FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast - Brighton 28th September

[anothersam]

I still suck at these things – I'm just not a social animal – but until Simon issues a restraining order, I shall continue to spend some of my Friday nights riding to whatever coast he has in mind.

Spent a good part of last night on wayfinder duty, which suited: long minutes woolgathering by the side of the road (reminded me of my hitchhiking days; I love the road) followed by happy sprints back to the front to be volunteered again.

Examined the knots in the scout hall at halftime. None appealed to me in a shoe-tying kind of way. Also examined the bikes. Your handle bars are too crowded, people!

As always, was impressed by those on 'bents going uphill, as just the thought of it makes my blood run cold. Also saw my first upright trike on one of these rides.

Skipped Brighton and had a pleasant spin back to an empty house, as my wife was at French class. She'd like if I took it too, but I think vélo is enough French for me.

 

[kimble]

The awesome pile of giant Luggages disembarked at Coventry, not Birmingham International as we expected. I suspect this is related to this week being the start of term at Warwick uni (a factoid I had previously gleaned from elsewhere). They were quickly replaced by a mad cat woman (with cats) and the second lot of shameless fare-dodgers of the weekend.

A brilliant ride, even if I did embarrass myself by volunteering for TEC duty and then promptly have a puncture. I shall be having words with my tyres on the subject of timing.

A great job by the scout leaders (actual scouts were suspiciously thin on the ground). Good food, a full complement of chairs and plenty of loo rolls in reserve for when the inevitable happened in the ladies'. What's not to like?

10/10 to whoever decided to resurface Ditchling Beacon, especially as they did it properly rather than just pour some gravel all over it. While I was suffering somewhat from Knees by that point, I was able to twiddle my way up and admire the view, rather than the usual concentration on potholes and deceased wing mirrors.

 

[newfhouse]

newfhouse, you've got to do another one to get a SMRBTH cap

I bet that's what they told Sysiphus

 

[mmmmartin]

Three of us went on to Bexhill to see the wobbly coach, which er, wobbled nicely. Thanks once again to all, TECs, waymarkers, and of course, Dellzeqq, for a great night. Coffee before Ditchling was simply lovely. The views were sublime. I am specially pleased to see the way Vernon tackled The Beacon: a no-nonsense can-do attitude. He seemed specially chuffed at the top. We interrupted the trip to Bexhill at Lewes, where we enjoyed a sit-down, a coffee, and a spell of people-watching. All human life is there. The ride to Bexhill had lovely views, sunshine, flat roads and good company.

 

[User10571]

.......until Simon issues a restraining order, I shall continue to spend some of my Friday nights riding to whatever coast he has in mind........

And so you should.
If it wasn't supposed to be that way, it wouldn't be.

 

[User10571]

..........10/10 to whoever decided to resurface Ditchling Beacon, especially as they did it properly rather than just pour some gravel all over it. ..........

All of a sudden, I'm really interested.
In The Beacon.

EDIT: Another stunning moon out here in Londres Sud this evening

 

[CharlieB]

Another great night out. Dry, a stunning firmament to admire, and temperature that mercifully stayed above a 6° minimum. Thank you to the Hatlers for welcome coffee at the foot of DB, waymarkers, TECs and DZ for impeccable organisation as ever.
The Madeira breakfast was excellent as usual, and then off with Martin and Dave, up to Lewes and across the Pevensey levels to find at long last, the de la Warr Pavilion and the wobbly bus.
It certainly wobbled, but not on the video footage I captured.
TMN's routing worked perfectly, ta muchly.
Home, quick shower, and out immediately to catch Perfect Alibi, Floyd tribute act par excellence.
Catch them if you can when they tour. They're nearly as good as the Aussie Pink Floyd Show, but less than half the ticket price.
101 miles for the day.

 

[StuAff]

I still suck at these things – I'm just not a social animal – but until Simon issues a restraining order, I shall continue to spend some of my Friday nights riding to whatever coast he has in mind.

Spent a good part of last night on wayfinder duty, which suited: long minutes woolgathering by the side of the road (reminded me of my hitchhiking days; I love the road) followed by happy sprints back to the front to be volunteered again.

Kind of social then, in your own way (and certainly nothing wrong with that!).

