BromyG
Veteran
- Location
- Deepest Essex
January 2018 (c9) Southend - London - Southend
Westcliff - Benfleet - Pitsea - Stanford-le-Hope - Grays - Rainham Marshes - (CS3) Barking - Limehouse - Tower - Embankment - Trafalgar Square - City - Whitechapel - (CS2) Stratford - Ilford - Romford - Upminster - Bulphan - Wickford - Battlesbridge - Rochford - Southend - Leigh - Westcliff. 100.5 miles in 7hrs 59mins, average 12.6mph. Ribble 105. London traffic busy on a Saturday afternoon. Headwind on the return trip!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1355689029
February 2018 (c10) To Deepest South London and Return!
Westcliff - Benfleet - Pitsea - Stanford-le-Hope - Grays - Rainham Marshes - (CS3) Barking - Woolwich Ferry - Greenwich - Lewisham - Catford - Bellingham - Ladywell - New Cross - Old Kent Road - London Bridge - Tower Hill - (CS3) Barking - Rainham Marshes - Grays - Little Thurrock - Stanford-le-Hope - Pitsea - Benfleet - Daws Heath - Leigh - Westcliff. 100.47 miles in 8hrs 7mins, average 12.4mph. Ribble 105. Good run into London, but very slow returning, struggling against an artic headwind!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1424218477
March 2018 (c11) FNRttC Southend + SMRbtL!
Starting with the Fridays at the South Bank we proceeded to have an epic ride out into Essex and down to Southend (it was slow progress to start with due to the unfortunately large number of mechanicals). After breakfast at the Beaches on Southend seafront I was joined by fellow Friday (and LBC riding partner) Mark Woollard on a mad dash back to London following my previously listed route. 112.63 miles in total, 9hrs 23mins, average 12.0mph, Ribble 105. Weather damp and drizzle to start, but drier later, though the cloud cover never shifted.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1469635603
April 2018 (c12) FNRttC Felpham + Brighton
Again starting with a Fridays ride, this time to Felpham, we made steady (though very wet) progress from London through the night to our breakfast next to the beach. After restoring some energy I was joined by two fellow Fridays for a brisk charge along the south coast to Brighton, via Littlehampton, Goring, Worthing and Shoreham. 104.90 miles in 8hrs 59 mins, average 11.7, Ribble 105.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1536950282
May 2018 (c13) Bank Holiday Tour of Essex
Westcliff - Rochford - Battlesbridge - Cold Norton - Maldon - Goldhanger - Great Wigborough - West Mersea (Mersea Island) - Fingringhoe - Colchester - Layer Breton - Goldhanger - Maldon - Bicknacre - East & West Hanningfield - Stock - Wickford - Rayleigh - Hadleigh - Westcliff. 105.70 miles in 7hrs 2mins, average 15.0mph, Ribble 105. Hottest day of the year (so far), now cultivating cyclist tan lines!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1555955421
June 2018 (c14) Southend - Caddington - London
In wanting to extend my cycling in a different direction, this was a venture north-west to vsit the in-laws in Caddington (nr Luton) followed by a run into London to complete the mileage. Westcliff - Wickford - Stock - Ingatestone - Fyfield - Harlow - Ware - Hertford - Welwyn Garden City - Wheathampstead - Caddington (the the return) - Harpenden - St Albans (A5183) - Radlett - Elstree (A5) - Edgware - Kilburn - central London - Liverpool Street (for the train home!). 113.76 miles in 9hrs 3mins, average 12.6mph, Ribble 105.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1659185363
July 2018 (c15) Dunwich Dynamo (and beyond!)
Longest ride to date!
London - Great Dunmow - Sudbury - Dunwich - on to Ipswich (for return train)
147.74 miles in 10hrs 35mins, average 14mph, Ribble 105
https://www.strava.com/activities/1738886690
August 2018 (c16) FNRttC Whitstable (and return to Tilbury)
Excellent Fridays ride out to Whitstable, then after a good breakfast at the Waterfront, set off for the return journey with Mark Woollard. Decided on the straight-forward route of the A2 back to Strood (but forgot how lumpy this is), then up to Gravesend and the ferry across the Thames. 107.97 miles in 8hrs 46mins, average 12.3mph, Ribble 105
https://www.strava.com/activities/1783017413
September 2018 (c17) FNRttC Oxford (starting in Southend!)
