London to Ramsgate 2nd Jan
- Thread starter dellzeqq
- Start date
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thom
____
- Location
- The Borough
Perfect, thanks.
AKA Bob
Riding a folding bike far too much of the time...
- Location
- Reading upon Thames
Dellzeqq, That's great. If you can give me about an hours notice for ETA in Sittingbourne that would be helpful.
U
User10571
Guest
Still not back......
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
...might be the inaugural MNRbtH...
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Could be a Steinbeck in the making...'Of Mice and Men' 
Mice
Guru
Hahahahaha - Brilliant Teef!Could be a Steinbeck in the making...'Of Mice and Men'
M
Mice
Guru
Well, that was a ride! The best bit was seeing Frank975. I haven't seen him for quite a while. True to his PBP fabulous cycling form, having returned from the Far East on Monday he unpacked his suitcase, had something to eat and headed to Greenwich to meet us (pretty much!!) Brilliant.
By 7.55am the group had increased to five. Dellzeqq, Flying Dodo, Thom, Frank975 and me. Dellzeqq said we would wait until 8am because on a previous ride they had left one minute early and had been chased down by a flying Topcat1. At 8am Topcat1 arrived!!
Up to Blackheath and then - Shooters Hill. It is indeed a hill, I can't believe Martin235 does that daily. Then on out along the Thames Estuary. The traffic was so light that we stayed on the main roads - something that can only be done on a Bank Holiday. The weather was very kind, nippy but a very clear sky and a very helpful SW wind (thank goodness!). At Rochester Andy's Cabin was closed so we headed onwards, all the way to Faversham. Just past Rochester (I'm making that up I have no idea where we were) there was a visitation to Dellzeqqs tyre which was rapidly repaired by the Dellzeqq and Thom team.
There were some hills. I somehow managed to climb all of them apart from one which combined with the cold damp air aggravated my asthma so I had to walk 20 yards to the top. I have been very lucky with my asthma as it normally leaves me alone but I have had to use my inhaler three times in 15 years - twice today.
At midday we reached Faversham where a most excellent cafe served a delicious lunch. Home made soups, cottage pie and cake (well cake for the boys, I can't eat cake then ride a bike). We were joined by AKA Bob on a Brompton who joined us for lunch, laughs and a cycle ride to Minster. The trains weren't working from Ramsgate so at Minster Topcat1 and AKA Bob made their way to the station.
The rest of us headed onwards to Ramsgate where we sat down to order copious cups of hot chocolate. Unfortunately there was a 20 minute delay on hot drinks so we made our way back to Minster for the HS1 to St Pancras. From there, we all went our separate ways - Thom due South, Frank975 West, Flying Dodo North, Dellzeqq and I South West. (I may know nothing about my nine times table but I understand a compass!!)
My stats are: 91 miles, 2590 calories (excellent) average speed 13.5 and fastest speed - reminiscing of Paris in July as I could see Frank975 ahead of me on a clear road so I followed his line and reached 33.3 mph!! Hooray.
A tough ride after Christmas (too much food intake) but a brilliant day all the same. Thank you everyone. Oh and Martin235 - we went on the A2!!
The only disappointing bit was that User10571 wasn't there. I have done so many fabulous rides along the Thames Estuary with him that to be there without him was, well, wrong.
I took some pics....
https://picasaweb.google.com/108733...&authkey=Gv1sRgCKbG8cvg1uybVQ&feat=directlink
M
By 7.55am the group had increased to five. Dellzeqq, Flying Dodo, Thom, Frank975 and me. Dellzeqq said we would wait until 8am because on a previous ride they had left one minute early and had been chased down by a flying Topcat1. At 8am Topcat1 arrived!!
