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Rastafari Greetings to each and every one,
On Saturday morning I got up early and took the 6.02 train from Liverpool Street out to Sudbury in Suffolk to go and watch the 7th stage of the race. The train was deserted and the rain had held off, so I was really looking forward to seeing things. I rode from Sudbury to Lavenham and saw all the bollards and signs out, but no crowds as yet as it was only 8 am. Then rode along the route they would take to Monks Eleigh to meet my family – the village was decked out in bunting, I guess recycled from the royal wedding in April. Had a coffee etc then at 10.30 am we headed down to the village to watch the race. There were quite a few people out and loads of local club cyclists all along the route. I was rocking full Brixton Cycles kit and everyone came over to say hello and chat bike stuff . We got in a nice position on an upward bend as you leave Monks Eleigh, and then waited for things to happen.
First of all there was a stream of police motor cyclists who would effectively cork, a la critical mass, each junction to stop people from driving along the route. Then one or two team cars and a media car and then first break away group came past. This group broke early and were at least 6 minutes ahead of the peleton. This group stayed ahead of the peleton all the way to
Sandringham which was no mean feat. The stage was eventually won by Gediminas Bagdonas who rides for An Post – Sean Kelly, which my sources tell me are a pretty small outfit, so again well done to them....
The peleton then approached and the riders seemed to be pretty much sticking in their teams.
Then the team cars came through. The Rapha Condor Sharp car looked nice but pricey.
Finally a broom wagon came past to many cheers. Then that was it and we all went our separate ways having had a lovely time together, with the race heading through lovely Suffolk countryside on its way up to Norfolk.
I then spent the day with my parents and came home that evening having clocked up 40 miles, seen a lovely site, enjoyed being out in the countryside and all that sort of thing.
Peace and Love to all,
Tim -
Greetings Object and almac68,
Many thanks.....
Peace and Love to you,
Tim -
Greetings,
Sorry to hear that Digger. Please make a full and speedy recovery.
Olly398 - nice pics...
Peace and Love,
Tim -
Rastafari greetings to each and every one,
It gives me great pleasure to let you know that ‘Peace and Lovely Tailoring’, a pro cycling, pro good-health film, made by a Rasta man, has been selected for the 2011 Bicycle Film Festival.
We are part of the ‘Sunchasers’ program which is on Saturday 8th at 2 pm.
There are plenty of well-dressed forum-ites on there, some lovely bikes and some terrible jokes included.
I would like to thank all involved with the festival for giving us the chance to show this – much appreciated....Peace and Love,
Tim -
Reports are coming in of rioting on Wimbledon high street.
The disturbances have occurred outside the Blacks and Millets camping shops.Police describe the atmosphere as tents...
I know, sorry folks...
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Greetings folks,
Sorry about this but there has been a problem with the urine samples I gave to the International Olympic Committee. Both A and B samples came out as containing a banned substance. I have tried to appeal on religious grounds but they wont have it. So, sadly I am out....
It is a truly class field of Olympic athletes lined up for this ride, so have a good ride people.
Peace, Love and fair play on the competitive field,
Tim- andyp
- spybot
- smiff
- jonny
- Cornelius Olympicfoot
- senor Bear
- adoubletap
- Louis c
- shoots
- Damo
- marcom
- Devil's Falcon
- pp
- upstart
- Samuelson
- OUT
- richoking
- youramericanolympian
- ms.chris
- citron
- amygdala
- jenny j
- photoben
- skydancer
- ashleyisdabest
- katie coo
- Velocio
29.Arben Zilci - braker
31.tonyme
32 JAH o-tim-pic - banned - Big Dave
- Edmundro + Lady Liz
35.Tobiasydney - timmah
- prezens
- OSR
- OL_ympi_C
- andyp
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Greetings folks,
This sounds great and hopefully I shall be able to keep up with you all.
