I think we are now going to be a full field of about 20 people.
I've got these names. Please let me know if there are any changes. (GC) means joining at Gerrards Cross.
Ianrauk
Martint235
gbs
jayonabike (GC)
Mark One
Mark Grant
Becs (GC)
StuAff
DavyWalnuts
Topcat1
CharlieB (GC)
AideyM (GC)
RebeccaOlds
Mistral
MisterTea (GC)
stevevw
Kev
Rich P
Eddie
+ me
It's 7:30 for 7:45 at HPC
The Gerrards Cross rendezvous is outside the Wildwood pub at the NE corner of the common. I expect we will be there at 9:30.
Moving on to Rich's question: what time will we get back. With 20 people it's hard to predict what time we would get back. I do remember saying we would meet you on the way to Cardiff back in May and, with a lot fewer people, we ended up being a long time behind schedule. However, I'm sort of assuming that we would be leaving the pub after lunch by 3pm. That should lead to being back in central London by 7, but a couple of punctures and a broken chain could throw that off course. You could ride off ahead if you need to catch a specific train. If I was booking a train I might book it for 7:30ish (but remember I left you waiting ages on the way to Cardiff so don't trust me!)
I've tweaked the route to take out the coffee stop and associated bad right turn. We can have quick stop at a shop in Great Missenden for those who need something.
This is the core route.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/819129
These rides have sometimes taken a while to get out of London so, to make sure we don't spend all morning reaching the M25, we're leaving at 7:45 - bang on - and going through Hyde Park where there are no lights for the first couple of miles. So, latecomers, please either catch us up on the road or, if you haven't done by Hayes, then this route will get you to the Gerrards Cross rendezvous a bit more quickly, with fewer hills but a bit less scenically. There's a bit of traffic but I've done it loads of times.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/819150
Some people want to ride a hundred miles and some don't. And some may have a mechanical, or just feel a bit tired on the day. So, we have short cuts!
1. The early lunch option: ride straight to the pub from Great Missenden
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/819157
2. The 'no more hills before lunch, thank-you' option to cut out a gratuitous climb and fast descent right before lunch
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/819159
3. The ' I don't fancy riding up that after x pints; where's the station?' option
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/819161
I was out in the Chilterns last week. The trees are turning nicely but some of the lanes are pretty filthy with lots of mud washed onto the road, deposited by tractors and from rotting leaves. My bike was filthy when I got home (in fact it still is!). It's not big and its not clever to ride without mudguards but, if you do, I won't be riding behind you and you may not be particularly welcome in the pub.
On my ride there were loads of punctures. It's the hedge trimming season so, if you are thinking of getting rid of the summer tyres and putting some tough ones on for winter, it's worth doing before this ride.
We'll be back after dark so lights needed (but no strobes, please!)
See everyone on saturday
Frank