Would I need to prepare my bike any differently from my usual winter's evening commutes, ie, strap on some lights and bring spare clothing/flapjack supply?
have a shuftie at
http://fridaynightridetothecoast.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-basics.html
and trawl around the website while you read, mark learn and inwardly digest those golden words of wisdom.
two things you need to look after:
1. the bike. check your tyres for flints - i use a magnifying glass - and remove all bits of tiny stone thus lessening the chance of everyone on the ride hating you (and all your family going back eight generations) as you make them stand around for ages in freezing temperatures while you faff and fix your third puncture of the night. Have a light that allows you to see where you're going at 12mph in total darkness and batteries that will last from midnight until dawn at 8am. ensure brakes work so you don't crash into someone else through incompetence.
2. You. Although the thought may have occurred to you that's it's bloody cold at 4am in a December wind while you wait for someone else to fix a puncture, in actual fact it's much colder than that. And really, it's colder than even that. On the Southend run a few years ago the temperature unexpectedly fell to minus 7c (forecast was plus 4c). The waterbottles froze and there was sheet ice on the road. I was OK with seven layers (double layer cotton winter riding jacket, thermal underwear, windproof gilet, three cycling shirts) so carry some warm clothing as a spare - and hope you won't need it. Mittens are better than gloves, and a Buff keeps your neck warm and your face if you lift it up. A warm hat is deffo needed for me as I am follicly challenged.
finally, if you do something really stupid someone else might be hurt and take umbrage and sue you. Third party insurance such as provided by the CTC is a good idea, and mandatory on official FNRttC rides so you might like to make sure you have that.
finally, finally, don't forget to remember to take your sense of humour as riding with that bunch is going to be hilarious from beginning to end and may well change your life. if that happens, save up your pennies until you have two of Her Majesty's English Pounds and take a shuftie at
http://fridaynightridetothecoast.blogspot.co.uk/p/like-our-rides-join-fridays.html
hope to see on the road sometime. I'm elsewhere for this ride, but turn up for others now and again.