Up to Blackheath and then - Shooters Hill. It is indeed a hill, I can't believe Martin235 does that daily. Then on out along the Thames Estuary. The traffic was so light that we stayed on the main roads - something that can only be done on a Bank Holiday. The weather was very kind, nippy but a very clear sky and a very helpful SW wind (thank goodness!). At Rochester Andy's Cabin was closed so we headed onwards, all the way to Faversham. Just past Rochester (I'm making that up I have no idea where we were) there was a visitation to Dellzeqqs tyre which was rapidly repaired by the Dellzeqq and Thom team.
There were some hills. I somehow managed to climb all of them apart from one which combined with the cold damp air aggravated my asthma so I had to walk 20 yards to the top. I have been very lucky with my asthma as it normally leaves me alone but I have had to use my inhaler three times in 15 years - twice today.
At midday we reached Faversham where a most excellent cafe served a delicious lunch. Home made soups, cottage pie and cake (well cake for the boys, I can't eat cake then ride a bike). We were joined by AKA Bob on a Brompton who joined us for lunch, laughs and a cycle ride to Minster. The trains weren't working from Ramsgate so at Minster Topcat1 and AKA Bob made their way to the station.
The rest of us headed onwards to Ramsgate where we sat down to order copious cups of hot chocolate. Unfortunately there was a 20 minute delay on hot drinks so we made our way back to Minster for the HS1 to St Pancras. From there, we all went our separate ways - Thom due South, Frank975 West, Flying Dodo North, Dellzeqq and I South West. (I may know nothing about my nine times table but I understand a compass!!)
My stats are: 91 miles, 2590 calories (excellent) average speed 13.5 and fastest speed - reminiscing of Paris in July as I could see Frank975 ahead of me on a clear road so I followed his line and reached 33.3 mph!! Hooray.
A tough ride after Christmas (too much food intake) but a brilliant day all the same. Thank you everyone. Oh and Martin235 - we went on the A2!!
The only disappointing bit was that User10571 wasn't there. I have done so many fabulous rides along the Thames Estuary with him that to be there without him was, well, wrong.
I took some pics....
https://picasaweb.google.com/108733...&authkey=Gv1sRgCKbG8cvg1uybVQ&feat=directlink
M
Attachments
thom
____
- Location
- The Borough
Nice photos Mice - I trust the bike is squeaky clean now - mine isn't but then it wasn't when we started...
Thanks Simon and all - Happy New Year.
Thanks Simon and all - Happy New Year.
Flying Dodo
It'll soon be summer
I've been back since just after 6, but been doing other stuff!
We were promised a fast ride and that's what we got.
Thom and I rolled up to Greenwich at about 7.45 to find Frank & Miranda already there, and admiring the masts on the Cutty Sark. Simon arrived shortly afterwards, and just as we were thinking of departing, TC1 turned up. So on the dot of 8 am, our merry band set off into a brightening sky, on the original FNRttC Whitstable & Southend route - straight along the A207. Skirting round Greenwich Park, the half moon hung in the east, a waning beacon against a crystal clear blue backdrop, and as we pulled onto the main road, we could feel the helpful tail wind pushing us along. All too soon, the behemoth that is Shooters Hill rose up in front of us, and with a rapid crunching of gears, we powered our way to the top.
After a short break at the top to recover, we then headed off down the slope hoping to catch the speed cameras, but then our caravan came to a rapid halt in order to make a brief photographic stop, to capture some interesting photos of an unusual design of bungalow which one member of our group had spotted, and then we carried on through the unending suburbs of Bexley, Crayford, Dartford and Swanscombe which seem to delight in trying to see which neighbourhood can manage to get the largest number of nail bars & fake tan salons per mile.
By 9.30 we had reached Gravesend and then branched off onto the A226 to go through Rochester and then we faced another steep climb up the A2 which then rolled along, gently undulating up and down. The A roads we had been on were in fact quite quiet, as any other time of year, you wouldn't really want to be on them. After zooming through the ever delightful Sittingbourne, we then turned off onto the Tonge road, and headed towards Faversham, reaching the town centre around 11.45. Nothing seemed open, but fortunately an open cafe was found, where a selection of tasty food was ordered, and the the Met's finest, in the form of Titus arrived. Due to us also having cake, we didn't leave until 1 pm, and leaving the nice warm cafe, the deserted streets of Faversham seemed rather cold as we made our way over the paved sections of the High Street.
