ThNRC 2019 - But for me, it was Tuesday

We're saving the widowmaker for the final flourish on the 17th aren't we?

That wouldn’t be right, the finish has to be the five hills. Although with that said, the widowmaker is certainly harder than the five hills, so...

The five hills backwards would leave the widowmaker as the final (big) climb.

.. either way, I believe it should be the Thursday after the clocks go back - which leaves us staring down the barrel of a Halloween Special on the 31st! We should probably do something like Roydon next week, then Potters Bar on the 17th, then something horrible in Surrey..

Gulp.. https://www.lfgss.com/events/5060/

While I don't think I really have the authority to organise an end of season knees-up, not having been on any of the rides yet, I'll just drop this here anyway...

https://www.lfgss.com/events/5067/#comment14928853

Leaving aside the matter of the end-of-season dinner for now, we conducted talk on how the rest of the rides should pan out on the train back from Roydon last Thursday.

This emerged:

• this week is an on-week - South (open to ideas)
  
• the next ride will then be on the 24th of October - North (Potters Bar)
  
• the clocks go back on the 27th of October so the season closer will coincide with the Halloween Special on the 31st of October (playing the 5 hills on reverse to see if we start hearing satanic incantations)
  

What about Box Hill for this week ?

I’m out of London this week and the 24th unfortunately..

I don't think I've done box hill TNRC so sounds good.

Y'know what's better than riding around the lanes of Essex in the cold and rain whilst feeling ill?

Most things...

And a trip to Box Hill to witness the japes and capers of a pack of stoned Surrey teenagers in heat!

In.

@cagimaha your bags are ready :)

Awesome! You out on hills tonight?

Nope. Are you? I could be persuaded to pop to the pub for a pint...

I am indeed, will get you an easy peeler to cover courier costs.

@ecobeard says are you bringing him a tool roll too?

Wicked. Yeah - I might have his too! Haven't actually finished them yet. Y'know... supplier issues... Should be able to get em done before coming up to the pub though.

Anyway... There aren't meant to be any derailleurs in this thread.
Catch yah later! Might text or sumething.

Hoping to be in for Thursday, its been far too long!

Ride up!

And this week’s ride is up!

Another season done! But unfortunately sort of me with it. While I'm definitely going to be in for the odd TNRC next season generally I won't be around that much since I've moved away from London. No getting around it being difficult and sad for me because TNRC has been the most fun, funniest, haphazard, hard but more often than not lovely, fast and satisfyingly boozy riding I've done over the last 7 years. With you all I've ridden through immeasurable natural beauty and perfect empty lanes, absolutely insufferable cunt drivers, enjoyed delicious beer, average beer and god-awful mild, great A21 smashfests, drunken Essex smashfests (sorry I crashed off you scooter guy), bounced back from injury and with group genius miraculously wedded the two best things about England (Wetherspoons and dark country lanes) into one ridiculous overnight ride to Ramsgate.

I would be tempted to list all the adventures and experiences who added to this rich tapestry of bike fuckery, but it's not possible. I would also love to name check those who have particular meaning to me (and you know what fuck it I might do it in the next post) but for everything really, how to sum up? Over to @middleofnowhere:

that's not what these rides are about. In fact the best thing about this ride was that each time I ground to the top of a climb the group were patiently waiting, chatting and laughing (and not just at me). And that's the thing TNRC has always been about for me. It's not about smashing it, chasing KOMs, indulging in sufferfests (other than those of each individual's own making), it's just about getting on your bike, getting onto some awesome lanes with good company, stretching yourself a bit, but most importantly; having fun.

And that last bit is all down to you guys, and I'm including in that all those regulars and irregulars that couldn't make this one but have ridden in the past. Yeah, I'm coming over a bit tired and emotional, and no, I've not been for another boozy lunch, it just needs saying once in a while. It's all about the fun.
And the train beers.
It's all about the fun and the train beers.

So anyway thanks everyone. Hope I'll see you all and drop me a line if you're ever out North Kent coast way, you're always welcome for a stopover or to join me on a ride.

TNRC4EVA

^ I know that post should have been written about two months ago but things have been fucking crazy

One final thanks for doing one final Toys Hill Loop and A21 run with me. I know the group split a bit but I really appreciated you all getting out. It had a real sense of occasion for me and felt like a proper send off (for a bike ride anyway).

haven't ridden together enough over the past years and i'm always a little gutted about that.

good luck out in the country side.

see you at the top of a hill somewhere.

that or a spoons.

amen

Ah, YAL, I’ll always remember the first time I came on a TNRC ride. Who exactly was there is a bit hazy, but definitely Matt (meet where the roof meets the floor) and you (read on). I came with my skinny-tyred blue fixed gear complete with clip pedals and narrow risers and backpack (and spilling-everywhere head torch) and we went on to ride Potters Bar and it was one of such moments that sort of "made" London for me. And after that the ‘spoons where you ordered a selection of perhaps five cans of craft beers for £5 and exclaimed "I’ve got to instagram that shit!". (And when we finally started making our way back to the station I promptly started riding on the wrong side of the road).

Thanks for everything and I hope you’ll come back for the odd regular ride and/or deluxe, and that we’ll come to see you soon as well (and bivvy in your garden)

Also this week is the Halloween Special / 5 hills ish (I might quietly drop the idea of riding it reversed) season ender. Thread up shortly...

Who could resist this??!?

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