FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast in aid of Martlets Hospice 3rd September 2010

[Fanjio]

Mistral it was great to meet you and MacB at Copthorne school and to hitch a lift to Brighton. Riding up the Beacon at my own slow pace was not the "fag" I thought it would be as I paced myself very slowly from the bottom. Meanwhile MacB went forth pushing a big gear and appeared to honk most of the way up. Near the summit I saw I was closing in and like GreggCollins I got out the saddle and passed MacB bofore the line in a most un-shivalrous way! Not bad for an"Oldie" but I doubt the oldest on the ride. Luckily unlike GC I didn't "upchuck"! (what a funny word). The moral of the story, treat the Beacon with respect, take your time, ride well within your comfort zone and say to yourself-you will never beat me!
As for the welcoming party on top it was great to get sweets as I went over the line almost as good as Simons B'day party last time. Having marshalled at Chipstead from 1.15am to 2.30am it was just reward and I'm so glad my stint was early and I did not get too cold. Well done those near Ditchling that did 3hrs stints you deserve a big applause.
As to Claudine and Susie please do not beleive all those rumours spread around about me they are just not true! I wonder if the organisers know who the perpetrators are? I must however compliment you on your outfit also as others did. You looked very smart. Sorry I missed you and Simon at breakfast, I caught the 8.40am train back to Redhill rode back up Reigate Hill (well actualy Wray Lane-even steeper), home at 10.30am and slept for 2hrs in preparation for my 7am Sunday morning 25ml TT at Horsham and then "Sky Ride" in London.
As this is my first reply (Mike Morley/Fanjio) I do not know yet how to put photo's on but there are many anyway. I have however put some on the Cheam & Morden and CTCSWLondon blog to let my DA know what a good job Simon does with these rides and in this case particularly for "Martlets" You can view on: www.cyclingswlondon.org.uk

 

[theclaud]

A few more pics here...

 

[MacB]

Mistral it was great to meet you and MacB at Copthorne school and to hitch a lift to Brighton. Riding up the Beacon at my own slow pace was not the "fag" I thought it would be as I paced myself very slowly from the bottom. Meanwhile MacB went forth pushing a big gear and appeared to honk most of the way up. Near the summit I saw I was closing in and like GreggCollins I got out the saddle and passed MacB bofore the line in a most un-shivalrous way! Not bad for an"Oldie" but I doubt the oldest on the ride. Luckily unlike GC I didn't "upchuck"! (what a funny word). The moral of the story, treat the Beacon with respect, take your time, ride well within your comfort zone and say to yourself-you will never beat me!
As for the welcoming party on top it was great to get sweets as I went over the line almost as good as Simons B'day party last time. Having marshalled at Chipstead from 1.15am to 2.30am it was just reward and I'm so glad my stint was early and I did not get too cold. Well done those near Ditchling that did 3hrs stints you deserve a big applause.
As to Claudine and Susie please do not beleive all those rumours spread around about me they are just not true! I wonder if the organisers know who the perpetrators are? I must however compliment you on your outfit also as others did. You looked very smart. Sorry I missed you and Simon at breakfast, I caught the 8.40am train back to Redhill rode back up Reigate Hill (well actualy Wray Lane-even steeper), home at 10.30am and slept for 2hrs in preparation for my 7am Sunday morning 25ml TT at Horsham and then "Sky Ride" in London.
As this is my first reply (Mike Morley/Fanjio) I do not know yet how to put photo's on but there are many anyway. I have however put some on the Cheam & Morden and CTCSWLondon blog to let my DA know what a good job Simon does with these rides and in this case particularly for "Martlets" You can view on: www.cyclingswlondon.org.uk

Cheers Mike, honking up indeed, I'll have you know that was my bottom gear of 30x25 and the 'honking' appearance was due to slowly dying on the bike, another 10 yards on the top and I may not have made it.

