Your ride today.... (part 1)

[speedo]

Hi Kirsty
Read you went over the uppy and downy bits of Leicester today
Where are they,and what is the name of your favourite cafe ?
I live in Warwickshire , not to far from Hinckley ,and often ride in Leicestershire,hence the interest

 

[speedo]

Hi Kirsty
Read you went over the uppy and downy bits of Leicester today
Where are they,and what is the name of your favourite cafe ?
I live in Warwickshire , not to far from Hinckley ,and often ride in Leicestershire,hence the interest

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Set off this morning, beautiful sunny skies - still cold hence the mcginty duck tape covering the shoe vent system, not only does it work it adds a certain hobo chic to ones cycling attire. Few miles down the road and the great thaw was starting to cause a few problems as the road seems to have been replaced by a new river. The elevated pavement proved useful to get past the high tide but it was still covered with packed snow and ice - not the easiest to walk on. The roads beyond the village were very icy and slippery so I doubled back and stuck to the main roads which were a lot better as far as the ice goes. Decided to keep the ride fairly brief due to the road conditions - managed to stay upright too!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Set off this morning, beautiful sunny skies - still cold hence the mcginty duck tape covering the shoe vent system, not only does it work it adds a certain hobo chic to ones cycling attire. Few miles down the road and the great thaw was starting to cause a few problems as the road seems to have been replaced by a new river. The elevated pavement proved useful to get past the high tide but it was still covered with packed snow and ice - not the easiest to walk on. The roads beyond the village were very icy and slippery so I doubled back and stuck to the main roads which were a lot better as far as the ice goes. Decided to keep the ride fairly brief due to the road conditions - managed to stay upright too!

 

[Mista Preston]

Alarm went off...wasn't having any of it this morning. It wasn't even that early a start!! 9am receive a potential 'crying off' text from Tollers complaining of a hangover. Drag myself out of bed after not enough sleep and get ready and dressed for the ride, somehow after the extended break from cycling the normal place where I stash all the cycling bits is depleted and end up hunting for bits and bobs around the flat..going to be late!

Glorious day outside, sun shining, blue skies - have I woken up on the right side of the year?! Tollers confirms he's on his way-good man! Another text from TopCat1 - who can make it out after a wrist injury. Finally all the required bits gathered and I head out towards Camberwell Green to meet everyone.

Get there on time thankfully and see Tollers and TopCat waiting by the children's playground. No photo opps on the swings I'm afraid- we're here for serious business. Pass the time catching up and talking bikes an injuries (what else?!) Ianrauk calls and he arrives with Tdr1nka and Mista Preston. A mass of greetings and introductions and we're on our way - Ian leads us into a nicely/badly timed wait at the marked junction box by the traffic lights -ho hum! On Camberwell New Road a flash of blue zips past on the other side of the road and there's a small wait by the roadside as it looks like we have our first mechanical but it turns out it's Teef coming to meet us down Saarrrfff. Head along at a fair pace toward Oval (don't believe Ian when he says it's an 'easy' pace- read that as 20mph average; last time I fell for that one was on my introductory clubrun and that had hills!). Somehow, somewhere my wheel bumps a pothole and I can feel the dreaded deflating. Teef catches up with the 'tour de france' and lets them know I've had a visit and comes back to fix the wheel with a bit of finesse - thank you very much again. Tdr1nka and TopCat return to check progress and wheel back on after the 'First puncture of the year' we head on with TopCat leading the way through the strange tunnel through Vauxhall - both Teef and I thought that the roads were a better option. The 'peleton' of Ian and his crew is waiting by Vauxhall Bridge.

