Pootle to Trafalgar Sq December 18th

[iLB]

Having finally overcome injuries induced by my previous charity riding escapade, and being in 3rd year with time running out for such an adventure, my friend Rob and I have decided it would be a great idea to ride home from Sheffield to London in one day on Sunday 18th December.

I'm starting this thread for three reasons, the first being to invite anyone who might fancy venturing out to say hello upon our arrival or to perhaps sweep up our frost shattered remains (Flying Dodo has already offered to join us on the way south from the Leicester area, if that sweetens the deal). The plan is to hit Maccy D's on the strand, drink coffee, or drink beer- maybe a combination before riding the final miles to home and bed.

Secondly we'd like to pick the collective brain of the experienced CC night riders and long distance riding addicts; we are considering a very early start time with 4am being muted- but we are also considering a midnight kick off so as to arrive in daylight. Thoughts on the relative merits of these options would be much appreciated, my main worry at the moment is the possible night time temperatures. Distance is less of a concern, the two of us rode 190kms to Lincoln and back to Sheffield against an extreme headwind at a handy average on Sunday and were not to delirious by the end. Finally we'd ask for any messages of support, and for anyone not feeling too "charity tired" would maybe visit our justgiving page in support of Macmillan Cancer Support http://www.justgiving.com/Robert-Ricketts.

Thanks for reading, Andy

 

[StuAff]

I'd suggest a night-time start would be the better idea- if you start at 4am ish, you'll be spending a few hours in darkness anyway (even at your usual speed!), and depending on how it goes you could be facing riding in the dark at the southern end as well. A night start will get that out of the way in one chunk. Agreed that temperatures could be a problem- if you haven't got any winter-weight bib tights, well worth investing in them. Multiple layers the best option for your top half. And if there's any risk of snow & ice, abort, it's just not worth the risk.
Sadly won't be able to join you, but a donation will certainly be forthcoming...

 

[ceepeebee]

I'll wave from the train, we'll be heading back from Chesterfield as you're on your way after an early Xmas with mother. Good luck though, it should be a relatively straightforward route I'd have thought? Kind of go down the channel between the M1 and A1 (if that's possible?)

 

[dellzeqq]

assuming it's going to take about 10 hours - start at 5 to 6am and finish around 3 to 4. Avoid drunks and rush hour, and do most of the out of town riding in the light - I wouldn't fancy a night ride on roads that hadn't been recce'd beforehand.

 

[martint235]

I'd go along with Dell but maybe start an hour later around 7am. That way most of the dark riding will actually be towards London and the extended, streetlit conurbation. No problem with rush hour on a Sunday. Plus although you might have a cold start, that would be the coldest you'd be likely to get (unless you spent a long time in the pub on arrival in London)

 

[Aperitif]

It's only a tap-in of 170 miles for two young whippersnappers. I would be starting earlier...5-ish perhaps, and wearing something over my arms against the froid.
I reckon you will take about 12 - 14 hours Andy, allowing for your weaker riding companion , and when Adam joins in, well... (hello Adam ) (Actually, if I'm around I may bimble upwards for some exercise...oh, hang on a minute, that means riding a...damn!)
Good luck, and don't stuff your faces with chocolate ornaments purloined from unsuspecting trees, as you whizz towards Wen.

 

[ianrauk]

Whatever you are doing I will meet you in London and escort you back to Orpington.

 

[Flying Dodo]

It's only a tap-in of 170 miles for two young whippersnappers. I would be starting earlier...5-ish perhaps, and wearing something over my arms against the froid.
I reckon you will take about 12 - 14 hours Andy, allowing for your weaker riding companion , and when Adam joins in, well... (hello Adam ) (Actually, if I'm around I may bimble upwards for some exercise...oh, hang on a minute, that means riding a...damn!)
Good luck, and don't stuff your faces with chocolate ornaments purloined from unsuspecting trees, as you whizz towards Wen.

I've seen you on a bike recently, so you haven't forgotten how.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Of course it could be very mild, seeing as it's the week before Christmas, so that might swing it back towards trying for an earlier departure time.

 

[iLB]

Thanks for the advice so far, hoping for the cold weather to have passed over the next week to leave us riding back in "unseasonably warm conditions". Another 200K ride last Saturday in some esteemed company should leave the tank nicely topped up.

Adam- I'll be seeing Rob again by Wednesday at the latest so hopefully we should be able to chose a departure time by then and firm up our meet time :-)

 

[ttcycle]

good luck guys! Completely do-able but do make sure you have plenty of layers on to keep you warm. If I'm not too jetlagged I'll pop by and say hello

 

[zigzag]

i'd leave early morning, 5-6am and try to reach trafalgar square by 4-6pm. riding in cold weather is not a problem with the right layers, but if it's raining or snowing - would you still be riding?.. i'd like to come and say hello if i'm free that day!

 

[mmmmartin]

I suggest you spend time with a 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey map, or several,and take some with you on the ride, plan your route and then try to "fly" it on Google Streetview. This should give you a good idea of what you are up against. I did this for the A4 section from Newbury to London for the 400k audax called the Severn Across and it does help prepare you. Dellzeqq has very good reason to dislike riding at night along a section of road he has not pre-ridden because he has to cope with 100 numpties such as me who do all sorts of daft things. But a couple of whippersnappers such as you will be fine, just plan properly and pay attention to the navigation. It's probably too late to get your hands on a GPS with the route in it. Nav will be your main problem. Plan for cold weather, and take one layer more than you think you'll need. Also build in a bail-out option if it gets too bad, you might want to check out where motorway services are, they provide shelter and warmth. My own preference is for starting about 3am because it gives you some sleep in your own bed and several hours of deserted roads, I don't worry in the slightest about riding in the dark mostly because I have a good dynohub light and several red lights at the back plus a reflective jacket. In fact I prefer it because the roads are deserted. You may not agree.

You might very much want to arrive before dark. An early start and a long day in the cold will take its toll and you will be tired and will not want to be in London in the dark, and the nav there will be the hardest.

My strongest advice would be to have the nav completely nailed as this will be your biggest risk: get this wrong and you are f u c k e d. Finally: if there is the faintest hint of ice, abort. You might be OK but a car sliding on ice makes a big dent in a bike frame. Not to mention the rider.
Having said that, this sounds a real adventure and well worth doing. It will be something you'll look back one of the best things you ever did on a bike. Go ahead, I mean - what can possibly go wrong?

 

[iLB]

get this wrong and you are f u c k e d.

love that! I'm not too worried about navigation- brain like an in built sat nav and will have a written set of directions. as long as the sun is to our left in the morning and right in the afternoon eh!?

Plan A is to leave at 5am, but will have to leave it til light if it's likely to be icey.

 

[mmmmartin]

Also, Audax UK has issued advice to its organisers for winter rides that includes trying to get riders on A or B roads at the start and end of the day when ice may be about, and small lanes in the middle of the day. A and B roads are also likely to be gritted by local authorities so you might want to bear this in mind.