Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
I Enjoyed that. OK, it was a bit wet but not soaking, and not cold. All the same,I wimped out of my ride back. I'm the train now. Thanks all
FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast Brighton August 23rd
- Thread starter dellzeqq
- Start date
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thom
____
- Location
- The Borough
That became damp. Damp enough to inflict a goodly number of visitations on us but not intense enough to really penetrate my shoes and certainly not cold, so for me the wet wasn't particularly nefarious.
It brought a mistiness to the environs, from the bridge across the Thames, to dark lanes south of Turners hill, to Slugwash lane and the ascent of Ditchling. The other side it felt like it was trying to lift - Adrian's app only had a mild effect around Brighton.
That said, some did manage to get to the Madeira before 7.20 am, partly as lingering at Ditchling brought little visual relief. But the tail seemed to show up not so long after and before long people were moving on to drier places. The mizzle did not defeat the fnrttc, even though it brought some testy tec-ing events.
So thanks to Simon, the TECs, the Scout hut volunteers and everyone else on the ride for the fun steaming through the morning darkness south of London.
It brought a mistiness to the environs, from the bridge across the Thames, to dark lanes south of Turners hill, to Slugwash lane and the ascent of Ditchling. The other side it felt like it was trying to lift - Adrian's app only had a mild effect around Brighton.
That said, some did manage to get to the Madeira before 7.20 am, partly as lingering at Ditchling brought little visual relief. But the tail seemed to show up not so long after and before long people were moving on to drier places. The mizzle did not defeat the fnrttc, even though it brought some testy tec-ing events.
So thanks to Simon, the TECs, the Scout hut volunteers and everyone else on the ride for the fun steaming through the morning darkness south of London.
+1 to that said above. The first 2 (dry) hours were magical as we weaved our way out of London ....... I got to ride & speak with many riders. My thanks to Simon, the tecs and the wayfarers for keeping us moving.
Ditchling was the only beast I couldn't tame, congratulations to the handful of people that managed to ride the whole ascent.
Ditchling was the only beast I couldn't tame, congratulations to the handful of people that managed to ride the whole ascent.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
First of all: I did a junction! I am rather proud of this, it being my first. I like to think that traffic was directed efficiently, but with a little touch of panache. Without me, you would all now be scattered hither and yon around Sussex and neighbouring counties, hopelessly lost, suffering from trench-foot or something.
DZ seemed somewhat apologetic in Ditchling about the rain, as if it had spoiled the ride. Not a bit of it: it wasn't that bad, and the views of misty fields more than made up for the wetness. There are many ways to appreciate our green and soggy land. It's not the first time that I've had to shelter from the rain in Lindfield in my short FNRttC career. And I was certainly wetter on the great Whitstable Washout.
So, a great ride, with an unusual finish. I zoomed (by my standards) up the Beacon. Positively whizzed. All the more gratifying because with the addition of a stupidly heavy lock, and fat multi-battery lights, my bike is now tipping the scales at an impressive 16+kg. All the same my logical ("it will be wet and miserable") and visceral ("I want to go to bed") inner voices won out and I called off my ride back to London. Then the call of a fast, empty, train then a scotch egg followed by a hot bath and a kip at home won out over the less than siren call of the Madeira's sausages.
Whatever the problems at the back of the ride were, I hope they were all sorted out.
I've put some photos here. Thanks to all involved, especially DZ whose ride-marshalling skills seemed to get a lot of exercise.
DZ seemed somewhat apologetic in Ditchling about the rain, as if it had spoiled the ride. Not a bit of it: it wasn't that bad, and the views of misty fields more than made up for the wetness. There are many ways to appreciate our green and soggy land. It's not the first time that I've had to shelter from the rain in Lindfield in my short FNRttC career. And I was certainly wetter on the great Whitstable Washout.
So, a great ride, with an unusual finish. I zoomed (by my standards) up the Beacon. Positively whizzed. All the more gratifying because with the addition of a stupidly heavy lock, and fat multi-battery lights, my bike is now tipping the scales at an impressive 16+kg. All the same my logical ("it will be wet and miserable") and visceral ("I want to go to bed") inner voices won out and I called off my ride back to London. Then the call of a fast, empty, train then a scotch egg followed by a hot bath and a kip at home won out over the less than siren call of the Madeira's sausages.
Whatever the problems at the back of the ride were, I hope they were all sorted out.
I've put some photos here. Thanks to all involved, especially DZ whose ride-marshalling skills seemed to get a lot of exercise.
