FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast - Bognor Regis 12th August 2011

[StuAff]

Another corker, precipitation notwithstanding. I was on a later finish time at work, and I just missed my usual train up. Hence I had to catch a later one into Clapham Junction and got over to the Common a couple of minutes before the peloton, so it didn't work out too badly. I thought that was a terrific route- the south London variations were an improvement, and I certainly didn't mind an extra climb or two instead of all those stiles or (shudder) the chalk path. The rain was a trifle irritating, but nothing more (stayed warm enough). Certainly didn't dampen my spirits, though I think it got to a few others.
As ever, the company of friends old and new was delightful. The Cabin did, as ever, excellent work in feeding us all, and as for the finish, I can't say I was impressed by the Boat House's opening fail (they knew we were coming....), but User10571's summed up the alternative perfectly.

Breakfast at the Lobster Pot is to be commended for its quality, delivery and general can-do-ish-ness of the staff at that establishment. Very happy to eat there again.

As was I (second visit in my case, after the Not a Christmas ride). Cracking service by lovely people. Breakfast on a par with the Waterfront, also had a very nice bit of cake. And several slices of complimentary toast.

I did intend to keep up my 100% record of riding back from this one, but quickly decided that slogging along at 10 mph into a headwind for two and a half hours didn't appeal, so went to the station instead and was back home in an hour or so.

Thanks one and all!

My Garmin data here.

 

[redfalo]

What a night. Simon really has to work on the weather thing, I'm afraid. Apart from that, there in fact were times I was enjoying the ride.

Mostly before the break, and especially after our arrival in Bognor:

Uh, and many thanks again to Claudine for the train ticket!!!

 

[mistral]

This was possibly my first fnrttc sans mudguards - taking advice I was assured that >1mm was likely.

Unfortunately someone kept pressing the repeat button. So for several hours I experienced the joy of riding without the heavy fenders I usually lug around, instead had the pleasure of being waster cooled from all directions.

That apart, perfect ride.

 

[TimO]

The shooting stars were rubbish.

I'm guessing that scheduling the drizzle coincident with the optimal date and time for watching the Perseids was bad planning. I'd complain to the authorities if I was you.

 

[Aperitif]

"Simple FNRttC is the most beautiful. But playing simple FNRttC is the hardest thing"

Which commentator said that? My knowledge of football is only slightly less than that of persils. Olaf's breakfast is a tap-in for 'most massive feast' - Frank and MartinB will be eyeing with envy...

Yes, you deserved a pat on the back for toting that, Adrian...and all you got was a camel. (Did you have a suck on it for investigative purposes BTW?)

Man Utd won.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

This was possibly my first fnrttc sans mudguards - taking advice I was assured that >1mm was likely.

Unfortunately someone kept pressing the repeat button. So for several hours I experienced the joy of riding without the heavy fenders I usually lug around, instead had the pleasure of being waster cooled from all directions.

That apart, perfect ride.

Do we need an FNRttC "Pud-dle!" shout to go with the "Bol-lard!" one?

It was certainly my first FNRttC sans 'guards.

I'm horrified to admit that I'm not sure I missed them. However the bike looks stupid without them, too big a gap between seat tube and tyre, so they are going back on. (Goes away to plot buying a bike without said gap, perhaps? I wonder what the lovely Helen might say to that? Something along the lines of "Noooooooooo!" I think.)

I loved the secret squirrel escape from the smoke, the murder mile on the A217 was a joy, the descent to Betchworth a blast, even the Rusper lumps felt flat. Seeing my house as we passed Horsham Station, well if I shed a tear the rain just washed it away. Why is it easier to go up Tower Hill after riding from London than it is to climb it after leaving my house? The worse the weather got the more I enjoyed it to be honest. Would have loved to see the peleton climb Houghton (Bury) Hill but the fairy decided it was not to be. Instead I had the tickle of fear of being overtaken and dropped by 'teef or Adrian on a rescue mission, and in my own backyard, as we went up and over and down. The hammer was down, though in my case it is a fairly small hammer and then I got to past Slindon and though "bugger, I don't know where to go next!" just as 'teef caught and passed me. Relieved to see him for the second time in a few minutes.

