2012-04-29 - Windy Millers!

Great to see so much interest in this!

@upstart
I know this is still quite a long way off, but what time are you proposing to start? If there's a set time I could meet up with y'all at Southbury Rd (Ponders End/Enfield)

Deep breath..... 0800

I know it's early but, we have a long way to go and it'd be nice to get there while there are still some festivities going on. If it's any consolation, I'll be leaving mine before 7 to get to the start in decent time.

No probs picking up North Londoners en route - we can make plans nearer the time.

I'm going to recce the first 40 miles (as far as Royston) one evening in the next few weeks.

Upstart, let us know when you're going to go on the recce, I might come along if you don't mind. I'm interested to see what that route north out of London is like, to find a favourite.

I would also be happy to accompany you on the recce upstart.

Company on the recce is most welcome - I'd probably look to leave Clerkenwell about 6. It'll be a bit of a drag out of town (especially at that time of day) but should get 20+ miles of decent lanes in.

I'll have a think about when's a good time for a recce and post up

Late notice, but am going to recce part one of the route tomorrow evening. Leaving Osborne St at 1800, passing Clerkenwell Windmill about 1815 and then heading north.

Part 1 recce successfully completed yesterday evening (thanks to Dumps for the company). Can confirm the remains of a windmill in Clerkenwell.

Rode the first 40 miles out to Royston which takes in most of the climbing. Quite a nice feeling knowing that we'll be at the highest point of the ride soon after 35 miles. The strong north wind added a bit of challenge but all the climbs, such as they were, were all very doable.

The first 25 or so miles were a bit of a drag (although it'll be much quieter on a sunday morning) but with a decent distance to travel I reckon it's a good shout to get out of town promptly.

Tenuous Mid March Bump!

*

Can't comment on the view as it was dark when I rode this bit, but it is pleasingly downhill. *Advertised weather not guaranteed.

Latest from them yar fens is that a Hog Roast is planned and the local boozer should be open. Have beer contingency plans though.

boom, This looks awesome!

1. upstart
   
2. conker
   
3. middleofnowhere
   
4. Dumps
   
5. Oliver Schick
   
6. Tenderloin
   
7. bothmill
   
8. Doutzki
   
9. Bobbo
   
10. ms.chris
    
11. Woah Cats
    
12. laner
    
13. Sweats
    
14. Tom (mmmmmm)
    
15. Bobbro
    
16. Eamesy
    
17. Hairnetnic
    

Is that your vapour trail, Tim?

My vapour trail is normally detected by nose

This is definitely on my radar. Looks like a lush ride!

Sounds great. Will be a well needed post-exams spin if I'm back in Essex by then

Provisionally in, maybe cycling to Wales around this time, dependant on when my brother is driving up as I plan on giving him all my luggage. Hope it does'nt clash though as this looks great.

1. upstart
   
2. conker
   
3. middleofnowhere
   
4. Dumps
   
5. Oliver Schick
   
6. Tenderloin
   
7. bothmill
   
8. Doutzki
   
9. Bobbo
   
10. ms.chris
    
11. Woah Cats
    
12. laner
    
13. Sweats
    
14. Tom (mmmmmm)
    
15. Bobbro
    
16. Eamesy
    
17. Hairnetnic
    
18. blue fleet
    

just realised, this is only about 3 weeks away now. aw, beginning to get excited!

I'm reckoning that if you leave Clerkenwell at 8.00 you'll be passing through Enfield about 45 mins later!?

I know! Will post final details up in a week or so - really hoping the weather plays ball.

45 mins sounds about right but I'll get your number nearer the time and let you know when we're rolling. We'll make the Tescos at the Southbury Road / Ponders End junction the rendez-vous so there's plenty of room for us to pull off.

bump,

cos this shouldn't be on page 2, its only 2 weeks away.

1. upstart
   
2. conker
   
3. middleofnowhere
   
4. Dumps
   
5. Oliver Schick
   
6. Tenderloin
   
7. bothmill
   
8. Doutzki
   
9. Bobbo
   
10. ms.chris
    
11. Woah Cats
    
12. laner
    
13. Sweats
    
14. Tom (mmmmmm)
    
15. Bobbro
    
16. Eamesy
    
17. Hairnetnic
    
18. blue fleet
    
19. vunugu
    
    

In like Flynn

Well up for this.