That unfortunately is the problem with wet rides. It rarely rains for an entire night, and especially at this time of year,it's often warm enough that even if soaked people aren't too uncomfortable, but the large number of fairy visitations, aside from being irritating if you're TECing, also tends to slow the ride down very significantly. If the temperature is a bit cooler, then that can make for a lot of cold riders standing around waiting. I've also run out of spare tyres in the past, to the extent that when I had a visit, I had to borrow a tyre off of someone else! Waymarking on a wet ride can also be "interesting", when you have to stand by yourself on a dark and wet corner for half an hour, wondering if you've missed the back of the ride, and getting progressively colder.
I imagine Dellzeqq has an interesting time in trying to decide where the threshold is, at which he has to call the ride off, although that has been very rare in recent years (in fact I can't remember the last time it happened).
It sounds like you guys had a good ride overall though, and these rides are always "character building".
Mr Haematocrit
msg me on kik for android
- Location
- Out of the saddle
The night started with me panicking about what the hell I was going to wear, it was expected to be wet.. Due to having as much meat as a product from KFC I find that I am someone who feels the cold, so based on my previous Brighton experience in which I found myself standing around like a lady of the night and shivering like someone withdrawing from a class 'A' drug. I settled on a Castelli thermo speed suit with Skins compression base layer.
Meeting Kies and MarkSt1 we made our way to HPC where the usual formality took place, the ride started without issue and I did a little way marking. At this time there was no sign of the expected rain and I found myself sweating like a 80's BBC presenter with the police at the door. At the earliest opportunity the Skinz compression came off as I exposed my pigeon chest to the world and a rather attractive young lady on a pinniacle.
Exposing myself seemed to be a trigger for the rain to start. My lightweight Jacket went on followed shortly after by the full wet kit I had placed in my musette bag.. After being teased earlier about being over dressed when it was dry and warm earlier, I became certain my waterproofs would keep me dry and the associated smugness at pointing out of the earlier piss take that I had the correct clothing would keep me warm for the rest of the night.
The weather continued to deteriorate from warm and dry into simply miserable and it seemed some peoples mood went the same direction which I can appreciate.
As the night progressed I seemed to upset a couple of people, the general theme seemed to be I had undertaken them and this was voiced, IMHO I had not come past at excessive spring speeds and was just keeping an average pace and it was their road positioning which permitted me to creep past, if they were cycling on the left I never would have been able to do this,.. Who's right and who's wrong I don't think we will ever agree on, but I expect what is right is some where in between both views.
A stop at the scout hut was just long enough for me to warm up, get cramp and chat to a few people.
Some fella had the #bloodycyclist jersey and it looked amazing (later learnt it was beano), I stuffed a sarnie down my neck and a cup of coffee before we set off again.
The attractive young lady on the pinnacle was riding along next to Markst1 and I recall noting that one looked vastly better in Lycra than the other (no offence mate
) as I heard a clatter and saw someone on a Trek who looked like they had gone down (hope your OK) but I'm not sure what happened.
At the next stop I noticed Simon's cassette which if anyone has never looked is incredible the thing, it must be at the very best an 11-omfg. Let's just say I have more chance of my voice breaking, getting my virginity back, my daughter paying me back everything I have spent on her or winning the lottery than pushing that gearing up the road, let alone the beacon. He is running the ratio of men, the kind of thing you only hear off in legend and see in wheatabix adverts.
My cramp started to set in as we approached the beacon and although I come from an area where the hills are generally referred to by others as drop curbs I was up for the challenge, so the accent started.... Eventually after what seemed like a lifetime I reached the top of the beacon.
A descent into Brighton and a jump on the train ended a wet night.
I think its easy to take for granted what an outstanding job simon does of organizing these things, specially in decent weather but it still remained remarkably organized and controlled last night in less than wonderful weather.. Tail end charlies were epic as usual and although I did not need your assistance myself assisting others in the rain is a selfless thing to do and I honestly want to say thanks.
Thanks Simon, TEC's, way markers - the people who I make smile, the people who I make cry for another interesting experience known as the fnrttc
Meeting Kies and MarkSt1 we made our way to HPC where the usual formality took place, the ride started without issue and I did a little way marking. At this time there was no sign of the expected rain and I found myself sweating like a 80's BBC presenter with the police at the door. At the earliest opportunity the Skinz compression came off as I exposed my pigeon chest to the world and a rather attractive young lady on a pinniacle.
