DrSquirrel
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7:30... I was home and showered by 1pm in bed for 2 
FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast - Cardiff to Swansea 20th May 2011
- Thread starter dellzeqq
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Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
7:30... I was home and showered by 1pm in bed for 2
Lightweight.
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Morning Mark!
Got in at 16:05 yesterday after having an impromptu discourse on the train back, with Marilyn, Clive, Adrian, Adam and two innocent bystanders from the village of Cardiff. They were on their way to the smoke for a spot of cricket, some partying - they were commited sports fans, have toured Aus and the W. Indies with the England Cricket team, barmy armyists - the whole works. It was a fun ride into Londres. They initially didn't 'look' like the sorts who would be impressed by a load of pre-used cyclists and Marilyn, but they were great fun, and a lovely sport of company. Interestingly, they were instantly at ease when Clive told his story about his S&M holidays in Albi... which I'm sure he would be happy to expand upon in future posts 
I went to bed at 9pm and was out for the count until 05:00 and the alarm. The day is young, there is lots to do! Thanks for the lead out to Swansea Station, and also for being part of the 'vibe'.
(So many memories running through my grey and greying 'processor', probably a lot are going to 'drop off the edge'.
)
Aperitif
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- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
It rained in London last night and I didn't feel a thing! Anyway, everything was supposed to be finished by 'close of business' last night wasn't it? I'm still here, you're still here... unlucky for some eh?
Probably Frank and I will be hitting the Gower for the premiere of our new movie... The Directors (or any other cwrw) Cut will be THE film of 2011 Keep and eye out in the Evening Post for a crowd scene photo of King Simon and his serf boarders - after scaling the heights of The Pier Café.
The guy on the till, the staff and everyone involved with that bit did a bloody good job, and the level of facilities was first class. He just wasn't 'pliable' where rehydration therapy was concerned... which was a shame, although the replacement venue and staff were equally good - had the process developed 'Whitstable style', there would have been no chance of me leaving there vertically, I suggest.
I trust that everyone ascending to Camp Two at the summit of the tour, noticed one of Wales' iconic pieces of architecture, the 'Big Apple' of Bracelet Bay.
Anyway, everything was supposed to be finished by 'close of business' last night wasn't it? I'm still here, you're still here... unlucky for some eh?
Probably Frank and I will be hitting the Gower for the premiere of our new movie... The Directors (or any other cwrw) Cut will be THE film of 2011
Keep and eye out in the Evening Post for a crowd scene photo of King Simon and his serf boarders - after scaling the heights of The Pier Café.The guy on the till, the staff and everyone involved with that bit did a bloody good job, and the level of facilities was first class. He just wasn't 'pliable' where rehydration therapy was concerned... which was a shame, although the replacement venue and staff were equally good - had the process developed 'Whitstable style', there would have been no chance of me leaving there vertically, I suggest.
I trust that everyone ascending to Camp Two at the summit of the tour, noticed one of Wales' iconic pieces of architecture, the 'Big Apple' of Bracelet Bay.
Lovely to see you all at the end of what sounds like a very good ride. You certainly did the ride to whales just in the nick (pod) of time as last night was a tad gusting and sleeting. Was it biblical? Not sure but we're all still here and have woken to what looks like it might be a fairly nice day.
Now that the small issue of where to find beverages has been solved I look forward to joining in next years ride. Well done claud and simon! :-)
Now that the small issue of where to find beverages has been solved I look forward to joining in next years ride. Well done claud and simon! :-)
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Anyway.
Back to the serious bit, and a milky stain on The Bristol channel was one of the moments of the morning for me. This image only gives a hint of the aura created by the Moon and it's magic - possibly 'normal' for those that live thereabouts, but a powerful memory for me.
(Difficult photo for a shaky moi, so the contrast has been tweaked slightly to indicate what it might have looked like...)
Then there is Port Talbot. The 'Abbey Works', and a backbone of the community. Another historic moment to 'tick'. Dominant and impressive. This snap was taken at about 05:15, and the sky colour was changing minute by minute - or maybe it was because a few of us had been awake 24 hours by then!
