FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast - Burnham-on-Crouch 26th October

[dellzeqq]

Adam B
Adrian C
Alan C
Andrew By
Andrij B
Ben B-M
Cate R
Charlie B
Chris B
Chris By
Chris M
David C
Davy S
Donna C
Eddie C
Gary J
Georgios V
Gordon P
Ian At
Ian M
Jan F
Jenny M
John G
Julie G
User10571 B
Ken H
Kevon R
Kim W
Kristjan K
Lisa H
Liyana P
Louise L
Louise M
Martin B
Martin T
Mary L
Matthew W
Michael A
Mike M
Miranda S
Moses A
Nick L
Paul Rb
Peter L
Philip K
Rachel W
Rebecca O-B
Richard C
Ronald R
Ross C
Sandra S
Shakira W
Sonia W
Stephen W
Steve J
Stuart G
Susie F
Thom F
Tim H
Tim O
Titus H
Werner W

 

[Davywalnuts]

I deliberately bought a small rucksack. Thankfully I can use it for running also and it actually fits into the small of my back unlike many 'standard' rucksacks. The joys of being a titch cannot be overstated

Surely a "small rucksack" to you is merely a "bum-bag" to us normal sized folk... In which case,

 

[wanda2010]

DW

 

[dellzeqq]

Susie's got this one taped. She has a small rucksack and somebody to carry it

 

[Wobblers]

Susie's got this one taped. She has a small rucksack and somebody to carry it

You want some panniers there....

 

[srw]

Just saw a nice line : What's a collection of Brompton's called ?

A train.

There are four in this small 20-seat compartment alone - two between seat backs (grrr - I used to have those spaces to myself), one next to a Brompton bag in front of the driver's door, and one out in the vestibule.

I expect to see half a dozen more unfolding when we all get off at M'bone.

 

[wanda2010]

Susie's got this one taped. She has a small rucksack and somebody to carry it

That's what I need to do. I might have to advertise the vacancy for next years' rides

 

[martint235]

That's what I need to do. I might have to advertise the vacancy for next years' rides

Ooh, what's the salary like?

 

[wanda2010]

Salary? The applicant should want to do it out of the goodness of their heart and for my undying gratitude! And maybe a Christmas card.

Some people are so materialistic.......................

 

[martint235]

Salary? The applicant should want to do it out of the goodness of their heart and for my undying gratitude! And maybe a Christmas card.

Some people are so materialistic.......................

Oh well, that's my application in the bin then!!

 

[wanda2010]

Oh well, that's my application in the bin then!!

I am very disappoint.

 

[wanda2010]

I reckon you will get no end of applicants on that basis.

I think you mean..........

 

[martint235]

I am very disappoint.

Sorry. On the positive side, you have a lot of company on the list of people who are disappointed by me.

 

[wanda2010]

Only temporarily MT. You'll be welcomed back into their bosoms (in a matter of speaking) before too long

 

[dellzeqq]

Good evening FNRttCers.

The bad news is that the first weather forecasts are predicting a cold night with drizzle and a crosswind. The good news is that weather forecasts eight days ahead are usually rubbish, so give it until Tuesday before you hit the panic button but........do please think about your clothing, and do please take some time this weekend to look at your tyres, your brakes, your lights, your spokes and your lights. Do what you can to lighten the load - if you don't need something on your bike, take it off.

The start is, as ever, from Hyde Park Corner. People will gather underneath the big arch jobby in the centre of the roundabout from about 11.15 on, and I’d be grateful if you could be at the start no later than 11.35. I’ll be hanging around with the usual reprobates outside platform 10 at Victoria from about 11.00 onwards, and going up to Hyde Park Corner at about 11.25.

If you’re coming in to another main line station and want company on your way to the start do please let me know.

When you do get to the start please get yourself ticked off the list as soon as you can, and do please take part in the safety talk.

We’ll be leaving Hyde Park Corner eastwards and going past Buck House and down to the Embankment, turning left and running along the Thames to Tower Bridge before heading to Aldgate, Stratford, Ilford, Romford, Gidea Park and out in to the darkness near Harold Wood. There’s a long climb up to Brentwood, then a long descent to Mountnessing. This is where the ride comes in to its own. We head across country to Buttsbury ford and Stock Village Hall, where we’ll be welcomed by the Magnificent Tully Family who will offer us refreshments. A bit of change would be appreciated. We’ll then head off past the Stock Windmill and down Old Stock Lane, one of the sweetest roads in England. We then cross the A130 and go on to Bicknacre, Purleigh and across the flatlands to the charming town of Burnham-on-Crouch.

Bear in mind that the front of the ride will stop every two or three miles in London to allow the back to catch up, but that I’ll let the ride spread out after Brentwood and after Purleigh in order to stagger our arrival at Stock Village Hall and Burnham. As ever there'll be people at junctions pointing the way, and our wonderful Tail End Charlies will be offering support at the back of the ride.

We’ll be having breakfast at the Cabin Dairy. In common with many of our breakfast stops this is a smallish place and we’ll be overwhelming them, so do please be patient, and bear in mind that this is the first time they’ve met us and that they will have got up at some ridiculous hour to make ready for us. If you're a vegetarian and want breakfast please let me know now.

Those of you taking the train back from Burnham should know that the station is a bit over a half a mile from the cafe, and that trains leave at four minutes past the hour. If you arrive early you can take the train out to Southminster and come back again - I've no idea why you would want to do that except that Southminster is the nearest most of us will ever get to 1962. Tickets are expensive, so I’d suggest getting a Groupsave from the conductor. There’s a change at Wickford.

If you’re riding back then avoid the B1012 – this is a miserably busy road with a series of blind bends and lousy tarmac.

Most of us will be taking the Lady Essex to Wallasea Island and going on to Southend or Rochford. There are more trains from Southend to London than you can shake a stick at, but the ones from Southend Central are cheaper, more frequent and have nice views of the estuary.

Some of us will be rehydrating at Midtown's superhip fixie hangout Look Mum No Hands later in the day. If you come with, please do not ask Lily and Gwynny about their gear ratios - they're only there for beer.

And...

Locks – a good idea on this ride, particularly at Southend, although if you ask nicely you can probably find someone to double up with

Signals – this is a flat ride so there’ll be quite of bunching. Please know and use the signals which are athttp://fnrttc.blogspot.co.uk/p/lights.html
Overtaking on the left. There’s been a bit of this recently – please don’t. It scares the living daylights out of the person you’re overtaking.

That’s about it. I’ll drop you all another line on Tuesday morning. In the mean time – if you’re not coming let me know – we’ve got to give our hosts in Stock and Burnham as accurate a headcount as we can.

I'll get back to you on Tuesday with the Met Office forecast, but if you have any questions please let me know

Simon