Another visit from Head Office on 13-05-2012 "Oxford town and gown race"

I'm keen to meet the invaders at Watlington. I'll confirm and list myself next week.

Marshall, it would be good to have you along, the more the merrier. There will be a group (well, 2 or 3) meeting in Wallingford and heading to Watlington if you're anywhere near there.

Marshall, good to have some more company from either Watlington or Wallingford - I don't think it's too late to reister for the run either ...

I'll be heading from East Oxford way but might swing by Wallingford (what's a few more miles!). I may have convinced some others to come too...

I think my participation of the 10k will stretch only to cheering and sponsoring I'm afraid.

Any oxbods willing to hang out at the parking zone?

Bernie has posted the timetable for the ride at http://www.lfgss.com/post2857595-233.html - they plan to pass through Watlington at 7.50. Marshall / Booga I'll send you PMs with my contact details in case you need them. I think we should leave Walllingford at about 7.00 to make sure we are are in Watlington in plenty of time.

Looking forward to it and meeting you all - just hope it's dry, I don't like running in the wet ...

I'm up for this, will be cycling down from oxford with marshall.

Also happy to help man the parking zone.

1. booga
   
2. joepablo
   
3. Chris Jones
   

Happy to man the base too!

1. booga
   
2. joepablo
   
3. Chris Jones
   
4. marshall2k
   

Bit late to the party but count me in too! I'll be joining Chris and marshall to wherever we decide to go...

1. booga
   
2. joepablo
   
3. Chris Jones
   
4. marshall2k
   
5. jetame
   

Chris / Jetame, great you can make it along. I've just ordered my chimeny sweep brush for the run off ebay this eve ...

Chris / Jetame, great you can make it along. I've just ordered my chimeny sweep brush for the run off ebay this eve ...

Thanks for all your help with this, really appreciated. It is so good to know that we will have a pathfinder squadron to lead us into town. We are following the A40, and then cutting off onto the A4009 to roll into Watlington.

The Oxford Mail and the charity, seem to want to make a bit of a thing out of the chimney sweep theme, so if all the crew could be suitably attired, for any photo call, that would be brilliant. Flat cap, red neck scarf, dark jacket and trousers, single drain rod with brush attached, and a liberal helping of soot!

If you were able to bring some energy drinks and food to the Watlington meet up, you would have some very grateful fellow cyclists in your company, as we ride into the start.

Finally, any contributions from friends and family, to the Just Giving page, would be most appreciated

http://www.justgiving.com/lfgss-chimneysweeps

Bernie, energy drinks and cake for Watlington - sorted (hopefully, see PM). All I've got to do now is get the costume.

Apparently, the London crew have some spare chimeny sweep brushes (heads only) - so if anyone has got some old drain rods and would like a brush let me or Bernie know and they can bring one along for you.

Also another (non-forum member) name for the list:

1. booga
   
2. joepablo
   
3. Chris Jones
   
4. marshall2k
   
5. jetame
   
6. jochta
   

Apparently, the London crew have some spare chimeny sweep brushes (heads only) - so if anyone has got some old drain rods and would like a brush let me or Bernie know and they can bring one along for you.

Also another (non-forum member) name for the list:

1. booga
   
2. joepablo
   
3. Chris Jones
   
4. marshall2k
   
5. jetame
   
6. jochta
   
   

Thanks JP, your input really is appreciated.

Looking forward to seeing all you good people on Sunday morning, and anything you can do on the fund raising, will be much appreciated by the charity.

The Just Giving page is as follows

www.justgiving.com/lfgss-**chimneysweeps**

Currently Marshall, Jetame and myself are brushless so few spare heads would be great, we'll try and get some drain rods (any ideas where one might find some at short notice?)

We're off charity shopping today to get our outfits

Chris, I believe larger DIY stores sometimes sell rods singularly, and you may be able to get brush heads as well. Try the trade places too like Jewsons, Travis Perkins, Builder/Plumb centre etc.

Unfortunately I'm fairly new to Oxford's famous Oxford so am not too familiar with the location of such establishments.

Chris, the London crew are meeting tomorrow eve to discuss the finer points of riding with chimney sweep brushes, so if you'd like them to bring you one or two I'd put a post up on the main rides and races thread or send Bernie a PM before tomorrow eve.

As Booga says spare rods should be available from any of the larger trade places - apparently the chimney sweep brushes fit on the rods used to clear drains.

Chris, I believe larger DIY stores sometimes sell rods singularly, and you may be able to get brush heads as well. Try the trade places too like Jewsons, Travis Perkins, Builder/Plumb centre etc.

Unfortunately I'm fairly new to Oxford's famous Oxford so am not too familiar with the location of such establishments.

B&Q* cowley center, Travis Perkins Cowley Road and Botley

Wcks, Botley, Jewsons, Wheatley, HomeBase on the ring road, Screwfix on the ring road nr BMW plant. how sad am I ;-)

Chris, the London crew are meeting tomorrow eve to discuss the finer points of riding with chimney sweep brushes, so if you'd like them to bring you one or two I'd put a post up on the main rides and races thread or send Bernie a PM before tomorrow eve.

As Booga says spare rods should be available from any of the larger trade places - apparently the chimney sweep brushes fit on the rods used to clear drains.

Gents, great to see so many up for the meet.

We will haul all the brush heads we have with us. It will give us at least 3, possibly 4, spares for you. If you can source the rods, that would be most appreciated. I am hoping there is at least one family member/local pumber/neighbour who could be persuaded to lend the rods, for a few hours.

Charity have also been on to me, and are really excited about our participation. So, main thing is flat cap, red scarf/neckchief, black/brown jacket and trousers, and burnt cork for face soot.

Am sending PM later today with a contact list with all the known mobile numbers. If yours is missing, please feel free to add in your details, and "reply to all."

From all the London office, thank you so much for your support, care and attention today.

It was a daunting prospect to take on the ride, and the run, with the added burden of so much charity giving hanging on our completion, but knowing we had a carbo First Aid station in Watlington, and the indomitable FOB at Keeble College, was all we needed to steel our nerve.

Pictures on the main Rides and Races thread, and I look forward to discussing with Booga the Oxford/London Mob match, in the very near future.

It was good to meet you all on Sunday - however briefly. Just sorry I had to scoot before the post race drinks. I'll have to see if I can make it in from the sticks for one of the Oxford Drinks.

I look forward to discussing with Booga the Oxford/London Mob match, in the very near future.

Damn, I was hoping you'd forgotten that conversation! Unfortunately 2 of the things I'm not very good at are 1, drinking and 2, cycling! I'm sure we'll be able to organise some kind of London/Oxford hilarity, I remember something about a Guiness 6.5 training ride!

What a great day. Nice to meet you all and chapeau to everyone involved.

2012-05-13 - Oxford town and gown race

Head Office are paying us a visit again in May so there is Plenty of time to dust off the sub forum bunting and sharpen the pitchforks.

missives to follow.

STOP THE PRESS!!!

Awards have been won! the sweeps have been anointed! check the thread for moar details........

STOP THE PRESS!!!

Awards have been won! the sweeps have been anointed! check the thread for moar details........

Ha ha, good man FOB, will get full report of awards ceremony and the delightful Sue Barker, early next week.

Oh, and better sharpen the pitchforks and tar the straw, we are coming your way Saturday, 17th November. Check out Gulliver's Travels, chapter 2.