2012-07-21 London to Bath Night Ride (a TNRC affair)

Incidentally this has convinved me that Bath is the place I shall be calling home after I leave London. Upon closer investigation I've found a lovely 2 bed period terrace with 2 reception rooms and a nice lil back garden for 300k.

The search has begun!

oh boy, that's really nice, there is nothing nearly as good in London even if you go far out. that's the house Ben, and we use it as a base for London-Bath rides [insert evil laughter here]

I'll get them processed this week!

nice! be aware of me making a lot of faces randomly in those photos :)

Benjam , that letter is great, I think I'll get you to write all of my complaints missives in the future. I haven't kept my ticket so I don't think there will be much I can do now but I hope you'll get a reply. And free tickets.
On a more positive note what a great ride! I can't just go to normal TNRCs now, they'll have to be that good. And I've learned something new about myself.
I can actually fall asleep in a swimming pool...

I can actually fall asleep in a swimming pool...

This was hilarious, we saved you n a number of occasions as the lofegaurds on duty were clearly not doing their jobs.

Tim did have an idea a while ago to have a Delux to a wild swimming spot. A suitably isolated lake, river, cove or some-such. Would probably mean carrying more stuff like towels and food, but the idea is sound. Never came up with a decent destination, so if any one knows a good spot.

The more I think about this, the more I think it would be a brilliant idea - especailly if the weather holds. I also have ridiculous amounts of time off in August, so could do a mid-week trip. A bit of cursory research suggests that the Thames by Lechlade or the oxbow lakes by Seaford might be a possibility. I really like the idea of the former, and suspect there might be a few nice pubs round there, but haven't investigated the train situation yet (boo to Olympic restrictions).

Any takers? Weekend or weekday?

@ Simon, apologies again for the ruthlessly direct lead out to Farnborough. Next time I promise I'll take you the scenic route - featuring the actual M4 and the Terminal 5 runway, rather than just their feeder roads... ;)

No problem, you can never know too many ways to Heathrow - I had no idea it was so close, and with something approximating a reasonable bike route!

Strongly tempted to get myself one of those Garmins now ;D

*this is a lie-in

Fixed.

Point taken Oliver, and I am thinking maybe you have had that soup for once and only once for a reason ;)

Heh. Yes, the reason is that it's hard to get. :)

They both look good - in different ways.
Did you swim at Lechlade? It looks very pretty
http://g3nqf.co.uk/images/223.jpg

Seaford is a bit more wild

http://www.flickr.com/photos/weesam/4486155117/

I'd go for either, and I'm pretty flexible workwise in August (away in Wales for next 10 days) so I could probs do mid-week too.

I reckon riding through the night, turning up and jumping into the water sounds ace.

Swimclub (wish there were some proper hot springs in this country)

http://www.sfnewmexican.com/assets/5989564/13126150_w650.jpg

Super Deluxe to New Mexico anyone? I can vouch for this one -one of the best places.

The more I think about this, the more I think it would be a brilliant idea - especailly if the weather holds. I also have ridiculous amounts of time off in August, so could do a mid-week trip. A bit of cursory research suggests that the Thames by Lechlade or the oxbow lakes by Seaford might be a possibility. I really like the idea of the former, and suspect there might be a few nice pubs round there, but haven't investigated the train situation yet (boo to Olympic restrictions).

Any takers? Weekend or weekday?

Would definitely be up for this! I've got plenty of holiday left so could take a day off midweek if necessary.

Yeah sounds cool to me. Though no train return would be a pain.

So have been giving this a bit of thought - I can’t decide between two wild swimming options, so I’d be up for trying them both:

Dedham – on Suffolk / Essex borders. This is a little detour off the Dynamo route, so don’t think I’ll bother reccying. Trains back from Manningtree and Greater Anglia don’t seem to have changed their bike policy for the Olympics. Weather permitting, I fancy doing this towards the end of w/c 13 August.
http://www.wildswimming.co.uk/map/dedham-vale/

Lechlade – quite a few options round here for swimming and trains back from Swindon. FGW don’t seem to have any restrictions for the Olympics (other than their customary helpful ticket office staff). I’ll try and reccy a fixed-friendly route for this – well at least one that doesn’t go over the Chilterns. Will prob reccy this Thursday or Friday week, and perhaps do around 23rd? Again, would rather be flexible about dates and get the best weather.
http://www.wildswimming.co.uk/map/buscot-weir/

Happy to do as overnighters or daytime rides with an early start. Might see a few of you tonight at TNRC so can consider options.

cool!^

revised plans for tomorrow

Meet by Stockwell Skate Park 7.45 for an 8am departure.

Route is here:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1524175

(Persuaded by Ludwig that we should go over Christmas Common).

Hopefully there for about 3 for a swim and ice cream. Bring food for en route. There are trains every few minutes from Swindon (10 miles from Lechlade). Journey back into London is 1hr and tickets are about £23.

This is just the reccy - will post details for this and the Dedham ride soon in a separate thread)

may well be up for that!

Great - well I'll post a final route this evening, when I've decided whether to go via Windsor or not. I'll be by Stockwell skate park from 8.45 till 9am tomorrow if you fancy coming along. I am not fast, gears or no gears. Bring your swimming things.

Would recommend you take the train to Iver and do not avoid the bumps out of Marlow. Probably you know Chalkpit Lane Frieth Road to Turville Dolesden Lane and N End to Christmas Common!? Des' most loved fixed route in the world.

I do know it - have cycled that way to Oxford many times. I hadn't planned to get the train out for the reccy, though might be an idea for the real thing. Had also planned to hang south and avoid having to go up and over the Chilterns at Chrsitmas Common fixed - maybe I am just weak! As I said, route not settled yet -will ponder again this evening. Might make it an earlier start as well - leaving London 8am.

ooo this sounds very tempting, may join on the recon mission

^Great stuff. Have edited post above (390) with new arrangements. Meeting 7.45am at Stockwell Skate Park. Hope to see you there - or for the real thing (probably 23 or 24 Aug).

I can't see myself waking up that early tomorrow, so I'm out of the recon, would be a lovely ride though.
Enjoy KT!

But you cycled all night! As long as you can make the actual ride (which will still need to start pretty early!)

My garmin has just packed up - this could be a little sketchy. Ah well.

Good luck today! Dedham is lovely BTW. Would recommend The Sun at Dedham for post-ride recovery!

Thanks! I think today is Lechlade - Dedham in a few week time. Come if you can!