Cycle through Pimlico, past Victoria and up towards Hyde Park Corner for a brief stop. No FNRttCers today - too early/late? A roll call for a group photo of the motley CC crew which a tourist kindly takes for us. Sadly no trio of alleged pop stars like last Sunday (a mirage I bet) and we're on our way. You see, I gathered today that there is no conversation, there are no sights, you do the miles and you try and catch Ian at the front (he's on the way to food says TopCat). We lose him again along the stretch of the park at the traffic lights. There are some grumbles that there is no waiting and Teef, TopCat and myself head up Charing Cross Road to try and catch them. A mini mouse moment as it transpires that they've gone up the Strand for the McDonald's pitstop/loo stop. Teef says something to me about being quick as we head onto the Strand and I sprint down it, look back and there is nobody behind or ahead!! Turn round and I've overshot the McDonalds and Teef comes to fetch the 'straggler' as I'm on my way back. At this point, Teef bids us fairwell as he heads north and we venture back South. Across Embankment - had a semblance of an uttering with Tollers to check his hangover was ok. Somehow Ian, Tdr1nka and Tollers dissapear into the distance as Mista Preston tells me that Arallsop got him into the cycling and he's been doing it for just a year. We've well and truly lost the others now as we head into Tower Bridge and take the right. Further along Mista Preston calls Ian, the bugger can't hear his phone-must be all that wind rushing past!! We head on towards Deptford as that's the general plan as to where they're heading. Waiting again at the side of the road to try and see where they've got to. Mista Preston tried Ian again and I call Tollers who headed home after Tower Hill. Ian's and Tdr1nka's whereabouts are finally confirmed as they're doing the loop of Surrey Quays and we wait for them to meet us.

Finally all back in the same group and off towards Deptford. Ian and Mista Preston head on towards Bromley and Tdr1nka, TopCat and myself head the opposite direction towards home. Tdr1nka bids us farewell by Goldsmiths Uni and TC and I head along further - I give him a wave off and cycle back to my end of town.

Am just warmed up. All in all 16 miles- boy do I feel the 2 and a half months off but not as bad as I thought I'd be. Ahh it'll be back soon!

Good riding with you all- here's to the next one - I'm sure someone will be along with pictures soon!

Great right up TT, felt like i was their reading that....oh i was.....great to meet you all today and had a great ride with great weather. Despite 2 puctures around 1 mile from home I had a nice walk back

See you all next week !


Today's route..... http://connect.garmin.com/activity/22594119

 

[Mista Preston]

Alarm went off...wasn't having any of it this morning. It wasn't even that early a start!! 9am receive a potential 'crying off' text from Tollers complaining of a hangover. Drag myself out of bed after not enough sleep and get ready and dressed for the ride, somehow after the extended break from cycling the normal place where I stash all the cycling bits is depleted and end up hunting for bits and bobs around the flat..going to be late!

Glorious day outside, sun shining, blue skies - have I woken up on the right side of the year?! Tollers confirms he's on his way-good man! Another text from TopCat1 - who can make it out after a wrist injury. Finally all the required bits gathered and I head out towards Camberwell Green to meet everyone.

Get there on time thankfully and see Tollers and TopCat waiting by the children's playground. No photo opps on the swings I'm afraid- we're here for serious business. Pass the time catching up and talking bikes an injuries (what else?!) Ianrauk calls and he arrives with Tdr1nka and Mista Preston. A mass of greetings and introductions and we're on our way - Ian leads us into a nicely/badly timed wait at the marked junction box by the traffic lights -ho hum! On Camberwell New Road a flash of blue zips past on the other side of the road and there's a small wait by the roadside as it looks like we have our first mechanical but it turns out it's Teef coming to meet us down Saarrrfff. Head along at a fair pace toward Oval (don't believe Ian when he says it's an 'easy' pace- read that as 20mph average; last time I fell for that one was on my introductory clubrun and that had hills!). Somehow, somewhere my wheel bumps a pothole and I can feel the dreaded deflating. Teef catches up with the 'tour de france' and lets them know I've had a visit and comes back to fix the wheel with a bit of finesse - thank you very much again. Tdr1nka and TopCat return to check progress and wheel back on after the 'First puncture of the year' we head on with TopCat leading the way through the strange tunnel through Vauxhall - both Teef and I thought that the roads were a better option. The 'peleton' of Ian and his crew is waiting by Vauxhall Bridge.

Cycle through Pimlico, past Victoria and up towards Hyde Park Corner for a brief stop. No FNRttCers today - too early/late? A roll call for a group photo of the motley CC crew which a tourist kindly takes for us. Sadly no trio of alleged pop stars like last Sunday (a mirage I bet) and we're on our way. You see, I gathered today that there is no conversation, there are no sights, you do the miles and you try and catch Ian at the front (he's on the way to food says TopCat). We lose him again along the stretch of the park at the traffic lights. There are some grumbles that there is no waiting and Teef, TopCat and myself head up Charing Cross Road to try and catch them. A mini mouse moment as it transpires that they've gone up the Strand for the McDonald's pitstop/loo stop. Teef says something to me about being quick as we head onto the Strand and I sprint down it, look back and there is nobody behind or ahead!! Turn round and I've overshot the McDonalds and Teef comes to fetch the 'straggler' as I'm on my way back. At this point, Teef bids us fairwell as he heads north and we venture back South. Across Embankment - had a semblance of an uttering with Tollers to check his hangover was ok. Somehow Ian, Tdr1nka and Tollers dissapear into the distance as Mista Preston tells me that Arallsop got him into the cycling and he's been doing it for just a year. We've well and truly lost the others now as we head into Tower Bridge and take the right. Further along Mista Preston calls Ian, the bugger can't hear his phone-must be all that wind rushing past!! We head on towards Deptford as that's the general plan as to where they're heading. Waiting again at the side of the road to try and see where they've got to. Mista Preston tried Ian again and I call Tollers who headed home after Tower Hill. Ian's and Tdr1nka's whereabouts are finally confirmed as they're doing the loop of Surrey Quays and we wait for them to meet us.