Examined the knots in the scout hall at halftime. None appealed to me in a shoe-tying kind of way. Also examined the bikes. Your handlebars are too crowded, people!

Two lights. Plenty of room. But I did have a Garmin on the stem and USB charging thing in top tube bag. Guilty as charged.
Some of us also need more gears than you to get up the Beacon!

 

[BigGee]

Well that was my first outing as a TEC and I was very happy to take my turn.. It is certainly a different experience at the back. You definitely keep moving a lot more than you do at the front, albeit a bit more slowly and at times on a rolling road like last night it is fascinating to see all the red lights in front of you, bobbing up and down the hills.

You also get a slightly different perspective back there as well. For some on the rides, myself included in that, we enjoy the challenges of distance and speed. The ride to Brighton is not the longest we do, but it rolls and rolls and that eventually takes it toll. For some at the back, just completing the route is the challenge and it is inspiring to watch them dragging themselves up each hill on their journey to the end. So a big well done to all of them and I hope you take the sense of satisfaction that you are due.

Fortunately it was a fairly trouble free night on the mechanical front. The few punctures that happend at least had the good grace to happen at convienient spots, such as the start and the rest stop and were quickly sorted and nothing much else seemed to need more than a quick turn of an allen key.

The highlight to me as always on the Brighton run is that view on top of the Beacon and then that long swop off the top of the downs back into the town, especially on such a beautiful morning. It really has to be worth staying up all night for!

Thanks to all my colleagues at the back, the wayfarers and Simon's organisation, which was as usual impecible!

See you all next week

 

[Mice]

That was a FNRttC with altitude! Having taken all the weather forecasts from as many cats as possible, I arrived at Victoria Station in time to meet Their Leggships and a merry band of peeps enjoying a last minute coffee and a chat, awaiting the train bringing The Halls and George.

Once we were all together we made our way to Hyde Park Corner where we formed a group of about 90! Fantastic! The party had started. Big Hellos and Welcomes to everyone, Ianrauk said how clean my bike was- excellent! - an opportunity to say hello to Vernon who had travelled down from Leeds to do this ride as he had never done it before.

I had met Vernon much earlier in the year on the York to Hull ride when his lovely Woodrup with Rohloff Hub and Gates Carbon Belt drive system was pretty new and he rendered me speechless when he let me take it for a test ride. I grin just thinking about that. The Woodrup has done many, many miles since and here it was at HPC heading for the South Coast.

Flying Dodo and Stuaff were announced as the TECs - All Up Walnuts was AWOL - we practiced our Bollards, Bungalows and Stopping declarations then swooped our way down to the Embankment, up to Clapham Common out to Tooting, Mitcham, Coulsdon and the first of three hills - Porntalls Road. I spun my way to the top, trying to ignore the cold damp air but extremely happy that I had the right wardrobe to fend off rain and wind.

I caught up with all sorts of peeps I havent seen for a while - some since LonJoG and it was great to find myself cycling with Michael, Xu, Wanda, Ian MacS, Adrian and Ross. The absence of TC, GregCollins and Sahar was decidedly noted and I look forward to seeing them on the next ride. Rebecca Olds wasnt their either - hopefully tho for the next one.

The air was cool and despite being 90 or so in numbers we seemed to be moving extremely well. The TECs were either having practically nothing to do or were doing so with lightening speed - although I did see a suitably timed visitation at a regrouping point which of course didn't interfere with the rolling speed
.
The sky was clear and had been from 5pm when I took the pic of the moon. As we headed into the countryside, the moon shone and the stars were visible. Not quite like the Lymington ride last week but pretty good all the same. The obligatory "Go Wiggo Go" shrieks and shouts from locals on their nights out - not entirely sure they could believe what they were seeing. Through the badlands and done Lonesome lane - smooth tarmac and a lovely seven miles to the Burstow Scout Hut. What a place for Stopsies. They really set a standard. Great food, fab cakes, friendly smiles and really efficient way of feeding 90 people in the middle of the night. I have no idea if they had been to bed or were going to go to bed but they gave us a really lovely Stopsies. Thank you! Onwards to Turners Hill then swooping down to Lyndhurst and on to Ditchling - using a new route which was simply lovely. Narrow lanes, gentle up and downs, the sun was coming up and the sky was incredible.

