FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast - Brighton 14th October 2011

[mistral]

Excellent night all round, a really enjoyable ride, despite some chills along the way and my first visitation on a fnrttc.

A low point early on was nearly being taken out by a couple of scooters as they exited Tooting Common with little regard to us cyclists waiting on the path.

It was slowish progress for the first half of the ride due to deflations, despite skilful TECing.

The Scout Hut was a welcome haven and in my judgement, just the right temp – too warm and the transition when we left would have been even more uncomfortable. Food wise and prices were just fine.

Good route to the base of the Beacon, with some stunning scenery, the emerging sun working it’s magic.

Once again Greg and his team were on top form and had also arranged for a morning of warming sunshine for those in need of rehydration. As Frank mentioned, the time flew, I almost bought a cheap ticket back (I can’t recall from who) for a train that had departed an hour earlier.

Tim's Laser driven thing

Along Streat Lane

 

[slowmotion]

Wonderful photos mistral. I had entirely forgotten about that wacky laser gizmo. It was quite funny how we all got our cameras out at the same places, like a bunch of Japanese coach trippers at the "special photo spot".

 

[dellzeqq]

Tim's Laser driven thing

Along Streat Lane

pretty spiffy pics! Presumably on a 'proper' camera rather than a phone.

 

[Aperitif]

Lovely suite of images, Mick. Thanks. You get the 'Tim of the Month' award for managing to take a pic of Red's red with a complementary green wheel - advanced image making tumbling onto the forum!

 

[User10571]

I've been on the Beacon a number of times in the conditions pictured in Mistral's photos.

As he says, when the sun 'does it's magic' it makes for breathtaking shots.

Picture two reminds me of my favourite and least surreal effort by Magritte.

 

[mistral]

The beer whip now stands at £46.60 and I'm going to have a bit of a lie down, not that those things are at all connected.

There was an unspent element of the contribution made by MacB to a kitty in 2008. I’ve done a bit of calculus; taking into account interest and inflation, it’s still his round.

 

[User482]

I was somewhat annoyed not to make it up without any walking. I was nearing the top when (possibly distracted by a passing car), I turned towards the verge and had to brake somewhat sharply, then (on account of being on a steep bit) had to walk to a flatter section to get going again.

[cough]Inappropriate gearing[/cough]

 

[StuAff]

[cough]Inappropriate gearing[/cough]

Appropriate gearing, thank you very much

 

[Davywalnuts]

Hmmmm... am still cold...

Never the less, many thanks for what, in the end was a great ride. Loved the alternative route at the end. Am sure its easier than the other way with the long drags, but maybe that's just me.

All my pictures I took have been overshadowed by what have already been posted, so Ill post just one, as it seems Thom has got one of Frank asleep already...

Oh, and Dell, I now have a fully functional basic old phone with buttons so I can now do my role, when required, properly.

 

[Dan B]

the turn out of the car park, unlike that from the greenhouses, had the unfortunate drawback of leading right into the first kick up- less chance to prepare for it.

Indeed, next time I will be making sure I'm clipped in before turning right onto the main road, because it's not that easy on that gradient with single-sided pedals...

 

[hatler]

There is a way of doing most of Streat Lane, and still ending up at the greenhouses. It does involve a little bit of off-piste though. I came back that way on Saturday morning (on bike with 700 x 23s) and I reckon it's perfectly doable, if done slowly. And for those who want to walk, it's only about 300 yards. Turn right at Streat Church onto a bridlepath. Lumpy bumpy and then downhill for a bit, then onto a full on tarmac road.

 

[mmmmartin]

with my "calendar" hat on - are there any photographs shown on this thread that peeps particularly like and would suggest are included in the calendar?

AND

do peeps have any on their albums they would suggest?

Finally - why does this forum seem to dislike Flickr pix?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

There is a way of doing most of Streat Lane, and still ending up at the greenhouses. It does involve a littel bit of off-piste though.

I came back that way on Saturday morning (on bike with 700 x 23s) and I reckon it's perfectly doable, if done slowly. And for those who want to walk, it's only about 300 yards.

Turn right at Streat Church onto a bridlepath. Lumpy bumpy and then downhill for a bit, then onto a full on tarmac road.

110psi in my rear tyre (700 x 28c) at 23:00 on Friday. 0psi at 13:00 Saturday courtesy of a snakebite on the Downlink caused by pressing on too hard. My own stupid fault for hitting the rock too fast on a road bike.

 

[mistral]

do peeps have any on their albums they would suggest?

With apologies to Tim H, not calendar material, but I've been waiting for an opportunity to air this. I found it on an old SD card and can't recall the ride, hopefully worth sharing? It may have been the very wet ride to Brighton.

 

[ChrisBailey]

[attachment=5709:P1000060 (Large).JPG]

do peeps have any on their albums they would suggest?

Not last Friday, earlier this year, always liked the light. This is the cut down 86k of 4Mb original

Chris By (Waymarker extrordinaire, it's official)