The Fridays Tour de Normandie 2015

[CharlieB]

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.

Many thanks, S
I'd be up for sharing on that please.
C

 

[rvw]

A van is now booked. Even if the strike does get called off, it'll probably be quicker than faffing with trains, and leave the bike spaces on those trains for others.

I have not yet done anything about a taxi - I'll talk to @srw this evening about that.

 

[CharlieB]

It's off, apparently.

 

[StuartG]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32832191 - phew!

 

[StuAff]

Phew! Glad that got sorted out.
Have just been to the Ferry Port to collect my Euros for Sunday (have to go back as I was too early, grr). Simon, Susie and Martin are on their way shortly. Conversation was perfectly amicable, a certain subject was not broached. Water under the ferry keel....Looking forward to many pictures and tales of derring-do. And then trying to out-do them

 

[rvw]

A check on the National Rail Planner shows that for @srw to get back to Amersham would take 3 hours, with 3 changes, and cost £37.80. Multiply that up by (?) 5 or so, and the van-plus-taxi option will still make a lot of sense. Unless folk would really prefer the train, I'll keep the van booked!

 

[User482]

A check on the National Rail Planner shows that for @srw to get back to Amersham would take 3 hours, with 3 changes, and cost £37.80. Multiply that up by (?) 5 or so, and the van-plus-taxi option will still make a lot of sense. Unless folk would really prefer the train, I'll keep the van booked!

I'll duck out if you don't mind - I have a direct train booked to Bristol.

 

[srw]

Gilberts are quoting £195 for a cab for six people from Newhaven to Amersham. I don't think a smaller car would be much cheaper. So the van plus taxi would cost (in round numbers) £250. Since the rail unions and Network Rail have seen sense and come to some sort of compromise I think the possible candidates are:
@lilolee to Chertsey
Me and @CharlieB to Amersham
@velovoice and @Flying Dodo to Bedfordshire

At £50 a head that's probably roughly even in cost (for all except Lee), and probably quicker. I'll leave the rest of you to accept or decline. We'll take a call this evening based on responses.

 

[StuartG]

A check on the National Rail Planner shows that for @srw to get back to Amersham would take 3 hours, with 3 changes, and cost £37.80.

I paid £5.30 to London albeit with a 33% discount through the Southern website. Just got to hope I don't get thrown off on the 7pm rule which, like TMN, I had completely forgotten.

 

[velovoice]

I will double-check with @Flying Dodo but as we have direct Brighton-Luton tickets at very reasonable advance fares, we may just take a punt on being able to get on a train and go straight home. WIll let you know as soon as possible @rvw and @srw
Thanks for your willingness to pick this up and run with it - and time spent!

 

[AKA Bob]

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.

Rachel and I are also up for a Van share and would be very happy for a Maidenhead or Reading drop off point. Can we join the consortium ?

 

[AKA Bob]

Rachel and I are also up for a Van share and would be very happy for a Maidenhead or Reading drop off point. Can we join the consortium ?

Now the strike is suspended we will probably stick to the Trains.

 

[Andrew Br]

We've cancelled the hire car and we're reverting to Plan A; train from Newhaven Harbour to Victoria, mad dash to Euston and then up (or down if you're a rail buff) to MCR.
The bikes are ready: lubed, wheels and brakes checked, tyres User10571ed and pumped up.
Helen's bike is rocking a new rear tyre (Panaracer Gravelking, 26mm if you're interested; it measures 25mm on her wheels) and a cassette that goes up to 32.
I had a puncture during the week so I've put a new tube in the rear tyre and added sealant. Tyres are old, but still in good nick GP4 Seasons. They're 28mm but they measure 30mm on my new wheels .
I'm carrying the lock, pump and tools while Helen has her own tubes, patches and levers. We'll both have a can of tyre sealant in case of emergencies.

I think we're good to go .

.

 

[srw]

Now the strike is suspended we will probably stick to the Trains.

Rapid change of decision!

It looks as if the van is off - either that or it'll be just the two of us with a bike rattling around in the back.

 

[rvw]

Rapid change of decision!

It looks as if the van is off - either that or it'll be just the two of us with a bike rattling around in the back.

It certainly looks as if a car will be fine. That would still have space for one extra body plus bike - @CharlieB and @lilolee can fight it out! (Or we could see if we can fit 4 people, 2 normal bikes and a brommie in, but it would be a squeeze! )

I'll cancel the van first thing tomorrow.