Chit chat with lots of peeps, great to see Mr and Mrs Mark Grant, Hatlers serving coffee - I declined as I thought I'd better go and deal with the Beacon. So following George's suggestion to look around rather than at the steepness of the tarmac, spinning as gently as I could I went up the Beacon. Up, up, up, more bends, a couple of patient drivers behind who graciously waited to overtake at a sensible spot and up I went - at the top! Hurrayyy!!! Thank you Tony Savage and George. Mission accomplished.

I then started taking some pics as the sky and the view was so stunning. I took a series of pics arriving at the summit - Mini Hatler making the whole thing look effortless. My most favourite moment was seeing Miss Hatler (aged 9) overtake the Halls on their tandem. Hilarious!! Bravo Miss Hatler - that is a great achievement!

Then it was across the top to the descent into Brighton where Greg and his team at the Madeira were incredibly efficient. Thank you very much. Sahar joined us on her way to work which was fab. Unbelievable, Vernon let me ride his bike again - along Madeira Drive. Woweeeeee - it is a really lovely bike and I couldnt believe I was riding it again. Thank you Vernon!

On to a pub and beersies. A couple of hours later Xi, Malcolm and I were on a train to Victoria all in agreement how amazing these rides are and how lucky we are that Their Leggships do these marvellous things called FNRttCs. We really are very luck and extremely grateful to you both for creating the very best Friday Night entertainment ever (and sometimes they may not even be on a Friday) as cycling and laughing with such a great group of people, laughing all the way to the coast, is just the best.

I took some pics - extra ones from the top of Ditchling Beacon to hopefully capture the moment anyone was doing this for the first time.

https://picasaweb.google.com/108733...authkey=Gv1sRgCMXzkObZ8pW1pQE&feat=directlink

Mice

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

''...stars on the road!''

I just remembered catching those words from a young woman talking on her mobile as she walked along the pavement. She clearly hadn't been expecting to see a chain of bright twinkling lights dancing silently along the road at that hour of the day (not that I can remember what hour of the day it was!) and was impressed enough to relay her astonishment via the mobile phone network.

Stars on the road indeed!

 

[vernon]

Where do I start to describe what has to be the most enjoyable organised ride that I have ridden this year?

A big thank you to the Peterborough CTC riders who let me tag along with them from getting off the London train to riding to HPC
A thank you to the small group of Londoners on a street corner on the aforementioned ride who professed their love for me, particularly my tuxedo cycle shirt.
Many thanks to members of the Fridays who, upon seeing me for the first time since the York-Hull FNRttC, massaged my ego by commenting upon my decreasing girth.
A thank you to hill climbing Jedi master Martin who sowed the seeds of gravity defiance in this grimpeur padawan's mind from the get go - The Force was truly with me.
My stomach would like to thank the caterers at the scout hut. So much to be eaten for so little money!
To Ian, the tattoed beat Messiah, thanks for the glug of whisky in the scout hut. A little goes a long way as a pick me up.
Another vote of thanks to Martin and his ongoing neuro-linguistic programming during the ride. After my conquering of Turners Hill I was left in no doubt that Ditchling Beacon was 'easy'
A massive thank you to the folk at the top of the 'big one' who applauded my successful attempt at doing the Beacon 'in one'. My sense of achievement was boosted by the atmosphere.
Miranda, your lust for my 'Woodruff' knows no bounds I look forward to your next test ride and ensuing enthusiastic babbling about the Gates belt drive system.
Susie and Jennie - no FNRttC experience would be complete without you because of the contrubtion you make to the enjoyable conversations that we have during and after the ride.
To all who contributed to my enjoyment of the ride and who have not been individually identified, consider yourselves thanked.

Simon - none of the above would have been possible without you organising the rides. London start FNRttCs are now being added to my ride calendar - the flatter ones until I am less porky.

I'm still smiling at the pre-ride, ride and post ride memories as I type this up. No other ride has done this.

What a buzz today has been.

