Northampton ride to London Saturday 24th March

[Mice]

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

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. negotiate directly with the Queens Head to have a lunch that doesnt create a soperific cyclist laden down with delicious carbs shortly afterwards.

Done! Great menu - must go back when it's not in the middle of a Training Ride!! Am greatly looking forward to Saturday!

M

 

[Flying Dodo]

That is of course is thats okay with FD?

I refer the honourable gentleman to my previous answer.

Absolutely fine.

 

[srw]

Mr D,

I'm thinking of recceing at least the first part of my Amersham ride on Saturday, with the aim of ending up in Wing about lunchtime - but I'll probably bring my own as I really don't have the foggiest idea how quickly I ride. As suggested before, I'll then aim to join you until somewhere in the Hemel area.

Of course all that depends on me (a) getting up on Saturday, and (b) being physically capable of riding 70-some miles.

Absolutely fine.

 

[clivedb]

Hi Adam
I am planning to join you in Stony Stratford and see how far I can get. I'll send you a text to make sure you still have the same mobile number. I'm not sure whether you have tried going across the concrete section and over the A5 bridge but it is a recognised cycle route into Stony Stratford, though a little rough. I would guess you will be at the concrete section some time after 11.30. Let me know what you think and I'll meet you there. If it's OK I'll sort out the pub food on the day.
Clive

 

[Flying Dodo]

No problem Clive. Message received and understood.

I went over the path the other week, although it was a gamble, as there weren't any cycle signs, but it seemed OK from the satellite view.

 

[mistral]

Cheers.

Have been mapping, with gradients in mind and am okay with this.. http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1018584 but then again, I am okay with long fast boring roads..

Not sure about the A413, this route is a bit hillier though?
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1018646

 

[srw]

Not sure about the A413, this route is a bit hillier though?
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1018646

The A413 is horrible - narrow, fast, full of frustrated Audi drivers distracted by their little darlings. Mistral's route is much nicer. There's a slog up near Denham Golf Club station, but otherwise it's fine. Because it's Buckinghamshire there will be rubbish road surfaces whichever way you go.

 

[CharlieB]

The A413 is horrible - narrow, fast, full of frustrated Audi drivers distracted by their little darlings. Mistral's route is much nicer. There's a slog up near Denham Golf Club station, but otherwise it's fine. Because it's Buckinghamshire there will be rubbish road surfaces whichever way you go.

Spot on. Avoid at all costs.
Food-wise, and if it's not too late, could I go for chesse salad baguette'n'chips, please?

 

[Aperitif]

What about going through Northwood, down Batchworth Hill to Ricky, Chorleywood etc towards Berkhampsted,Tring etc? Is that not a more scenic route...apart from the bit where one plays traffic at the M25 sliproad. At least two 'AAAs' have flirted with this area. The roads around Denham are, as sr mentioned...rubbish. (How Frank's gets their time trialling done around there is a feat!)

 

[srw]

The A404 between Ricky and Amersham is not much better than the A413. It's a bit wider, but that just gives drivers an excuse to put their foot down. And if flatness is your concern, the looong drag up to Northwood is a pain.

 

[Davywalnuts]

And you call yourselves men.. pah!

A413, pah, ive done the A2, now thats a road for big kahunas...

But eeek, that routes like over 500ft more in climbing... hmmmmm...

Mick, ive still got your number. You got mine? If you want to stick to your route then coolio. I take it your have it downloaded on a garminator, as ive left mine at home so cant download yours..

As long as am a goer, then Ill meet you, say outside Hounslow Cemetery, Hanworth Road, about 9am? Ill let you know otherwise, as ive still got to not get toooooo drunk later and also in that condition replace the rear mech cable... ahem...

 

[Aperitif]

I live in Eastcote so tend to muck around Northwood to avoid the long drag, preferring the little nip up to Batchworth Heath and ye olde greeney manney - and it is a lovely rolling ride. The traffic is 'occupational hazard for anyone who commutes in London so I suppose we must appreciate our roadspace differently, naturally. Why, only this morning on the A5 I was trying to bid goodday to a black cab driver - a veritable knight of the road - as he seemed keen to get close to me whilst edging toward a bus lane. My! He was engaged on his portable telephonic device and was therefore unable to shake a fist as both his hands were full. Cab doors bend when you whack them gently with a palm, and it makes the 'geezer' jump a bit! As he was sitting down, he didn't have a leg to stand on - but, I appreciate everyone's reservations about traffic volume and speed.
I have only ever been mildly phased by one road - the A12 - and most of that was in fear of User's flimsy rugby shorts exploding completely, as we traversed slip road after slip road...what fun!

 

[ianmac62]

I have only ever been mildly phased by one road - the A12 - and most of that was in fear of User's flimsy rugby shorts exploding completely, as we traversed slip road after slip road...what fun!

I think I've only ever been mildly phased by one road too. It was the Kessock Bridge at Inverness so that's a delight for the LonJoG. Admittedly it was in the morning rush hour (and we'll arrive later) but all the drivers, especially of big lorries, sensed that it was the most northerly stretch of dual-carriageway before the far north and this made for the occasional frightening moment. And the wind whipped in from the Beauly Firth so I had to lean a heavily loaded touring bike towards the overtaking traffic. Just heads down and go for it. Two compensations: just before the bridge, a lovely view of the stadium where Inverness Caledonian Thistle play and, just after it, interesting information boards about the local wild-life as the Firth is home to many sea-birds.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to meeting you all tomorrow. I'll be at Northampton station nice and early (but don't expect "facilities" there).

 

[Flying Dodo]

I think I've only ever been mildly phased by one road too. It was the Kessock Bridge at Inverness so that's a delight for the LonJoG. Admittedly it was in the morning rush hour (and we'll arrive later) but all the drivers, especially of big lorries, sensed that it was the most northerly stretch of dual-carriageway before the far north and this made for the occasional frightening moment. And the wind whipped in from the Beauly Firth so I had to lean a heavily loaded touring bike towards the overtaking traffic.

I would use the cycle path over the bridge..............

 

[Flying Dodo]

Spot on. Avoid at all costs.
Food-wise, and if it's not too late, could I go for chesse salad baguette'n'chips, please?

On white or multi-grain?