2014-05-31 An Other Observatory Ride

bump.

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Did reccy for *THAT route up there... SO MANY HILLZ
So tired....

Yeah, I did a reccy of the route yesterday and the first half or so was utterly delightful. Few bumps to keep you interested, some nice off road but decent tracks and an epic descent off coleman's hatch. But the second half turned into a pain fest, with about 7 tough climbs.

• So I've rejigged the second half of the route and the profile says it is now a bit flatter. This means a bit more 'main road' but it still looks fairly quiet on streetview we'll have to take it as it comes.
  
• Notes: 23c tyres will be fine for the route but if you want more comfy then go up to 28/32. There a few miles of compacted dirt type off road so if your fussy about your paintwork choose a different bike.
  
• There are plenty of descents so make sure your brake blocks are fresh! Or just fixie-skidder it to the bottom.
  
  

We won't be taking the unmarked 'path' through the woods. That was taking it too far.

This...

We won't be taking the unmarked 'path' through the woods. That was taking it too far.

Is that a horse-riding path or could it be a landowner deliberately ploughing up a right of way across their property?

NCR21 -
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-21?lat=50.99306828863109&lng=0.260345498321497&zoom=15&route-type=all-routes&filters=

Muddy not after rainfall too...

we may run into the penny farthings on their ride
https://www.facebook.com/events/626221914113361/

We won't be taking the unmarked 'path' through the woods. That was taking it too far.

This...

excuse to bring the much under-used mountain-bike to Lundun-town?!

a more green and laney ride would be nice

diarised the 31st,

is there a crack-of-dawn ride-out to Redhill from Fitzy?!

or a meet-up at a Lundun-town terminus?

e.g. the 8.03am train from London Bridge, gets to Redhill 8.39 on the 31st per TFL

(interestingly, the new TFL journey planner thought it would take 2 hours 40 minutes to cycle to Redhill from Hackney; but left out the distance, or an adjustable pace fader)

Is that a horse-riding path or could it be a landowner deliberately ploughing up a right of way across their property?

you cynic Oli!

Is that a horse-riding path or could it be a landowner deliberately ploughing up a right of way across their property?

surely such a thing would be falling foul of some legality and punishable by summons to a court of justice?!

possibly via some of the (no-doubt wordy) legislation linked to here,

http://www.environmentlaw.org.uk/rte.asp?id=207

Footpaths on edge of a field must not be ploughed. Footpaths can be ploughed, if they cross fields. However, a minimum width of 1 metres must be made available within 14 days of ploughing. Landowners must also ensure that they restore footpaths after ploughing.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000,

{could be re-written (or re-coded) into a language more closely resembling that of English, instead of the language of English Law!}

this might be a reassuring key passage from Section Two,

Any person is entitled by virtue of this subsection to enter and Rights of public in [to]
remain on any access [common] land for the purposes of open-air recreation, if and relation to access land. so long as—
(a) he [or she] does so [with merriment], without breaking or damaging any wall, fence, hedge, stile or gate, and
(b) he observes the general restrictions in Schedule 2 and any other
restrictions imposed in relation to the land under Chapter II.

1) Hairnet
2) dicki
3) Ultracrepidarian
4) blue fleet
5) Cazakstan
6) Husy
7) Tonyme
8) mands
9) Miss Mouse
10) Torker
11) Mule - ?? will have to check timetable on Tuesday
12) vunugu

at 19.8 miles is that a glitch?

Out, watching the Guards rehearse for trooping the colour...

1) Hairnet
2) dicki
3) Ultracrepidarian
4) blue fleet
5) Cazakstan
6)
7) Tonyme
8) mands
9) Miss Mouse
10) Torker
11) Mule - ?? will have to check timetable on Tuesday
12) vunugu

... starting from Redhill at 9am...

Any feeder action happening?

I'll put some more details up tomorrow. But no feeder from me! This is more of a casual 65 than a hardcore 100

Any feeder action happening?

I'm probably going to ride out from Oval/Vauxhall way. I'm not in London until Friday and have'nt even looked at possible route yet. Looks like an early start, I'll draw up a route over the next few days and happy to lead, if anyone wants to tag along just let me know.

If weather looks OK are we skipping the visit and just doing tramp beers or a country pub or something? Just wondering if there is a need for a spare pair of shoes in case they are anti clippy-cloppy cleats or are they OK with us skidding about in our socks?

Also assuming we do do the science park and grounds bit that we need to bring locks.

at 19.8 miles is that a glitch?

yes. no abseiling required.

Unless I find a place to crash after critical mass ill be getting first train to Waterloo so could hook through Vauxhall if you want to start a feeder from there

(EDIT can get to waterloo for 7:15 if a few of us are going to ride, or go direct to redhill station for 8.49am)

Fingers crossed the weather forecast hold for sat, looks like a great day atm

Yeah. Weather looks good.

First post updated

Looking forward to this! Will meet the London Bridge gang, I'll get there for 8am.

Boo I am out now I'm afraid. Have to dog and cat sit in wales for an extra few days and won't be back in London until Monday. Gutted as was really looking forward to this, have fun all.

I think I'm in. But I might take gears, if that's allowed.

Dan: :-( This is very upsetting!

Tricity: No worries, though I would be more wary of non tarmaced surface than the hills. Whatever you're comfy riding basically.