14/8 ride Birmingham to Northants

I need to ride the Shambala route ahead of the real deal, plan is to do it next Tues, setting out from International.

Am mostly familiar with it so it won't (shouldn't) be a navigational nightmare.

Will be popping into Cov Transport Museum for a coffee / snack & to see the Olympic cycling exhibition there if still on.

If anyone fancies a ride out for some / all of the route please let me know. It's lumpy in places but folks have ridden it fixed in the past. I'll be geared though.

I'll be heading from festival site to Market Harbs after for train to MCR, might be easier for B'ham folks to go Northampton, but either way you'll need lights for the tunnels!

You are talking about the old train line from MH to Northampton.I have done it recently but it is super popular now. Lots and lots of riders and a few frustrated walkers. I have to work Tuesday otherwise I'd join for some of that route.

do you have the route laid out on something I could see?

do you have the route laid out on something I could see?

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/123195437

You are talking about the old train line from MH to Northampton.I have done it recently but it is super popular now. Lots and lots of riders and a few frustrated walkers. I have to work Tuesday otherwise I'd join for some of that route.

Yup, it's fab along that (NCN Route 6), shame we only pick it up at our destination! The London and Bristol rides to the festival will hit big chunks of it.

I'm up for this as I've got the day off and need to put some training miles in. What time you leaving from international?

Nice one. 9ish start, depends on my train. I'll confirm tomorrow. If you want to PM me your number I can text.

It might not be fast, I'll be on my tourer not racer. It will be miles in legs though.

Wondering if DFP has checked the route and decided to join us too?

I'm not that bothered about speed just need to put the miles in - i'll pm you my mobile later

Slight change of plan, riding from New Street out to International as well now, on quiet-ish roads (not the A45).

Great day for it, nice to meet Tom who joined myself & my mate Ian for a large chunk of the route. A few action pics to follow at some point.

Absolutely shattered but was good fun - Pasta and ice cream recovery now

Bit slow getting back onto this thread, but once again huge thanks to Tom for joining us. Riding it early made the real deal much easier once again last week (another Sunny day), ended up 15 of us heading to Kelmarsh for Shambala.

Couple of Vignette pics from the recce ride:

Watch this space for another recce next year!

Awesome photos - glad to hear the proper ride went well