Back to the serious bit, and a milky stain on The Bristol channel was one of the moments of the morning for me. This image only gives a hint of the aura created by the Moon and it's magic - possibly 'normal' for those that live thereabouts, but a powerful memory for me.
(Difficult photo for a shaky moi, so the contrast has been tweaked slightly to indicate what it might have looked like...)
Then there is Port Talbot. The 'Abbey Works', and a backbone of the community. Another historic moment to 'tick'. Dominant and impressive. This snap was taken at about 05:15, and the sky colour was changing minute by minute - or maybe it was because a few of us had been awake 24 hours by then!
Getting to Cardiff
Did I mention that I went for a little ride on Friday? First leg to Wantage where I met up with Davy, Geoffrey, Adam Frank and Martin. Pleasant lunch, although a delayed start and slow service, as is often the norm.
We headed west to Swindon where Dave and Geoffrey left us and we lurched to our next puncture stop. Adams rear tyre had decided it was going to expire a day earlier than the rest of the world and kept nipping the tube to remind us.
Frank kept the pace up and Adams’ tyre kept tugging at our schedule. At the next enforced break valves had entered the fray, snapping at will.
A swift high tea (courtesy of the CoOp) was taken at Malmesbury and we were off again. Not before Teef’s head was turned by a young lady dressed head to toe in black skin tight lycra. Simultaneously a young lady’s stomach was turned by an aging lothario in black skin tight lycra.
The day was taking its toll, the mileage was sapping energy and as the bridge came into sight me and Adam decided the only way we were to get some food, a little rest and make the start was to jump on a train.
A quick dash into Aust services, where WH Smiths dispensed a Conti Tyre (courtesy of User482) then on over the bridge. We came across a dark derelict looking building in a down at heel part of town – Chepstow Railway station. On the train we joined McWobble and as we stepped off in Cardiff at 10:30 the London train had just arrived with the ride leader and many others.
Ride Proper
Fed and watered at Nando's we joined the start under the dramatic facade of the Welsh Assembly building. Adam replaced the dodgy tyre and we were soon “on our way”.
Many local cyclists were on the ride and we chatted through the night. This had a bit of everything, city centre revellers, incoherent youngsters hanging out of speeding hot hatches, suburbs dotted with social clubs and pubs, complete with friendly natives shouting words of encouragement. Soon we were off the main roads and plunged into near complete darkness. A little disconcerting to some Londoners who rarely experience real darkness. The people were lovely at the quaint and cosy halfway stop. We took in some industrial landscape – much still in production as the ride wended it’s way to the seaside.
Finally in Mumbles we had a splendid breakfast at Mumbles Pier cafe, before the sane headed for home and those still with a thirst climbed up to Castellamare a splendid bar where we enjoyed a beer or two overlooking the sea before our journey home. Anyone remember the wedding party?
Immense thanks to Frank, Martin and Adam and everyone else who made this one another memorable ride.
My friends tell me total mileage is not important, but when I got home I had done over 200 including the 16 miles from Paddington, that's important to me!
Did I mention that I went for a little ride on Friday? First leg to Wantage where I met up with Davy, Geoffrey, Adam Frank and Martin. Pleasant lunch, although a delayed start and slow service, as is often the norm.
We headed west to Swindon where Dave and Geoffrey left us and we lurched to our next puncture stop. Adams rear tyre had decided it was going to expire a day earlier than the rest of the world and kept nipping the tube to remind us.
Frank kept the pace up and Adams’ tyre kept tugging at our schedule. At the next enforced break valves had entered the fray, snapping at will.
A swift high tea (courtesy of the CoOp) was taken at Malmesbury and we were off again. Not before Teef’s head was turned by a young lady dressed head to toe in black skin tight lycra. Simultaneously a young lady’s stomach was turned by an aging lothario in black skin tight lycra.