Finally all back in the same group and off towards Deptford. Ian and Mista Preston head on towards Bromley and Tdr1nka, TopCat and myself head the opposite direction towards home. Tdr1nka bids us farewell by Goldsmiths Uni and TC and I head along further - I give him a wave off and cycle back to my end of town.

Am just warmed up. All in all 16 miles- boy do I feel the 2 and a half months off but not as bad as I thought I'd be. Ahh it'll be back soon!

Good riding with you all- here's to the next one - I'm sure someone will be along with pictures soon!

Great right up TT, felt like i was their reading that....oh i was.....great to meet you all today and had a great ride with great weather. Despite 2 puctures around 1 mile from home I had a nice walk back

See you all next week !


Today's route..... http://connect.garmin.com/activity/22594119

 

[Mista Preston]

That's me!

Group photo - the reportage from moi will have to wait - it will only be "In Praise of London" though...

tdr1nka, ttcycle, tollers, Mista Preston, Ianrauk, Bloke
Nearly on his 'Assos': topcat1.

AKA: Dom, Grace, Mark, Clive, Ian, Bloke
Nearly on his 'Assos': Dave.

Great pic, and was good to meet you today. What was the little camera called you had???

 

[Mista Preston]

That's me!

Group photo - the reportage from moi will have to wait - it will only be "In Praise of London" though...

tdr1nka, ttcycle, tollers, Mista Preston, Ianrauk, Bloke
Nearly on his 'Assos': topcat1.

AKA: Dom, Grace, Mark, Clive, Ian, Bloke
Nearly on his 'Assos': Dave.

Great pic, and was good to meet you today. What was the little camera called you had???

 

[arranandy]

55 miles this morning. First time out on a road bike since the weekend before Christmas

 

[arranandy]

55 miles this morning. First time out on a road bike since the weekend before Christmas

 

[Christopher]

about 20 miles on the fixed, out the flat Lancashire fields near Southport. Nice day, nice ride except for 2 punc*ur*s which put a damper on things. Especially as I had only 1 tube. So had a bit of a walk too. Went to pick up an empty beer bottle at the side of the road to recycle it only to find it was unopened - 500ml of rather nice bitter which I'm supping now. That's karma that is!

 

[Christopher]

about 20 miles on the fixed, out the flat Lancashire fields near Southport. Nice day, nice ride except for 2 punc*ur*s which put a damper on things. Especially as I had only 1 tube. So had a bit of a walk too. Went to pick up an empty beer bottle at the side of the road to recycle it only to find it was unopened - 500ml of rather nice bitter which I'm supping now. That's karma that is!

 

[Lardyboy]

Just shy of 30 miles today as one of us didn't get in till 1 in the morning! So for once I was not to blame for the late start.

Quite "breezy" and you could tell it had been while since we'd been out for a spin as we ran out of steam going down Cefn Bryn and could only manage 47 and 48 m.p.h!

And a chapeau to the youngster we passed coming up Fairwood behind the airport on a single speed. "That's a bit masochistic." I told him as we went passed.

 

[Lardyboy]

Just shy of 30 miles today as one of us didn't get in till 1 in the morning! So for once I was not to blame for the late start.

Quite "breezy" and you could tell it had been while since we'd been out for a spin as we ran out of steam going down Cefn Bryn and could only manage 47 and 48 m.p.h!

And a chapeau to the youngster we passed coming up Fairwood behind the airport on a single speed. "That's a bit masochistic." I told him as we went passed.

 

[ttcycle]

Great pic, and was good to meet you today. What was the little camera called you had???

M15 spycam. Absolutely tiny...beware of losing in awkard crevices