The Fridays Tour

[User10571]

A few snaps from day 1 are here

My fixer in pic #1.
My cable ties in pic #4.
Tops!

 

[srw]

In brief:
Only one major mechanical other than those mentioned - Mice has the spare wheel after hers developed a wibble. Only a handful of punctures - our dear leader has managed two so far. Lunch stop at Askern today delivered on schedule (and quickly) after time-trialling up the A19 despite a dichotomy of views in the Vale of Belvoir gang as to how to get to the marshalling point, and a late start.

York appeared on schedule, with an unscheduled stop on the Selby-York bike path to enjoy a jazz-funk band.

St Kathleen of Ferrier did her work and provided the southerly, but rain appeared at lunch yesterday. Today has been dry.

We've discovered that a light tandem is much better up the hills than a steel touring one.

Forecast is set fair for the next few days.

If I get around to it I'll post a link to the GPS files.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Probably not the best time to mention it as the Friday's gang is currently making a break for the border but the last photo of Tim Hall's (copied below) got me thinking that it might be a nice gesture to have something similar to present to those guys who give up their night's sleep to lay on cakes and tea or get up early on a Saturday morning to serve us chips for breakfast. It wouldn't have to be fancy - an A4 laminated sheet might do the trick. If they want to stick it up on their café or church hall walls as a memento all the better - it would make the places feel more cyclist-friendly.

I've only done a couple of Friday rides but I've been highly impressed by the goodwill that the rides generate, and it might be one of those little things that some of our out-of-hours caterers really appreciate in return. Any thoughts?

 

[mbt22]

Back home now after a wonderful two days. My only regret is not booking the week off and going the whole way. Well, perhaps that and our minor navigational foible first thing this morning, sorry everyone.

Matt

 

[srw]

In brief:
Only one major mechanical other than those mentioned.

Correction. Someone (for the third time this year) over-tightened (to shearing point) a seatpost bolt on a tandem - this time at 1am in Colindale. Rescued from an ignominious trip home to pick up the other tandem by Mr Collins*, who magicked up a nut and bolt which has held for the last two days, and by Wymondham bikes, who have supplied a quick-release clamp which is going to be much more difficult to over-tighten.

Routes for days 1 and 2 are here:
http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=2977556
http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=2977623

*Karma restored itself over lunch yesterday - a Waitrose bag was put over a Brooks saddle to protect it from a rainstorm. It wasn't, as I thought, the Brooks on the tandem, but a very similar looking one on a solo bike. Belonging to Mr Collins. Who was grateful.

 

[clarion]

A few snaps from day 1 are here

I see that you caught my patriotic moment in Rockingham (photo 9)

And that, when I spotted you stalking a certain person's chainring tattoo, my tactic to distract her and get her to turn her back to you was successful (photo 12)

Photo 11 - I recommend a comfy saddle, some ointment, and plenty of chamois cream.

 

[Tim Hall]

I see that you caught my patriotic moment in Rockingham (photo 9)

Also looking for a caption over the way.

And that, when I spotted you stalking a certain person's chainring tattoo, my tactic to distract her and get her to turn her back to you was successful (photo 12)

"And I'd like to thank my team of distractors, pavement artists and lamplighters" #acceptance_speech

Photo 11 - I recommend a comfy saddle, some ointment, and plenty of chamois cream.

We thought it was a complication of cauliflower ear.

 

[Andrew Br]

Well I'm home after two lovely days on the bike.
I can't begin to tell you what a great time I've had.
Photos and more thoughts will, hopefully, follow tomorrow.

Thanks one and all, it was terrific !


.

 

[clarion]

I hope the rain we had overnight (now largely cleared, it seems) is not being Ferriered up to you.

Have another great day's riding.

 

[TimO]

It looks like they've stopped for Lunch in Scorton. You've gotta love real time GPS tracking.

There's a shop and a restaurant / bar (The Heifer !) near their last location, so they've may have stopped there for supplies and/or food and drink.

The Heifer has it's own website, which makes it look for too quiet and selective for the FNRttC crowd.

There's also the The Farmers Arms, quite close to the same location. I'm amused that even little pubs apparently in the middle of nowhere, have their own websites now!

 

[rb58]

We have indeed stopped at Scorton. Unfortunately, only the local shop is open, but they have just had a delivery of fresh pies :-)

 

[User10119]

Shame the pub's shut. They do fab chip butties - that's one of our regular haunts for our Thursday night pubbe runnes!

I was unexpectedly free to ride out with the LonJOGers this morning, so joined them for an all too brief foray through the flatlands as far as Helperby (also known as Helperby-the-Insanely-Pretty) which is a village so delightfully frightfully nice that it even has gingham bunting. Stopped for a coffee, waved them on their way then returned making use of the Sustrans alternative, complete with impromptu ford, overgrown twisty cycle paths, cattle grids and moo cows galore. Undoubtedly prettier than the A19 but significantly slower. Thanks for letting me come out to play, I thoroughly enjoyed that!

 

[ceepeebee]

I see the hills have started......


They're just by Newton Aycliffe - I once took redundancy rather than be relocated there. True story.

 

[clarion]

Patriotic though I am as a Yorkshireman, I'd have to say that Rockingham (tea stop Saturday) runs Helperby close for sheer gobsmacking chocolate box beauty. Bone china teacups an' all!

Oh - and there was a beer tent! dellzeqq thought we might all get diverted...

 

[srw]

Phew what a roller-coaster. The last 25 miles or so up to Castleside were a little bit hilly - and what with staying just over the valley we've had a sneak preview of what will greet those staying in Castleside proper tomorrow.
http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=2981300