After heading out of town, then we had the Battle of Dunkirk to face - the old A2 up a hill between the villages of Broughton and Dunkirk. Although it's not overly steep, it just drags on a bit, so by the time we got to the time, we were all warmed up again. I always think it's very handy on rides like this to have a good hill to climb after lunch, to get the blood flowing again. We then dropped onto the main A2 for a high speed section, before turning off to navigate our way through Canterbury. At this point, Simon must have felt we were cooling down again, as he helpfully sent us on a detour up a 10% hill to get our blood flowing again. After a brief stop to check the GPS, we headed off back on track, to then follow the A28, which being an old Roman road was straight for a few miles, before we turned off onto minor roads, through Minster, where Dave and Titus left to get a train, leaving the 5 of us to carry on towards Ramsgate, which we reached around 3.15. Although we stopped at a cafe, as they had a 15 minute wait for drinks, we had to forgo the pleasures of Margate, so we got back on our bikes and headed back to Minster, and caught the waiting 4.10 HS1 train back to St Pancras.
I've had a chance to go through my GPS route and realised I'd forgotten to switch the tracking back on at one point for a short while. After correcting that, from Greenwich we did 77.8 miles in just over 5 hours, with an average moving speed of 15.3 mph and 5,000 feet of climbing. So not a bad day's outing. Thanks everyone. Although I brought my camera, I didn't bother taking any photos. Sorry.
We were promised a fast ride and that's what we got.
Thom and I rolled up to Greenwich at about 7.45 to find Frank & Miranda already there, and admiring the masts on the Cutty Sark. Simon arrived shortly afterwards, and just as we were thinking of departing, TC1 turned up. So on the dot of 8 am, our merry band set off into a brightening sky, on the original FNRttC Whitstable & Southend route - straight along the A207. Skirting round Greenwich Park, the half moon hung in the east, a waning beacon against a crystal clear blue backdrop, and as we pulled onto the main road, we could feel the helpful tail wind pushing us along. All too soon, the behemoth that is Shooters Hill rose up in front of us, and with a rapid crunching of gears, we powered our way to the top.
After a short break at the top to recover, we then headed off down the slope hoping to catch the speed cameras, but then our caravan came to a rapid halt in order to make a brief photographic stop, to capture some interesting photos of an unusual design of bungalow which one member of our group had spotted, and then we carried on through the unending suburbs of Bexley, Crayford, Dartford and Swanscombe which seem to delight in trying to see which neighbourhood can manage to get the largest number of nail bars & fake tan salons per mile.
By 9.30 we had reached Gravesend and then branched off onto the A226 to go through Rochester and then we faced another steep climb up the A2 which then rolled along, gently undulating up and down. The A roads we had been on were in fact quite quiet, as any other time of year, you wouldn't really want to be on them. After zooming through the ever delightful Sittingbourne, we then turned off onto the Tonge road, and headed towards Faversham, reaching the town centre around 11.45. Nothing seemed open, but fortunately an open cafe was found, where a selection of tasty food was ordered, and the the Met's finest, in the form of Titus arrived. Due to us also having cake, we didn't leave until 1 pm, and leaving the nice warm cafe, the deserted streets of Faversham seemed rather cold as we made our way over the paved sections of the High Street.
