Isle of Wight Randonee, Sun 3rd May 2009

[ufkacbln]

Wondered where the heights had gone.

When you upload there is a warning that elevation data may take up to 24 hours to be added

 

[CopperBrompton]

24 hours? Makes it sound like they have to send a little man out there with a barometer and a set square.

 

[johnnyh]

definitely doing this one, does anyone know good B&B's for the night before, or other accommodation is heading across from Portsmouth???

 

[Bollo]

24 hours? Makes it sound like they have to send a little man out there with a barometer and a set square.

On the IoW they triangulate heights from the burning bodies of Overners placed on hill tops.

 

[CopperBrompton]

<Makes mental note to make sure I've finished the ride by sunset>

 

[Bollo]

I'm doing the place a disservice. The day itself is one of my favourite rides out - very friendly and very well organised for absolutely no pennies, although its good form to stuff a few quid in the tin. The local PTAs also make a real effort.

The IoW is an interesting mix of the gentile and the quite genuinely rough, all mixed with a bit of insular island mentality. Cowes is my particular whipping boy - I've had a few issues there both on and off the bike.

 

[Paulus]

Thanks, Paulus. Why Portsmouth rather than Southampton?

Hi there Ben, been away for a few days. I prefer Portsmouth to Southampton because it is quicker on the the train, fast train is 1hr 30 mins from Waterloo, then onto the Wight link catamaran and 15 mins later you are in Ryde. I start at kite Hill near Wooton so it is a 20 min ride to the start, although i stay in a B+B very near to the start

 

[Paulus]

definitely doing this one, does anyone know good B&B's for the night before, or other accommodation is heading across from Portsmouth???

Hi there johnny, I stayed at this place last year, it's a bit different but comfortable and only 5 minutes from the start at Kite Hill.

http://www.island-charters-bandb.co.uk/charter_boats.asp

 

[CopperBrompton]

Makes sense, Paulus, but I'm now booked into a B&B at Cowes (got the last room!), so the Southampton route makes more sense this time.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

..hmm...this might be doable...drive down, car over on ferry...is there a hostel or something?.....the longer ride looks like it might kill me loadsa fun

..not sure yet...though...

last time I was in Cowes I got drunk and fell off a boat...is that allowed still?

 

[johnnyh]

Hi there johnny, I stayed at this place last year, it's a bit different but comfortable and only 5 minutes from the start at Kite Hill.

http://www.island-charters-bandb.co.uk/charter_boats.asp

that is certainly different, but sounds pretty cool.

BoaB, getting drunk and falling off a boat are surely the only rock 'n' roll ways to behave

 

[BigonaBianchi]

BoaB, getting drunk and falling off a boat are surely the only rock 'n' roll ways to behave

..

...ha! yeah that and removing TV sets from 10th floor windows..nah I'll stick to falling off boats.

 

[Bollo]

last time I was in Cowes I got drunk and fell off a boat...is that allowed still?

It's not just allowed, it's mandatory!

Get yo ass on dat ferry.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Get yo ass on dat ferry.

you know I think I might just do that...erm is this like atouring trip or a racey trip? Galaxy or Bianchi? Hi vis or lycra?

Bianchi would be my preference...ok now for hotel...hmmm that boat up top looks cool...I bet I could fall of that ok...

 

[CopperBrompton]

Strictly touring here :-)