2011-06-20 - Rolling to the Stones - Destination Avebury

what's this about a sheep rescue??

A lamb had its neck and leg stuck in a fence.

Guess where I am right now? Pewsey!

What's the name of that hi you can see from the train? The one that looks ditchling. Really fancy a go at that fixed.

a sheep had it's head stuck in a fence and dan rescued it.

SH you're probably thinking of Milk Hill - check out the road from Boreham to Alton Priors. I nearly sent you all that way to get from Avebury to Pewsey but decided then probably wasn't the best time for massive hills!

If you guys want a SW hills route I can set one up for you, could make for a really nice summer ride, 50-60 miles or so?

^
pretty much the situation.

Great ride fellas. I'll try and get my photos up tonight.
I was absolutely fucked last night. Had to stop on the way back for a sit down and something to eat.

3 hours sleep yesterday afternoon and then a good night last night and I'm feeling much better now.
I had a pretty sore knee last night, but a couple of doses of Ibuprofen have sorted it out.
Joe, I hope I wasn't too pushy with you, but you can often ride through the low spots if you eat and drink enough as you go. That was a class ride from you, well done mate!

What a ride (and my first night ride)! There was a point about 3.30 when I started hallucinating and was saved by the raconteur skills of Dropout who woke back up my brain, but there wasn't a point where I didn't enjoy myself. Skive was a fearless leader and thanks to Stonehenge as well for keeping the pack together at the back (and we found out he is the only member of the Lonley Gay Bike Society).

Got an hours sleep on the train back but then breakfast, coffee, then sunshine, then beers in the park, laughs, more beers and then EXTREME tiredness at 10.30.

Already looking forward to the next big ride.

hahaha what an epic!
Its the morning after thats when it begins to get weird, things appear distorted, concept of time is completly broken, and not sure why, but food ends up tasting metallic?
was supposed to join up to our local 'mini stones' ride from a local stone circle, greet the sun (and the pagans) at 3.xxAM then ride 80miles or something to the coast (then mostly back because there is no public transport here). But it got to 2.30am, time to leave for the ride, and I just turned over and did more sleeping. Fail.

I managed to stay up till 10pm last night then had 11 hours sleep, I've not had a kip like that since being a slacker student, brilliant work forum!

I carried a camera all the way round and only took a picture at the stones so here it is.

1 Attachment

Epic! Well done guys

The birth of the Lonely Gay Bikers Club...?

The Lonely Gay Bikers tour of the south west's petrol station continues.

The freakiest fucking thing I've ever seen in a field and about as close as we got to seeing the sunrise

The parting of the ways (Hungerford)

A stone and a bunch of stinking cyclists

Local knowledge comes in handy at times...

Chilling out with tea and bacon butties

Nice work fellas. Chapeau Skive.

ditto

Steve, guessing you're not planning one this year?
Might organise a ride for this if anyone else is keen.

Steve, guessing you're not planning one this year?
Might organise a ride for this if anyone else is keen.

it's been on my mind.

looking like i've got too much work on and around the 21st so i'm mostly out.

feel free to organise and if i can wriggle out of work i'm there!

checked work and i will not be able to make the 21st.

boo.

however i am free the weekend before.
anyone keen for a night ride down to brighton on saturday 16th?

I also had Avebury in mind: it's been such a good ride the last two years.

I can do Thurs 21st- the longest day-ideally as a night ride.
Shame you can.t, Steve. Can't do your Brighton date I'm afraid.

Too presumptious to start a list? -Ever decreasing stone circles:

1.Laner
2.Dropout

I'm provisionally in, was my first night ride last time and it was great fun, lets see if we can get there before sunrise this time, and maybe have enough time there to sit and enjoy a drink.

1. Laner
   
2. Dropout
   
3. Bluefleet
   
   

Have you built up your prize winning frame from the London Classic John?

i always mess this up.

the 21st is the solstice meaning the ride needs to be on the night of the 20th getting in for the solstice.

i still can't do it but make sure you get the right night!

New thread
http://www.lfgss.com/thread87227.html

ho then...
time for some slightly serious stuff.

Check over your bike
Make sure it is roadworthy
-Check your tyres for wear and glass/flints/sharp objects
-Pump up the tyres(correctly inflated tyres puncture less)
-Check your lights and batteries - please see note below
-Check for loose bolts
-Oil the chain
If you are not mechanically competent, get a friend that is to help you.

Prepare for self-sufficiency
-Bring a spare tube and tube changing tools
-Bring food and water, high energy snacks and fruit
-Bring spare batteries
-Bring extra layers, for if it gets colder - it will get cold, very cold
-Bring a rainjacket for if it gets wetter
-Bring a Fully Charged Mobile

**Help out, sound off about hazards and if people have been dropped of the back
Usually if we are riding the first person over a nasty bump or hidden grate, sudden drop, glass, whatever will let those immediately following them now about it by shouting or pointing.
**
So if you hear about it from the front, pass it back.

Conversely if you see people being dropped off the back, at the lights or because they are slow or having some mechanical difficulties, pass it forward so the people leading the ride know and can take steps to either wait up, slow down or go back and help them out.

Get other peoples mobile numbers

Take a few minutes to check out the route
Either from the route posted up or grab a map/cribsheet/directions so if you plan to leave early, arrive late or if you get separated you can get back on to the ride

Be sensible

As with all forum rides we will endeavour to help out any stricken rider with their punctures and mechanical problems but on a large ride this might be difficult.

If we stop at the side of the road get out of it! Lets not block the carriageway for every other soul on the roads.

Do not bring arcane or speciality equipment that needs non standard tools or esoteric knowledge in order to sort out failures and malfunctions.
Of course if you can change a 650 tub in complete darkness in under ten minutes and have all the tools and glues, be my guest.

no one will get dropped or left but if this is your first ride expect to ride 100+ miles, that will involve some preparation and eating.

this ride will be social, steady and relaxed, albiet with less talking past 0100 in the morning.

**brandy is good at keeping you warm
**
i've taken the liberty of highlighting a couple of sections.
these are for yours and others safety.

lights
ok then, lights are good i suggest bringing them, however...
you want a decent front light that you can either run all night or have spare batteries to replace.
if your unsure what works ask.
up back you'll want a rear light either with a diffuser, read electrical tape, or pointed down - this is to stop the people behind you getting blinded.

i think that should cover it.

any questions shout.

this post from clintsmoker, TNRC, is also very helpful.
http://www.lfgss.com/post2000406-268.html