England : Isle of Wight Isle of Wight Randonnée 2013 - 5th May

[srw]

Now open for registration, and a heads-up that they're asking for pre-registration online this year - with a limit of 1500 registrants. Apparently it will now always be clockwise, to minimise the congestion at the chain ferry from an anti-clockwise start off the Southampton ferry.

http://www.cycleisland.co.uk/

We have unfinished business from last year....

 

[StuAff]

Registered. Missed last year's (clash with Southend FNRttC), hopefully the weather will be much better than last year. I can understand the reasoning behind sticking with clockwise, but I prefer anti....never mind.

 

[JoeyB]

I've registered for this. I've done it twice before but missed last year.

 

[ufkacbln]

Last year was slow due to the number of riders lying down .... and I don't mean the recumbent riders!

I have never seen so many!

You could not pick up speed anywhere there was a corner or down hill as there would be a roadie

Ended up stopping a few times to offer support, sympathy or first aid

However as always the camaraderie and fun that to me epitomises this ride still characterises this ride remained.

I am waiting a pass from the other half.....

I will not however be taking the trike we ordered yesterday!

 

[srw]

Bump. We're staying over on the Island for a couple of nights, somewhere up the hill from East Cowes. And booked to start at East Cowes. We'll be on the sexy lightweight tandem - with a possibility of Fridays jerseys if I can breathe in.

I know it's a long way away, but the weather forecasts are not bad. The leg forecast, however, is less good - somehow between running moving slowly using a running motion and what limited cycling I've done I've picked up a niggle. I've also spent the week away on business. Still, we've had a few shortish rides to confirm that roughtly speaking everything is in order.

 

[StuAff]

Bought a car ferry return (special discount as advertised on the cycleisland site), Wootton start as usual for me. Recent right knee issues thankfully absent on yesterday's ride with Herr Voigt.

 

[ufkacbln]

Just a quick update

Due to various other issues I will be spending Sunday at a Cub Scout camp on the mainland

The new trike has arrived, but I would not have fancied the hills on a machine that weighs 40 kg !

 

[JoeyB]

We've booked on the 7am ferry to Fishbourne with a Wooton start. Looking forward to the hills!!

 

[Osh]

this sounds great, shame online registration is now closed - might just try turning up on the day if i can get a ferry

 

[JoeyB]

this sounds great, shame online registration is now closed - might just try turning up on the day if i can get a ferry

Pretty sure you can register on the day, just a slightly longer queue is all. And foot passengers can just turn up and get on the ferry so long as there is still room for bikes etc.

EDIT - The above is true of the WightLink ferry from Portsmouth anyway

 

[JoeyB]

I don't think you can register on the day any more, as numbers have been capped.

My bad, just read that online

 

[Osh]

My bad, just read that online

cheers, i've emailed the organisers just in case...if all else fails i can do it unofficially using the gpx #lonewolf

 

[Dave Davenport]

I haven't bothered to register for quite a few years, nor do most of the people I go with. The route is permanently marked so no need for maps or gps gizmos.

 

[Osh]

I haven't bothered to register for quite a few years, nor do most of the people I go with. The route is permanently marked so no need for maps or gps gizmos.

Thanks Dave, that's good to know. I've never been to the Isle of Wight but so long as i follow the cyclists i'll hopefully not get lost...

 

[JoeyB]

Yarp just follow the blue and white signs I think. You won't get stamps though!! lol