My last night ride of the year (just for a change- not- the leave computer said no to York-Hull, though I will be up there the following week). Following the exciting adventures of Brighton- when I rode there along the coast, thanks to acts of rail disruption- it was a return to normal abnormality. Checked the National Rail app a few times and no problems showing- there were issues in the Woking area, but services returned to normal quickly. After the 2115 all clear, I was rolling round to the northbound platform at Airport Parkway in ten minutes or so, just like that evening. Unlike that evening, there were actual trains which were actually running to time (well, mostly, in my case), the 2138 pulling in about five minutes after I'd arrived. Usual eating & device charging routine ensued. The service was a few minutes late pulling into Waterloo, but not a problem- I was still round at the NT by 2310, joining Nick, Claire and a few other early arrivals. Tea's lovely mini-velo was not the only new bike- Mark W had joined Titanium Gravel Club with a Reilly Gradient- bright green anodized logos, and a custom-painted fork in the same shade. He was grinning, unsurprisingly.
After setting off, standard northeastward urban slog ensued. Over Southwark Bridge, Bank, Aldgate, Whitechapel, then Bethnal Green. That saw the first of
@bobcolover's deflations, so I had a little wait for he, all-upper Kim and James there. Generally, waymarking involved short waits for the tail end, and in view of the drop in temperature I thought it was easier to keep warm by generating some wattage and getting back to the front. One new rider who volunteered thought it was a good idea to mark a left hand turn on the inside- I covered that on the other side of the road, and he'll know better for next time. Clothing choice proved right for the conditions- Mk1 long-sleeve Fridays jersey (heavier weight than the others I have), three-quarters, and long Le Col socks (a recent purchase, and very happy with them- I don't own leg warmers and they wouldn't have been needed). The jacket went on as the temperature kept dropping, gloves and jumper on after that.
As
@srw stated, it was nice to finally get out of the suburban angst and into actual countryside. I had another lengthy wait in Kelvedon Hatch at the penultimate turn before halfway, before finally Bob, Kim et al appeared and I could get to the scout hut. I was feeling a bit peckish- well, even more so than usual- so extensive sampling of the copious spread ensued. Then on we went. At the BP station (last non-hedge loo stop before Maldon), joined the queue for the single cubicle, mind boggling at the price of the ready meals…
After Bob's fall and his retirement for a train home, some were concerned that the bad luck he had suffered would transfer to the rest of us. Thankfully no, I think no-one else suffered a mechanical all night. The last stretch was pretty straightforward, though the gradients remainted rolling, and the drivers remained aggressive (lot of close passes and squeezing into hedges). When I got into Maldon, mid pack, the waymarker was still in place, though I'd have known the way had they already scarpered.
An excellent breakfast later, off I went to Witham. I was intending to ride in the group that all left at the same time, but I'd done my own GPX, a slightly different route to Nick's, and I stuck with it. A pretty rapid pace, and easily made Maldon in time for the 1048 train, Jim and I finding just enough room for selves and bikes (Stratford was like unpopping a cork, there was so much room on the last stretch). After making my way out of Liverpool Street, back to Waterloo, and then a short wait for a slow service south at 1207 (engineering work meant a long diversion). Two and a half hours later, into Hilsea & the last mile home. And relax…
Thanks everyone. See you…whenever.