Exposing myself seemed to be a trigger for the rain to start. My lightweight Jacket went on followed shortly after by the full wet kit I had placed in my musette bag.. After being teased earlier about being over dressed when it was dry and warm earlier, I became certain my waterproofs would keep me dry and the associated smugness at pointing out of the earlier piss take that I had the correct clothing would keep me warm for the rest of the night.
The weather continued to deteriorate from warm and dry into simply miserable and it seemed some peoples mood went the same direction which I can appreciate.
As the night progressed I seemed to upset a couple of people, the general theme seemed to be I had undertaken them and this was voiced, IMHO I had not come past at excessive spring speeds and was just keeping an average pace and it was their road positioning which permitted me to creep past, if they were cycling on the left I never would have been able to do this,.. Who's right and who's wrong I don't think we will ever agree on, but I expect what is right is some where in between both views.
A stop at the scout hut was just long enough for me to warm up, get cramp and chat to a few people.
Some fella had the #bloodycyclist jersey and it looked amazing (later learnt it was beano), I stuffed a sarnie down my neck and a cup of coffee before we set off again.
The attractive young lady on the pinnacle was riding along next to Markst1 and I recall noting that one looked vastly better in Lycra than the other (no offence mate
) as I heard a clatter and saw someone on a Trek who looked like they had gone down (hope your OK) but I'm not sure what happened.At the next stop I noticed Simon's cassette which if anyone has never looked is incredible the thing, it must be at the very best an 11-omfg. Let's just say I have more chance of my voice breaking, getting my virginity back, my daughter paying me back everything I have spent on her or winning the lottery than pushing that gearing up the road, let alone the beacon. He is running the ratio of men, the kind of thing you only hear off in legend and see in wheatabix adverts.
My cramp started to set in as we approached the beacon and although I come from an area where the hills are generally referred to by others as drop curbs I was up for the challenge, so the accent started.... Eventually after what seemed like a lifetime I reached the top of the beacon.
A descent into Brighton and a jump on the train ended a wet night.I think its easy to take for granted what an outstanding job simon does of organizing these things, specially in decent weather but it still remained remarkably organized and controlled last night in less than wonderful weather.. Tail end charlies were epic as usual and although I did not need your assistance myself assisting others in the rain is a selfless thing to do and I honestly want to say thanks.
Thanks Simon, TEC's, way markers - the people who I make smile, the people who I make cry for another interesting experience known as the fnrttc
martint235
Dog on a bike
- Location
- Welling
Paul, sorry but don't undertake. On a quiet lane the chances are I'd be in a strong secondary giving you enough room to do it but I'd really rather you didn't. There's always plenty of room to my right. 
And DZ's cassette is scary. Iirc it's a 23-11.
And DZ's cassette is scary. Iirc it's a 23-11.
Paul, sorry but don't undertake. On a quiet lane the chances are I'd be in a strong secondary giving you enough room to do it but I'd really rather you didn't. There's always plenty of room to my right.
And DZ's cassette is scary. Iirc it's a 23-11.
Not forgetting the 53 crankset too.
martint235
Dog on a bike
- Location
- Welling
Is there another kind?
Mr Haematocrit
msg me on kik for android
- Location
- Out of the saddle
Paul, sorry but don't undertake. On a quiet lane the chances are I'd be in a strong secondary giving you enough room to do it but I'd really rather you didn't. There's always plenty of room to my right.
And DZ's cassette is scary. Iirc it's a 23-11.
I understand that everyone will have different opinions on what is acceptable and what is right or wrong, for example I don't like the amount of wheel over lapping that seems to take place, but its something I have to live with on the rides.
Likewise I'm aware that a couple of people believe I acted inappropriately which is fair enough and is obviously making me think, which is a good thing, nobody's perfect.
I'm not for a moment suggesting that you did not leave space your right but imho there was also space to the left and at the time I felt riding consistently in poor conditions was important, and changes of direction were not always required. All through the evening I did not pass anyone in the gutter or brush or touch anyone and so did not share the views being expressed.
In fact the majority of the night, I was riding with my brakes slightly pulled and rubbing as my carbon rims do not stop well wet.
I'm very pragmatic about such things, I'm far from perfect and perhaps I did sin. Like I said my view is that probably somewhere in the middle of both views is right but I appreciate people voicing their opinions as it permits reflection which is great for personal growth.
That's all Im going to say on the matter
martint235
Dog on a bike
- Location
- Welling
Paul, sorry it wasn't me you undertook last night as I wasn't on the ride, it's just that undertaking is a bugbear of mine. I totally agree with your view on half wheeling (or whatever the technical term is)
Occasionally if it's someone I know well and want to talk to I'll leave space on my left for them to come into. The worst I've seen so far though was me and @ianrauk riding along at about 20mph chatting when some "cyclist" actually rode through the gap between us.