I will be rocking the Olympic values, which are- respect – fair play; knowing one’s own limits; and taking care of one’s health and the environment
- excellence – how to give the best of oneself, on the field of play or in life; taking part; and progressing according to one’s own objectives
- friendship – how, through sport, to understand each other despite any differences
Give thanks,
Tim- andyp
- spybot
- smiff
- jonny
- Cornelius Olympicfoot
- senor Bear
- adoubletap
- Louis c
- ian (conker)
- Ramsaye (unless I go to Watford)
- Damo
- marcom
- Devil's Falcon
- pp
- middleofnowhere
- Samuelson
- OUT
- richoking
- Sean
- ms.chris
- citron
- TTM
- jenny j
- photoben
- skydancer
- ashleyisdabest
- katie coo
- Velocio
29.Arben Zilci - braker
31.tonyme
32 JAH o-tim-pic
- respect – fair play; knowing one’s own limits; and taking care of one’s health and the environment
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Greetings folks,
Enjoying all the everyone was too loud through our villages shouts. I know they are towns rather than villages, but did anyone notice the pub in Dunmow with a rock covers band giving it some – it was fingers in your belt loops right down the high street, also did anyone apart from me see people brawling in Sudbury.... I guess if I am given the health and strength to do the ride again next year, I’ll try to do it even more quietly.
Right - it’s fixed gear maths club here...
One revolution of my cranks/ pedals will take me 228 inches along the road.
There are 63,360 inches in a mile.
63,360 divided by 228 = 278 revolutions per mile
278 x 131.25 miles for the trip to Dunwich means my legs went round 36,487.50 times
Ouch, no wonder I could hardly walk afterwards....Give thanks,
Tim -
Rastafari greetings to each and every one,
Er, well I Dun it.
It was such a brilliant ride.... Like everyone else I watched the rain fall all day. It was raining when I left Tooting but sun shining when I arrived in London Fields. I met up with the newly-wed ( - congratulations....) John and Kris who had kindly agreed to lead me out of babyLon don. I did my best to keep up with them until we got to just outside Epping. I then said my goodbyes and left them to head off at their own greater speed.
From then on it was steady eddie business. I got through Epping without being hassled and saw the sun set which was lovely. Between Epping and North Weald it got dark and then it was a lovely ride through the Essex countryside. I had been having feelings of great excitement and also of being terrified – it’s a long way, what if something goes wrong etc. But as I headed out in to the countryside and realised just how many people were doing this ride, all fear passed and the smile widened. I am completely happy rolling at my own pace – at least I can keep up....
I had a lovely 10 minutes or so rolling with Scot who had left late and was on a mission to go there and back – well done for your efforts and the nice comment on page 49 of this thread.
I got to Dunmow and was loving this , then got to Sible Hedingham and thought I would check out Oliver Schick at the feeding station to say hello and big him up for volunteering to keep the punters fed and watered. When I arrived I couldn’t believe the queue and so just turned round and headed on.
In Essex, I noticed that many roadies seemed to be taking this as a race. I would shout ‘allez allez’ to others who passed me, but to them I either shouted or just thought please slow down, you are not going to win as this is not a race and you are missing such a beautiful sight..... We had the moon to our left, lovely fields and those beautiful sillouettes of trees that you get in East Anglia.
By the time I got to Sudbury, I was passed again by John and Kris who I guess had had a stop at the feeding station - they were bombing down Ballingdon Hill – good work....
As I grew up in that neck of the woods I was able to give instruction to any cyclists – like sharp turn right etc. One asked how do you know the road so well? – I spent the first 18 years of my life here was the answer.
At 2 am I reached Monks Eleigh - I called my mum and stopped off to have a rest stop. My father is very ill and frail but he managed to make it up to spend some time with me. I know we all cycled 120 odd miles that night, but for him to get up, with what he has on his plate is as much of an effort.... Beans on toast, coffee and a couple of bananas later and I was ready to rejoin the ride.
So I was back travelling down lanes I had cycled on my Raleigh Grifter, then Puch Prince, as a yout. I enjoyed going past the lights of RAF Whattisham – no sign of Prince Harry sneaking back in after hours....
I saw all sorts of lovely animals including a little owl on the road – we both gave each other what are you doing? type of looks.
At 3.40 am the birds suddenly started chirping to herald in the new day and at 4 am it seemed to be light.
After crossing the A14 I was thinking that we are on the home straight. As the clock went over 100 miles, I was starting to look at it more often, so tried my best not to as I was now feeling as I suppose I should have done.
The rest stops by me seemed more frequent and the pace was now dropping and the ankles aching.
