2009-02-13 - London to Southend

So then,

I finally have a day to myself on friday 13th feb, and I'm going for a decentish ride. Either to Chelmsford or Southend and back. Haven't ever done such a long ride, but I'm sure I can manage it. Hoping to average 14/16mph. Figured it would be relatively flat, which would be handy for a first distance ride.

Any how, thought I'd see if any one else was free and fancied joining me. None of my pals are keen on a long(er) ride. I'm perfectly happy to go solo, but a companion or two might be funtastic.

So I'll shut up now. If you fancy it hola back.
If you don't then I'll go on mi own. I do appreciate its a friday and most of ya work.

'ta

what time are you thinking about leaving?

I wondered how long it would take for some one to say something like that.

what time are you thinking about leaving?

9ish I guess. Make a day of it.

Why is it always me.

Because you are great!?

Just thought. I may not actualy be leaving so early. Might have to make it more like 12. I have some one staying over, and I may not be able to leave so quickly if you know what I mean....

sexy sexy

There's a good route to Southend-on-Sea, you should be able to find it referenced somewhere in last year's ride thread from April. It's a long route as it's a bit indirect, but avoids major roads almost entirely. I hope this ride will be repeated in April this year, it was excellent!

I recommend Bailey's Fish and Chips, on the front at Southend. I wish I could come but Friday is a work day for me.

Have fun.

ah if you do it on a different day i would come?

I hope this ride will be repeated in April this year, it was excellent!

I wonder whether a lot of the rides will be repeated around similar times this year? Few I missed last year really want to do this year

I tried to do this with the Austalia day night ride last week. It'd be good if some rides could become 'traditional'.

skully: thanks for the info. I shall look inmto it.
I was planning on doing the major roads though. I only have cats and with the short days I don't really fancy being caught in an essex lane after dark. fish and chips FTW though. Thanks for the tip.

I know friday is work day for most. Unfortunately for me weekends are work days. And besides the 13th is the only dy in the next month I have entirely(ish) to myself for a day ride. Busy little bee atm.

I'd be keen to come along, Harry, as long as it's not icy out in the countryside. Let's hope the weather will have cleared up a little by then.

You may want to do the non direct route on this, been along that way from central london through chelmsford to Malden and the amount of traffic was a pain in the arse, even on supposedly quiet country roads.. Nice day ride though..

Oliver: Sounds grande to me. Whether of course peritting. I don't like the idea of 80 snow miles.
Be prepared to be patient though. I aint the fittest or most prepared being in the world. Wool riding breeches ftw!

Oliver: Sounds grande to me. Whether of course peritting. I don't like the idea of 80 snow miles.
Be prepared to be patient though. I aint the fittest or most prepared being in the world. Wool riding breeches ftw!

No worries. This is not the time of year to be racing. Some slower rides will do me good. It's all about the distance.

is this being done on fixed,?

I've just started not working on Fridays, so I'll be up for this. Need to start putting in the miles before the summer. Where would you be starting from?

I reckon going throughe dagenham on to the a127 would be a good way, cross at basildon (as past basildon the a127 gets quite fast) and go through pitsea and benfleet and there's a lovely route along the coast of leigh on sea that goes all the way along to southend leading to shoebury ness, but that's just a suggestion.

is this being done on fixed,?

Yup. Shoudl be flatish the whole way.

No worries. This is not the time of year to be racing. Some slower rides will do me good. It's all about the distance.

Now you have me worried! :P

I've just started not working on Fridays, so I'll be up for this. Need to start putting in the miles before the summer. Where would you be starting from?

Yay. Come ride. Not too sure of a starting point. Wasn't expecting any one to be coming with, so just planning to go from home (mile end).

I reckon going throughe dagenham on to the a127 would be a good way, cross at basildon (as past basildon the a127 gets quite fast) and go through pitsea and benfleet and there's a lovely route along the coast of leigh on sea that goes all the way along to southend leading to shoebury ness, but that's just a suggestion.

Sounds good to me. I open to a route.
Taking your suggestion into mind I was thinking of this:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Tower+Hamlets,+London+E3+4PR,+UK&daddr=A118%2FRomford+Rd+to:51.57963,0.182991+to:A127%2FSouthend+Arterial+Rd+to:B1464%2FHigh+Rd+to:Hermitage+Ave+to:southend&hl=en&geocode=%3BFdCIEgMdilwAAA%3B%3BFbz2EgMdkpEEAA%3BFQrREgMdTq8HAA%3BFTy9EgMdYu8IAA%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=12&via=1,2,3,4,5&sll=51.565973,0.134926&sspn=0.126341,0.30899&ie=UTF8&ll=51.564266,0.290451&spn=0.252692,0.617981&z=11

38.2 miles each way. So thats 76.4 miles total. :)

if you turn at pitsea and go through benfleet, you can ride along the sea thru leigh on sea, its very picturesque with a nice pub to stop at near a small boat harbour, if i come i may leave you at pitsea as my mum lives in basildon and i will be staying there for the rest of the weekend, but think i am very interested in this ride even if i dont do the full ride back to london again, i have quit my job so am available for this ride, dont think i will arrange my interview for this day now ;) hopefully weather permitting i will be along, this will be my first long distance ride so i dont think i will be riding as well as others but am willing to go for it :)

i like your route though, avoiding the a127 and a13 leaves less pressure to ride fast me thinks

i think i might be able to make this....

Yay. Come ride. Not too sure of a starting point. Wasn't expecting any one to be coming with, so just planning to go from home (mile end).

What about meeting on the Green Bridge? Tower Hamlets Wheelers start most of their rides there. You could also put it on the THW mailing list--free to join (send blank e-mail to towerhamletswheelers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com).

Oliver, thats the bridge that goes over mile end road right?
Sounds like a good plan. I'll send the email tonight.

Damo: The more the merrier.