2007-08-14 - The Bridges II - West to East

aidan its the pollution that causes it to rain more at the weekend...i cant remember why but it is

Yeah.. I saw a program on that. Something about the patterns of exhaust fumes and industry emissions causing a matching rain-seeding pattern. Google it.

I thought it was just the Space-Lizard-Over-Government trying to keep us in front of the TV where we could be better monitored and controlled.

I thought it was angels who havent earnt there wings, crying.

My package of whips and chains just arrived so I've decided to spend the night in with the gf.. have fun kiddies!

(hippydaweatherman: it's not even drizzling in ealing, just a fine mist 15min ago)

stompy has just rang me - he was the only one that turned up to the cutty sark! Hopefully there will be a few peeps at the brick lane....

Ben, have you got my number?

Oh Seven 440 949 212

Give me a call by 11pm to let the guys at the pub in Kew Bridge know if you're coming to ride. Or at least what the numbers are.

It's absolutely pissing it down out be Kew Bridge. I do think this might be quite ludicrous. Hippy and I have done a rain soaked bridges ride, and there's nothing social or cool about it... you just get wet and cold.

But a few drinks, a laugh, that might be what is salvageable from this.

Yeah, lets do it. Right I'm leaving now.

sorry but i really cant go.... also its raining i said that i wouldnt do in the rain....

so good luck and enjoy the night ...

sorry guys, I am out. And I admit its the rain. Was considering up to last minute but I wouldn't enjoy it (and thats the point of it, isn't it?). Broke my shoulder 2 years ago when I slipped on a wet manhole cover. rain = bad memories.

me too - options are sit here digest dinner, quaff more wine, maybe watch an episode of seinfeld or go out in rain and i'm leaning heavily towards the latter.. sorry!

so… you're going out in the rain then?

slamm so… you're going out in the rain then?

oops. i'm always confusing my former with latter...

Little Miss FWN is asleep and well :)

hmm a bit late but it looks obvious that i have bailed out. call me chicken or anything i don't care i wouldn't enjoy riding in these conditions so whats the point

Fixedwheelnut Little Miss FWN is asleep and well :)

good to know :)

that's nice to know dude.. you did the right thing though! And from the looks of things, so did I, although I feel bad for stompy!

It's looking pretty good down SE, I think I see some clear skies above greenwich as well..

just got in (4am). I reluctantly left at Waterloo Bridge, to head back West as I have plans for tomorrow (technically today)
Nice ride, not much rain in the end (ye of little faith). Had great moment when we got to Albert Bridge and found it was closed to traffic, good opportunity for a 'comfort break' as Wayne_f14 calls it ;-) and a group photo.
Best bit for me though was riding home with Wayne and totally owning the roads, I don't remember a single car passing us from Buckingham Palace to Putney!

Night Rides Rule!

I just got in as well, I left at Tower Bridge and they were still intent on going down to Greenwich.

It was a banger of a night, hardly any rain, lots of punctures though... Thanks to Mr Blackfoot for not laughing at me too much when I ripped the valve right out of the inner tube I'd just replaced after a puncture ;)

Cheers for tonight, it was super fun and a pleasure to meet you all...

Hyde Park is fab at night. I discovered an open gate and went in. Not a person around. So cycled to the center and just laid on the wet grass looking up at the sky in silence. Wonderful.

A great ride, with virtually no rain at all. I also cut it short at Waterloo, mostly because I was feeling tired and figured I would still have to the West and the longer I left it the further I'd have to ride to get back. Glad I did :)

That was fun. Nice to meet such a good bunch of people.
I baled at Tower Bridge, because my legs were feeling it somewhat.
As well as being a really enjoyable ride, it was a bit of a nudge to start riding more [my daily commute is only about 2.5 miles each way] and getting fit.
Looking forward to the next one...

Fucking hell. 7 and a half hours later i'm finally back.

We went all the way to Greenwich, then back through the foot tunnel and north.

What was it like 6 punctures?

I reckon the last 2 hours it wasnt really raining at all, and the rest of the time it was only light drizzle.

Oh i think the count at the start was like 28 people? When we left Greenwich we were like 7 people i think, but a few more had already left.

I fscking hate this summer.
riding for an age through drizzle, spitting, pouring rain from camden to kew. Soaked to the skin. It dries enough for the ride to be enjoyable even though me clothes are damp and then...

Wouldn't you know it, as soon as I decide to end the night and head for home, I get a puncture, no inner tube and not a forum member in sight.

20 notes lighter and one cab ride later I've had me bath and I'm heading for bed.
Despite the miserable weather - beforehand, we'll have to do it again.

Samsonite - I owe you a beer.
Kipsy - missed saying goodbye, nice meeting you.

Good to meet all of you. Next bridges ride, hopefully I'll be riding fixed.

sayonara...

I got another puncture on the way home too! I make that 10 in total for the ride, good ride guys looking forward to the next!

What the hell were you lot riding over??! :)

Thanks to all for making it such a great night ride. Pity about the weather but it wasnt too bad after all. I slipped off the back after Tower (the last Bridge) and headed straight back to Richmond without a single stop......a sureal ride! Skies opened just as I rolled into my garage. Sounds like you had the worst of it Cornelius?! wet start, and a cab ride home!! Good to put some faces to the names, mainly the wrong ones still I think tho. Certainly up for a Bridges III, maybe in more clement conditions tho? Apologies the less-than-perfect fixed style.....I'll keep at it though and take them tight little chicanes next time.