Learnings from my first all-night ride...

[Fab Foodie]

Well it's nice to be home, to share tales of derring-doo of 5 men's desperate struggle against the harsh terrain and weather of the home counties and one man's' single-handed encounter of the clipless kind at 2.30 in the morning

Thanks to rogerzilla et al at yacf who organised and led this assault on the road between Oxford and London.

This was my first night ride. Much has been learned on this cold night, so in no particular order:

- you're never as fit as you think you are
- miles are much harder after midnight... there should be some correction factor, at least +20%
- the climb to Bledlow ridge re-inforces your need to diet
- if nothing goes wrong, then you can be over-equipped
- you meet the nicest people on a yacf ride
- there is some amazing wild-life on the streets of Oxford at 11.30
- you're never too experienced to have a clipless moment
- one-man's 'conversational' pace is another man's sprint
- drunk people think cyclists are trains
- your spirit lifts as the sun comes-up
- cold saps the spirit
- gps is very good technology
- the last 5 miles to Paddington station are the longest 5 miles anywhere in the world today
- Teethgrinder's 'Goldwing' riding prowess proves it's 'not about the bike'
- you need eyewear which is readily removed on steep climbs, otherwise you believe that all hilltops at night are misty
- north London's roads should only be attempted on knobblies
- any food at Paddington is haut-cuisine when you're hungry

So, valuable lesson's there then...

All in all a sleety cold and surprisingly hilly challenge, 65 miles of a Sunday nmorning... no problems, 65 miles starting midnight on a Friday is a different kettle of fish... you have been warned!

Total mileage, 85.

 

[RedBike]

That sounds like a bit of an epic.

When it's dark, cold and your tired it's amazing how tempting your bed becomes / how long the hills become.

 

[longers]

Excellent FF, sounds like a good night out.

I did a solo one last summer but at this time of year it would be a different kettle of fish.

 

[Tynan]

old hand like you fab?

I've done a fnrttc and Dun Run, my observations would be it can feel really cold in small hours, carry some extra bits, evena buff and a gillet and long gloves found at the bottom of my pannier at 3am made me cry with delight, and cream the arse up early and keep it creamed

 

[Fab Foodie]

old hand like you fab?

I've done a fnrttc and Dun Run, my observations would be it can feel really cold in small hours, carry some extra bits, evena buff and a gillet and long gloves found at the bottom of my pannier at 3am made me cry with delight, and cream the arse up early and keep it creamed

Ha!
Believe me, I had on evey bit of kit I carried...
Base-layer, jersey, waterproof, gilet, bib-longs, overshoes, buff, cycle-cap, helmet and ski gloves. Arse was well sudocremed, no worries there!
Part of the problem cold-wise was building sweat under all those layers that just got chilled. If I was doing this again is the same conditions I'd invest in some better winter kit. Sleet at 3am I've not encountered on a bike before.

I guess night riding has shown this old dog that there are new tricks to learn!

 

[Bman]

Arse was well sudocremed...

Now *thats* too much information! LOL

 

[yello]

I have set out early and can agree that watching the sun come up is an amazing feeling.

I haven't done an overnight ride though so I read your words with interest FF. I must do one sometime soon as I want to know what it's all about! Plus, I may decide to do an all-night leg on LEL.

 

[MacB]

Excellent FF, am doing the ngiht run to the coast in 2 weeks, you've already made me rethink my clothing choices....cheers Al

 

[Flying Dodo]

Hi FF. I think a lot depends on someone's particular metabolism. I just had a short sleeved jersey under a jacket, waterproof trousers over thin leggings, thermal overshoes and gloves and was fine (part from overheating going up Bledlow Ridge).

One thing I do try and do on the night rides is sometimes spin along in a slightly lower gear than normal, to keep everything ticking over a little bit faster - especially after any stops.

Adam.

 

[Tynan]

I think you have to cater for a wee small hours low point where the cold really gets to you

My Dun Run panic was due to forgetting to pack the Nightvision which was my emergency answer to any cold/wet problems, other than that Iwas wearing very little, a base plus SS top and bib shorts I think, it was July after all and a lovely balmy evening in Hackney, it was different 90 miles later at 3am in deep Suffolk

 

[Fab Foodie]

Hi FF. I think a lot depends on someone's particular metabolism. I just had a short sleeved jersey under a jacket, waterproof trousers over thin leggings, thermal overshoes and gloves and was fine (part from overheating going up Bledlow Ridge).

One thing I do try and do on the night rides is sometimes spin along in a slightly lower gear than normal, to keep everything ticking over a little bit faster - especially after any stops.

Adam.

Hi Flying Dodo, didn't realise you were here so to speak!
Adam, I think you're right. I'm a sweaty bugger when under steam and I think maybe the base layer under the bibs was too much and kept a clammy layer next to my skin, I'd have been better-off with just the Jersey and my yellow wind/showerproof. Also the photos show that I'm porkier than I thought, and thus there's less room for air circulation. A slightly heacvier winter jacket might also be useful.
Agree, the spinning thing also helps to regenerate some heat too.

 

[Aperitif]

Well done Fab - and your mates! Night riding is super bon and I really enjoyed the run to Brighton recently. How long did it take to ride back?

 

[HLaB]

Well Done Fab F I did 60 odd miles in the dark with the club the other its really fun. Its also really great when you are away from street lights/ light pollution.

 

[TimO]

I haven't done an overnight ride though so I read your words with interest FF. I must do one sometime soon as I want to know what it's all about! Plus, I may decide to do an all-night leg on LEL.

There is always the FNRttC next Thursday. It'll be Southend, which is pretty much the easiest and shortest of the routes.

There are currently over 50 riders signed up, so I'm not sure if Simon is still accepting people.

 

[yello]

There is always the FNRttC next Thursday. It'll be Southend, which is pretty much the easiest and shortest of the routes.

There are currently over 50 riders signed up, so I'm not sure if Simon is still accepting people.

Bit of a trek for me! Think I'll give it a miss but thanks!