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I think it would be terribly rude to ride all the way to Paddington when you're essentially on my doorstep. I'll see you all for the feeder
Good man. Are you thinking Wandsworth or Tooting?
Oh, and just to be clear, this is an end of season hurrah, in amiable company, not a b@!!s out time trial.
The objective is to reach the dreaming spires, warm and exhillarated, not shattered, and crying out for half a pint of EPO. There will be variations in fitness amongst the crew, but we will ride as a team.
The strong hardmen, on the front, shading us from the unseasonable sunshine, and carrying extra food and spares, as their weight handicap, always slowing for roundabouts and intersections, to keep the peleton together. The rest of the posse riding tempo, but everyone working to a decent standard, but most importantly, looking out for each other. If one of us has a puncture, we all pitch in and help, rather than sucking on our clay pipes, assessing the merits of Mr. Pepy's account of his time in the Admiralty Administration Office.
The roads could be full of flinty goodness, so as many spare inner tubes as you can carry, and some tyre patches, in expectation of some casing damage. Oh, and give the bike a once over. If the tyre or brake blocks are on the way out, please do replace them if you have some spares.
Other than that, an extra skinny layer more than you think you need, a change of gloves and socks, a pocketful of soverigns bright, and otherwise try to keep it at light as possible.
We will be within fighting distance of the bikes at all times, so I would urge no locks, and maybe leave the Colango C59 Italia at home, given the muddy and greasy roads we are likely to encounter.
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I'll be in for Tooting since that's where the ride 'starts' and I'm not one for cheating.
Hopefully there will some winter hills coming soon - I've just got an amazing deal on a new type of bike: it has (and this is crazy) multiple chainrings on the front AND the back. I'll let you know how it goes, but honestly I doubt this kind of technology will catch on.
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No need to book ahead. It's like a tenner back. There will be enough of us to make group saves and if we end up with odd numbers I can use my Network railcard (v similar discount) for up to four people so we should be covered.
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haha well i do have a colnago, just not a c59 italia! no its just all this talk of flint scares the bejeezus out of me as my tyres are honestly made of cheese and i'd hate to have to stop every two secs for a puncture!
i have my fixed set up and ready to go with gators, mudguards, lights etc so am seriously tempted staying with this set up, however i know id prefer my geared ride but that would mean swapping some things over!any idea on the climbing on this ride vs london to brighton?
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haha well i do have a colnago, just not a c59 italia! no its just all this talk of flint scares the bejeezus out of me as my tyres are honestly made of cheese and i'd hate to have to stop every two secs for a puncture!
i have my fixed set up and ready to go with gators, mudguards, lights etc so am seriously tempted staying with this set up, however i know id prefer my geared ride but that would mean swapping some things over!any idea on the climbing on this ride vs london to brighton?
Now that is a really good comparison. Christmas Common is not as brutal as Ditchling, more in keeping with Turners Hill. I must be honest, the climbs really are not such an issue, as the views, stunning woodland, and general atmosphere of the ride is such an intoxicating mix, that you just need to settle in, get a rythm, and sooner rather than later the summit will come into view.
I would urge winter bikes over summer bling any day of the week. The main challenge is some of the descents, that are not that technically challenging, but do attract a lot of impatient BMW 7 series drivers.
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JB I'm doing it SS. Your 725 can take a rear brake can't it? Thread one down it and then either keep it fixed or wack a freewheel on the hub and then you'll be ballin' like me. No reason you can't do these rides, you're easily tough enough. Just gotta man up (and be safe obvs)
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It can. I don't have a rear brake though, happy to do it fixed, but I can't be arsed with the skidding down a hill in close proximity to other cyclists.
I'm sure Spotter has a rear brake I can borrow. Just need some brake cable/housing init.
Seriously considering getting a pompino though. It'd be perfect for this kinda thing.
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JB I'm doing it SS. Your 725 can take a rear brake can't it? Thread one down it and then either keep it fixed or wack a freewheel on the hub and then you'll be ballin' like me. No reason you can't do these rides, you're easily tough enough. Just gotta man up (and be safe obvs)
Well said. Work is taking over for the next couple of days, but all on for Saturday morning.
Swap phone numbers people, and if you are coming the same way, try and tag in together. Who is heading to Paddington? Can you PM each other, and get the comms organised in advance of Saturday morning.
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http://www.lfgss.com/thread96112.html
notice has been given.
Cheers mister.
In terms of when we will be at Christmas Common, with RV at the Fox and Hounds.
Depart Iver 10 am.
Say 40 miles to Christmas Common.
Add in say 20 minute refuelling break, 10 mins for a couple of punctures, and we are looking at 3 hours 20 minutes to meeting point. So, 1:10 -1:20 but of course subject to the the vaguaries of a forum ride!
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bit a numpty question but does anyone know what the oxford to paddington trains are like in terms of taking your bike? do you need to reserve a space? usually i don't bother but don't want to be caught out with trains that only allow bikes in the guards van as i had a bit of a run in with a guard on the train back from swindon.
cheers -
I just read first great westerns bike policy and though we'll be asked to put them in the bike carriage we won't need to reserve bike spaces since it's a weekend. I've found being super courteous to the conductor and to genuflect upon request has kept me on trains when there was no reasonable space for me and the conductor was in a pissy mood. Besides reserving spaces means reserving tickets means timed drinking in the pub means LESS FUN
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About
2012-11-17 Gulliver's Travels, part 2
Posted by
@Bernie
I think it would be terribly rude to ride all the way to Paddington when you're essentially on my doorstep. I'll see you all for the feeder