E4 Ecstasy, Karaoke Optional

good job it's karaoke night not an open mike comedy night.

I've decided for train; @middleofnowhere @youramericanlover where do we meet?

Also I forgot the base layer this morning so be prepared for lots of ranting.

Train from Liverpool St, we meet behind the information desk outside the ticket office. Chingford is on Oyster so no messing about with groupsaves needed. We will want to try and get on the train as soon as the platform is announced as it's a small commuter train and can get a bit busy.

At the ticket machines / outside the ticket office.

I actually have a spare baselayer with me today. It's a bit tatty but it's clean (I think, well compared to me anyhow) - you're welcome to it. Note though I'm 5'8 and it's an xs uniqlo merino wool thing.

Ah, thanks a lot but as I'm 6'1 the layer might get permanently stretched in the process. Meh, I guess I'll be fine. Real shame is I also forgot the vodka flask.

So bummed. Broke my thumb. Out
);

Citymapper will give you the platform number up to an hour before departure. That's why you often see people standing on a platform with no train listed on the overhead display for that platform.

#localknowledge

Interesting. How does it know? Magnets?

So bummed. Broke my thumb. Out
);

If you can get hold of an ice lolly stick and a bit off gaffer tape I can fix it so you can ride. You may never be able to hold a pen again but it's worth it, isn't it.

They don't just drive a train to the station and hope they can park it somewhere. They timetable this sort of shit and publish it.

For example, the 7:48 always departs from platform 1 and is the first train that gets split from 8 down to 4 coaches. Happens every night. If I get away in time, that's the train I will be on. Bikeless. If I manage to get that train I will try and catch you up because I am so awesomely quick.

They don't just drive a train to the station and hope they can park it somewhere.

They sort of do actually. I mean you're right that they timetable it but they are also pretty good at fucking it up once the delays start mounting up.

Platform 6

Thanks for the leadout @middleofnowhere and to @rhowe for the pint. Really nice roll and I enjoyed the big group, I like nice people with nice bikes. My summary picture for the evening:

My summary picture for the evening

Doesn't look very summery.

chapeau,

Cheers everyone for a great ride, it's so nice riding through the twilight and those skies over Epping as we closed out the first loop were pretty cool. Great to see a few faces that haven't been out in a while, hope you'll be able to make a few more this year. Same goes for Gael, welcome to the club.

The ride home was a bit of a shocker after the nice warm pub (cheers for the beers @rhowe ) but one we were rolling, and I'd conceded that it was not possible to be any wetter, I actually enjoyed it, gritting your teeth and properly releasing the inner Belgian. Hope you got back ok Simon and Oli, it can get a bit "every man for himself" on rides back and I was taking a few liberties with the colour of the traffic lights.

#russelsepicround
#swimminghome

Broke my thumb

What happened dude?

Annoyed I missed this. Def want to come to the next one. I read the "rules" and wondered
Can I do these on 1*8 gear bike (a very quiet hub)?
I did a 20 miles (around woodford, epping, abridge, theydon bois, chingford loop) last week and averaged 14.5mph, am I too slow? I dont want to hold you guys up?

@youramericanlover that looks foreboding!

An after work pint with work colleague turned out to be 6 pints on empty stomach. Front wheel slipped out on wet on final corner rolling into home straight going <10km/h. All weight onto the last little bone in right thumb, which snapped. I usually land on my hip/elbow in these situations. So little bit unlucky, but yes, my stupid fault.
I've now swapped my brake to the left so should be able to ride next one. I just need to work out how get a glove on.

Wouldn't be a day after ThNKR without a headwind and no legs to speak of.
The ride home last night was perfectly timed to get as wet as possible and yet arrive at the front door half dried out from the breeze after the rain stopped.

Found the cause of that creak. 2/5 loose chainring bolts. Whoops. Now I have 5 tight bolts and only one with a stripped head

Safety first my man. Glad you found that creak, too!

An awesome ride as always. From the way back I mostly remember the mad grin on Matt's face! Thanks for the lead and thanks Russell for the pint (and the crisps!)

In case anyone has missed the thread, it's some southern hills this week...

http://www.lfgss.com/events/1786/newest/