The thread for the insane ride from London to York

[martint235]

Not stopping for lunch then?

I work it that I've got 5 hours to spare for lunch. I can sit down in a Pizza Hut and get served in that length of time

 

[Flying Dodo]

Who is riding up?

Not any more - I've received a better offer.

 

[frank9755]

Dellzeqq did post a route (I think it's the LonJoG one) but I can't for the life of me find it.

Anyway unless it's chucking it down, I'll be riding up. What time are you thinking of leaving HPC? About 7am ish?

I need to work out a route first and see how long I think it will take. The routing sites (bikehike, etc) seem to recommend going via Hoek of Holland so I will need to do a bit of manipulation. I'm away from this afternoon until Tuesday so won't do it until next week.

HPC not on my way (unless I do the LEL route which is possible but I believe it is a bit 'laney' so may not do that - would prefer some nice main roads).

 

[martint235]

Ok. I'll try to dig Dell's route out and then we'll arrange a meeting point somewhere. I'm not going be on lanes much and although Dell's route is with LonJoG in mind it had cut the distance to 199 miles so it must be fairly direct

 

[iZaP]

Wait wait, where are you riding up to from London to York? to ride the night ride, and then train back?

 

[martint235]

No, ride up , do the FNRttC, sleep, ride back

 

[TimO]

Wait wait, where are you riding up to from London to York? to ride the night ride, and then train back?

Don't be silly. Ride from London to York, do the night ride, and then cycle back to London.

 

[Aperitif]

Ok. I'll try to dig Dell's route out and then we'll arrange a meeting point somewhere. I'm not going be on lanes much and although Dell's route is with LonJoG in mind it had cut the distance to 199 miles so it must be fairly direct

This one?
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Hyde Park Corner&daddr=Hockliffe to:Kettering to:Oakham to:Bingham to:Swinecote Rd/B6034 to:Worksop to:Selby to:53.8666449,-1.063319 to:York&hl=en&ll=53.96176,-1.08208&spn=0.021032,0.038581&sll=53.874645,-1.070824&sspn=0.042151,0.077162&geocode=FbbfEQMdnKz9_yk_c5E1JQV2SDEflY3ow3Phrw;FTppGAMd4Qr3_yl7q9b39lF2SDHXDoNbX0SXvg;FSKBHwMdd9v0_yllWlASJ3R3SDG1_DbbYQ3-1g;FXusIwMdn-n0_ymXikO4gHh3SDH_mDlHVjkVHw;FTD4JwMdEGnx_ylFYK0ELM95SDFK8vgWBcjTSA;FYbIKwMdZsjv_w;FXZvLQMdR97u_ynvzQ88LAh5SDHlXYDSy-qF_w;FeSrNAMdS7fv_ymPbQ7qARZ5SDETIHqV9cXdWA;FZTwNQMdacbv_yljhGbP4zp5SDHdTrArxRcF8A;FTNmNwMd1H3v_ynxZZjhQMN4SDHR5FSKiat0Rw&oq=york&dirflg=w&mra=dvme&mrsp=8&sz=14&via=8&t=m&z=15

I'd probably fancy this if it was a 'ride through' with no big break in the middle, but as you'll be going for an ultra-breakfast with 'kippers' then I might lose heart for the return. As Hull is higher up than that London I guess it must be all downhill on the way back to Olympic City?!

 

[martint235]

Come along 'teef. You can fill the large gap with beer of varying colours.

If I turned round and came straight back, I reckon it would be almost midnight before I got back. Even I would need to sleep before then

 

[Aperitif]

I didn't say 'come straight back'...but LEL isn't going to let you doss in one star luxury is it? I thought this was "training"! Best to find out what you can't do rather than what you think you might.

 

[martint235]

I didn't say 'come straight back'...but LEL isn't going to let you doss in one star luxury is it? I thought this was "training"! Best to find out what you can't do rather than what you think you might.

For LEL I'm figuring ride through the first night until about 3pm, have a bit of a kip. Ride on until about 2am, sleep till dawn. And then just ride dawn till dusk everyday. That's the basic plan anyway as far as my planning goes.

With Hull, I already know I can't hit midnight . Coming back from Hastings last year I started falling asleep at about 3pm so best to have a hotel to kip in rather than try to find someting en route wouldn't you say?

 

[martint235]

I wondered who that was for a while then remembered. I know there has been concern over people driving or riding back from FNRttCs. In defence of riding back, cycling does keep you more alert than I would imagine driving does just by the physical exertion required. However I know I will need sleep at some point and I don't fancy Trickedem's bus shelter idea

 

[Aperitif]

I started falling asleep on the Hastings Saturday - about the same time actually. But I had 'taken beer' (and plenty of sh** from the seagulls, not you lot for a change) with several at that seaside wasteland, then with Olaf in Belgravia, amidst Simon-like blokes in white chinos and blue Pink shirts - the antithesis of the hoi polloi. With accompanying partners, they carried flags to celebrate the day.
I might be tempted to 'keep it catnap' and maximise rest when you get it - I really don't know, but it seems an interesting thing to think about.

 

[Aperitif]

Talking of falling asleep en route, you should ask Trickedem for his experience of same If it's not safe to drive after a night ride, why would it be safe to cycle after a night ride plus?

Depends on one's motivation and stamina generally, I guess. Certainly not viable after beer, or too much hanging around. Also, sitting in a car and feeling tired is a recipe for disaster, without a ride previous.

 

[martint235]

Well I'm always prepared to listen to others ideas and plans. All I've done is put in place a couple of fallback plans:

1. A 1st class ticket with bike reservation on the 9pm train to York in case it's chucking it down or I go off the idea of cycling up for any other reason
2. A Travelodge hotel room from 3pm on the Sat afternoon. Comfortable place to sleep if nothing else.

I'll be awake from at least 6am on the Friday anyway so cycling to York is just a way to fill the time.