Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Following intense discussion on the merits of romanticising jacket potatoes, stifling budding chefs' enthusiasm and "How to 'pull' on a campsite", the debriefing party then moved on to a light hearted chat about Masers and other scientific matters (I didn't know either...), admired how protected
customers of Gatwick Airport must feel, and for good measure, advised on the comparative suitability of internet dating sites.(And that if a bloke
goes on about Art Galleries and knows nothing about soccer (Association Football © Adrian, Bognor 2010) then avoid him like the plague etc..
)
Susie was gushing in her praise for her new work colleague, among other things - lovely, smiling entertainment to help build the day.
Well - that accounts for about ten minutes of a post-ride acclimatisation course that took place on the terrace of the Sea Front Café. The sky was blue canvas for the sun's urgent heat. Hot? Yes! What happened for the other six hours - er...well. 'Eek!'
Plenty of the usual good nature on this ride once more - undoubtedly helped by a reasonable warmth. There were one or two cool spots - either side of the Cabin Café stop - that prompted a 'Brrr' or two, but once the sun had begun to peek through the trees after 06:00, we were 'set fair' for a pleasant arrival.
A quick 'turn up and go' is no longer enough to satisfy the lovers of the Night. 'Carbloading' has entered the vocabulary.
Claudine's 'small' folded 'Pizza Carbaloda' (RRP about £4.50) at a place in the Edgware Road. A veritable haven for cyclists...or would be! "Super value!" - but that's another story. Tyre selection. The riding back route (Admission of past guilt - now cured). Further adventures to compound the weariness and prolong the enjoyment - long discussed and finalised prior to the 'Grand Depart'.
Pre-departure, standard reflective photo. Tim H will be along soon, with better...
No need to be at the back this trip, and it was weird getting to the front at times and hearing a different group of people - a little pacier and it was easy to keep even warmth. Tim H and Adrian were foremen of the tecs - I know Luke had a puncture (but he was tec-ing part way so it doesn't count!) Chain drops don't count either so a rolling ride without incident. Good to see Tim back on board again...
Our most serious incident occured when Marin's bag had a blowout close to a petrol station. What are we going to do with this man?
Anyone who was 'flagging by Faygate' was in for a surprise as the cabin was Flagopolis Central. Everywhere! Not quite displacing the 50p 'Duralon' combs hanging just to the left of the counter, (Available in Congo brown or standard black), but partly obscuring the penned sigeage warning people off talking on mobiles while at the front of the queue. (Charlotte intimated mischief making...as if
)
Flagging, by George!
I ordered a sympathetic sandwich.
A little bit of mist to burn away as the sun rose - again Tim has probably manged to capture the gradation in better fashion - it was a nice 'feel' as morning rolled up its sleeves...
The Night Ride Stylists Kats and Jasper 'do' stylish in so many ways apart from their characters. Kats is suffering a bit from her strobe/rolling disco light I reckon!
Yob count: not much this ride - apart from odd stray staggerers (why can't these people wait until early morning to sit around and drink for heaven's sake - why do they have to start so early?) A few car-bound shouts and the group were left in peace to ride the night out of sight. Apart from Susie and Kats, who were interviewing each other on bicycles, and could be heard long before the 'strobe handbag' hove into view!
Arundel tipped its hat to us before the final approach to Bognor, and 'location, location, location' - all started to fall into place. (Sort the bar out proprietors pls.) I was well disposed. I didn't want to leave, actually. Does that mean I should go on holiday there I wonder?
On the subject of photos, Adrian commandeered my camera and advised me that I needed to be in a photo so
But I had already got one of him - wrapped in Ghurka Bridge!
At breakfast - once the chips and beans and other solids were out of the way, it was nice to see Tim O, Adam, Adrian and Andrij relaxing a bit in company. Too Often, these guys are 'doing something' the moment we touch down and are away to the next thing. Also joining, trapped and induced into the vibe of night riding is everyone's favourite epidemiologist, Naomi.
Naomi obviously lacks the skills to thoroughly research stuff as she decided to join the 'table of fitness' with a classy, louche crew in attendance. And the rest is history. Repeated congratulations to 'Denise the Menace' AKA Cecilia.
Adam, Andrij, Adrian and User10571 grumble about the weather, while, at left - a glimpse of Naomi, bringing extra personality to the table.
Here, Cecilia is giving Luke tips on how to ride, when the sight of two Celeste Green bikes at the same time makes her feel quite nauseous!
Another train, pointing toward same old London. I had a flat rear tyre so replaced it quietly while others napped. As there were several depart points along the way, the group dissolved. We all said a mental goodbye though - that's the way it works! Claudine, in danger of going to work sometime soon, collected her panniers and we said ta ta. I headed for Hyde Park to soak up a last bit of atmosphere and it was rammed! A sunny carnival atmosphere - the cyclepaths solid with pedestrians made for a sure and careful ride. It was tempting to people watch and listen to the music by the concert area, but tiredness was my competition. I rode up and out of town. Alan 'popped up' from nowhere and I led him on a mini tour of London's potholes before eventually, he continued upwards to Chorleywood and I drifted to Eastcote, to clean my bike, drink some (more, cold) beer and replace an inner tube for Sunday's London ride.
I downloaded lots of photos and must have sat back in the chair with arms folded, to review and think...about an hour later I woke up and went to bed! Thanks for a nice night and day everyone. As ever, I hope you all found some nice quality to treasure on the Island of Night Ride.
