2013-10-19 - London Borough Spiral Ride

it's looking like 15+ hours!

Start early

I suggest pushing it back to 7:15am because we can't afford much delay in starting.

As for time I think its safe to assume its going to be a stretch to get it done before dark, so bring lights or be preapred to bail homeward before then.

Dawn will be 0658 and dusk 1832, 11.5 hours of daylight. So if it could take 15 hours we ought to bring lights and be prepared to finish after dark rather than put ourselves under time pressure.

I'm happy to push the start back if people want, although it might be better to finish in the dark in well lit central london than have people riding to the start in darkness.

If we can't promise the pub enough people or get them to open early enough, we could fall back to the 24 hour Wild Bean Cafe on the A222 as a pre-start meeting point, and roll down to the start a few minutes before the off.

Those who are planning to take the train to the start, please check timetables and let us know how early we can go without causing you problems.

And I'm hoping there's a few people with garmins coming (will the batteries last all day?) in case we get split up, as I for one will not have a clue where I am or where we're going most of the time.

My recce took 11.5 hours including riding to the start and home afterwards, after which my Edge 800 was showing 3% charge. So 15 hours, probably not. I hope to bring a portable USB charger which I'll be able to lend around a bit to top up Garmins and phones, although this could be a bit dodgy in the wet. Clingfilm ?

On the recce I covered 209km in those 11.5 hours (including stopping at some of the stopping points to explore them and write notes and stuff, no punctures but one protracted battle with a chainring that came loose) so maybe 15 hours is a bit pessimistic. Even so, I would like to plan for it to take 15 hours or more rather than hope it doesn't.

Also, there will be a google maps version of the final route, and the real time gps tracker android app that I keep banging on about would allow you to find us again if you drop behind.

Is there a iPhone app of the mentioned gps tracker ?

Not as far as I know

Has anyone dared to guess how many sets of traffic lights ..... 500 stops if we were unlucky enough they were all red. Fuuuuuuuuu

I really must learn to track stand....

I never learnt to trackstand, I find one of these babies puts everyone else to shame at the lights....

http://goo.gl/1NhOmI

the more I think about this ride the more i think it should be renamed"the purgatory ride"

looking forward to joining in for a few kms

The Duty Manager at Sidcup Place pub (Rocky - I kid you not) has willingly agreed to open at 7.15am.

I suggest that we meet at 7.00-7.15am. Then hot drinks and food till 7.30am.

Depart at 7.30am.

The pub is offering hot baps filled with either fried egg, sausage or bacon @ £1.99 each. Costa tea @ £1.79 each. Costa coffee @ £2.50 each.

If you agree to this start time, we need to pre-order. Can you post like the club jersey please:
Hughbido+coffee+egg

Let me know if the pub time is acceptable and post your order.

As a group, we are due to pay for the food if someone doesn't make it. So it may cost a bit more each, but then we can leave with our pockets filled with their order.

1. Robertyogurt
   
2. Earthloop
   
3. Indra
   
4. Mespilus * Provisional offer to lead km 48 to 72
   
5. Mespilus minor
   
6. LHL
   
7. Idiot
   
8. HORRO
   
9. blue fleet
   
10. Hairnet
    
11. Paramounted
    
12. Eamesy
    ƐƖ. Boner
    
13. shinkuu kiss
    
14. alasdair
    
15. Husy
    
16. YAL
    
17. Hamishio
    
18. hats
    
19. T4
    
20. Itisaboutthebike
    
21. Temp
    
22. starfish & coffee
    
23. blackdolan
    
24. sd ii
    
25. Xesar
    
26. apollo
    
27. Bun
    
28. Ndeipi
    
29. Daveypants
    
30. TPnewbie
    
31. Lifebuoy1988
    
32. Cafewanda
    
33. Dan
    
34. Starsky
    
35. Big H
    
36. letsbreakitup
    
37. maddernj
    
38. Tim
    
39. Philjimpott
    
40. Blandosa
    
41. Raulito09 (from sutton)
    
42. Distinctive Rob (from Hounslow)
    
43. Dull
    
44. Hughbido+coffee+egg
    

Another thought is could we have a support driver? Perhaps there is a club rider who is injured at present and willing to provide vehicle support.

This support vehicle will only meet us at our stops defined by Earthloop. No need for the vehicle to follow our route. Just go straight to the stops. It could carry a track pump.

