2013-11-16 Cambridge via Duddenhoe End

Was the car with it's front end completely smashed in we came across anything to do with you lot up front? Somewhere around Chishall? (I think) As we passed, the guy shouted out at us, "that's what comes of trying to avoid bloody cyclists". Oops! We couldn't quite work out what he might have done to have damaged his car so. And quite how merely avoiding cyclists could cause that kind of damage. But we were relieved not to see anyone hurt.

Indra's Seta vs my Seta. We all know which one wins :P
http://www.lfgss.com/picture.php?albumid=2829&pictureid=16528

Early...
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Fat people
http://www.lfgss.com/picture.php?albumid=2829&pictureid=16530

Hoke showing off his packed lunch
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Coffee!
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Skully's about to hit the dance floor.
http://www.lfgss.com/picture.php?albumid=2829&pictureid=16534

You the fire engine behind us at the rail crossing?

Fire engine was my thought too!

Was the car with it's front end completely smashed in we came across anything to do with you lot up front? Somewhere around Chishall? (I think) As we passed, the guy shouted out at us, "that's what comes of trying to avoid bloody cyclists". Oops! We couldn't quite work out what he might have done to have damaged his car so. And quite how merely avoiding cyclists could cause that kind of damage. But we were relieved not to see anyone hurt.

Nah. Wasn't us. He was already stoved in and had a helper by the time the breakaway got to him.

Splendid ride with lovely weather to start with, and OK really throughout the day. There was some very fine drizzle for a while but it wasn't worth getting the waterproof out for.

Quite pleased with my riding as it was the longest ride I have done since (consults oracle) the Dun Run, good grief! Moving average in the end of exactly 10 mph, although faffage in stations and having to ride form King's Cross to Lpoo St brought it down. I was up to 10.5mph by the time I got to Cambridge. Glad to hear that Leon was OK (he looked decidedly groggy at the end). Lovely, as ever, to see Jane and had a good natter on train back to King's Cross. Thanks to Ludd for herding the cats.

Dead muntjacs seen: 1.

Great ride. Bit tough on my out of training legs but beautiful route.

First forum puncture was dealt with thanks to Bernie and Ludd offering up the tools i wasn't carrying.

Splendid ride with lovely weather to start with, and OK really throughout the day. There was some very fine drizzle for a while but it wasn't worth getting the waterproof out for.

Quite pleased with my riding as it was the longest ride I have done since (consults oracle) the Dun Run, good grief! Moving average in the end of exactly 10 mph, although faffage in stations and having to ride form King's Cross to Lpoo St brought it down. I was up to 10.5mph by the time I got to Cambridge. Glad to hear that Leon was OK (he looked decidedly groggy at the end). Lovely, as ever, to see Jane and had a good natter on train back to King's Cross. Thanks to Ludd for herding the cats.

Dead muntjacs seen: 1.

I think I was a bit dazed after eating tarmac....luckily beer seems to have effected a miracle cure.

A good day out all in all, will put photos up presently

I saw that muntjac as well...and the blokes with the stove-in car did say something about "cyclists riding two abreast"

I waved to a few and called a DAS.

I was one of the few!

Lovely day out... shame about my spill at the very end... now off to Archway to get an xray done...

Strava data for the ride: http://www.strava.com/activities/95384904
102.8km, 4:23 moving time

See you all soon!

I think I was a bit dazed after eating tarmac....luckily beer seems to have effected a miracle cure.

A good day out all in all, will put photos up presently

I saw that muntjac as well...and the blokes with the stove-in car did say something about "cyclists riding two abreast"

Realised afterwards that I should have offered some of my dried fruit... your blood sugar probably took a dive when you came off. Had I seen it happen, I probably would have... It would have helped. Too late now. Doh!

Good day (although I would have said something very different on the A505 where I think we made a wrong turn). If I don't get some miles down before a ride again I need to be shot. Major HTFU required.

Major props to Bernie for being the dictionary definition of "absolute gent" by looking after the "special needs" bus. And thanks to Skully for the fun route back to SE8 from King's X. Nice one Ludd!

Edit: The back-markers' route. Spot the error: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2013549

107.3km, Total 6:56:46, Moving 4:56:38, Av Speed 21.7km/h

EPIC RIDE!!!!

Didn't start of great as I tinkered with my bike and wanted to check if my psi was still good to ride with and don't you know it I somehow punctured my inner tube and had to do a quick pit stop and TT from Beckton to brick lane in 20 minutes with johnathanjordon as my wing man and made it in the nick of time when they were just leaving! Phew!

Great to see so many old and new faces on the ride, we started I think with 37 and ended up around 20 at the pub (though we lost 5 at the end of bethnal green road :/ ) nevertheless the ride got better after we left London and got out to the countryside where was less traffic lights and the open country roads, big thanks to Ludd for organising and leading the way to Cambridge! Epic ride and will definitely do it again (though probably on a smaller GI)

Splendid ride with lovely weather to start with, and OK really throughout the day. There was some very fine drizzle for a while but it wasn't worth getting the waterproof out for.

Quite pleased with my riding as it was the longest ride I have done since (consults oracle) the Dun Run, good grief! Moving average in the end of exactly 10 mph, although faffage in stations and having to ride form King's Cross to Lpoo St brought it down. I was up to 10.5mph by the time I got to Cambridge. Glad to hear that Leon was OK (he looked decidedly groggy at the end). Lovely, as ever, to see Jane and had a good natter on train back to King's Cross. Thanks to Ludd for herding the cats.

Dead muntjacs seen: 1.

So glad you made this year's.
I haven't forgotten how much you enjoyed last year's....
Just miffed that work / exhaustion have prevented me from participating......

When's the next one, Ludd?

Chapeau to Ludd and Bernie for their excellent leading and brooming respectively. Great ride with great folks!

I was in the fire engine behind you lot at much hadham temporary traffic lights......we had just been to a car (on its side) though.....

Fire Engine - Iggy Pop - YouTube

Chapeau to Ludd and Bernie for their excellent leading and brooming respectively. Great ride with great folks!

Thanks for the kind words, but the laurels must go to Ludd.

Organising and chaperoning such a well attended ride with a quiet, easy charm, and a gracious pint proffered when I arrived with my rear guard platoon.

A cracking day out, thanks everyone for your humour and company.

Really lovely ride. Thanks all of you who made it what it was.
Cheers!

BERNIE!!! Always a great ride with your watching over us! :)

Lovely to read.
Wish I'd been there.

+1

So pics to saver the day:

Great pics!

So gutted to have missed this. Looked like beautiful day, next one, next one.

Cheers to everyone who organised and helped out. Was a great ride and thoroughly enjoyable. It was good to see so many familiar faces. I think that was the quickest ride to Cambridge I've done yet.