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@Bernie
*"Layyydees and Gentlemen!"*
There were suggestions that we should move the Guinness Ride to a date later in the month, as the following day is the Herne Hill extravaganza. As I found out last Saturday, tearing around the track with the after effects of Dublin's finest swilling around inside you, is not the best for holding on to dreams of Chris Hoy greatness.
But as Mrs. Doyle might say, "Ah go on, go on, go on, go on....."
So, given the significant interest that has already been shown, I simply cannot bounce the date, and it will therefore be up to the track heros to go easy on the porter if their dreams are to be protected for the following day. Or perhaps like me, load up with a buckeful of excuses for trackside ignimony on Saturday.
Given how well last years tour seemed to fit together, I suggest an identical start, and opening venues, as follows;
6:00 Royal Oak, 355 Kennington Lane, SE11 5QY
Within a snipers bullet of the MI5/6 building on the southbank, a traditional old style boozer, with excellent Guinness, and a courtyard area down an allyway on the right hand side of the pub for bike storage, is a natural starting point.
If anyone offers you a second hand suitcase located in Pimlico, a firm "non, merci" should suffice.
6:45 O'Neills, 65 Cannon Street, EC4N 5AX
The pub is at the Mansion House tube end of Cannon Street, and close to the junction with Queen Street. There is a pedestrian area outside the pub so we can keep an eye on the bikes, whilst enjoying a pint in the balmy Friday evening sunshine.
Maybe we can find another unfortunate commuter to track stand interminably, to our jeers, as the lights refused to change.
7:30 Filthy McNasty's, 68 Anwell Street, London EC1R 1UU
Slightly tricky to get to, but worth the trip for an excellent pint in an interesting part of central London. Aim for either Roseberry Avenue, or Mount Pleasant sorting office, and you are nearly there.
8:15 The Toucan, 19 Carlisle Street, off Soho Square, W1V 5RJ
The spiritual home of the Guinness Ride, and a natural destination. A rammed madhouse at the best of times, so again outside will be the logical location.
and finally, for the remaining brave souls.
9:30 The Coach and Horses, Wellington Street, by the Royal Opera House
A deliciously creamy pint, when myself, Brian and Bearfoot did some exhaustive quality control testing after the "Show me some respect" reccy ride, and really convenient for Waterloo Bridge, and the escape of the saaf London massive, after the final bell.
It will be a wonderful evening, with Autumnal hues in the trees, and the last vestiges of summer. It will get cold later, so do not rely on your beer coat, rather bring at least two layers stuffed in your courier bag.
Green and black is the colour scheme, Paddy wack hats compulsory (I still have Bishop Chainbeaker's mitre from the last escapade) and in rememberance of the sorely missed 50/14, leave the lock at home, and buddy up with a forum compatriot to guard the bikes, whilst the beer is ordered in.
We are hoping to bully Charco into designing another amazing spoke card, and the entrepreneurial MMcCarthy to produce the same. So if you are interested, have a couple of quid for a card, all profits going to supporting this wonderful forum.
As ever, any queries get in touch. Number on the private thread, or see you at next Monday's South Drinks when we say au revoir to Alexi, the founder and inspiration for the original Guinness Ride.
Regards.
Bernie