FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast - Felpham near Bognor 22nd April 2011

[Aperitif]

you see, that is the strange thing. I like the Bognor route a lot, but I absolutely adore the Whitstable route, mainly because it has so much history around it. And I consider the Whitstable route to be the tougher ride, but almost everyone who's expressed an opinion rates Bognor as tougher.

Which brings me to my starter for ten. Do we go via Epsom and Dorking or via Sutton and Betchworth?

"Bigger Bognor!"

 

[Wobblers]

you see, that is the strange thing. I like the Bognor route a lot, but I absolutely adore the Whitstable route, mainly because it has so much history around it. And I consider the Whitstable route to be the tougher ride, but almost everyone who's expressed an opinion rates Bognor as tougher.

Which brings me to my starter for ten. Do we go via Epsom and Dorking or via Sutton and Betchworth?

Don't get me wrong, Whitstable's a great route. Thinking about it, I don't remember many climbs on the Bognor ride whereas there's quite a few on Whitstable - it probably is harder. Mind you, the last Whitstable ride turned out damp and cold which always makes things a little harder. But to me, the experience of arriving in Arundel in the early morning sunshine was a bit special: after a long overnight journey it just seemed to be an award for the eyes.

I couldn't possibly voice have an opinion of the benefits of Dorking versus Sutton.... ! But... maybe the more rural route would be more genteel?

 

[martint235]

Which brings me to my starter for ten. Do we go via Epsom and Dorking or via Sutton and Betchworth?

I've not done the Bognor FNRttC before so I'm looking forward to this. I am a big fan of the Whitstable ride though.


Didn't we do Sutton on the last Brighton ride of 2010? I seem to remember bottles being hurled so maybe we should give Dorking a chance or at least take some bottles of our own?

 

[dellzeqq]

I've not done the Bognor FNRttC before so I'm looking forward to this. I am a big fan of the Whitstable ride though.


Didn't we do Sutton on the last Brighton ride of 2010? I seem to remember bottles being hurled so maybe we should give Dorking a chance or at least take some bottles of our own?

I didn't see bottles being hurled, but, if that's the case, we're not going back. Dorking it is.

(There is another option, which involves a dark and mysterious track through the woods north of Lambs Green, but the night has to be crystal clear for that)

 

[Number14]

it's your legs I worry, about!

Yes. And, actually, you walk most of it anyway. Passing your bike over three or four stiles is a bit tiring, but it's a lovely diversion, and it does cut out the South Downs.

So we can't bunny hop then?

 

[Number14]

Put me down (for the ride) please Mr Dellzegg.

 

[dellzeqq]

there is and that's one of a few (there's also the Headley Variation with the Little Switzerland Diversion) but they're all a bit lumpier.

 

[henshaw11]

>Passing your bike over three or four stiles is a bit tiring


Ooer.
The mtb's a fallback...but I wonder if I can get the 'bent over one shoulder

 

[dellzeqq]

it'll be a bit of a team effort. We may be seeing a tandem trike, and I'm sure we've had recumbents before, although the walking bit must be wearing.

 

[mmmmartin]

I'm not sure if I like Dorking. But then again, I've never Dorked.

 

[henshaw11]

>it'll be a bit of a team effort.

Ah, good, I won't feel such a plank if I'm not the only one

 

[Becs]

All this talk of hills and off roading is making me think I might need a new set of cleats after this one!

I vote for the route with the fewest lumps, but that's because I have to work so hard to get my own lumps uphill! :-)

 

[TimO]

Can you put me down please Simon?

I like Bognor, and I haven't done it since ... January, but that was less scenic, and via Pease Pottage services (and Davy doing nasty things to his bike).

If I use Red it'll definitely be advantageous when going over the stiles. The Kaffenback plus pannier can be a bit of a drag to lift over, although I think I slung the pannier over my shoulder last year to make things a mite easier.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

If I were only going to do one FNRttC, it would be Bognor. The off-road bit is fun and Arundel is gorgeous. It's even got its own fairy tale castle! Definitely Bognor...

Andrew, what are you doing train-wise? When I checked, Chiltern were OK for Friday but 'major works' over the rest of the weekend, are you just chancing it?

Be nice to do this one, especially as it appears to have taken on a rather abstemious tone, which of course suits me!

Don't know if I can or not yet anyway, work an' stuff, like...sigh...

 

[AKA Bob]

When I finally got home on Saturday after being led astray I looked at my lovely pink and green Brompton (it won't get nicked and if it does it should be easy for the boys to recover!) and wondered why I hadn't joined Olaf in his impressive and determined display to Southend . As I have plans for some summer Brompton madness to Dunwich I thought I might leave the very boring American at home and head to the seaside on some British excellence instead.

Does anyone else fancy making a party of it?

As they say in the office 'Fire up the Brompton'


Why Titus doesn’t wear lycra, despite a cheeky Essex chap who enquired on the train “mate, why don’t you wear tight stuff like the rest of em?”