After heading out of town, then we had the Battle of Dunkirk to face - the old A2 up a hill between the villages of Broughton and Dunkirk. Although it's not overly steep, it just drags on a bit, so by the time we got to the time, we were all warmed up again. I always think it's very handy on rides like this to have a good hill to climb after lunch, to get the blood flowing again. We then dropped onto the main A2 for a high speed section, before turning off to navigate our way through Canterbury. At this point, Simon must have felt we were cooling down again, as he helpfully sent us on a detour up a 10% hill to get our blood flowing again. After a brief stop to check the GPS, we headed off back on track, to then follow the A28, which being an old Roman road was straight for a few miles, before we turned off onto minor roads, through Minster, where Dave and Titus left to get a train, leaving the 5 of us to carry on towards Ramsgate, which we reached around 3.15. Although we stopped at a cafe, as they had a 15 minute wait for drinks, we had to forgo the pleasures of Margate, so we got back on our bikes and headed back to Minster, and caught the waiting 4.10 HS1 train back to St Pancras.
I've had a chance to go through my GPS route and realised I'd forgotten to switch the tracking back on at one point for a short while. After correcting that, from Greenwich we did 77.8 miles in just over 5 hours, with an average moving speed of 15.3 mph and 5,000 feet of climbing. So not a bad day's outing. Thanks everyone. Although I brought my camera, I didn't bother taking any photos. Sorry.
frank9755
Cyclist
- Location
- West London
Thanks Miranda - great to see you too! Great pictures - don't know how you managed to take so many.
Miranda and Adam have told all, with the minor exception of Miranda's quote of the day. I think it was:
"Adam, could you slide that banana into my back pocket, please?"
Thanks to Simon for suggesting the ride (and arranging the weather); it was just what I needed to combat jet-lag. And thanks to all for coming along; lovely to catch up.
I was home, fed, watered and tucked up in bed, fast asleep, when User10571 and 'Teef were contemplating a missing persons report.
Miranda and Adam have told all, with the minor exception of Miranda's quote of the day. I think it was:
"Adam, could you slide that banana into my back pocket, please?"
Thanks to Simon for suggesting the ride (and arranging the weather); it was just what I needed to combat jet-lag. And thanks to all for coming along; lovely to catch up.
I was home, fed, watered and tucked up in bed, fast asleep, when User10571 and 'Teef were contemplating a missing persons report.
I'm sorry that I didn't report in yesterday, but, having got home about 6.15 I might just have over-lubricated my creaking gears...
The ride was a spur of the moment thing, prompted by Susie wanting me out of the house for the day, the weather forecast, and knowing that a daytime recce ride on these roads wasn't going to be fun at any other time but this.
I decided to test out the straighter route and then calculate whether the savings in miles (which total just over ten, reducing the ride from 89 to 79 miles) would compensate for the extra effort on hills and the rather less congenial surroundings.
The A28 and A253 could be a lot of fun, the roads through Minster were a delight, and Frank and Adam piloted a way in to Ramsgate which was just wonderful.
The ride was a spur of the moment thing, prompted by Susie wanting me out of the house for the day, the weather forecast, and knowing that a daytime recce ride on these roads wasn't going to be fun at any other time but this.
I decided to test out the straighter route and then calculate whether the savings in miles (which total just over ten, reducing the ride from 89 to 79 miles) would compensate for the extra effort on hills and the rather less congenial surroundings.
The A28 and A253 could be a lot of fun, the roads through Minster were a delight, and Frank and Adam piloted a way in to Ramsgate which was just wonderful.
AKA Bob
Riding a folding bike far too much of the time...
- Location
- Reading upon Thames
Thank you Dellzeqq. Yet another excellent ride of discovery and good company. Should of stayed with the gang to Ramsgate as I found myself being forced on to a bus (Thank god for the Brompton!) to take me to Margate via Ramsgate. In essence a nightmare journey back to Faversham!! Did find a fine cafe at Margate Station who would be up to a challenge of FNRttC if you ever decide to make Margate a destination?
Flying Dodo
It'll soon be summer
A tale of woe! You should have gone on the train at Minster to Canterbury West, then cycled across to Canterbury East to get the train to Faversham.
AKA Bob
Riding a folding bike far too much of the time...
- Location
- Reading upon Thames
Adam, I know that cunning solution now sadly!
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