Occasionally if it's someone I know well and want to talk to I'll leave space on my left for them to come into. The worst I've seen so far though was me and @ianrauk riding along at about 20mph chatting when some "cyclist" actually rode through the gap between us.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
That was ?Fred, who tried to stop the seven of us with a shout and then chased after us and caught me as the rain began and I stopped to put on my jacket - so the woman that was with him (and with you to start with) ... was me. Thank you Fred; without you I would have certainly been completely lost, as I am famous for my lack of sense of direction. (The waymarker for that turning must have been abducted by aliens.)
I was one of the ones who was saved by the shouting and pulled up just after the turning - so many thanks to Fred from me too. I was daydreaming just following the wheel in front.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
I was one of the lost souls who missed the turning. We were hammering along a quite a pace trying to catch a glimps of the lights in front that didnt exist. By the time User30090 convinced us to stop we were almost at gatwick.
Glad one of the ladies had dz's phone number, or we could have been very lost.
Didnt see much drunken madness, just a single man in reigate, passed out in a bus stop.
Tigerbitten's clothing was something to behold. Who ever it was that pointed out that hot pants and a vest top isnt a great look in brighton on a friday night made me chuckle.
I am just about to go to bed, not slept yet, so have been up over 36 hours, the ride was great, the solo ride back home from victoria was very wet and my vim had well and truly left me by then. Well done to Anyone who attempted a ride back home.
Glad one of the ladies had dz's phone number, or we could have been very lost.
Didnt see much drunken madness, just a single man in reigate, passed out in a bus stop.
Tigerbitten's clothing was something to behold. Who ever it was that pointed out that hot pants and a vest top isnt a great look in brighton on a friday night made me chuckle.
I am just about to go to bed, not slept yet, so have been up over 36 hours, the ride was great, the solo ride back home from victoria was very wet and my vim had well and truly left me by then. Well done to Anyone who attempted a ride back home.
First night ride in a long time, and first time ever being one of the tec's I'm glad that I had the chance to see the ride from the opposite end to normal. It was great cruising along getting to know "the boss" Mr. Hatler and the rest of our little crew. sharing in the sarcastic comradery as inner tubes began acting as though air was going out of fashion. It seemed like everyone was able to sort their own puncture issues, and we were there for reassurance and to chase down the odd flying nut or tyre lever. Special mention to Adrian for his particular brand of morale boosting.
We seemed to get a bit more of a roll on in the second part of the ride, catching the back of the ride after the 4 pun. cture special. Eventually Ditchling came about and I took it upon myself to shadow Dell all the way to the top, to make sure he made it ok. I noticed his efforts were slightly laboured and suggested that he might try
buying a triple for his next birthday. His succinct riposte ended in "off". We waited at the top as the rest of the ride conquered the climb, before carrying on into Brighton passing a bank holiday weekend rave in full flow on top of the downs.
Apologies to those promised leg waxing at the Madeira, or perhaps you are glad it never happened, although I feel like it would have been a hit with those heading to the upmarket Wetherspoons (fear not I shall have to finish the task myself...). I was too busy fretting about the prospect of having to pay to ride a train back to East Croydon of all places, followed by a further 50 minute ride to get home. Enter stage left the fresh Prince of Istanbul, RImas was of course planning to ride back up to town and handed me the perfect train avoidance strategy. We headed off and up towards the dyke and Handcross, followed by some delightfully grim roads around Crawley and Gatwick. More rain all the way, but it was far better than taking a train and great to have the chance to quiz him about his epic riding last week. And of course we talked about girls too.
I had been extolling the virtues of Geoff Butler's Cycles, the only redeeming feature of Croydon, to Rimas as we made our way through Coulsdon... and as I was feeling a lot more alert than I have done riding home after one of these rides I dropped in to get some 8 speed quick links to add to my spares for the upcoming tour. Now, call it good timing, or serendipity if you will, but something also made me send touring partner Rob a short text asking if he needed anything else. He rang back quickly and told me that of all thing his bottom bracket had fallen off the edge of a cliff during the week, and was now about as useful as a chocolate teapot. He'd been trying places in Leicester all morning and near to his parents house but couldn't come across the right part- a bit of a worry as we set of for a 1600 mile tour on Tuesday morning(see http://andrewcater.wordpress.com for more details). Thank goodness then that GB cycles came to the rescue, plucking an FSA BB out of thin air. Great success.
I