Another excellent Friday night ride to the new finish in Oxford, but as this wasn't quite enough mileage and the Oxford area was not known to me, I made up the distance starting at home and my now familiar route into central London: Westcliff - Benfleet - Pitsea - Stanford-le-Hope - Grays - Purfleet - (CS3) Barking - Tower - Embankment - Trafalgar Square - (brief stop at the office, then on to the South Bank for the Fridays start) - Wembley - Harrow - Rickmansworth - Amersham - Thame - Oxford. 113.38 miles in 9hrs 53 mins, average 11.5mph, Ribble 105. Reasonable time for the first half of the ride and a pleasant steady Friday's pace for the second. Weather stayed dry in between storms!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1864017005
October 2018 (c18) FNRttC Shoreham (and SMRbtL - South Coulsdon anyway!)
The last official Fridays ride for 2018 took us out on a very warm, but slightly breezy October night. A different route this time, but still taking in the excellent hospitality of the scouts at Burstow for the halfway break. Shoreham was arrived at earlier than expected, resulting in a slightly longer detour in the approach to the airport for breakfast. Joined by @StuartG for the ride back, we followed the same route north, deviating slightly to go through Colgate - Rusper - Newdigate - Reigate, before crossing the M25 again on the A23. Having now clocked up the necessary mileage, we remained on the A23 for the last few miles along to South Coulsdon station where we took to the train to finish our journeys! Unfortunate rear wheel puncture just 2 miles from the end of the ride, turned out to be a faulty valve, but with Stuart's assistance the tube was replaced and returned home safely. 107.07 miles in 8hrs 56 mins, average 12.0mph, Ribble 105.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1906328338
November 2018 (c19) Southend - London - Southend
With the days getting shorter I decided to stick to a fairly familiar route this month, but in an anti-clockwise direction this time: Westcliff - Rochford - West Hanningfield - Stock - Ingatestone - Mountessing - Brentwood - Romford - Ilford - Stratford and into central London, returning on my regular route via Rainham Marshes - Grays - Pitsea - Benfleet and home. 103.70 miles in 8hrs 52mins, average 11.7mph, Ribble 105. Weather was damp and foggy to start, but cleared up and stayed dry for the day. Overall time was excessive due to two rear wheel punctures from a split tyre. Very grateful for the services of Momentum Cycles in Brentwood (http://www.momentum-cycles.co.uk) for sorting me out and allowing me to continue.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1970512291
December 2018 (c20) Southend - London - Southend
Nothing special this time - just getting the miles done! This was a repeat of the November ride (though this time without incident!) and managed to scrape home 3 miles less than last time! Weather was damp and foggy to start, but very mild. 100.84 miles in 7hrs 56mins, average 12.7mph, Ribble 105
https://www.strava.com/activities/2045119842
Challenge complete!
Westcliff - Benfleet - Pitsea - Stanford-le-Hope - Grays - Rainham Marshes - (CS3) Barking - Limehouse - Tower - Embankment - Trafalgar Square - City - Whitechapel - (CS2) Stratford - Ilford - Romford - Upminster - Bulphan - Wickford - Battlesbridge - Rochford - Southend - Leigh - Westcliff. 100.5 miles in 7hrs 59mins, average 12.6mph. Ribble 105. London traffic busy on a Saturday afternoon. Headwind on the return trip!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1355689029
February 2018 (c10) To Deepest South London and Return!
Westcliff - Benfleet - Pitsea - Stanford-le-Hope - Grays - Rainham Marshes - (CS3) Barking - Woolwich Ferry - Greenwich - Lewisham - Catford - Bellingham - Ladywell - New Cross - Old Kent Road - London Bridge - Tower Hill - (CS3) Barking - Rainham Marshes - Grays - Little Thurrock - Stanford-le-Hope - Pitsea - Benfleet - Daws Heath - Leigh - Westcliff. 100.47 miles in 8hrs 7mins, average 12.4mph. Ribble 105. Good run into London, but very slow returning, struggling against an artic headwind!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1424218477
March 2018 (c11) FNRttC Southend + SMRbtL!
