FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast April 15th Manchester to Blackpool 2011

[Andrij]

Hurrah! Got out of work just in time (but nearly 2 hrs later than planned). Now home, fed & watered. The bike is ready, I have my tickets (for the correct date and time). I can actually relax for a whole ... 15 minutes before I head off to Euston.

BTW, do I need a passport that far north of Watford?

Ciao!

 

[frank9755]

I got on the train before this balmy forecast, so I'm toting the arctic gear.

I've just left home but I come from the North and we're going to be going high up, I've brought the arctic gear too. Did feel a bit ott though when, wearing two pea socks, winter boots and overshoes, I passed a woman cycling in flip flops!

 

[Landslide]

Thanks to Our Glorious Leader, thanks to routefinder Andy, and most of all, thanks to Quilligans for serving us beer right now.

 

[skudupnorth]

Looks like the weather was good for you,pity i am stuck in a room with no windows thinking i wish i was out on the bike ! have a safe trip home and home i can join you next time

 

[AndrewClark]

A lovely ride with fine weather. Thanks a lot to Simon for organising it, and to everyone else for the good company. I'm now at home in Liverpool & getting ready for bed

 

[Aperitif]

WAnAndrij, Adrian, Nick, Frank and serf are just about to arrive at Euston!

 

[marinyork]

Just to say a big thank you for organising another one in the north of England. For those that chickened out due to train unfamiliarity and stories of 'hills' I think you really missed out - you know who you are!

 

[frank9755]

Home now!

What a joy! Always refreshing to get out of London for a weekend. Wonderful weather, delightful people, quiet roads (although cratered like the moon) a superb route through some dramatic countryside.

Will post some pictures later but hope Miranda Mice is ok, having had a fall due to her new bike not being set up properly, after she had been storming up the hills at some pace.

 

[CharlieB]

That was one AMAZING road trip. I'm sure I and others have said it before, but it's the people we share these rides with that make them what they are, in large part.
Thank you as ever to Dell and team.
Very enjoyable route, loved the long long descents and the fast stretch along the B-whatever it was toward the finish.
And of course the wonderfully organised catering at the Carmen Rose.
Nearly home, I'll see if the new camera I'm struggling with and Teef's tips on loading to the fora bear fruit later.
Ooooh, Bognor.Regis, here we come…

 

[Aperitif]

Cooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I'm at a proper keyboard now - let the debrief begin!

A nice ride. A very nice ride. I can imagine the last third taking no time at all with a 'bunch' of similar pace steaming coastwards, making life easier for each other...

Don't fancy Frank's chances on his blind date he met in the Old Bull in Preston. ('Blind' date meaning that Frank's date would be toting a bottle of acid etc ) Further snippets from Frank's amorous activities later!

 

[frank9755]

And he can keep his photoshopped photos to himself.

Details of the caption competition will follow shortly

 

[frank9755]

Don't fancy Frank's chances on his blind date he met in the Old Bull in Preston. ('Blind' date meaning that Frank's date would be toting a bottle of acid etc ) Further snippets from Frank's amorous activities later!

I know when I am beaten! I don't think I have any chance at all as I feel sure she would have taken up 'Tif's offer of a visit to London

had her handler and guard dog not been present.

 

[Andrij]

Home and now feeding.

Thanks for a fantastic ride. Not as tough as I feared, but my legs are definitely tired.

 

[frank9755]

My entry, sight unseen, is "Adrian contemplating the full range of reprisals at his disposal".

Au contraire, I think you had the best view of all!

 

[theclaud]

Top notch night out on two wheels. Was sorry I couldn't stick around for a few more beers. Never mind - I am refreshed by snoozing through most of Arriva's scenic route home, and have discovered on the way that Lidl have a special on Belgian Beers - so that's the evening sorted . Really enjoyed the route as well as the company - Simon's dire warnings of toughness did the job of terrifying us into being pleasantly surprised by the reality. Halfway stop is one of the best. Hope Mice is OK - good combo of initiative, beefcake and ad-hoc teamwork from Simon, Teef and Brian rescued a situation that wasn't looking too mechanically hopeful. Great to see you all, and looking forward to Bognor.