2008-10-15 - The Bridges V - East to West

We did occasionally lose people hence me shouting most of the time, "wait up!" to no avail.
A group missed out Southwark Bridge by going Straight to Blackfriars on the South. Another group missed the Millennium Bridge by turning down that death tunnel North and went to Blackfriars.
I had though after Blackfriars Bridge we had caught up with everybody.

Yup, that's my point:

Last docks ride we had some people ride into curbs that they didn't see because of the bikes in front of them.

So if you hear about it from the front, pass it back.

Conversely if you see people being dropped off the back, at the lights or because they are slow or having some mechanical difficulties, pass it forward so the people leading the ride know and can take steps to either wait up, slow down or go back and help them out.

You can't see because of the bike traffic, a group of us didn't know of the detour because there's zero chance anyone could've shouted it all the way back, and seriously... slowing or holding up 150 people when a puncture or incident occurs isn't the best thing, it only takes a few people to help out in almost any incident, and for the vast majority of incidents it's just going to be a case of "too many cooks".

So what I'm saying is, can we get over this idea that no-one will be left behind and that we need to ride as one huge group. It's neither practical or safe.

There's no doubt other rides started small, the Dunwich Dynamo was originally a few people who would of course have ridden together and helped each other. And now it's a "leave when you want, go at your own pace". Of course this a league away, but it shows the evolution from the "one group" to "a constant stream". We're not that big, so I'm proposing something halfway... a known start place and time, but to purposefully and deliberately let the group of riders become a stream of riders, and then to only regroup halfway-ish for a major photo/break and then to again let the group become a stream before congregating again at the end.

All told a funny night.
Fortunate as we were with the weather and even the 3(?) punctures we had were remedied quickly.
Thanks to everybody for the photos and videos.
To those that got in mishaps I wish you all a speedy recovery.

Well there is always the next ride to hone our organisational skills.

Has this all got too big? The ride as one pack thing? We could declare in advance any detours, and just let people ride at their own pace and space. This would reduce a lot of the danger as a hell of a lot of accidents did occur, and would keep people moving and not waiting around at places.

No way, I mean most people could probably have sprinted large sections of that, but larking about was the fun for me.

I'd love to see 100+ attempting something like Brighton as a pack, that'd be wild.

Also, being forced to ride together forced people together socially. If it was each to their own, you'd just group off with people you knew wouldn't you?

brighton night ride?

Greetings,
Just wanted to say thanks a lot for a great ride. This was my second and once again liked the vibes. Good to put more faces to internet names and thanks to Andre, Jim and Martin for the ride back homewards.
Until the next one.
Peace and Love,
Tim

I was one of the riders that missed Trafalgar Square (real shame) and was waiting on Vauxhall Bridge. It was still a fantastic ride and I loved it, cheers MA3K for all your work. When are you starting the list for next year?

Wow - that looks special.

Looked out for you on the way home from my night, ready for an epic Do A Skid shout-out, but no luck.

Next time...next time.

Same here...
I think it was a setup because they didn't have a lens wide enough to fit me in that group shot. ;)

London to Brighton in the dark is the FUTURE!!

Would take some serious planning but I think there'd be enough enthusiasm (and expertise) for it

London to Brighton in the dark is the FUTURE!!
is stupid, some big fuck-off hills!!

I'd like to make one request for next time.
Let cars pass you when you can.
If you are in a big group at the front spreading across two lanes and holding a bunch of cars and vans up, as happened a few times then the people behind you are forced to breathe in their exhausts for miles. If you let them past then everyone gets cleaner air.

No way, I mean most people could probably have sprinted large sections of that, but larking about was the fun for me.

I'd love to see 100+ attempting something like Brighton as a pack, that'd be wild.

a Brighton ride day or night would be amazing. Think seriously about this Idea. I'll be the first to sign up!

Fun ride, cheered me up a lot. Thanks.

+1 on letting cars past when it makes sense - this isn't critical mass...

I was with the group who headed back east via Notting hill - sorry to anyone we dropped going up the hill (no idea why we went that way). Waited a bit at the top, but perhaps not long enough. Hope anyone left behind made it home ok.

moth

Definitely! Set off during the day walk around Brighton for a bit then head back after dark, this would be a fantastic ride.

Thanks all for a super smashing night and fix up quick all those folk who had to much of a smashing night.

For the record I'd just like people to to know that my bike handling skill are premier league and that for that rolling stoppy/endo I was always in complete control ;-O

Good work Build n BMMF heading up the charge on the way home at a very pleasant pace. I was almost tempted to not split of a Roseberry Ave.

Was that you that went up the 2 stair by the Ship?

I've no idea where the ship is but if you mean was it me that gracefully popped up a 2 set of steps cresting which upon my front wheel with a look of placid serenity on my boat race that was me Duncan.

brighton night ride?

+1.
The only danger is the more into the countryside you get the more acceptable it is to drive a tracker pissed out of our mind. That said it would be wicked. Quite a few people know the route by now and I recon it would be possible to leave in time to catch the sunrise, and early trains home if the weather stops beach frolics.
Anyone fancy it early Dec?Maybe start a poll for a date?

I've no idea where the ship is but if you mean was it me that gracefully popped up a 2 set of steps cresting which upon my front wheel with a look of placid serenity on my boat race that was me Duncan.

Haha! Sorry Tim, didn't know your forum name. It was a thing of beauty . . . so was the look on your face when your rear wheel touched down!

it was at The Ship . and i wish i had a camera ready for that. priceless

All I heard was 'Yeah I can make that' then turned round to see Mr Tiles rolling about 5ft along the ground on just his front wheel with that 'Oooooh Shit' look on his face. Classic.