The Fridays Tour de Normandie 2015

[theclaud]

Actually, thinking further, given @User482 and @theclaud to (say) Reading or Slough, @velovoice and @Flying Dodo to Bedfordshire and @CharlieB and me to Buckinghamshire, hiring a van for the bikes and a large car for the bodies - or putting the bodies in a cab and hiring a van for the bikes - might not be a bad idea. We can put the Western Britons up in Bucks for the night if necessary - the only downside (for all of us) is that I need to be in Central London for 8am on Wednesday, but the first Great Western train of the morning is unlikely to be that busy.

Have I forgotten anyone going elsewhere in the same sort of direction?

Is this a strike plan? I'm desperately trying to finish something at work before signing off, and I don't have the slightest clue what's going on, but I am a relatively low maintenance sofa guest if anyone is offering.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Here's the bit that we'll recce on Friday morning - sending Martin on ahead if we think that the gravel is treacherous...

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...x0000000000000000:0x2975fe37f55c8ca7?hl=en-GB

The GPX file for this possible diversion on the way out of Brix can be found here.

Also, for anyone who'd previously downloaded the Bayeux to Honfleur GPX, the actual start point of Brasserie de L’Europe is 2 blocks to the west of where the file showed the start point. Updated file here.

RidewithGPS put lots of unnecessary trackpoints on routes, and as as I know Garmin devices really don't like too many, you can always run the files through something like bikehike, which has an option to reduce the number.

 

[redfalo]

That;s fine and dandy when you're on your own. When a patched tube fails (as they do) with 30 people hanging around waiting for you, it's embarrassing.

It's actually quite annoying when you're on your own as well. Hence I meticulously check each patched tube a day after I fixed it. Every one in a while, a patch turns out not to be fully air-tight, and then the tube goes into the bin.

 

[redfalo]

Anyone else staying in Brix on Fridays night? Kat and I will ride up there, following this route: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=hirtjcxelwckuedc

 

[redfalo]

Anybody interested in riding back to London if the weather is fair? I plan to take a little more than 'commuter' lights as contingency as I would be unlikely to make London before nightfall. A reverse GPX of the Friday Night ride might also be useful to have. Anybody?

Yes - cycling back looks like best option for us if trains are bust. Here's the FNRttC London to Newhaven track: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=kprlwymmvhppuaay

 

[srw]

Is this a strike plan? I'm desperately trying to finish something at work before signing off, and I don't have the slightest clue what's going on, but I am a relatively low maintenance sofa guest if anyone is offering.

Yup. It all depends on the goodwill of @rvw to help implement it, but she's usually a helpful sort. Once upon a time there was a plan for her to have a hired van this weekend anyway, to transport some very large plants in very large pots, but I think that plan has gone to pot (as it were).

She'll probably be along in an hour or so to comment when she gets into the office.

 

[rvw]

(One hour later)...

Happy to hire a van for bikes, if someone else can bring/hire a car for remaining bodies heading north-west: a van will only take 3, i.e. one in addition to @srw and me.

I've bunged in a request to the local van hire place to see if something is available: I'll keep people updated.

 

[srw]

Strike backup plans
Potential bodies to Bucks:
@User482 and @theclaud - you'd be welcome to stay with us overnight and I can take you to Slough or Reading stupidly early on Wednesday morning.
@CharlieB - if you don't want to ride into London
@velovoice and @Flying Dodo - we can take you home from ours in the car or the van
@lilolee - my memory is that you're somewhere in the Maidenhead area - if this plan goes ahead are you interested?

I make that six plus me - @dellzeqq or anyone else: is there anyone else trying to get to points west of London?

For that many, unless someone is willing to leave a car at Newhaven and drive it to Buckinghamshire I'd suggest a taxi. There's a very reliable local company who can provide a people carrier; it'll probably be cheaper than the train.

 

[rvw]

Quick update - I can get a short wheelbase transit for £48 or a long wheelbase for £66. But the hire place only have one of each left, so I probably need to book today.

I'll be in a meeting from 11am-1pm - can we have a straw poll of those interested? I may be able to put in a provisional booking and confirm tomorrow morning.

 

[User482]

Quick update - I can get a short wheelbase transit for £48 or a long wheelbase for £66. But the hire place only have one of each left, so I probably need to book today.

I'll be in a meeting from 11am-1pm - can we have a straw poll of those interested? I may be able to put in a provisional booking and confirm tomorrow morning.

Thanks for the offer! I don't think it makes a great deal of difference to me if I go with your plan and go home from Reading, or stay in Brighton (assuming there's floorspace chez @User) and take a train from there. So I'll fit in with what's easiest.

 

[srw]

Quick update - I can get a short wheelbase transit for £48 or a long wheelbase for £66. But the hire place only have one of each left, so I probably need to book today.

I'll be in a meeting from 11am-1pm - can we have a straw poll of those interested? I may be able to put in a provisional booking and confirm tomorrow morning.

Get the short wheelbase, which as we discovered in Bordeaux will happily take a dozen bikes. One of the blankets is in the car, the others are in the garage.

Even if just takes bikes belonging to me, @velovoice and @Flying Dodo it'll save hassle. For comparison the train fare from Newhaven to home is £37.80!

 

[lilolee]

Strike backup plans
Potential bodies to Bucks:
@User482 and @theclaud - you'd be welcome to stay with us overnight and I can take you to Slough or Reading stupidly early on Wednesday morning.
@CharlieB - if you don't want to ride into London
@velovoice and @Flying Dodo - we can take you home from ours in the car or the van
@lilolee - my memory is that you're somewhere in the Maidenhead area - if this plan goes ahead are you interested?

I make that six plus me - @dellzeqq or anyone else: is there anyone else trying to get to points west of London?

For that many, unless someone is willing to leave a car at Newhaven and drive it to Buckinghamshire I'd suggest a taxi. There's a very reliable local company who can provide a people carrier; it'll probably be cheaper than the train.

This sounds great. Of course I will ask if I can be dropped off at junction 11 please, as I will probably drop my car off at Byfleet.

 

[velovoice]

@srw I'll leave it to @Flying Dodo to confirm but I think we're feeling favourable towards this.

 

[StuartG]

The smaller of the two unions has settled (3000 workers). Talks continue with the RMT (16000 workers). Fingers crossed.

 

[Flying Dodo]

@srw I'll leave it to @Flying Dodo to confirm but I think we're feeling favourable towards this.

Yes, seems like a good plan.