FNRttC FNRttC to Whitstable 5th June 2009

[Andrij]

Nothing will keep you 'dry'. The important thing is to stay warm.

Unless it's stupidly cold I'll be wearing sandals again. Feet will be dry within 30 minutes, unlike when wearing shoes. If it's looking like a long downpour I may don my rainlegs. These do keep you a bit dryer, but it's easy to sweat under them. As for top, I'll have my boil-in-a-bag jacket if the rain cools me down too much. Gloves are trickier - may bring a spare pair for the trip home.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Would appreciate some serious advice re kit for a wet night ride as not done one before

+1 (don't wear sandals to cycle in, mum told me not to in case I lost a toe, don't own rainlegs)

 

[Andrij]

Seriously, the best bit of summer 'bad weather' gear I own would be my Shimano sandals. I've done enough wet rides where my shoes have taken two days to dry out - never again.

 

[dellzeqq]

Would appreciate some serious advice re kit for a wet night ride as not done one before

The honest answer is - neither have we. We've had one ride (last year to Brighton via the Cabin Cafe) which had very light rain for over half the ride. We've had a ride which started very wet and dried within half an hour. We've had a ride which stayed dry (despite there being standing water on the road) until after we cleared the Beacon, and then hail came in horizontally. We've had another ride where we stopped and watched Chipstead get fried by lightning, and, then, when we proceeded, the rain stopped. And on a Southend ride we had the lightest of sprinkles.

All of this has involved a vast expenditure in prawns, which I will be putting on my expenses. But the truth is - we're not too expert. I do know it's not fun - I bailed on the Dynamo when it rained non-stop for thirty miles. One of the penalties of being a rides organiser is that there is no bailing....

I'd pack a lightweight waterproof and be prepared to put it on over whatever else. I'd take gloves. Since I wear specs I'll be taking a cycling cap with a peak on to keep some of the rain off my specs. If it was going to be cold I'd wear my silly little over-booty things, because they really do work. And I'd have spare lights front and back.

All of which is a bit academic, because the prawns have worked their magic, and both the cat and Metcheck say it will be dry. If the forecast changes for the worse overnight I'll send out my general e-mail asking about withdrawals, but it's now only 53 hours to showtime, and I don't expect it to change again.

 

[TimO]

XCWeather is also predicting dryness now, which is probably not surprising since they are almost certainly using the same basic data source.

Likewise I'm wondering about clothes, and even if it's dry it'll be a difficult choice, since the weather isn't likely to be as sunny as it has been for the last couple of days, predicting exactly how warm it'll be is a challenge.

If it was a little wet, I'd probably wear overshoes to protect my toes from getting too damp, and carry a spare set of socks. On top a Goretex waterproof over a long sleeved jersey, since the rain would drop the temperature a bit. I'd still be in shorts, unless the temperature was dramatically colder.

 

[dellzeqq]

I should have said that if it is wet we might fiddle with the route a wee bit -as we have done with the Brighton ride. And there would be fewer riders - I certainly don't hold it against people if they look at the forecast and decide it isn't for them.

 

[MacB]

Simon, improving forecast aside, I'm afraid I've got to bail on this one, have sent you a text as well. If this is too late for alterations to refreshment menu I'm happy to pay my share.....cheers....Al

 

[Tim Hall]

MacB, you seem to have misspelt "If this is too late for alterations to refreshment menu I'm happy for anyone riding a Magenta Mercian to scoff mine..."

 

[MacB]

MacB, you seem to have misspelt "If this is too late for alterations to refreshment menu I'm happy for anyone riding a Magenta Mercian to scoff mine..."

Be my guest, I'm sure I don't need another bacon butty Thankfully I'm now 'allowed' out to play on Sunday instead so will be making the Bleakanddevine ride, wouldn't do to get withdrawal symptoms.

 

[Tynan]

no rain, good

any news on thehead wind? head winds on the way home all week so far and I'd rather not have an extra 80 bloody miles of headwind

nothing is stopping me coming other than arriving late and missing the start

ahem

 

[dellzeqq]

Rain! Metcheck has turned around entirely, and is now forecasting rain! Bum! You should have an e-mail, which asks for retirees to let me know as soon as......

 

[GrumpyGregry]

another 15 years at least before I retire

 

[Tynan]

rain, bad

what news on the head wind?

mudguards ho!

some fresh brake blocks, adjusted brake blocks would appear to be in order ...

 

[arallsopp]

Suspect this will be another outing for the Big Orange Beastie. Mudguards front and rear, chain tubes up and down, time lapse cam up front.

Reminds me... last time I rode her, the brakes didn't work. Ought to check that.

 

[Andrij]

My usual 'escort service' is available for anyone in East London or arriving at any of the City train stations (plus London Bridge). Please send a PM with your arrival time and mobile phone number.