FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast 26th March in aid of Martlets Hospice 2010

[TimO]

Moi, Adam and Dave...when dellzeqq says 'TEC' it means TEC. Adam, the two Tims, Andrij, Graham - always packing tons of stuff to help out (and the medicine cabinet, which this ride ran to Camus, Courvoisier, Malt, couple of energy gel and a Talisker boost).

...although I gave up TECing from the bottom of Ditchling, and went up at my own pace, followed by my imitation of speed into Brighton. By that point there aren't likely to be an significant mechanicals, and worse case scenario, you can almost freewheel into Brighton (or jump on the sag wagon!)

Major kudos to all the others, who stayed at the back on duty, until the end.

 

[Wheeledweenie]

Did no one get footage of the bloody tandem?!?!?!?!

 

[ianrauk]

Was there a tandem?

Did no one get footage of the bloody tandem?!?!?!?!

 

[Wheeledweenie]

Was there a tandem?

Wanna see that baby grow up?! Don't push it!

 

[theclaud]

Was there a tandem?

It was a bit tricky to spot - what with the muted, low-key, softly-blending colours sported by the riders. Their socks pretty much blended into the hedgerow background...

 

[MacB]

Nice one Andy..
I do believe I see MacB being pushed up Ditchling

Phew, that's someone giving me a push, I thought I'd strained too hard and something had popped out the back, I can just about see the difference now you mention it

 

[Aperitif]

I can't compete with the Tims for mobile workshop facilities, but here's a photo of all the merde that I was toting around in my jacket on Friday night. I had a saddlepack too, which had more gas, tubes and a fluffy toy no doubt.
Discharged onto the worktop before washing on Sunday morning, I thought to myself 'you're mad'.

Money
Wallet - CTC, D/Licence, Bank card, £notes
Spare clear glasses in case anyone was struggling
Sunglasses
Gas
Gel
Antiseptic wipes, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Paracetemol, Pro Plus
Hand warming gel packs 2, Arm warmers,
CO2 inflator
Chain tool, Var, tyre levers
Pen, paper, batteries, chocolate.
Another spare tube, Power Monkey (for desperate times!)
Surgical gloves for those 'moments'
Medicinal Imbibery Apparatus aka hip flask
Train ticket from East Croydon...
Lottery ticket bought during our return = £10 prize!
Tissues - used once or twice only

 

[arallsopp]

Phew, that's someone giving me a push, I thought I'd strained too hard and something had popped out the back, I can just about see the difference now you mention it

LOL!

(I'd assumed you were towing him up, tbh.)

 

[beatleandrew]

About time I chipped in with my thoughts...

I had a fab ride and am thrilled that everything ran so smoothly! The FNRttC, as usual, had such a lovely bunch of people and didn't those fundraisers do well? I thought Simon was most courteous to organise so few punctures for a change. Well, I had two myself, but on the whole there seemed to either be a notable absence of fairy visitations or else someone at the back has been getting very fast at repairing them!

I can't really add much more praise to what has already been mentioned, but I have blogged about the ride here if anyone is interested in reading my account of things.

I rode back to London after breakfast with the Mouseketeer contingent, which was a lot of fun. However, I did run into some mechanical difficulties about 20 km before reaching home and now have to get my back wheel repaired and a new derailleur. Bit gutted with the final outcome, but the whole night/day out was a treat. Thanks to everyone who came along and made it so much fun!

 

[Aperitif]

That's a nice looking blog Andrew! And you made an utter mess of your back wheel - obviously young walnuts has been passing on the curse of 'spoke too soon'!
And another veggie too!

 

[arallsopp]

That's good reading Andrew. I'm heading back through the posts now

 

[beatleandrew]

That's a nice looking blog Andrew! And you made an utter mess of your back wheel - obviously young walnuts has been passing on the curse of 'spoke too soon'!
And another veggie too!

Thanks Teef. The blog's new, about as new as my broken new wheel.
Planet-X should be collecting it from me tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be cycling again soon.

 

[Wheeledweenie]

Thanks Teef. The blog's new, about as new as my broken new wheel.
Planet-X should be collecting it from me tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be cycling again soon.

I should hope so too, that could have been a nasty accident. Next time you should just go on a tandem.

 

[TimO]

I can't compete with the Tims for mobile workshop facilities ...

Seeing that I had a large pannier with me, Simon dumped a M-Part Micro CO2 Inflator and eight additional (large) cartridges on me. When we had to use them, once I worked things out (wasting half a cylinder in the procees ), they were a marvel.

I'm going to get me one, and a heap of cartridges. I'll still carry a pump, but being able to avoid all that effort, sweating, and blistered hands would be worth it!

(Apparently tyres so inflated tend to deflate faster than normal, but so long as it gets me back home to my track pump, I'll be happy).

 

[beatleandrew]

Seeing that I had a large pannier with me, Simon dumped a M-Part Micro CO2 Inflator and eight additional (large) cartridges on me. When we had to use them, once I worked things out (wasting half a cylinder in the procees ), they were a marvel.

I'm going to get me one, and a heap of cartridges. I'll still carry a pump, but being able to avoid all that effort, sweating, and blistered hands would be worth it!

(Apparently tyres so inflated tend to deflate faster than normal, but so long as it gets me back home to my track pump, I'll be happy).

Just make sure you don't pay bike shop prices - have a look on eBay and on web stores specialising in gas cartridges. You can get cartridges by the box load for a bargain!