Starting with the Fridays at the South Bank we proceeded to have an epic ride out into Essex and down to Southend (it was slow progress to start with due to the unfortunately large number of mechanicals). After breakfast at the Beaches on Southend seafront I was joined by fellow Friday (and LBC riding partner) Mark Woollard on a mad dash back to London following my previously listed route. 112.63 miles in total, 9hrs 23mins, average 12.0mph, Ribble 105. Weather damp and drizzle to start, but drier later, though the cloud cover never shifted.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1469635603
April 2018 (c12) FNRttC Felpham + Brighton
Again starting with a Fridays ride, this time to Felpham, we made steady (though very wet) progress from London through the night to our breakfast next to the beach. After restoring some energy I was joined by two fellow Fridays for a brisk charge along the south coast to Brighton, via Littlehampton, Goring, Worthing and Shoreham. 104.90 miles in 8hrs 59 mins, average 11.7, Ribble 105.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1536950282
May 2018 (c13) Bank Holiday Tour of Essex
Westcliff - Rochford - Battlesbridge - Cold Norton - Maldon - Goldhanger - Great Wigborough - West Mersea (Mersea Island) - Fingringhoe - Colchester - Layer Breton - Goldhanger - Maldon - Bicknacre - East & West Hanningfield - Stock - Wickford - Rayleigh - Hadleigh - Westcliff. 105.70 miles in 7hrs 2mins, average 15.0mph, Ribble 105. Hottest day of the year (so far), now cultivating cyclist tan lines!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1555955421
June 2018 (c14) Southend - Caddington - London
In wanting to extend my cycling in a different direction, this was a venture north-west to vsit the in-laws in Caddington (nr Luton) followed by a run into London to complete the mileage. Westcliff - Wickford - Stock - Ingatestone - Fyfield - Harlow - Ware - Hertford - Welwyn Garden City - Wheathampstead - Caddington (the the return) - Harpenden - St Albans (A5183) - Radlett - Elstree (A5) - Edgware - Kilburn - central London - Liverpool Street (for the train home!). 113.76 miles in 9hrs 3mins, average 12.6mph, Ribble 105.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1659185363
July 2018 (c15) Dunwich Dynamo (and beyond!)
Longest ride to date!
London - Great Dunmow - Sudbury - Dunwich - on to Ipswich (for return train)
147.74 miles in 10hrs 35mins, average 14mph, Ribble 105
https://www.strava.com/activities/1738886690
August 2018 (c16) FNRttC Whitstable (and return to Tilbury)
Excellent Fridays ride out to Whitstable, then after a good breakfast at the Waterfront, set off for the return journey with Mark Woollard. Decided on the straight-forward route of the A2 back to Strood (but forgot how lumpy this is), then up to Gravesend and the ferry across the Thames. 107.97 miles in 8hrs 46mins, average 12.3mph, Ribble 105
https://www.strava.com/activities/1783017413
September 2018 (c17) FNRttC Oxford (starting in Southend!)
Another excellent Friday night ride to the new finish in Oxford, but as this wasn't quite enough mileage and the Oxford area was not known to me, I made up the distance starting at home and my now familiar route into central London: Westcliff - Benfleet - Pitsea - Stanford-le-Hope - Grays - Purfleet - (CS3) Barking - Tower - Embankment - Trafalgar Square - (brief stop at the office, then on to the South Bank for the Fridays start) - Wembley - Harrow - Rickmansworth - Amersham - Thame - Oxford. 113.38 miles in 9hrs 53 mins, average 11.5mph, Ribble 105. Reasonable time for the first half of the ride and a pleasant steady Friday's pace for the second. Weather stayed dry in between storms!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1864017005
October 2018 (c18) FNRttC Shoreham (and SMRbtL - South Coulsdon anyway!)
The last official Fridays ride for 2018 took us out on a very warm, but slightly breezy October night. A different route this time, but still taking in the excellent hospitality of the scouts at Burstow for the halfway break. Shoreham was arrived at earlier than expected, resulting in a slightly longer detour in the approach to the airport for breakfast. Joined by @StuartG for the ride back, we followed the same route north, deviating slightly to go through Colgate - Rusper - Newdigate - Reigate, before crossing the M25 again on the A23. Having now clocked up the necessary mileage, we remained on the A23 for the last few miles along to South Coulsdon station where we took to the train to finish our journeys! Unfortunate rear wheel puncture just 2 miles from the end of the ride, turned out to be a faulty valve, but with Stuart's assistance the tube was replaced and returned home safely. 107.07 miles in 8hrs 56 mins, average 12.0mph, Ribble 105.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1906328338
November 2018 (c19) Southend - London - Southend
With the days getting shorter I decided to stick to a fairly familiar route this month, but in an anti-clockwise direction this time: Westcliff - Rochford - West Hanningfield - Stock - Ingatestone - Mountessing - Brentwood - Romford - Ilford - Stratford and into central London, returning on my regular route via Rainham Marshes - Grays - Pitsea - Benfleet and home. 103.70 miles in 8hrs 52mins, average 11.7mph, Ribble 105. Weather was damp and foggy to start, but cleared up and stayed dry for the day. Overall time was excessive due to two rear wheel punctures from a split tyre. Very grateful for the services of Momentum Cycles in Brentwood (http://www.momentum-cycles.co.uk) for sorting me out and allowing me to continue.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1970512291
December 2018 (c20) Southend - London - Southend
Nothing special this time - just getting the miles done! This was a repeat of the November ride (though this time without incident!) and managed to scrape home 3 miles less than last time! Weather was damp and foggy to start, but very mild. 100.84 miles in 7hrs 56mins, average 12.7mph, Ribble 105
https://www.strava.com/activities/2045119842
Challenge complete!
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