FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast - Whitstable June 1st

[Aperitif]

When you buy a hip flask, Davy, you don't have to buy one the same size as your hips you know.
More oil on the carpet too...

 

[Sittingduck]

I'm thinking... ss jersey with a ls baselayer underneath. Gilet stuffed in the back pocket and shorts. I reckon it'll be down to about 9 degrees out in the sticks and might feel a touch colder into the slight headbreeze. It's right on the cusp and tricky to plan for...

edit: obviously, I'll be wearing the shorts - they won't be stuffed in the pocket. Just worded badly, soz!

 

[Davywalnuts]

When you buy a hip flask, Davy, you don't have to buy one the same size as your hips you know.
More oil on the carpet too...

Office carpet... shhhhhhh....

 

[martint235]

Before we set off, can everyone please notice how clean my bike looks?

Compared to mine, that's easy!!!

 

[Mice]

Yes. Victoria at 11:00 ish for me.

This would suit me too! I will be there at 11 if that's ok.

M

 

[Aperitif]

Adrian's flagging up his clean bike. He's used to this sort of activity..


Where's the meet?

 

[Flying Dodo]

I'll have a flag, but my bike won't be clean.

 

[Julesh]

Before we set off, can everyone please notice how clean my bike looks?

Don't look at mine. It's still got half the Isle of Wight stuck in the fancy bottom bracket lugs from three weeks ago and I'm out of cotton buds

 

[TimO]

[QUOTE 1872857, member: 1314"]I've got 2 front lights. One went off by itself regularly (probs shaking too much. Now No2 keeps going off - probs loose as well. It works fine when pointed slightly upwards which, erm, isn't to be recommended. Will tighten holders tonight. However, shall I invest in a new front light for tonight "just in case"? Loathe to do so as I'm waiting for a new C2W voucher which means I can upgrade stuff cheaper in a few days...[/quote]

Given the time of year, the night will be relatively short, and not terribly dim. As I recall, there isn't a lot of the ride which is massively dark, so you may be able to get away with not much light, especially if you can tuck in behind someone with a searchlight.

If you've got no light whatsoever, I've got an Exposure Flash front light, specifically bought to lend to people whose lights fail on a ride. So long as you've got a reasonably clear bit of horizontal handlebar, it'll probably fit your bike (it's essentially got a posh rubber band to hold it on the bike). I've also got enough charged RC123A batteries to run it through the light on continuous (not flashing) mode. It's not the brightest light in the world, but quite bright for such a diminutive light, and brighter than a "street legal" front bike light. I can bring that along, and you can borrow it if you wish. I can't help with getting to the start however, you'll have to do that before sunset, and then stand there for a number of hours.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I enjoyed Scottishland so much I've left the film of Highland grime in situ on the bike. Adds character. Or something.

eta at the usual place, victoria station concourse, just after tentoleven

 

[PaulRide]

Ooh, is it Friday evening already? I'd better think about riding home and making decisions. Will it be sparkly red bike or sparkly blue bike? Black socks or white? Shimano or Campag? Coffee or beer? Bacon and egg bap or full English? Fridays jersey or Rapha?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The wind is from the east, with a small chance of light patchy rain and a bit of drizzle where the cloud is thickest. So says the lovely Rachel on BBC South East.

 

[martint235]

The wind is from the east, with a small chance of light patchy rain and a bit of drizzle where the cloud is thickest. So says the lovely Rachel on BBC South East.

Still can't decide what to wear. It's shorts and short sleeved top with Night Vision Pro jacket on or no jacket and a windproof thingy that has seen better days tucked under the saddle just in case I need it. Temps seem to range from 11 to 13 which doesn't help. I commute in shorts and short sleeves from 8C upwards but I've been cold in 13C after Gatwick on one ride.

And no I won't be wearing arm warmers, it's about keeping the core temp warm.

 

[ceepeebee]

heavier short sleeved with base layer and arm warmers for me, with 3/4s. Windproof in the saddlebag.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

heavier short sleeved with base layer and arm warmers for me, with 3/4s. Windproof in the saddlebag.

light merino base layer, bib shorts, knee and arm warmers, Fridays jersey, gilet, and a long sleeve windproof under the saddle.

There.

It's decided.