It's amazing the difference a year can make, I did have a 12-26 cassette and changed to a 13-25, reasoning that I never used the bottom two or three gears, including Ditchling. I now plan on changing the 30t to a 26t and maybe having a 13-34 cassette. Even unfit as I am at present I use the small ring so rarely that I might as well make it a proper small. It would mean a bit of use for the 52t ring as well, rather than spending all my time in the 42t. Though I know I won't need the little gears for things like Ditchling when I get fitter it would be nice to have choices. Maybe even spinning up things, while chatting, rather than having to go for it.

 

[Aperitif]

I'll live with that. It beats the alternative I was given, The life aquatic with Steve Zissou.

I might have ventured Tom Cruise in Missoni? Impossible.

 

[Aperitif]

David was brilliant on this ride - and the lady he accompanied up the hill was full of fun. We chatted to her for a while, somewhere or other on the way to tea. I think she regaled Rich with her stories of courting as a young girl down Lonesome Lane...his mere presence was all it took...
Her husband had told her that she wasn't going to do it. To see her mingling at the finish was a fitting response! (Photo shamefully lifted from Claudine's library of images, which also includes a positively Le Corbusier designed wrist, supporting the Ride Leader's head full of thought. )

 

[TimO]

... I *always* observe the speed limit.

Well that isn't difficult, with a few special exceptions like Richmond Park, the speed limits on the roads of this nations apply to motor vehicles. There is no national speed limit for bicycles, speed signs do not apply to pedal cycles. You cannot break the speed limit on a bicycle (potentially you could be done for cycling without due care and attention or cycling dangerously, but that's going to be more challenging to get a court to convict).

... The police escort meant us marshallpeeps at the front had very little to do. Seeing the expression of one cabbie give a cyclist lip only then to notice "POLICE" emblazoned across his top is one of those fond little moments that will be cherished. ...

Can't we convince a few of the Mets finest to join us more regularly, something like the offer of all the inane chatter they can tolerate, or a free breakfast in exchange for doing what the do all day anyway.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

A few more pics here...

No pictures please....

made me laugh like a drain! If only I hadn't tried to wave, that's what tipped me over the edge.

 

[theclaud]

The interesting thing is that in my little gallery, the pic of Rich at the top of Ditchling is the runaway favourite in the viewing figures so far, way ahead even of the lithe Mr Allsopp sunning himself in a white vest. Make of that what you will...

 

[rich p]

No pictures please....

made me laugh like a drain! If only I hadn't tried to wave, that's what tipped me over the edge.

A tantalising "wardrobe malfunction" glimpse of the right knee Greg! You tease!

 

[arallsopp]

The interesting thing is that in my little gallery, the pic of Rich at the top of Ditchling is the runaway favourite in the viewing figures so far, way ahead even of the lithe Mr Allsopp sunning himself in a white vest. Make of that what you will...

Right. Where's that crisp packet? I'll show him! I'll show you all!!!

 

[dellzeqq]

Can't we convince a few of the Mets finest to join us more regularly, something like the offer of all the inane chatter they can tolerate, or a free breakfast in exchange for doing what the do all day anyway.

sometimes they do. Incognito. But with no intention of controlling traffic.

You know who was only fingered as a copper when his mates grassed him up in a chance encounter in Islington - he's been an invaluable source of advice. I think we've been very fortunate.

 

[dellzeqq]

The interesting thing is that in my little gallery, the pic of Rich at the top of Ditchling is the runaway favourite in the viewing figures so far, way ahead even of the lithe Mr Allsopp sunning himself in a white vest. Make of that what you will...

we've certainly been admiring it in the Legg household.

 

[rich p]

Right. Where's that crisp packet? I'll show him! I'll show you all!!!

Don't fight your emotions, Andy, just let go......

ILBs far too young for you anyway

 

[Bollo]

...... the 'honking' appearance was due to slowly dying on the bike.....

'Bludge puts the 'less' into souplesse.

 

[Wheeledweenie]

Sounds like another fab ride. Love to all who were on it. I watched my stoker get married on Saturday, hence why I wasn't there. It was marvellous and the FNRttC got a mention in the speeches!