One last thing. As we cycled 'blissfully' to the train station there was a man with an instrument to his lips, blowing us a salute as we passed by.
'Bugler Bognor'
customers of Gatwick Airport must feel, and for good measure, advised on the comparative suitability of internet dating sites.(And that if a bloke
goes on about Art Galleries and knows nothing about soccer (Association Football © Adrian, Bognor 2010) then avoid him like the plague etc..
)Susie was gushing in her praise for her new work colleague, among other things - lovely, smiling entertainment to help build the day.
Well - that accounts for about ten minutes of a post-ride acclimatisation course that took place on the terrace of the Sea Front Café. The sky was blue canvas for the sun's urgent heat. Hot? Yes! What happened for the other six hours - er...well. 'Eek!'
Plenty of the usual good nature on this ride once more - undoubtedly helped by a reasonable warmth. There were one or two cool spots - either side of the Cabin Café stop - that prompted a 'Brrr' or two, but once the sun had begun to peek through the trees after 06:00, we were 'set fair' for a pleasant arrival.
A quick 'turn up and go' is no longer enough to satisfy the lovers of the Night. 'Carbloading' has entered the vocabulary.
Claudine's 'small' folded 'Pizza Carbaloda' (RRP about £4.50) at a place in the Edgware Road. A veritable haven for cyclists...or would be! "Super value!" - but that's another story. Tyre selection. The riding back route (Admission of past guilt - now cured). Further adventures to compound the weariness and prolong the enjoyment - long discussed and finalised prior to the 'Grand Depart'.
Pre-departure, standard reflective photo. Tim H will be along soon, with better...
No need to be at the back this trip, and it was weird getting to the front at times and hearing a different group of people - a little pacier and it was easy to keep even warmth. Tim H and Adrian were foremen of the tecs - I know Luke had a puncture (but he was tec-ing part way so it doesn't count!) Chain drops don't count either so a rolling ride without incident. Good to see Tim back on board again...
Our most serious incident occured when Marin's bag had a blowout close to a petrol station. What are we going to do with this man?
Anyone who was 'flagging by Faygate' was in for a surprise as the cabin was Flagopolis Central. Everywhere! Not quite displacing the 50p 'Duralon' combs hanging just to the left of the counter, (Available in Congo brown or standard black), but partly obscuring the penned sigeage warning people off talking on mobiles while at the front of the queue. (Charlotte intimated mischief making...as if
)Flagging, by George!
I ordered a sympathetic sandwich.
A little bit of mist to burn away as the sun rose - again Tim has probably manged to capture the gradation in better fashion - it was a nice 'feel' as morning rolled up its sleeves...
The Night Ride Stylists Kats and Jasper 'do' stylish in so many ways apart from their characters. Kats is suffering a bit from her strobe/rolling disco light I reckon!
Yob count: not much this ride - apart from odd stray staggerers (why can't these people wait until early morning to sit around and drink for heaven's sake - why do they have to start so early?) A few car-bound shouts and the group were left in peace to ride the night out of sight. Apart from Susie and Kats, who were interviewing each other on bicycles, and could be heard long before the 'strobe handbag' hove into view!
Arundel tipped its hat to us before the final approach to Bognor, and 'location, location, location' - all started to fall into place. (Sort the bar out proprietors pls.) I was well disposed. I didn't want to leave, actually. Does that mean I should go on holiday there I wonder?
On the subject of photos, Adrian commandeered my camera and advised me that I needed to be in a photo so
But I had already got one of him - wrapped in Ghurka Bridge!
At breakfast - once the chips and beans and other solids were out of the way, it was nice to see Tim O, Adam, Adrian and Andrij relaxing a bit in company. Too Often, these guys are 'doing something' the moment we touch down and are away to the next thing. Also joining, trapped and induced into the vibe of night riding is everyone's favourite epidemiologist, Naomi.
Naomi obviously lacks the skills to thoroughly research stuff as she decided to join the 'table of fitness' with a classy, louche crew in attendance. And the rest is history. Repeated congratulations to 'Denise the Menace' AKA Cecilia.
Adam, Andrij, Adrian and User10571 grumble about the weather, while, at left - a glimpse of Naomi, bringing extra personality to the table.
Here, Cecilia is giving Luke tips on how to ride, when the sight of two Celeste Green bikes at the same time makes her feel quite nauseous!
Another train, pointing toward same old London. I had a flat rear tyre so replaced it quietly while others napped. As there were several depart points along the way, the group dissolved. We all said a mental goodbye though - that's the way it works! Claudine, in danger of going to work sometime soon, collected her panniers and we said ta ta. I headed for Hyde Park to soak up a last bit of atmosphere and it was rammed! A sunny carnival atmosphere - the cyclepaths solid with pedestrians made for a sure and careful ride. It was tempting to people watch and listen to the music by the concert area, but tiredness was my competition. I rode up and out of town. Alan 'popped up' from nowhere and I led him on a mini tour of London's potholes before eventually, he continued upwards to Chorleywood and I drifted to Eastcote, to clean my bike, drink some (more, cold) beer and replace an inner tube for Sunday's London ride.
I downloaded lots of photos and must have sat back in the chair with arms folded, to review and think...about an hour later I woke up
and went to bed! Thanks for a nice night and day everyone. As ever, I hope you all found some nice quality to treasure on the Island of Night Ride.One last thing. As we cycled 'blissfully' to the train station there was a man with an instrument to his lips, blowing us a salute as we passed by.
'Bugler Bognor'
. 
