OP
OP
anothersam
SMIDSMe
- Location
- Far East Sussex
Did a recce yesterday, which went well, though in rural areas I was approached by grazing animals in search of a salt lick. I also had to walk one hill. You'll know which soon enough.
Spent 8 hours on the road, perhaps 7.5 of them moving. I'm expecting longer on the day given I didn't stop to gawk, which I hope people will do from time to time.
Estimate we will be eight strong. Am aiming for a 8.30 start. One of us is racing in from Victoria Station having alighted about 10 minutes before that, so let's wish him winged speed.
I've advertised that you can also join the ride at the dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park; please let me know if you intend to do that.
My phone number is available for the asking. At the very least I would like to give it to somebody who is definitely starting at Somerset House, in case I have train problems.
My current plan is to both lead the ride and be back marker. It's possible I may run into difficulties being two places at once, so volunteers who don't mind a spell at the back are welcome.
We'll be stopping for lunch in Tunbridge Wells at the 40mi mark. I had a moment of doubt today when I came across an exceedingly pleasant pub near Penshurst, which is around mile 32: not yet halfway but far enough to be more than halfway hungry. The problem is we have a bit of real climbing to take care of just after that, and legs grown idle through lack of use may rebel. So barring mutiny, we'll stick with T. Wells, at a cafe which doesn't have nearly as pleasant an aspect but does have enough of a bikey ambience to make up for it.
Note that for a mile or so on the approach to Hastings we'll be on packed and some not-so-packed gravel just off the beach. While there are metalled transport links between Bexhill to Hastings, it's not the kind of entrance one wants to make. Although I didn't have any problems on my 23c tyred bike, I thought you should know.
At the start: the place where X marks the spot (see post #110) was unavailable. If it's closed Saturday morning, please don't attempt to scale the barrier, it's not that important we start at X.
Velo cafe along the way which failed the "How much is a small bottle of water?" test: £1.30.
We'll be passing through here roughly when the flower show is starting to kick off. For the wars of the roses re-enactment you may be asked to pick a side: Go House Lancaster! (Chosen at random, tbh.)
There's no sphinx at the pyramid, but there were sheep.
On the coast. Watch out for vegans, who often wander through here delirious from lack of seafood.
Further along the coast. On the left is the chain link fence keeping Bexhillians in quarantine.
Either I was suffering a touch of heatstroke by the end, or this building was.
Spent 8 hours on the road, perhaps 7.5 of them moving. I'm expecting longer on the day given I didn't stop to gawk, which I hope people will do from time to time.
Estimate we will be eight strong. Am aiming for a 8.30 start. One of us is racing in from Victoria Station having alighted about 10 minutes before that, so let's wish him winged speed.
I've advertised that you can also join the ride at the dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park; please let me know if you intend to do that.
My phone number is available for the asking. At the very least I would like to give it to somebody who is definitely starting at Somerset House, in case I have train problems.
My current plan is to both lead the ride and be back marker. It's possible I may run into difficulties being two places at once, so volunteers who don't mind a spell at the back are welcome.
We'll be stopping for lunch in Tunbridge Wells at the 40mi mark. I had a moment of doubt today when I came across an exceedingly pleasant pub near Penshurst, which is around mile 32: not yet halfway but far enough to be more than halfway hungry. The problem is we have a bit of real climbing to take care of just after that, and legs grown idle through lack of use may rebel. So barring mutiny, we'll stick with T. Wells, at a cafe which doesn't have nearly as pleasant an aspect but does have enough of a bikey ambience to make up for it.
Note that for a mile or so on the approach to Hastings we'll be on packed and some not-so-packed gravel just off the beach. While there are metalled transport links between Bexhill to Hastings, it's not the kind of entrance one wants to make. Although I didn't have any problems on my 23c tyred bike, I thought you should know.
At the start: the place where X marks the spot (see post #110) was unavailable. If it's closed Saturday morning, please don't attempt to scale the barrier, it's not that important we start at X.
Velo cafe along the way which failed the "How much is a small bottle of water?" test: £1.30.
We'll be passing through here roughly when the flower show is starting to kick off. For the wars of the roses re-enactment you may be asked to pick a side: Go House Lancaster! (Chosen at random, tbh.)
There's no sphinx at the pyramid, but there were sheep.
On the coast. Watch out for vegans, who often wander through here delirious from lack of seafood.
Further along the coast. On the left is the chain link fence keeping Bexhillians in quarantine.
Either I was suffering a touch of heatstroke by the end, or this building was.
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