Can probably meet you enroute too as am in Norf London

1. upstart
   
2. conker
   
3. middleofnowhere
   
4. Dumps
   
5. Oliver Schick
   
6. Tenderloin
   
7. bothmill
   
8. Doutzki
   
9. Bobbo
   
10. ms.chris
    
11. Woah Cats
    
12. laner
    
13. Sweats
    
14. Tom (mmmmmm)
    
15. Bobbro
    
16. Eamesy
    
17. Hairnetnic
    
18. blue fleet
    
19. vunugu
    
20. apolloxl
    

@apolloxl
Where abouts in N.London are you coming from?
I'm waiting for them to sweep by at jct. Southbury Rd/Hertford Rd
I reckon if they leave at 8am they'll get there about 8.45

not so far up mate, closer to Highbury/Stokie

Here are some more details (OP has been updated with this info too)

**Start: **Clerkenwell Windmill, 0800 (map: http://goo.gl/hqx24)

Should be easy to find - you can see the windmill base from the street. There's a gated driveway, we'll meet by the gates as there's enough space off the road for us to congregate there.

I'll be riding in from Morden so can pick up anybody en route who doesn't fancy navigating that early in the morning!

North London Pickup: Tesco Petrol Station Car Park, just off Ponders End, 0845 (map: http://goo.gl/byHgP)

Route:

On Garmin Connect here.
Ths route has been changed slightly a couple of times following the recce and some local advice. I'll have this in my Garmin and will bring a turn sheet but if anybody else want to stick it in a Garmin too as backup that'd be great.

RideWithGPS - this route is pre-changes and included for elevation interest only as I've been too lazy to update it.

[ame]http://ridewithgps.com/routes/892529[/ame
[/ame]

It feels like quite a drag out of town, but will be quiet enough on a Sunday morning to make a decent pace. We will reach the highest point of the ride at 36.7 miles - net downhill all the way from there.

Pace / stops:

We have a long way to go so I've opted for an early start rather than having to go to quickly. We'll ride at a comfortable pace to suit everybody - so if the pace feels too much at any point please speak up. It's not a race or a training session, it's all about some sociable comfortable miles and riding as a bunch from start to finish. Regroup at the top of hills (such as they are).

I'm currently investigating some café stops on the way - there isn't much that'll be open until later in the day on sunday but I'll post up anything as I find.

**Self sufficiency:

**Everybody knows this of course - but please make sure you bring a couple of spare tubes and any other gear you normally carry. Make sure you have enough food and water (though of course there will be restocking opportunities as we go). A bit of cash and mobile phones are useful too.

There is a pub in Moulton opposite the windmill that will be open. Unlikely there will be food when we get there but we'll be all good for beer at least.

**Getting home:

**There are no trains from Spalding on the 29th, so going home is via Peterborough. This leaves two options:

1 - Splitting off the main route at Whittlesey and heading straight to Peterborough, ~90miles total.

2 - Riding back to Peterborough from Moulton, ~124 miles total (admittedly with a refreshment stop in Moulton)

I'll obviously be taking option 2 but can point anybody in the right direction for Peterborough if they don't fancy the longer version.

PM me for my mobile number if you want it (particularly anybody who's meeting us en route).

List - please take yourselves off if you can't make it, so we know not to wait for you in Clerkenwell!

1. upstart
   
2. conker
   
3. middleofnowhere
   
4. Dumps
   
5. Oliver Schick
   
6. Tenderloin
   
7. bothmill
   
8. Doutzki
   
9. Bobbo
   
10. ms.chris
    
11. Woah Cats
    
12. laner
    
13. Sweats
    
14. Tom (mmmmmm)
    
15. Bobbro
    
16. Eamesy
    
17. Hairnetnic
    
18. blue fleet
    
19. vunugu
    
20. apolloxl
    

ok, So I've been checking train times from Spalding and I can't find any services for Sunday 29th all day, rail replacement bus? Next option is to cycle down to Peterborough and catch something from there, they run to London until 22:50 ish. But that adds c. 20 miles...

Can anyone else confirm/make me look incompetent?

Yep, just checked myself and that has changed from how it was a month or so ago. In that case it will indeed mean a ride on to Peterborough from Moulton

We'll pass very close to Peterborough on the way out (Whittlesea) so anybody wanting to take a shorter version of the route could split off at that point.

It's 20 flat miles back to Peterborough from Moulton. I imagine that'll feel ok after a couple of jars by a big windmill.