Tuesday Night Ride Club '09

okay okay, for the recce i don't much care but someone please clarify ( i.e. sam) what direction this route is going to be. if sam says clockwise then clockwise it is and no bullshit from anyone on here. for the recce we could go anti-clock and then at least me and marco would be able to give a fair assessment as to whether it is doable for mere mortals. but keep in mind a recce is supposed to be a run through of the route not the reverse of the route. :)

I don't mind which way it is TBH, riding around Kent is better than riding around anywhere. But then again I am biased.

The only factor is Sundridge Hill. And I haven't ridden it for about 8 years as I moved away from that area in 2003 (I still have nightmares about Brasted Hill) so I've no idea how I'd perform on it.

One plus point would be if it's run clock then you'd get the traditional TNRC fast finish.

Saying all this, we don't actually have to climb Sundridge Hill. It's only there as I wanted us to climb Star Hill, and Sundridge Hill leads us back off the ridge. If I cut it from the route it makes it around 29 miles.

Do that and it's still a nice honest ride IMHO.

I'll redo some routes at some point this morning.

Clockwise from Otford without Sundridge Hill is too easy, so I've thrown in a loop to take in Star Hill. Brings it up to 34 miles though.

Here's the definitive list with the profiles of each.

Clockwise with Sundridge Hill
http://www.bikemap.net/route/262644

Clockwise with Star Hill
http://www.bikemap.net/route/263600[url="http://www.bikemap.net/route/263384"][/url]

Anti-clockwise
http://www.bikemap.net/route/260779

If you look at the profiles it would suggest that anti-clock (basically the original route) is actually the harder of the three, plus it has an extra 165 feet of climbing.

Anyway, I'm going to shut up now as I'm bored of looking at my own posts.

I'd be tempted to tag along for the next TNR..... but only half the clockwise route and back again :)

Let's just go for option no.2 - Clockwise with Star Hill. Sundridge would be fucking ridiculous, but I've done Star Hill plenty of times on a medium gear, and it fits the TNRC mould perfectly.

I'm making an executive decision on Sam's behalf. Nice bit of re-routing from our man in Kent.

yesss!

will there be walking bits?

Option 2 looks good. I hope to ride it on Sunday morning but to say the reaction to my announcement last night that I would be out cycling was frosty would be an understatement. I think glacial would be more accurate.

braker, you are a strong guy.......

in for a penny in for a pound mate. when will they learn...riding is important!

that's bmmf making the decision executively :)

Well, with the choice of these routes we can always swap them, especially if we knock Sundridge on the head completely.

You know, alternate them. Clock, then anti-clock, then clock.

Not forgetting the original Kent ride of course!

I'll knock up a cheat sheet for option 2 later today. If Andy can't make Sunday (I feel your pain, I've had it for 5 1/2 years), can one or two people drop me a PM with their email address so I can forward it on (it's a Powerpoint preso).

If I can make it Sunday then I will, but as I said on the last page, if I'm not there at 10am just go without me.

Cheers.

PS If anyone arrives early, there is a small, reasonably priced coffee shop located on platform 1 (London-bound side).

Option 2 looks good. I hope to ride it on Sunday morning but to say the reaction to my announcement last night that I would be out cycling was frosty would be an understatement. I think glacial would be more accurate.

You need to be especially nice to her between now and then. This shouldn't be too difficult. From experience, pregnant women are hot ;)

I'm impressed that Sundridge Hill is so painfully honest as to be ruled out for the TNRC.

You need to be especially nice to her between now and then. This shouldn't be too difficult. From experience, pregnant women are hot ;)

Thinking she was hot is what got us into this situation in the first place. ;-)

I'm impressed that Sundridge Hill is so painfully honest as to be ruled out for the TNRC.

It's not honest. It's utterly tactless.

Is it German?

Bavarian.

Option 2 looks good. I hope to ride it on Sunday morning but to say the reaction to my announcement last night that I would be out cycling was frosty would be an understatement. I think glacial would be more accurate.

I am going for the same announcement this evening, if all is well I will meet you at Otford station for 10am if not I will meet you at Otford station Tuesday week.

Here we go...

How did you get on, Andy and Martin?

I'm definitely there tomorrow, so don't panic with the cheat sheets. See you at 10.

PS I'm going round my Mums in Brasted straight after, so will give Sundridge Hill a crack on the way if anyone fancies it. It's about 4.5 miles from Otford and if you're riding back into London, turn right at the top and after a few miles it'll bring you out on the A21 at Pratts Bottom, about 7 miles south east of Bromley.

I'll have to see how things are going regarding an optional Sundridge. I've got a recurring sprain in my left shoulder, that's aggravated by accelerating out of the saddle or standing whilst in the drops.

I can sort of 'climb around it', but that's not going to be healthy in the longterm...

i shall be bringing an OS map and taking it easy. i have a bad back so don't worry too much if you see me drop off. don't wait for me if i do

This is steady miles for me, familiarising myself with the route, and possibly bum-rushing a couple of climbs if my shoulder gives permission.

I imagine we'll be staying as a group.