Not A Friday Night Festive Seasonal Ride to the Coast

[StuAff]

"Oh no he isn't"

Have fun!

 

[mmmmartin]

Let me get this right. It is Christmas and the FNRttC has shut down, so there are no rides. Except there are three rides in two days. When he started all this several years ago, did His Legness have the faintest idea of where it would lead?

 

[StuAff]

Weather forecasts for Wednesday looking not too bad, though a bit of a crosswind (possibly 32 mph as we near Brighton according to XC Weather, 25 according to the Beeb. Hopefully Metcheck's rather more favourable forecast is accurate). I'm still game if at least a few AN Others are....

 

[CharlieB]

Still up for this one, Stu.

 

[velovoice]

I'm still in, Stu - yes, I'm choosing L2B in the dark over gorgeous Sussex countryside in the day. Must be mad! :P

 

[Tim Hall]

Glad to say I'm still up for this too. Will get baking sausage rolls nearer the time. Any veggies riding?

 

[StuAff]

Excellent news all.
Me
Adrian
Davy
Tim H (1/2)
Charlie B (who I kept forgetting to add before...)
Rebecca O
Sandra (possible)

 

[StuAff]

Forecast is, bizarrely, for it to be both clear and not cold. So, classic route, with Crawley variation or any of the others?

Indeed, thinking keeping it to the trad route for the most part would be the best bet- so Clapham-Tooting-Mitcham-Portnalls Road-Reigate, then Crawley. Then east to either Turners' Hill or down further south and east to Lindfield and on from there.

 

[CharlieB]

Glad to say I'm still up for this too. Will get baking sausage rolls nearer the time. Any veggies riding?

That's me, Tim. (There's always one)

 

[TimO]

I've just checking back through the thread, and if I'm correct, the ride is currently on the 28th (and 29th), and I'll be travelling back on the 28th, so will probably be a bit knackered, and I'll have to pick Zev and Kai up the next morning. That's a shame given that I already had to abandon the December ride in favour of going to Berkeley for work.

 

[Davywalnuts]

Forecast is, bizarrely, for it to be both clear and not cold. So, classic route, with Crawley variation or any of the others?

I dont still know the whole route down, but I know am in safe hands with you.

Would it be possible to have that variation at the end like the last brighton ride.. the one where we come out at the foot of the Beacon?

 

[Tim Hall]

At the foot of Slugwash Lane go left instead of right. Then first right into South Road after about 600m. Right/straight on on the bend after 100m into Hundred Acre Lane. Left at the T at the end, signed Westmeston. Right after about 70m in Streat Lane, again signed Westmeston 4. Under the railway, through the thriving metropolis that is Streat. Wake up Hatler as you pass Blackberry Wood campsite for coffee. Aim for the V shaped plantation (Victoria's Diamond Jubilee commemoration). Right at the T towards Westmeston. In Westmeston (blink and you miss it) left on the right hand bend by the phone box into Underhill Lane.

 

[Tim Hall]

I have no idea. However, this very evening I received from my parents in law a portable sundial compass in a wooden case. Rather like how I imagine an aleithiometer to look. Perhaps we can use that.

 

[StuAff]

I'll have the track for that on Garmin Connect. Edit: here you go.
My own preference would be for the other route through Ditchling- I think that gives one more of a chance to prepare for the climb- but I'm more than happy to go with the majority view.

 

[velovoice]

FYI from the thread for tomorrow's London ride:

just to re-cap

Hyde Park Corner 11.30 for !2.00 start. Please, please do not roll up any later than 11.35. The ride is about ten miles and I think we'll get to All Bar One at about 14.30

So the 10:19 and 10:24 trains are the latest possible options for anyone aiming for HPC, as I believe Adrian already stated some time ago.