I was all so well equipped with maps for Suffolk and Essex and a route sheet, but I have to say I didn’t look at them once. Overnight I just followed the red lights, then at any junction if I was not sure, you only had to wait 30 seconds or so before yet another peleton would pass and you knew which way to go. The only mistake made was with Leon and Katie near Otley but they chased me down and we got back on track – thank you both for this and your sterling efforts on the coach and choice of bike fronts....
I spent many holidays at Dunwich, so once Darsham and then Westleton came I knew I was home and dry. I reached Dunwich at 7.30 am to find the place heaving with tired but happy cyclists who had pulled off a great effort.
My clock said 131.25 miles which is the furthest I have cycled fixed by 40 miles.
I headed for the beach and found a nice quiet spot away from the masses. I called my mum again to let her know I had arrived safely and thanked her. I then broke down in floods of tears of joy and relief looking out to sea.
I then enjoyed a well earned dejeurne sur beaucoup de l’ Herb. Had a paddle and just waited to be collected by my wife and her family at 11 am. You should have seen the jealous looks I got from those queuing for all the coaches as I put my bike in the car and headed back to Hadleigh. As we left there were still plenty of people arriving in Dunwich.
We took the A12 back and saw many cyclists struggling against tiredness and the wind which had helped us all night but now would hinder.
I came back home last night doing 25 miles on the way....
I’ll be honest , it was the biggest and best ride I have ever Dun and my ankles are screaming still.
Big ups to all who did this ride and thanks to those who hailed me up at start and en route.
Good work people and big up the forum.
Peace and Love to one and all,
JAH tim. -
Greetings folks,
Well it's now one week to go...
I hope you are all doing alright with your preparations.
See you next Saturday.
Give thanks,
Tim -
@JAHtim
about the hope light/batteries: I have found that the brightest setting is more than bright enough, and you're fine with the second or perhaps third level, which would prolong your batteries' lives somewhat. So I think your planning is ample.Greetings Skully,
I hope you are doing alright.... Thanks for info and see you sometime / somewhere on 16th / 17th.
Peace and Love,
Tim -
My Hope ran on low power throughout the DD last year (I was planning to switch it up to full power later but never felt the need and forgot to do so). It lasted fine and even made it through the next week of late night commutes!
In fact, the Smart light and a Blackburn I also had didn't run out either and all of the spare batteries I had with me went unused. You certainly won't need anything more than you are planning to take IMHO..
.Give thanks for the above advice Rod Munch...
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Greetings folks,
I have been reading the food posts with interest. My faith, the odd fig roll and lucozade sport are the things that keep me going whilst riding. I will also be fully lasagne-d up before I leave home.
I wondered if someone could shed any light on the following... I have a hope vision light at front and am wondering if there are any other hope vision fans out there and if so, how many spare sets of batteries am I likely to need? Light says 3 hours burn time on max power which I guess I should plan for, so was going to take two spare sets and leave with new batteries. I have a cat eye thing for the rear and a couple of changes should be fine for that.
Oh and it’s 16 days to go!
Peace and Love to one and all,
Tim -
Mnnn , nice but pricey...
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Has anybody had experience of getting the train back from Ipswich? Is it massively overcrowded on the trains?
Greetings transport fans,
From Ipswich you have two main options
1 - Intercity trains from Norwich - you would have to put your bike in guards van at rear. These trains also stop at Diss which is probably nearer to Dunwich - though in opposite direction from Ipswich and babyLon don.
2 - smaller trains going through and from Ipswich. These 4 or 8 carriage trains you can put your bike near you in doorways.That's the good bit, the bad bit is that that line is notorious for engineering works on the weekend. You will either need to call 08457 48 49 50 or check national rail website to find out what is going on that weekend. Check it out and if you can book your bike on a train, do it...
Good luck,
Tim -
Ma3k used to work for them. Maybe he could lay his hands on some useful tools? Or even just ask the bike hire operator? Again, as for barclays, it's good PR for them..
.Greetings folks,
As per above, John Ma3k and Leon who is the brave soul riding one of these Boris bikes, chatted on the Ride East last Sunday, so think it all cool....
Just looking at the calendar and it's three weeks to go - yikes... Feeling really excited about this but also kind of terrified. It goes through Monks Eleigh which is the place where I was born 43 years ago.
