FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast - Whitstable 31st May

[EltonFrog]

@Wowbagger summed it up nicely. A perfect night out, a first FNRttC for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I had smashing time. I have never ridding at night before and had not ridden in london since I was 13, 42 years ago. It was lovle meeting everyone, in particular @Tim Hall @Wowbagger @Janie_K and her shiny bike, with whom I had breakky with her friend Chris I think, didnt get a chane to meet @ianrauk properly and of course our leader, who probably has no idea who anyone is.

Any way it was bloody ace.

I too rode into Canterbury along the Crab and Winkle route, which was simply stunning, with the added bonus of riding though the tail end of Blean, where I lived in 1967/8 and past the ancient Blean church where I used to go to Sunday School and was in the choir. Once in Canterbury, I rode onto Bridge to see my folks and wait my lift home. Got home at 7:45pm. I am totally Jacob'sed.

 

[EltonFrog]

TimD, our master of ceremonies at Stock was one. Member of the Magic Circle and everything. He can make a table full of rolls and cakes vanish in minutes few (although he needs the help of 80 hungry cyclists for that trick). The other will pop up when I've put my photos on line.

I too am a member of the Magic Circle and didn't recognise him, what a shame.

 

[ianrauk]

@Wowbagger summed it up nicely. A perfect night out, a first FNRttC for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I had smashing time. I have never ridding at night before and had not ridden in london since I was 13, 42 years ago. It was lovle meeting everyone, in particular @Tim Hall @Wowbagger @Janie_K and her shiny bike, with whom I had breakky with her friend Chris I think, didnt get a chane to meet @ianrauk properly and of course our leader, who probably has no idea who anyone is.

Any way it was bloody ace.

I too rode into Canterbury along the Crab and Winkle route, which was simply stunning, with the added bonus of riding though the tail end of Blean, where I lived in 1967/8 and past the ancient Blean church where I used to go to Sunday School and was in the choir. Once in Canterbury, I rode onto Bridge to see my folks and wait my lift home. Got home at 7:45pm. I am totally Jacob'sed.

Sorry didn't get to chat more... but being at the very back of the ride Teccing leaves very little chance for socialising.

 

[EltonFrog]

Sorry didn't get to chat more... but being at the very back of the ride Teccing leaves very little chance for socialising.

Fairy Nuff

 

[Tim Hall]

A few photos here.
Includes an act of bicycle related civil disobedience and reference to a magician.

 

[EltonFrog]

A few photos here.
Includes an act of bicycle related civil disobedience and reference to the a magician.

Cool, nice one, some nice photos there.

 

[Dogtrousers]

The church spire the church of St Mary the Virgin at Upchurch - "an 8 sided cone placed over a pyramid" is really interesting.

There's an almost identical spire on the chuch of St Mary the Virgin in Bexley. All that I've managed to find out about it is that it was built in 1915. I can't find a date for the spire in Bexley but it seems likely to be older. Perhaps the Upchurch one was modelled after the Bexley one?

There's a three tier arrangement on St Augustine Brookland - another Kent church, but that's all octagonal. I wonder if they're inspired by oast houses or something? Wikipedia reckons the steeple shape was to serve as a navigational aid for vessels on the Thames

Francis Drake's father was vicar of this church in 1560.

Oh, and if you want more info on the sea forts visible on the horizon from the cafe terrace at Whitstable see here

 

[rvw]

I have very little to add to the wonderful descriptions earlier - it was just a glorious night, which we are very glad not to have missed. Being quite literally up with the larks - at least two of them - on empty roads in good company was a real treat.

As was picking up the tailwind along the coast between Faversham and Whitstable. With a nice big target such as srw and me on a tandem, that's like adding a turbo-charger - so apologies to all the folk we sailed past. We don't normally expect to be that far up the breakfast queue! (I hope Adrian finally got fed...)

Our journey home (ride to Faversham, Javelin train, underground from Kings X) could not have been smoother. We got to Faversham with 10 minutes leeway, thinking we would have to dismantle on the platform and wait for the next one, but no: there was plenty of room. And the Underground staff turned a blind eye, very kindly, and we arrived at the Met platform to find the next train was a mere 2 minutes away. Gates open at Chalfont even meant that we could avoid carrying the tandem over the bridge at Amersham, and ride the last couple of miles to complete 82 miles all told.

Nous vous rencontrerons en Normandie, les Vendredis! A bientot!

 

[kimble]

Damn, didn't see the Iridium flare.

I spotted it at 02:49, shortly before we stopped for the space station, so naturally I assumed it was that emerging from cloud. It was, to use the technical term, bloody bright. I'd guestimate a -4 or so, given how little else was visible under the street lighting. It then winked out in a thoroughly un-space-station-like manner.

Note to anyone with Tranz-X (or similar) skewers - bring the requisite gadget to remove the wheel, thus saving me having to make pleas for five sided allen keys.

Failing that, you should at least install the type that use a six-sided key with a hole for a pin. I have a reputation to maintain, you know...

It all came good in the end. Breakfast and beer was excellent, nattering with John B, meeting CarlP and was only slightly delayed by Long Martin's tyre, which "just blew up".

I was locking my bike opposite it at the time. I think I still have tinnitus.

 

[Snail Bait]

I am happy to report that my lovely wife and I will be doing lots of cake baking tomorrow night. I am really looking forward to this ride, especially now I've seen the weather forecast.

The cakes were fabulous. Especially the sponge with jam and cream. Definitely powered me on to breakfast. Thank you.

 

[EltonFrog]

The cakes were fabulous. Especially the sponge with jam and cream. Definitely powered me on to breakfast. Thank you.

The Victoria Sponge was Ace! Please pass on my thanks to all the volunteers at the hall for all their work above and beyond the call of duty.

 

[Trickedem]

What a great ride that was. The last two or three Whitstable rides have been tough, so it was great to have warm weather and a kind wind. Thanks for all the nice comments about the mid point catering. The volunteers really enjoy doing this and think all the cyclists are mad (in a good way) I am glad to report that over £250 was raised, which will go towards the maintenance of the hall and the Charity that is based there. http://www.stepandlearn.org.uk/
I also took a few pictures
https://picasaweb.google.com/105554...cWhitstable31stMay?authuser=0&feat=directlink

 

[philk56]

I can't really add much more to the previous comments but just to say thanks again to all, especially the cake-makers! Enjoyed the canal path variation with associated noises and sights. It was good to meet a few more people -seeing the photo of the submarine reminded me that we were discussing the origins of it on the train back, more info here for anyone interested.

 

[ianrauk]

I guess they must because, when most people would be clearing up and getting back to bed, then come out to wave us off which really is a very sweet touch.

to the very last cyclist...

 

[EltonFrog]

I guess they must because, when most people would be clearing up and getting back to bed, then come out to wave us off which really is a very sweet touch.

This is true, it was very nice.