FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast - Southend 4th July

[mmmmartin]

I'm in.
I might hand out money to people who put up with me in France

 

[mmmmartin]

Met Office says strong following wind all night. Just sayin'.

 

[mistral]

I'm in.
I might hand out money to people who put up with me in France

Good

About time you made up for all that infernal bell ringing in Brix ..... but seriously ...... sounds like you played a blinder all the way to Bordeaux, chapeau, just sorry I wasn't part of it

 

[mmmmartin]

sorry I wasn't part of it

There's always next year......

 

[andyman]

hmmm, I dont appear to be on the list????

(Possible confusion over me pulling out of the Southwold ride?) - Sent another email to confirm

 

[Dogtrousers]

Enjoy yourselves, everyone. I'm off to stand by a roadside in Yorkshire in the hope of getting a free packet of Haribo thrown at me.

 

[StuAff]

Have fun. Will be at Knebworth having a nice quiet evening courtesy of some other Essex boys (The Prodigy).

 

[rb58]

For those riding back via Dartford Crossing, there's no service over the bridge between 9.00am and 10.30am, so it's either Tilbury or Woolwich ferries at that time.

 

[martint235]

For those riding back via Dartford Crossing, there's no service over the bridge between 9.00am and 10.30am, so it's either Tilbury or Woolwich ferries at that time.

Yay that means we get to go and play on the A13!!

 

[ianrauk]

Yay that means we get to go and play on the A13!!

Well you can. Anyhoo..we don't usually get there until after those times.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Right, the Synapse is now covered in lights and has a bottle carrier for some electrolites to augment the water in the hydration pack (wife - "way to ugly up your bike"). My arm warmers turned up yesterday (yay) my padded gloves didn't (boo) so it's unpadded but full fingered tonight. I have my after Southend options under consideration (if up for it, ride to Tilbury, ferry to Gravesend, ride to Maidstone. If not up for it, train to East Tilbury, ferry to Gravesend, phone wife and be pitiful). I've weighted down the rucksack with absolutely essential stuff. Just got to buy snacks at lunch time and get up from my nap in time to make Hyde Park Corner for 23:30 (I presume the arches are Decimus Burton's Ionic Screen or is it Wellington's Arch? I guess I just look for all the yellow...).

Not that this is my first outing like this and I'm nervous and over thinking things for what you regulars consider a warm up ride.

 

[ianrauk]

Right, the Synapse is now covered in lights and has a bottle carrier for some electrolites to augment the water in the hydration pack (wife - "way to ugly up your bike"). My arm warmers turned up yesterday (yay) my padded gloves didn't (boo) so it's unpadded but full fingered tonight. I have my after Southend options under consideration (if up for it, ride to Tilbury, ferry to Gravesend, ride to Maidstone. If not up for it, train to East Tilbury, ferry to Gravesend, phone wife and be pitiful). I've weighted down the rucksack with absolutely essential stuff. Just got to buy snacks at lunch time and get up from my nap in time to make Hyde Park Corner for 23:30 (I presume the arches are Decimus Burton's Ionic Screen or is it Wellington's Arch? I guess I just look for all the yellow...).

Not that this is my first outing like this and I'm nervous and over thinking things for what you regulars consider a warm up ride.

Rucksack not needed. Jersey pockets and saddle pack can carry all one needs. Long finger gloves not needed tonight. Unless you feel the cold in mild temps.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

It's Wellington Arch w00hoo - don't go to the wrong place!

What's in the rucksack that's so essential? Better to travel light; it's not going to be cold.

I'm likely to be there early anyway so I'm sure I'll find people and the emergency number is programmed in my phone just in case.

The essential stuff almost definitely isn't :-)

I commute carrying - tyre levers, puncture kit, spare tube, multi-tool with chain breaker, spare quick links, locks good enough for watching the bike from a distance, rubber gloves, not so mini-pump, lightweight waterproof, phone, wallet. I've added a leatherman (because I don't think the quick links can actually be fitted without it), a better screw driver (in case the lights need finagling), a space blanket (light and if I am stuck in the cold and wet it'll be useful). Aside from that I've got some gels etc. beyond the couple I'd normally have and a couple of energy bars, the sleeves, a pair of sealskins to change in to if it gets proper wet, and a long sleeve jersey. It has a 2l platypus in it and I'll have some other food with me I reckon. Ah, and a set of knogs as the back up back up lights.

Partly this is because if I'm good for it I'll be doing a few miles after the ride (plus the ones to it) solo and have a thing about being as self sufficient as possible. I consider it a victory that I didn't put the folding tyre in to be honest...

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Rucksack not needed. Jersey pockets and saddle pack can carry all one needs. Long finger gloves not needed tonight. Unless you feel the cold in mild temps.

I drink a lot when I ride and suffer from being very dry if I don't so rely on the hydration pack, at which point the rucksack is kind of a thing. Don't have a saddle pack although am considering a tool bottle in a second carrier. Would be in fingerless gloves if they'd arrived but only own long fingered ones and won't ride without so no option there. I am in no way an advert for sartorial elegance on a bike. I can live with that :-)

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Sadly no. Although I am going for crass by wearing my RideLondon 2014 jersey. There will be bare knees, I don't expect this to be unique.