Lovely to meet Jim at Horsham Station on the way up. Great to meet up again with Nigel on the train, not to mention trying to keep up with him, in his backyard as he blasts to the front to waymark. Splendid to discuss the hows whys and wherefores of modern apprenticeships with Paul. Managed a nod at Susie and I think maybe two sentences with Claud - it wasn't a night for conversation, rarely is with me though, should have continued the theme and kept gob shut at the repair stop.....

A special word of thanks to the man who runs the coffee stand on Platform 3 at Barnham. Great mocha, splendid sugar waffle, consumed whilst the rest of the ride was eating breakfast.

How did the camelbak affair resolve itself and did Adrian charge porterage?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Just after we had crossed the A27 its owner commented that he had one just like it but had left it at The Cabin. This is of course the sort of thing that could happen to just about anyone.
A porterage fee was agreed, it was returned at The Boat House, the fee is now a debt, but since I had near enough enough beer anyway, that can wait.

I will be customising both my camelbaks with lovely coloured ribbons in due course.

 

[Shadow]

I am also indebted to Adrian for retrieving my spex prior to Amberley. Was going to offer him a half of The Boathouse's finest but he was nowhere to be found and then discovered he had defected to The Potty. Maybe next time Adrian?

 

[Aperitif]

Anytime

You're like 'Frank with a sense of responsibility', Adrian.

 

[frank9755]

Is there a right way to take this?

with a pinch of salt...?

 

[Aperitif]

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila four,
fivwe teqhuela ,sish tequchwila, sevensh tech...

Actually, it was nice to see AKA Billbratton out - even if it was with an armed guard. Haven't seen Titus since Paris but he deigned to arrive mob-handed and 'escort' the peloton through badlands. Come back soon, Titus - most is forgiven!

 

[dellzeqq]

Well done, one and all. The rain, combined with a headwind, was miserable at times, but people just stuck with it, smiling all the while. I was really impressed.

A particular mention to Sahar, who has come on a bundle in the last twelve months (and to George who is clearly a bit of an inspiration), to Harfun for overcoming a ghastly power to weight ratio, and to SD and Greg for recovering from their punctures so brilliantly. Particular thanks, as ever, to the TECs, and to Andrew K and Andrij who joined me for road block duty at the back on the B2139. That too strength = whatever you thought of the driving further up, it was nasty where we were.........

I'm struck by the popularity of the stealth route. We'll do it again. As one of the people who campaigned for that path and then regretted it (it cuts the Common in two) I think that it's not such a bad thing at half past twelve.

The Felpham Cafe Conundrum needs sorting out - I've got some thinking to do

 

[_aD]

Having ridden against the clock for a lot of Friday I decided to hang back and take it easy this time, for the most part, which was a nice change. Seeing the TECs standing in the dark and the rain with a smile on their face was humbling, and it was such a fabulous warm night to ride around with good company, as always. I'd managed to forget my waterproofs - so could either wear my pannier or get wet - and my wingman Steve D was starting to feel under the weather (for once, no pun intended) so we decided to bail out at Horsham station. We both enjoyed the part of the ride that we participated in. Thanks again!

 

[Becs]

I think this was my favourite route to date (night ride no 5 and counting!), even if the weather was pants at times. I really liked the route out of London and even enjoyed the rolling nature of the route - it's amazing the difference a bigger bike with gears I can climb in makes! I was just sad that the clipped in nature of my pedals prevented me from taking my feet off the pedals and shouting "weeeeeeeee!" as I went through all the pedals feeling smug about my lovely shiney mudguards

Even got to see Granny and Grandad and Uncle Lofty which was nice as I don't get down there nearly enough.

 

[iZaP]

My lowest point of the ride was when I noticed that User10571 did not had a banana taped to the handlebar...

My highest point of the ride was when I noticed that this other lady had two bananas taped to the handlebars!
& when I hit over 40mph on the way back to London.