FNRttC The Friday Night Ride to the Coast - Whitstable 27th August 2010

[arallsopp]

What you need is a short sleeved jersey and something to make it long sleeved if necessary. If only I could think of the word.

Yarn?

 

[slowmotion]

Have fun, you lucky people.

 

[redflightuk]

I'ts going to be a bit chilly around sunrise so i'd be taking an extra thin layer if i was going.

Have fun all.

 

[TimO]

Yes Mum

... and have you washed behind your ears?

 

[Tim Hall]

Cake is on board.

Just off to catch a train.

See you all later.

 

[Flying Dodo]

I've just been out, and it's a bit chilly, so I hope you all wrapped up warm.

 

[redflightuk]

I did warn them Adam, but you know what they're like.

 

[arallsopp]

As my camera is misbehaving (again) plans for total media immersion may have to wait.
In the interim, here's the route we took: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/94652
x

 

[martint235]

I thought you were going to fake it.

Have you lot left the pub yet?

 

[redfalo]

I don't want to disregard the other night rides I've done - they've all been a special experience. This one, however, was the best one so far for me - speedwise, weatherwise, moodwise etc. Just outstanding.

 

[TimO]

Have you lot left the pub yet?

We probably had by that point. I've just got back home, and working backwards that meant that the last group, including myself, got on the 1439 train, so left the pub shortly after two.

The ride proper was fun, although we had a smattering of flats, including Tom (I think) getting a nasty slash in his tyre which ultimately needed my spare tyre, since creative tyre boots didn't seem to work. That tyre was 700×25 which was almost perfect on this occasion, since the failed tyre was 700×23, but what would people most likely need? A lot of people seem to use some very narrow looking tyres. I thought 25 was a good compromise, since at a pinch it could probably replace tyres from 18 to 32 (although clearly not ideal at the extremes).

The only rain we had was a very brief light smattering just before Erith, otherwise the night was mild and dry. The wind did rise up a bit, and we had a lovely tailwind for the final bit. I think I barely dropped below 20mph for the last ten miles, and I wasn't exactly fresh at that point!

Unfortunately for me, the tailwind into Whitstable meant a headwind from Bromley to Croydon, so it was a bit of a slog for the final few miles befoe home.

As ever, thanks to everyone for making this such a good ride.

 

[matthew]

Well that was great. As I was on the fixie I told Simon at the start I would not be doing my normal sprints from back to front and waymarking. I then admitted to carrying extra tools so I was nominated a TEC for the first half. nb. the YACF KoTM top was ideal as it stood out like a sore thumb. No real dramas except the Pino at HPC all the other flats seemed to be well into the process of being sorted we the time we arrived.

Note to self when TEC don't shout all up when you get to the regroup points immediately, let the back markers grab some food and a drink first.

The route through Sittingbourne had changed which allowed the tyre replacement group to catch up.

Simon, I'll next be out in October. Have a great ride next week, I am sorry to miss out on the police escort to Mitcham Common.

 

[StuAff]

[QUOTE 1140994"]
Thanks everyone for the ride, really enjoyed it.
[/quote]

Hope the knees feel better quickly, shame you had to bail.

 

[gbs]

That was a great night out and special thanks to Simon for all the route research and on the ground marshalling. Riding uphill in the peloton on a narrow lane with trikes and other 'bents etc was a novel experience. BWs to all.

PS: we stopped at Upchurch and there is a short Wiki note about the unusual spire of St Mary's.

 

[Jasper the Surrea]

I've learnt a lot about cheese. More than I will ever really need to know. Thanks Marna.