 

[Tim Hall]

A late running train to Victoria meant I had to forgo my traditional pre ride West Cornwall snackage. After that it all got a whole lot better. Avoided becoming a bonnet ornament for an impatient taxi driver who had evaded the Adrian Road Block on Eaton Gate. See, improvement already. The hub gear on the Pino is faulty, so I only had middle on bottom gears, meaning setting speed cameras off good rates of progress were a bit tricky. Through the usual Sarf Lunnon streets without incident, chatting to people as we went. Good to see the Peterborough Posse there and the odd unemployed investment banker too. Portnalls Lane was accomplished with relative ease, a tactical delay on Reigate Hill to create a safe space failed to be effective wrt Mr Gatsonimdes invention. Still nice and fast though. Through Reigate and down Lonesome Lane, where the perfect tarmac has gert longitudinal cracks. Waved to the teddy bears then listened to Adrian offering sage advice to a car driver about using his horn in a built up area during the hours of dusk. It took fewer syllables than that though. We peeled off from the group for what is becoming a traditional comfort break in Horley, to be reunited just as the tail swung into the Edifice. Fed and watered, thanks to Derek and his gang, and off out into the cold. Nicely warm by the top of Turners Hill, where once again the benches outside the Crown served as makeshift sleeping spaces. 5 minutes of shuteye and I was ready to take on the world. Or ride to Brighton.

Freewheeled past lots people pedalling down the road to Ardingly. Freewheeled past a few more on the run to Lindfield at a speed just below what was comfortable for our rather dim front light. And then we were at the Hatler Cafe where Pippsy was removing layers. Golly. Fuelled up we ascended steadily, to be easily passed by a giggling Hatler Minimus within sight of the summit. Bah.

Overtook a van as we passed the speed camera on the run into Brighton. Breakfast was followed by Hatler-rides on the Pino and photographing Mice riding Vernon's bike as if she hadn't stolen it. Zipped up to the station and celebrated the ticket machine issuing orange cardboard to random destinations by throwing my phone onto the track. Once reunited with it and correctly redestinationed we shared snoozing with Gerwinium until we got off for home.

Pics.

 

[anothersam]

Guilty as charged.

My minimalist manifesto, soon to be made available in handy pre-dog-eared pamphlet form and distributed by True Believers on street corners, lays out my philosophy in great detail, but meanwhile, one bullet point shall suffice:

•

See what I did there? Just a point, no words. This symbolizes the pure state of nothing, which can only be achieved by highlighting nothing.

Every potential attachment, not matter how useful it is perceived to be, must be weighed. If desire is found to be heavier than need, desire must be blown to the winds like a dandelion puff.

Lights. Strictly speaking not necessary. First, there is the full moon, which Simon has thoughtfully arranged to appear on his rides (and which heavenly body summoned the animal spirits in some bystanders, but I digress). If clouds should obscure this, the rods in the human eye, once accustomed to the nocturnal world, are more than adequate to the task. Reflective surfaces can be used to augment this and provide valuable clues. You may as a last resort 'hitchhike' off other people's lights, but as this method robs those others of their chance to attain true enlightenment, it is perhaps best to forgo proselytizing from the saddle.

Computers. The joy of cycling is not a tale of numbers. Cast these devices into a bottomless pothole and embrace the freedom that comes with not knowing.

GPS. Life is meant to be uncertain. Robbing yourself of that uncertainty will ultimately leave you unfulfilled. Alternatively, see above reference to hitchhiking.

Other Things. I think you get the picture.

 

[jonny jeez]

this was my first "fridays" trip and what an experience.

-handshakes from pretty young women at the traffic lights in tooting {i was going for a kiss... but what the hell!}
-invisible hills that appeared whilst you were already half way up
-invisible bends that did the same
-chats with riders and public alike
-quality tea and sarnes at the crawley scout hall, before climbing back out into the cold damp night
-epic swooping runs down from turners hill, up to 30mph in near total darkness. Now I realise how crap my lights are for seeing and not being seen
-breaking dawn across the misty fields
-Psycing out the beacon, riding along its flanks whilst it stared me out from the corner of my eye
-breathtaking views from the south downs
-coasting down into Brighton fueled by the the warm sun and surge of pride
-Craking fry up and loads of tea
-snoozing on the train home.


all smashing memories.

thank guys for the company and the experience.