FNRttC FNRttC to Newhaven, Dieppe and Paris 2011

[frank9755]

Nonsense. We understand really, but we just like to tease the FNRttC's House Mileage Nutters. Mind you, one of the riders yesterday, spotting that I didn't have a number or a lid, and was doubtless looking a bit suspiciously chirpy amidst a field of riders who'd already been up two f**k-off great mountains, said "Blimey, you're doing this for fun, arent you??", which did slightly make me wonder what everybody else might be doing it for. Actually I rather liked the vibe of the Dragon yesterday, and might even try and sign up for it next year. There were very few women on it. Still not wild about climbing the same mountain twice in one ride, though. And I heard that the start was carnage. I notice that the Mille Cymru is a Friday start - perhaps you should write to them to ask to bring it forward to a Wednesday so that you can go straight on to a FNRttC...

"Cyclist spotted on sportive shocker!"

No, do try it - I did one in the South Downs last year, out of curiosity, and I enjoyed it. It was well-organised, there was a good vibe, I had fun riding with a few different groups and other solos at different points in the race, people offered help when I punctured - and I had all the energy drinks, gels and sugary lemony drinks that I could wish for - plus a nice warm shower at the end so I didn't have to go home in sweaty clothes.

On mine they staggered the start to avoid carnage (although there was an ambulance scraping someone up on a descent). But you do pick up on one thing that I'm not keen on: looking for hills for hills sake. Nothing against a good, hilly ride, but repeating a climb, or going along a ridge zig-zagging up and down it, is not my idea of a fun way to cover the countryside.

 

[Aperitif]

Good Lord. Some folk just don't know when to stop. I just decided to nip over the Bwlch, and found that about a thousand roadies had had the same idea. Except that they went over it TWICE, and over the Rhigos, armed with only blue drinks and horrid gel thingies, whereas I did it once before zipping down to Ewenny for tea and a huge slab of cake. Still, nice to have a chat to them, and to see jerseys from anywhere and everywhere all over the Welsh hills.

Sounds like a 'tap in' from where I'm sitting - what say you, Frank? Will it be necessary for a niblick or similar for the ride to Hull York that Claudine has promised to undertake in your company, or would it be a wood?








Edited to correct my Friedeggian slip - saying 'ull', not 'Yark',

 

[User482]

I did my first sporting this year, and absolutely loved it. We had a staggered start with timing chips so carnage was avoided. But never mind that - I've just become a dad!

 

[martint235]

Congratulations!!!

 

[dellzeqq]

we're now gathering Bromptons. I'm half-tempted to take my own........

 

[Quagga]

Well if anyone doing this ride is Brompton-less and now feeling left out, i have a six speed green one with a rack that's looking for a new home...
Only one not so careful owner

 

[StuartG]

we're now gathering Bromptons.

A Bromide?

 

[AKA Bob]

I am seriously thinking about being one of those mad souls to undertake this adventure on a Brompton. The final decision will be made once I know the state of my sanity after 120 miles on my fine example when I am hopefully sitting on some Suffolk beach on Sunday 17th July.

If the answer is 'yes' and the way my mind is it probably will be as there are already two other mad souls out there and even the mighty Dellzegg is considering using his Brompton. Peer pressure!!

If this is the case then I have a spare ticket for a full size bike for the ferry and bike space booked on the 10.15am Eurostar on Sunday morning up for grabs.

So if you would like to join this mad adventure but couldn’t get your bike on the ferry and prepared to wait till Sunday 17[sup]th[/sup] for a definite decision please let me know?

 

[Aperitif]

AKA Bobbing around in the English Channel

 

[AKA Bob]

Maybe you will be wishing I was 'bobbing' around the Channel as we head south from Dieppe on Saturday morning!

 

[StuartG]

Maybe we Brommies should start at the Oratory ...

And finish at Sacre Coeur ...

 

[Aperitif]

NB Stuart, Barking Abbey annexe is recommended if you Foldsworths fancy dropping in on the way back! Les petites roues sur les petites routes... something like that.

 

[Nigel182]

Was wondering how hilly this ride is in comparrison to the Southend,Whitstable or Bognor FNRttC rides.

As i'm thinking of taking my singlespeed and don't want to slow up the ride for those catching the Ferry.

Cheers.

 

[frank9755]

Southend is quite flat, unless you seek out hills. It's probably a little bit hillier than Whitstable but not dramatically so. I've not been to Bognor but expect it would be similar.

There are two significant climbs (depending on route) over the North Downs and Turner's Hill, then a few lumps around Lewes.

Come!

 

[TimO]

The route to Newhaven isn't dramatically different from the more common Brighton route, excepting the last bit, since obviously you don't go over Ditchling on your way to Newhaven.

This is the route that was used last year, if I haven't posted it already (Previous use of this route does not imply Simon will use the same route, this year, yadda yadda).