The Only Way is Essex (and Hertfordshire) - Saturday Feb 23rd

oow exciting, what you get?

A Bianchi Dama - it's very much entry level and OTP but I are still pretty excite! Just wish it would hurry up and get here!

awesome! congrats on the new addition to the family!

Ta!

mustnotmentionbikefitmustnotmentionbikefit...

Already ahead of you Ed - my LBS has a bike fitting service so going to enquire about it when I pick it up. Probably can't afford a full bike fitting atm but will see if they at least to cleat fitting.

@ hats, KT: hell of the ashdown? it looks somewhat tortuous, either of you done it before? this year may be the year I attempt to improve on gradient... although next weekend sounds just a bit too close. currently super unfit.

Did it last year and really enjoyed it - though it is very hilly and the weather last year was really good, and I had actually done a bit of training last year. I do have a spare place, though, so if you - or anyone else - is feeling keen, let me know.

If anybody isn't doing HotA but is doing this ride, I might ride at least part of the way back to make up a century for the Strava Quarq challenge that's on that weekend.

I am confirmed in with a +1 btw.

Sounds cool!

Sorry bit confused now! Is this ride still going ahead? It sound like fun!

So I rode to Southend yesterday at the last minute (sorry Ed, Blowfish etc it was a v spur of the moment decision as my bike arrived) and the route I used was VERY hilly - which isn't the major issue, as I'm sure we can find a flatter route. The ride out of London and into Southend wasn't the most pleasant either : /

The biggest issue was the train home though. Seems like the maximum number of bikes you can get on a train is four...at a push as there is only one gap/area per train. We couldn't get on the first one that came in cos the space was being used by a pushchair. And by the type of parents who clearly were about to move...I'm not sure a ride en masse, getting the train back would be possible tbh.

I'm thinking lets deffo ride next weekend though but a plan b route is needed I reckon.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

When we took the train in Bournemouth last year, it was obvious there was a limited number of bicycle in one trains, but we got on nonetheless.

Ditto on Southminster during the Deepest, Darkest Essex ride.

Huge numbers (52) went to Southend back in 2010;

It was probably a different rail operatore/rolling stock 3yrs ago Ed...

http://www.bikemap.net/route/803911

When I went on the forum ride last summer we managed to fit about 10 on one of the trains. Not sure this was allowed though, and it challenging to get them all to fit.

Also there are two stations in Southend that go into London on separate lines (one to Fenchurch Street the other to Liverpool Street).

Right. Time for Plan C.

It's going to be 0 or sub zero at the weekend and I'm not massively keen on spending 5 or 6 hours in the cold. I'm also thinking that a 50/60 mile roll is a bit ambitious for a season opener as it were so I'm suggesting a 35mile loop odd roll around Essex and Hertfordshire borders, pretty villages, train out from Liverpool Street, train back?

How does that sound?

villages with pubs in, poots? if it's sunny, a few hours out would be lovely, even if it's cold.

Oh yes! Pubs and pretty villages and tea shops and Henry Moore sculptures and a WINDMILL!

I'll be happy with that. Makes it a bit trickier to get my Quarq century in but that's strictly for nutters anyway, and I could always do a couple of loops around the North and South Circulars to make the miles up if I'm not in too much pain from Friday's crash. My +1 would probs appreciate the shorter distance, too.

if I'm not in too much pain from Friday's crash.

hope nothing too serious? heal up.

Nah, not too serious - some bellend pulled into a roundabout when I was travelling reasonably fast with priority. Managed to scrub off a bit of speed when I saw him move, but not enough to avoid getting plastered across his back window. Sore ribs, sore ankle, and sore wrist, but otherwise just superficial bruises and a reminder not to trust anybody in a car on a give way line, even if you've successfully made eye contact with them :/

^ Eeek - heal up soon!

I may be wimping out - weather for HotA looks grim, and I think I may want to give my legs (and my red raw face) a bit of break. Will see how I feel nearer the time.

Hi there ladies! Im really interested in going on some nice long rides. Haven't had much experience with longer distances, only really doing 20km a day for work commute.
Also, only been in London a year so not sure where to go yet. Was wondering if there are any Sunday rides as Im always working on Saturdays...

Eep at Bothwell - did you get details etc? Hope you aren't suffering (in an actual, rather than Rapha way) too much. And if you want to double the distance, you can always ride the 30 miles from Bishops Stortford to London home...

An Lizze: rides tend to vary between sat and sunday's so I'm sure one will be along sooner or later.

Will map the latest suggested ride when I get home tonight and post up but it's going to be 35-ish pretty flat miles, train out from Liverpool Street at around 10am to Bishops Stortford. Returns will cost about £7 if we can GroupSave it up.

dang...what's the estimated arrival into london time?
I have the adult gymnastics* (which I been trying to plug! anyone?) at 4pm - Bethanal Green.

*should be interesting. i'm prolly gonna land on my head attempting to cartwheel.

Didn't get the guy's details - he stopped his car just round the corner and I thought "oh, good - not a total twat, then", but then when I took my bike out of the road and started walking towards him he just drove off and made good his escape, the bastard. Didn't even have time to get my phone out to take a photo of his plate. Grah. Ta for all the well-wishes, peeps.

Anyway, riding back from Bish Stortford does look interesting. Will draw up a potential route and see how I feel on the day (indolence may also become a factor in my decision)