Northampton ride to London Saturday 24th March

[GrumpyGregry]

at a wedding otherwise I'd be along...

 

[StuAff]

Burger etc for me. Not that hilly, is it?

 

[GM]

@thegreenman - that 'tag along' position is mine - hands off

OK then, I'll be second from the back!

 

[wanda2010]

 

[velovoice]

The likely route we'll be taking is shown here, although it doesn't include the possible Tesco diversion.

It's now slightly shorter at 77.7 miles and less hilly, with 2,311 ft of climbing and 2,444 of descending - see, we're heading downhill (but I always say that).

Route looks really good - remarkably flat-ish! I may well bid you all adieu at Kings Langley (just before that climb up Tom's Lane!) Since I'm only just back on the bike properly this past week, I'll be very happy with a 50-miler. And then I have a flat-ish 60-miler the following weekend, so it all makes sense.

The lunch stop is at the Queens Head in Wing, after 31 miles so we should be there just before 1 pm. Their menu is shown here, and it would speed things up if people could have a think about what they'd like to eat, and post it up during the week.

Difficult choice as it all looks good, but I think I'll go with the burger please (in the absence of chicken pie and mash )

 

[Tigerbiten]

I'll be turning left at Castlethorpe to pull across to Olney before heading north back towards home.
A nice 45 mile round trip for me.
And I miss the footpath section with the gates .....

 

[Flying Dodo]

I'll go with the burger please (in the absence of chicken pie and mash )

Sorry about that.........I'll have words with the chef.

 

[Tim Hall]

Tickets bought. Winning smile at the ready. Best bit is we're on the same train as Pippsy.

 

[redflightuk]

Another burger here please

 

[Mice]

I'm booked on the 8.54 and I think Mice is planning to book onto that one, too.
I recall someone saying bike reservations aren't usually needed on London Midland so I didn't get one... should I have?

Whoops! Not booked my ticket so funnily enough - no room for my bicycle! D'Oh! Will pop to Euston tomorrow and see if I can buy a ticket for the 0846

M

 

[velovoice]

Whoops! Not booked my ticket so funnily enough - no room for my bicycle! D'Oh! Will pop to Euston tomorrow and see if I can buy a ticket for the 0846

M

Can you not get the 08.54 after all? Peeps here seem to think bike reservations not needed...

 

[Mice]

Can you not get the 08.54 after all? Peeps here seem to think bike reservations not needed...

Potentially yes - however if it goes pear shape I'm scuppered so I'd better see if I can find something definite ie the 0846. I will buy my Amersham ticket at the same time.

M

 

[CharlieB]

I'm in for this one. No road bike yet, but I'm going to have a go on one of the commuters.
Picking up the 8:54 when it stops at Berko.

 

[GM]

Very tempted with the ' Tournados Rossini fillet steak topped with Pate on a Crouton & Mushroom with Madeira sauce' but I think I'll
just have a Burger & Chips and a pint of lager please!

 

[Mice]

Righty Ho! Tickets ordered (to be collected tomorrow) The 0846. This train booking thing is a bit of a hoo-haaaa! Luckily there are some very nice peeps in Customer Services. And some of them cycle!! I need a bit of practice at booking tho' as I seem to be travelling First Class which I hope means someone will clean my bike and oil the chain! On another trip I have a bike reservation with one company and a seat with another!

Now all I have to sort out is lunch - that is a mighty fine menu - will we be there long?

M