I can see "Why is he dressed like that?" and "Why isn't he riding his bike?" written on their faces. Isn't worth climbing the saddle. I only live 100m from the station and it is longer by bike than it is walking. Hot bath. Warm bed. Up to England grind a scrappy win over Samoa. As I type Ireland are struggling against the All Blacks, and Strictly is on later and there is a cold one in the fridge, and I'm knackered and I ache and I'm still grinning like a loon.

Lovely people; have a great Christmas and may the New Year bring you everything you hope for and more. Being injured and then ill this year severely curtailed my FNRttC'ing. No Whitstable. Still not done Southend, whilst Adrian, once again, collected a full set. But the year went out with a bang, not with a whimper, and that is the main thing.

FNRttC, ad award winning ride filled with people who don't need awards to prove that they are class acts. Thank you all for sharing yourselves.



A couple of footnotes/pleas/observations from this grumpy old git....

RLJ'ing. Lovely people; don't do it please. I regularly cycle in Brighton and don't need the extra hostility such manners engenders in the city's drivers.

Undertaking; really bad idea on a group ride. Buffalo girls go around the outside. So should FNRttC-ers I think because then we can all relax and focus on our offside.

Rear lights. It's 4:30 am, you're on a country lane and have hardly seen a car since Sutton. Do you really need two or three rear lights on including your super duper 1000 lumens eye burner? It's only another cyclist following you after all....

Edit: and what Martin325 said about position on climbs.....

Car Up: when someone shouts it the idea is to get into single file and let the car get past, not ride four abreast 'because you can' because the driver may get frustrated and do something daft that doesn't affect you but might just have me, or someone else, off

 

[Aperitif]

Are you nearly there yet?

Nowhere near, User10571...although with Adrian's help - 'adjacent' at this moment!

 

[Aperitif]

A great end to the FNRttC year. I began the evening with a drink & chinwag with some mates from Bikeradar at the Morpeth Arms on Millbank, then up to Kentish Town for a cracking gig from Therapy?. Back down to HPC, meeting up with Becs en route (thanks for that!), and then A Completely Different Route to Brighton. Pebblecombe was in my view a better bet than Reigate (and not because of what happened last time I was there, honest....)- the lack of light & tighter corners force one to take it easier (if you're being sensible). Devil's Dyke was an easier way into Brighton than the Beacon, but that was (IMHO) a mixed blessing- the view from the top of the Beacon is to my mind better, worth the effort to get up there. Yet another comedy pratfall (thanks for the help Frank), no harm done again. Weather was pretty good, and if wasn't for those pesky mechanicals (avoidable ones, so it seems...!) we'd have been down to the Madeira earlier. Shame about those that had to drop out, and Susie's ailment was unfortunate, but I think everyone had a great time. Splendid work again by Glen & Mark and their cafe teams (that bread pudding was terrific), train home uneventful. I was planning to ride home, but thought better of it, anyway there was some hip entertainment at the Madeira

Not forgetting the most excellent cake from Charlie & Martin! And nice to see you making such a great recovery Rich!
Roll on Saaaarfend

Be fair Stu - he had to lead the ride...and thanks for appreciating the cake - it recompenses, somewhat, the last Brighton ride, the Parkin from your Mum, which you dislike so much you k'od on Reigate Hill to avoid eating...