FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast - Cardiff to Swansea 20th May 2011

[Aperitif]

I'm going back with the beer-slinging Adrian. No can left unturned on an Intercity with 'Doctor Rehydration' No idea at what time the train is... I'm supposed to go to work sometime that weekend

 

[mcshroom]

I'm leaving on the 1055 (or 1155, not sure). Going the other way though

 

[theclaud]

What time return train is the drinking party using?

Anyone staying overnight?

Is there any issues with bikes on the trains out of Swansea?

What is the best real ale in the Mumbles?

What is it all about?

Where are the Snowdons of yesteryear?

Sorry Rich. There's something about you which makes it difficult to be serious. The answers are actually:

Yes. I've got a full house, but Teef's recommendation is a good one.

There's capacity for everyone to get home as long as they aren't all after the same couple of trains. Booking a bike on is essential if you are on an advance ticket. The London trains will often carry more than the offical six, and indeed have big guards' vans that they are irritatingly cagey about, but a jobsworth guard can put a spanner in the works.

My local serves five real ales, changing daily. The pub on the pier is a bit of an unknown quantity.

It's about the sheer joy of it all.

Pass.

is the lovely Mrs Rich P coming too?

 

[StuAff]

I've been awaiting confirmation from our first choice destination Cafe, The Pavilion on Mumbles pier. It's a location location location thang. We're in!

[attachment=3328avilion 1.jpg]

[attachment=3330avilion 3.jpg]

[attachment=3329:Mumbles from Pavilion.jpg]

That looks fab!

 

[theclaud]

That looks fab!

And the Full English Welsh looks substantial...

 

[Aperitif]

Remarkably like Simon and Susie pre-makeover

 

[frank9755]

....... .......

Erm... I love nutty stuff.. Impossible is nothing, apparently.. and after the joy of the Bognor ride and TC's question about this ride, I thought I would look at the thread.... Silly me... I can never keep my eyes in one place and do the sensible thing...

So yes, this ride, that is, the Proper ride and Mad excursion is now of much interest to me, cross-fingers still nothing happens family wise to me, however and I will give it a few more days and then sign up, to both, if thats okay. Well, with Frank & Ape are passing by my yard then it would be rude not to come along for a pootle... and riding with Adam is also much fun too and always a pleasure. I would need to consider the journey back by train, (already checked) on the Saturday and whether I now pass on the Pearson 150 ride scheduled for that sunday... as to be frank, well, not really, but to be honest, theres just not enough food I could consume to enable me to do both.... I think.... ohhhh, I do arf love a diliberation...

Excellent that you are up for joining us, Davy!
I rode the western bit on Saturday (Malmesbury to Cardiff) and it was a very pleasant, and brisk, run. A bit rolling in parts but not hilly. I'll do an updated route soon and post it up. In case others decided to join us!

 

[frank9755]

What time return train is the drinking party using?

Anyone staying overnight?

Is there any issues with bikes on the trains out of Swansea?

What is the best real ale in the Mumbles?

What is it all about?

Where are the Snowdons of yesteryear?

Rich, great that you're coming.

I'm staying overnight and have plans to do a pootle round the Gower at some point on Saturday and ride to Pembroke on Sunday. I'm then getting the last train back on Sunday evg.

I had an issue with the train back from Cardiff on Sunday. The bike carriage doors were broken and had yellow tape on them and the carriage was empty. I had to negotiate with the train crew to get on - thought I was going to be left off at one point. The idea of putting the bike in the power car was raised but dismissed as against the rules nowadays but eventually they said I could just put it in the aisle of the empty (broken) carriage.

On the way out my bike went in no problem but I didn't really like the wheelbender stands they use. I had a bike with skinny tyres and the rack didn't really grip them at all (I've only ever used them before with a tandem which had fat tyres and fitted the rack fine - although getting it off was fun - but I digress).

But presumably, Claudine, you have had no problems with said wheelbenders + thin tyres, and you are probably the number one user of them, so I guess they must be fine.

 

[rich p]

For the record before it disappears into the ether....

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Where are the Snowdens of yesteryear?

 

[theclaud]

But presumably, Claudine, you have had no problems with said wheelbenders + thin tyres, and you are probably the number one user of them, so I guess they must be fine.

Worst problem I've had is last-minute platform announcements at Paddington, where the bike storage is usually at the furthest part of the train. You need a bit of time to faff and secure your bike, and have to get off and on again because they won't let you board via the bike storage.

The thing is to not let the wheel in the rack take the bike's weight. I use their crappy velcro strap, tied not velcroed, to lift and lash the bars/stem to the top of the rack. I carry a bungee or similar and use that to tie the bike to the cage, the ladder, or a companion's bicycle to limit lateral movement. If I'm still not happy I add one of the wooden chocks they provide under the back wheel. I also put a lock through the wheel/frame. If you're alone it helps to get there first because all this is much easier if you get one of the outside spaces in the rack...

 

[Aperitif]

For the record before it disappears into the ether....

http://www.urbandict...20yesteryear%3F

Good one - I didn't know that. Luckily I only posted a 'before' pic of S&S, and not an actual pic of the Armstrong-Joneses. I have trouble keeping up with you, Rich.

 

[frank9755]

Worst problem I've had is last-minute platform announcements at Paddington, where the bike storage is usually at the furthest part of the train. You need a bit of time to faff and secure your bike, and have to get off and on again because they won't let you board via the bike storage.

The thing is to not let the wheel in the rack take the bike's weight. I use their crappy velcro strap, tied not velcroed, to lift and lash the bars/stem to the top of the rack. I carry a bungee or similar and use that to tie the bike to the cage, the ladder, or a companion's bicycle to limit lateral movement. If I'm still not happy I add one of the wooden chocks they provide under the back wheel. I also put a lock through the wheel/frame. If you're alone it helps to get there first because all this is much easier if you get one of the outside spaces in the rack...

Good tips from the expert!
I did think of bringing a piece of pipe lagging or something to help wedge my tyre into the track, but your solution sounds better

My bike wouldn't go in the outside space as the bars clashed with some bit of train...

 

[frank9755]

11:28 from Swansea. I am, for preference, taking the bumbag what becomes a rucksack and using its increased capacity to stock up on at least some beer for the journey before I get on the train. How is that as a plan?

More good tips from another expert!

 

[rich p]

Claudine, does the route go through Cowbridge by any chance?

Cheapest and easiest train service I can find is £56 return via Southampton.

 

[mistral]

....... .......



So yes, this ride, that is, the Proper ride and Mad excursion is now of much interest to me ......

I'm also seriously thinking about this, too early to be sure, but now Davy has confirmed , might just make it irresistible

If I do I may cut across and meet you in Wantage or Swindon, is that the way you're going?