Flying Dodo
It'll soon be summer
Seeing as the weather's now turned colder, now is the time to start planning for that hardy perennial, the Christmas Night Ride to Bognor, which I've scheduled for Friday 3rd December. Maybe this year, we'll actually get to run it!
So, usual thing, start from Hyde Park Corner, London Town at midnight, a nice run through the streets looking at all the Christmas tat bargains in the shop windows, bypass the drunks, then head out of London, probably via Dorking, for the halfway stop at Pease Pottage services, just south west of Crawley, which will come as a real shock to the 2 guys working in the Costa Coffee there, as they normally only have about about 1 or 2 cars showing up at 3.30 am.
And then it'll be off again into the darkness, where it's likely to be cold, very cold. There'll be a grind up the South Downs, and then a lovely descent past Arundel and then it'll be just about flat for the last few miles. No flint paths or walks through fields/stiles are included on this ride. Then as dawn eventually breaks, and the sun pops a weary beam in your direction, you'll be in time for breakfast at the Lobster Pot Cafe at Felpham, just next to Bognor.
Total mileage will be around 73 miles or so. Pace-wise, we won't go too fast (where have you heard that before), intending to arrive at 8 am. If there's torrential rain/ice/snow/tornadoes, then we won't go.
Warm clothes almost certainly essential. Christmas outfits are optional but welcome.
There are 4 trains an hour back from Bognor to London Victoria - 2 direct and 2 requiring changes at Barham and Horsham (which are quicker than the direct trains). Alternatively, you can go via Brighton.
Anyone else interested?
So, usual thing, start from Hyde Park Corner, London Town at midnight, a nice run through the streets looking at all the Christmas tat bargains in the shop windows, bypass the drunks, then head out of London, probably via Dorking, for the halfway stop at Pease Pottage services, just south west of Crawley, which will come as a real shock to the 2 guys working in the Costa Coffee there, as they normally only have about about 1 or 2 cars showing up at 3.30 am.
And then it'll be off again into the darkness, where it's likely to be cold, very cold. There'll be a grind up the South Downs, and then a lovely descent past Arundel and then it'll be just about flat for the last few miles. No flint paths or walks through fields/stiles are included on this ride. Then as dawn eventually breaks, and the sun pops a weary beam in your direction, you'll be in time for breakfast at the Lobster Pot Cafe at Felpham, just next to Bognor.
Total mileage will be around 73 miles or so. Pace-wise, we won't go too fast (where have you heard that before), intending to arrive at 8 am. If there's torrential rain/ice/snow/tornadoes, then we won't go.
Warm clothes almost certainly essential. Christmas outfits are optional but welcome.
There are 4 trains an hour back from Bognor to London Victoria - 2 direct and 2 requiring changes at Barham and Horsham (which are quicker than the direct trains). Alternatively, you can go via Brighton.
Anyone else interested?
