2020-06-28 - Southend - Night Ride - Short Notice (date change because rain)

A 140KM round trip to visit Southend.

Leaving at 00:01 from London on Sunday morning to get out to Shoeburyness for first light.

Meet up spot TBC.

All welcome, I'll be riding 70.55GI (48×18) with 25C tires.

Quick-social, waiting at non-obvious corners, t-shirts and denim type of ride.

The route out is going to be a head-down smash along the Southend Arterial Road Cycle Trackway (yeah I never heard of it either). Should be quiet after midnight, just a few long straight lines to the coast.

On the way back with the sun up we'll do the scenic route via Battlebridge, Hanningfield Reservoir and some stunning lanes. Dropping into London via Lambourne End.

Probably bang out on main roads that will be quiet at midnight then return via the scenic route over the top.

Routes added.

Where do we start John? Potentially up for this as it looks super fun especially with this warm weather we are having and it would be a great stress relief from work and a good way to start the weekend.

Anything we should consider when riding in the evening aside from low light visibility?

Don’t hit the massive pothole on Oak Hill on the way back.

Can pick you up at any spot on the route. Will leave my place at 00:01.

You can also come have a coffee here.

Keeping an eye on the weather.

If Friday night/Saturday morning looks dire I'll push it back one night.

Looking forward to joining you for this, where’s the best place to meet you? I’m headed out from Crystal Palace.

I’m definitely in now!

LIST!

Righto, there is a persistant block of rain Saturday morning which will suck the fun and point out of the scenic return to London.

So ride now starts at 00:01 on the 28th (meet Sat night at 23:30, leave Sunday morning 00:01).

Any point along the route after 00:01 or at my house in Leyton at 23:30.

PM for deets.

there is a persistant block of rain

Just like the first time I rode to Southend.

Just like the first time I rode to Southend.

Just like the first time I rode to Dunwich, the first four hours anyway.

Pretty sure you were on that one too.

OMG that was grim. No one wanted to leave the feed place and when we did it was teeth-chatteringly cold.

Grim indeed, look at @hael with his 1000 yard stare in this photo album..

In!

Ahhh...those were the days....the old Chocolate Donkey! 😍

Didn't your saddle resemble a hammock by the finish? :)

Yes! i had to wind the bolt out about an inch and a half because i was literally sitting on the seatpost clamp!😂

You'd think an English saddle could handle some rain :P

For tomorrow (Sunday morning..)

OUT (66.9KM)
BACK (77.7KM) - Tried hard to strip most of the hills out of this. Think I've done OK.

How many are we on this ride now? 6?

No idea.

Looked out the window, glad I am not riding now.