If we each take a messenger bag or small backpack to the start, and drop it in the vehicle, containing an extra base layer and warm top for example, ready to change at any stop if the weather is poor. Also pack a hi-vis jacket for wearing later in London centre and to wear cycling home. Then again we could add medics, bars, bananas and overshoes to our packs.

I suggest that if we each pay £2.00, then the support driver will be compensated for fuel and parking.

Any volunteers?

Overshoes, make up bag, vanity mirror, hair brush. keep it simple, it's a bit of a ride around town! No?

Overshoes, make up bag, vanity mirror, hair brush. keep it simple, it's a bit of a ride around town! No?

I am just concerned that if the weather is wet and cold, then hypothermia is possible. That's when a change of clothes may be needed.

Will probably ride (perhaps regrettably) with a large backpack. If anyone wants me to carry some light stuff, I can.

We won't be able to get to the start,
we will be waiting for you lot at the A4.

However,
I will park my car at the 4 Hills/San Remo cafe, 'Official Stop No.1',
with stand pump, and essential tools for anyone needing mechanical assistance.

track pump

I'll have this with me: http://www.topeak.com/products/pumps/turbomorphg - not exactly a track pump but it's close enough that I've never felt the need for one.

Will probably ride (perhaps regrettably) with a large backpack. If anyone wants me to carry some light stuff, I can.

I'll have a pannier with a bit of spare space.

My recce took 11.5 hours including riding to the start and home afterwards, after which my Edge 800 was showing 3% charge. So 15 hours, probably not. I hope to bring a portable USB charger which I'll be able to lend around a bit to top up Garmins and phones, although this could be a bit dodgy in the wet. Clingfilm ?

On the recce I covered 209km in those 11.5 hours (including stopping at some of the stopping points to explore them and write notes and stuff, no punctures but one protracted battle with a chainring that came loose) so maybe 15 hours is a bit pessimistic. Even so, I would like to plan for it to take 15 hours or more rather than hope it doesn't.

Also, there will be a google maps version of the final route, and the real time gps tracker android app that I keep banging on about would allow you to find us again if you drop behind.

I don't mind bringing my backpack (waterproof) to store that if you like, also could bring a track pump.

Those who are planning to take the train to the start, please check timetables and let us know how early we can go without causing you problems.

Nobody ?

The proposal is to depart from Sidcup Place at 0730, any objections ?

Another thought is could we have a support driver?

Mrs Earthloop is probably going to drop me at the start and meet me at the finish, and she says she'll be happy to carry bags from start to finish. She won't be at the stops, so if you drop out we'll need make some arrangement to get your bag back to you later.

Based on a 0730 start time, I've got no choice but to ride to the start. I probably shouldn't complain too much though as it's only 10 miles for me. Might be a little depressing riding out to Sidcup only to come back past Crystal Palace on a similar route though, haha!
Still very much looking forward to this - seems like months in the planning. Here's hoping the weather's like it is today!

About 20 miles for me, ah well gonna ride out anyway.

If I'm able for it.

1. Robertyogurt
   
2. Earthloop
   
3. Indra
   
4. Mespilus * Provisional offer to lead km 48 to 72
   
5. Mespilus minor
   
6. LHL
   
7. Idiot
   
8. HORRO
   
9. blue fleet
   
10. Hairnet
    
11. Paramounted
    
12. Eamesy
    ƐƖ. Boner
    
13. shinkuu kiss
    
14. alasdair
    
15. Husy
    
16. YAL
    
17. Hamishio
    
18. hats
    
19. T4
    
20. Itisaboutthebike
    
21. Temp
    
22. starfish & coffee
    
23. blackdolan
    
24. sd ii
    
25. Xesar
    
26. apollo
    
27. Bun
    
28. Ndeipi
    
29. Daveypants
    
30. TPnewbie
    
31. Lifebuoy1988
    
32. Cafewanda
    
33. Dan
    
34. Starsky
    
35. Big H
    
36. letsbreakitup
    
37. maddernj
    
38. Tim
    
39. Philjimpott
    
40. Blandosa
    
41. Raulito09 (from sutton)
    
42. Distinctive Rob (from Hounslow)
    
43. Dull
    
44. Hughbido+coffee+egg
    
45. Seven04
    
    

Indra, I will feeder ride with you

7.30 start means a 6.15 train from Kentish Town, arriving at Sidcup at 7.25. Or a similarly lengthy ride out. Still keen even though I never like setting the alarm for a time with a 5 at the front.

What do other Kentish Towners reckon?

Cool mate, just bell me the night before. ^^