Peace and Love,
Tim -
Greetings folks,
Well what a lovely ride that was. Ma3k-imum respect (and forthcoming nuptial good vibes / wishes) to John and Kris for leading the ride.Highlights
The company
The view from on top of the disused dry ski slope
Mini time trials.
Foul-mouthed Morris dancers – please mind your language...Nice riding and chatting with you all. Forty miles clocked up and happy memories...
Peace and Love,
Tim -
I'd like to see someone slower than me.
Greetings folks - that will be me...
Give thanks,
Tim -
Is Lowesoft any nice?
Well EEI it is hardly the Suffolk riviera but you will get a decent ice cream and fish and chips. It used to be a massive fishing port, but those days are gone.... It is optimistically called the 'sunshine coast'
Give thanks,
Tim -
Few of us are going to keep riding up to Lowesoft and check out the scenery, eat some fish and chips.
Greetings folks,
Interesting fact about Lowestoft - it is the most easterly point in the United Kingdom.
Give thanks,
Tim -
Greetings folks,
I know things being sorted for the coach, van etc – big ups all round for those sorting this logistical challenge...I am going to stay on in Suffolk, so no coach required...
I have dreamed of doing this ride for many years, but have never got it together. Right now I am feeling a mixture of great excitement and also being utterly terrified. As long as I can get out of babyLon-don alright, then it will be steady eddie style all the way.
See you at the start line.
Peace and Love,
Tim- Sparky
- Branwen
- kboy
- Shinigami
- Cafewanda
- pt
- Digger
- Oliver Schick
- machineisbored
- Cg
- Fox
- shambolic
- dicki
- FridayMarch26th
- Blackforessghetto
- conker (riding home - from Smithfields)
- Ark Minor
- JAH tim-on-sea - no coach required thanks...
- leifal
- pascalo
- JaRyder +1
- mr lunch +1
- Sniffy + some mates who probably wince out soon...
- tom k&e
- S/J
- Spenceey
- stupidPony
- stupidPonys imaginary friend G.Love.
- Clever Pun
- nneil
- Ramaye
- Bikeman
- Mark Cult
- mattty +1
- PaulR
- Rossi75
- TSK (silly oop norf route)
- upstart
- juanito
- Tiswas
- The Original Mexican Bob (common list fucker upper)
- Katie-Coo +1
- friar tuck
- laner
- Stonehedge (If I am ok after my 350mi ride a week before)
- Soul
- alexmckerrell + my dad is he's up for it
- dimi3
- 105champ
- ChainBreaker
- middleofnowhere
- Sumo - on a bmx
- jenny j
- Loafheads
- nelaii
- MissMouse
- FixedCheese + cheesey work colleagues
- MA3K
- KRZ
- Rod Munch
- fotochap - probably fixed, with several kilos of flapjacks
- KT Bee + friend
- fotochap's friend
- jcgarcia
- betty
- Carson
- Tomsie
- peterhughes
- Dumps
- Samuelson
- Sparky
-
Ride In Peace....
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Greetings folks,
Another winning ride from John. Ma3k-ximum respect for sorting this out....
This was great last time - lots of interesting parts of Babylon-don visited en route.
Peace and Love,
Tim1.|³|MA3K
- Sumo
- dimi3
- HatBeast(from the east)
- Cafewanda (praying for a p-free trip to the start)
- Louis ∆ (hopefully tibbs will bring some more muff for this one)
- Xander
- Pootsmanuva
- Mrx (hopefully no rain this time!)
- Superprecise and mash
- fade
- Nigel182
- Scoot
- dbr
- monkfix
- laner
- Eamesy
- E2Quinn
- Billybob
- John H(ackney
- superjoe
- middleofnowhere
- Themefrom90210 (possibly bringing friends)
- Yasi im confused.
- PP
- W10Swine
- Eyko Sioux + 1 (maybe)
- JAH tim-out-east
- Sumo
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Greetings folks,
Mine has just arrived. It is perfect.
Give thanks to all those who got this off the ground....,
Tim
LFGSS
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Greetings folks,
If you win that you also get to see 'Peace and Lovely Tailoring' as we're third up on the bill.
Get tweeting folks - good luck...
Peace and Love,
Tim