2014-05-04 Isle of Wight Randonnee

I'm gonna be camping. If you've reserved spots I'll take one, please.

I've reserved 12 spots and I imagine they sounded pretty free n easy on the phone so if necessary I can reserve some more. There's bound to be last minute flailing of arms so I'll leave it till the week prior to 'shotgun' spots on the site.

Looking forward to it!

I have signed up three loyal Luddites, not sure how many of us will actually be there on the day. Depends on tolerance of the hardships of camping etc.

cool, lemme know nearer the time and I'll sort out camping spots...

do them the favour of pre entering
http://www.cycleisland.co.uk/index.php?page=pre_reg_14

Yep, I have three entries printed out, all for the 100k route but I suspect my travelling companions (if any) will opt for the 55k again. I'd really like to persuade them that 100k is not too bad, particularly taken at a gentle pace and with an acceptance that there may be some sections that can be walked without shame.

do them the favour of pre entering
http://www.cycleisland.co.uk/index.php?page=pre_reg_14

Are you still wanting to drive over with me on the Sunday morning?

If so, I assume it's not OK to park on the Kite Hill campsite if we're not camping?...

Are you still wanting to drive over with me on the Sunday morning?

If so, I assume it's not OK to park on the Kite Hill campsite if we're not camping?...

yes please, looks like shes going early sat, we likely ride together, but no dramas. theres a few spots in that immediate vicinity to park in, shouldnt be a problem. unless its twatting it down in which case i might bail. #notbraveheart

Yep, I have three entries printed out, all for the 100k route but I suspect my travelling companions (if any) will opt for the 55k again. I'd really like to persuade them that 100k is not too bad, particularly taken at a gentle pace and with an acceptance that there may be some sections that can be walked without shame.

When in possesion of a bike, there is nowhere that can be walked without shame.

bump - need to work out what to bring/buy in preparation for this

I just got back from a weekend of driving around the IOW - wish I had taken the bike. Excellent cycling to be had, although given the condition of most roads a 28mm tyre would be an ideal minimum. Craters and ruts everywhere. Lots of roadworks to resurface areas though. Wish I could do this ride.

Rode the Randonee route at the weekend. Lovely ride, especially on the East side and round to the South Coast. Beautiful scenery, quiet roads, and a good bit of up and down but nothing horrible. Have fun all.

^^ I am running 28's on the Crosscheck at the moment. That seems to be the condition of most roads I have encountered on other long rides or tours not surprised.

Has anyone booked ferry tickets? I see there is a discount offered on the website. If the weather is not abominable I was thinking of riding to Portsmouth from Effingham junction, then training back on monday. Anyone interested?

my training programme (yes, for the next 4 weeks I'm one of those) has me riding from Bath to Portsmouth then around the island. Great.

Not booked the tickets yet but I may do this w/e. I'll be riding whatever the weather so...

I'd been lurking in this thread, then had a conversation with someone on Saturday that made me remember how much fun this was in 2011 and made me want to do it again, so very tempted.

I haven't registered though and it says pre-registration is full, I presume this doesn't really matter?

Do you still have camping pitches left Ben?

I need to think about practicalities, but if it seems doable I'd be up for riding from Effingham.

I haven't registered though and it says pre-registration is full, I presume this doesn't really matter?

I think you only need to register if you want a stamp card.

Do you still have camping pitches left Ben?

I almost certainly think so... maybe time for a list:

Camping pitches:

1. BenJam
   
2. Fox
   3.
   4.
   5.
   6.
   7.
   8.
   9.
   10.
   11.
   12.
   

Camping pitches:

1. BenJam
   
2. Fox
   
3. T4
   
4. hats
   5.
   6.
   7.
   8.
   9.
   10.
   11.
   12.
   

Fox, I have three entries but will only be using one of them (and possibly not even that one) so you're welcome to take one of these.

come on Ludd, you can do it, look forward to meeting anyone who used that name
me and Tom Pifko should be getting around to Kite Hill to start rolling about ten

i'm keen, but we've reached agreement in Chateau Ludd that Luddlet #3 must focus on revising for his GCSEs so if I do the ryde, I'll be feeling a bit guilty

sure, but hes the one that needs to do the revision, you cant do it for him- in some ways you being out will leave him free to get on with it without feeling presssured youre stalking him from the kitchen
#persuasion

i'm keen, but we've reached agreement in Chateau Ludd that Luddlet #3 must focus on revising for his GCSEs so if I do the ryde, I'll be feeling a bit guilty

Ba Dum Tss! - YouTube

I feel strong persuasive powers at work here. I have looked at ferry prices. It would presumably be really simple to head down on a train to Portsmouth on the Saturday afternoon with a bike and a backpack, and get a foot passenger crossing, returning on the Monday morning.