London to Winchester 24th/25th August

[martint235]

There's a ride out from Winchester to London on the 25th August (thead here). Now as I'm allergic to trains, I'm proposing to ride down to Winchester from London for the start. It's looking like a 9am start although this isn't confirmed on the thread as yet.

So the plan is to leave Hyde Park Corner at midnight. It takes 6 hours to cycle 100 miles which will leave us 3 hours for stops, mishaps and to grab breakfast in Winchester. It should still be getting light relatively early (around 5-5.30) so this should be a relaxed pootle out through the lights of London and into the Hampshire countryside.

I'll plot a route and post up later. Just gauging numbers for now.

 

[rb58]

I'm a luke-warm possible for this. Two things to bear in mind - it'll be tough riding over that rolling country to do 100 miles in 6 hours overnight. And it'll mean hitting White Down Road/Lane at about 175 miles in. That won't be much fun..

 

[martint235]

I'm a luke-warm possible for this. Two things to bear in mind - it'll be tough riding over that rolling country to do 100 miles in 6 hours overnight. And it'll mean hitting White Down Road/Lane at about 175 miles in. That won't be much fun..

A lot of the way out will be on the A30/A33. It's not too bad and it's relatively easy to maintain around 15mph average particularly overnight.

With regards to White Down, if you think it's fun, it'll still be fun after 175 miles. Most people don't so it won't be whatever distance we hit it at.

 

[Aperitif]

I'll keep you company probs. Martin, and I can always get a train back and wave as the second leg gets under way. I couldn't keep pace with an adventurous posse like that. And that slope...oh my-o-my!

 

[martint235]

I'll keep you company probs. Martin, and I can always get a train back and wave as the second leg gets under way. I couldn't keep pace with an adventurous posse like that. And that slope...oh my-o-my!

Somehow I'm sure you'll cope. Who needs a train?

 

[ianrauk]

If I do this, it means 4 FNR's and 4 SMRbtH's for the month of August.
Better put me down for this then.

 

[rb58]

If I do this, it means 4 FNR's and 4 SMRbtH's for the month of August.
Better put me down for this then.

To be honest, my mileage has dropped off a bit recently so I think I'd better plan to do this. But won't the 4th SMRbtH technically be on 1 September?

 

[ianrauk]

To be honest, my mileage has dropped off a bit recently so I think I'd better plan to do this. But won't the 4th SMRbtH technically be on 1 September?

It is indeed.. but starts in August

 

[musa]

yes i see why not? Ive put my name down on that one too
only reading this thread I've realised where the start is

Epic Fail

 

[martint235]

yes i see why not? Ive put my name down on that one too
only reading this thread I've realised where the start is

Epic Fail

Why fail? Ride from London to Winchester and back

 

[musa]

Yea I only just realised the other thread is Winchester to london

 

[martint235]

Yea I only just realised the other thread is Winchester to london

Easy, sign up for both!

 

[martint235]

Ok here we go. It's direct, it's less than 70 miles so we may wish to start slightly later, say 2am at HPC. It should mean the ride out of London is even quieter. From experience, the A30 at night is pretty good. I rode it with 'Teef et al on the way to Stonehenge with no bother at all. Plenty of garages selling food too (unlike on the A5!)

 

[Aperitif]

It's a bit of a 'tap-in' that ride, bigfellah. Should still start at 00:00 though, and try for a tight group ride at even pace - arriving at R. McDonalds esq at seven of the hash brown clock...to relax and eat? Whatever, if I can do it I will, at zero or 2am.

 

[martint235]

Midnight it is then. We may have Davy along which will ease the pace a bit