The day was taking its toll, the mileage was sapping energy and as the bridge came into sight me and Adam decided the only way we were to get some food, a little rest and make the start was to jump on a train.
A quick dash into Aust services, where WH Smiths dispensed a Conti Tyre (courtesy of User482) then on over the bridge. We came across a dark derelict looking building in a down at heel part of town – Chepstow Railway station. On the train we joined McWobble and as we stepped off in Cardiff at 10:30 the London train had just arrived with the ride leader and many others.
Ride Proper
Fed and watered at Nando's we joined the start under the dramatic facade of the Welsh Assembly building. Adam replaced the dodgy tyre and we were soon “on our way”.
Many local cyclists were on the ride and we chatted through the night. This had a bit of everything, city centre revellers, incoherent youngsters hanging out of speeding hot hatches, suburbs dotted with social clubs and pubs, complete with friendly natives shouting words of encouragement. Soon we were off the main roads and plunged into near complete darkness. A little disconcerting to some Londoners who rarely experience real darkness. The people were lovely at the quaint and cosy halfway stop. We took in some industrial landscape – much still in production as the ride wended it’s way to the seaside.
Finally in Mumbles we had a splendid breakfast at Mumbles Pier cafe, before the sane headed for home and those still with a thirst climbed up to Castellamare a splendid bar where we enjoyed a beer or two overlooking the sea before our journey home. Anyone remember the wedding party?
Immense thanks to Frank, Martin and Adam and everyone else who made this one another memorable ride.
My friends tell me total mileage is not important, but when I got home I had done over 200 including the 16 miles from Paddington, that's important to me!
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Lluightweight surely?
Bad news was I didn't manage to team up with Ape, Frank, Adam ad Mick at Swindon due to the dodgy tyre issue but I had a lovely solo ride through the lanes of the Cotswolds and met Des and Steve (User482) at the Severn Bridge services.
After a swift half and a steak sarnie for me, we hammered it down the A48 from Chepstow to Cardiff in time for a snack in Nandos for them. Thanks for the tow fellas!
Lovely ride and a straw poll decided that there were more gobby late-night hecklers in Cardiff than any other capital city we've cycled from. Wales 1 England 0
I really enjoyed the route - lots of ups and downs and the darkest one I've done. Always a pleasure to meet the old chums again especially those of the female variety (can I say that outside of P&L?
)
A few random, amateurish pics here for your delectation
pics from cymru
After a swift half and a steak sarnie for me, we hammered it down the A48 from Chepstow to Cardiff in time for a snack in Nandos for them. Thanks for the tow fellas!
Lovely ride and a straw poll decided that there were more gobby late-night hecklers in Cardiff than any other capital city we've cycled from. Wales 1 England 0
I really enjoyed the route - lots of ups and downs and the darkest one I've done. Always a pleasure to meet the old chums again especially those of the female variety (can I say that outside of P&L?
A few random, amateurish pics here for your delectation
pics from cymru
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Ace! Rich p's photograph after he was told: "Go West young man". A lovely photo. Edited to add: Don't forget to check out Rich's captions - he's a cheeky scamp!
An adventure; enjoyed that massively - a meander around Bristol, cool ride down to Cardiff with Rich and Steve and a lovely route to Swansea. Big thanks to Claudine (and Simon as ever) for pulling this one together and as far as I could work out, personally recruiting virtually all the local riders. Everyone I spoke to seemed to be loving it.... 10 years out the country could be awash with little groups of cyclists heading out overnight for Saturday seaside breakfasts.
Flying Dodo
It'll soon be summer
Funnily enough, when I got off the train at Luton, my tyre had gone flat. And yet it was fine before I got on the train. Bearing in mind the "issues" I'd had with punctures on the ride up to Cardiff as mentioned here, I think I may be jinxed.
Aperitif
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- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
See. It wasn't the tyre boot! Have you got a rogue spoke 'making' an appearance Adam? Or was it just another one of those naffly repaired inner tubes that we carry around with us?
