The Fridays Tour

[dellzeqq]

Which works until about the borders, at which point the scented hotel becomes a scented b+b, the scent becomes stale fag-smoke and the duvet becomes nylon sheets under a cellular blanket.

I'll concede that there is a worrying amount of plaid patterns. I'm going to have to work that one. Wrong-coloured hotel wallpaper has got me in to serious trouble before now - I haven't heard the last of Harwich 2010. But, in fairness, the hotels in the south of France were variable. Not that I didn't get in to trouble for those as well....dammit she once walked out of the Plaza. I'm doomed. Better snuggle up to Greg....

 

[ianrauk]

Brilliant.
And even better if you watch the link and then go to the 'Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes' one.

LOL, Cheeer User10571...

 

[srw]

Bad taste and expensive hotels more or less go hand in hand - and it always seems ungrateful to complain if someone else is paying the bills. I'm surprised a jet-setting international businesswoman hasn't discovered that yet.

 

[mcshroom]

I usually find pitching a tent when you want to go to sleep inside it amazingly easy. It's almost as if I have an incentive to get it done

As for north of the border, that's where the youth hostels become a lot nicer

 

[mmmmartin]

I wouldn't have done that in my thirties

Quite so. But you are well posh, thus can stay in a B&B
It will be easier for you.

 

[mmmmartin]

It would be much more difficult to have 20+ riders heading up the A5 during the day, as there are stretches where it is not at all pleasant due to the volume and type of traffic. The alternative is to use more minor roads which would be hillier and involve more issues with navigation.

it would be far simpler to start at night and get the grotty bits out of the way first when there is far less traffic.

then get an early night, and then wake up bright and early on Sunday morning, refreshed and ready to go.

^^^^
What he says.

 

[mmmmartin]

It's not going to be a full night and day riding to the first stop surely

Dear god I hope not.

 

[Flying Dodo]

I should think 3.45 am Tesco's in Milton Keynes for a little break, 8.30 am a full breakfast in a nice cafe in Market Harborough, around 11.30 for an early lunch stop in a bijou restaurant in Melton Mowbray and then you'd be in Bingham by 2 pm. 1st leg all done.

It'll be fun!

 

[dellzeqq]

I'd have thought we'd be rolling in to Bingham about two in the afternoon. I agree with a lot that's been written above - I like the idea of leaving at midnight, but there are practical gains as well. Those of us who have battled our way up the A5 in the daytime will know that it's tough going - like almost any exit from London any time other than early Sunday morning.

My concern is the A508, which I'm going to have to take a look at early one Saturday morning

 

[mmmmartin]

I'd have thought we'd be rolling in to Bingham about two in the afternoon

TBH I'd be astonished if anyone on a "normal" FNRttC was in bed before then. So on The Tour we should be able to cope with that. Not to mention campervan owners who spend all night riding to Whitstable and all day boozing in inappropriate company. No names, no packdrill.

 

[dellzeqq]

we've received an absolutely outstanding offer of a luggage drop off and bike storage point less than two miles from HPC (it's such a wonderful offer that I'm toying with the idea of starting the ride at the Adelphi)

 

[StuAff]

Firmly in favour of our usual start time- as others have pointed out, much easier to get out of the smoke that way.

Excellent news about the drop-off point offer. I'll hopefully be able to get the leave for this sorted out next week.

 

[Becs]

Judging by the conversation I had with my PhD supervisor today I'll be unlikely to get a week off until september

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I should think 3.45 am Tesco's in Milton Keynes for a little break, 8.30 am a full breakfast in a nice cafe in Market Harborough, around 11.30 for an early lunch stop in a bijou restaurant in Melton Mowbray and then you'd be in Bingham by 2 pm. 1st leg all done.

It'll be fun!

Pork Pie for lunch! Yummy!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Judging by the conversation I had with my PhD supervisor today I'll be unlikely to get a week off until september

Would they accept a tale of kidnap and hostage taking by marauding cyclists from the north?