2009-09-05 Sat 10am - Leaving East London Ride

Dunno, hauling 2 sets of climbing gear would be good touring training, so fuck yeah!
As happened yesterday - heavy bloke + downhill + gears = win
heavy bloke + uphill + no fitness = fail

2 harnesses 2 ropes plus other shite will weigh a ton so help with hauling up the hills maybe required....
would like to go climbing near the secret place. in my secret hat.

As happened yesterday - heavy bloke + downhill + gears = win

Bloody gears.

I'd rather go a bit slower than keep losing momentum (especially at the BOTTOM of hills!)

There was that one hill that Oliver backed us all up at the bottom just so he could go steaming up it with his geared bike :-)

One of the best 'gently-paced social rides' is the regular run by the Waltham Forest CTC. There are no sudden changes in pace, the bunch stick together, and they remorsely tap out 15-17mph (a gentle pace). They manage to make it gentle by being incredibly competent at group and personal efficiency.

They manage to make it gentle by having geared road bikes.
I would have ridden a geared road bike if I had been forewarned that we were aiming to do 15-17mph average over that kind of terrain.

I think the route was really good and I really enjoyed it. It definitely looks there's a split in the pack of those who wish to do it again fast(er) and those who would prefer a slower pace. Perhaps we can do a few of both and take this as good experience.

Edmundo, the idea of doing a bit of tree climbing along the way sounds awesome but I'd suggest a shorted route to account for the slower pace (due to hauling heavy equipement) and for the fact that we'd be spending ages on stops for the climbing. Let's get it done though!

For any who care: I'm Phil and was riding a pretty bizarre Plug setup (loads of stickers and strange bottle holder on the back). I was also wearing a helmet, so that's pretty distinguishable due to the amount of ppl not wearing them this trip.

They manage to make it gentle by having geared road bikes.
I would have ridden a geared road bike if I had been forewarned that we were aiming to do 15-17mph average over that kind of terrain.

Yeah, but they leave it in a medium gear or two for the most part. It's easier to 'lock into the rhythm' of a particular gear on flattish terrain, than clickety-click like a mentalist through the gears.

I'm not the only person to tag along with their group on 60-70" fixed during the winter and fit in seamlessly.

A bit of practice and some canny drafting and you'll be fine :)

@wools - adjust gaps accordingly (i.e. >) for nocturnal outings :O

Greetings folks,
Thank you Oliver and for all attendees for a great ride out of London.... I thought it was a great day out - lovely weather lovely countryside and a great 'secret' lunch venue. I carried on riding out to Suffolk and reached Monks Eleigh at about 6.30 pm having notched up 91.5 miles.
Nice pics people.
Sorry to hear there was a accident - I hope you heal soon.
Peace and Love to each and every one,
Tim

I was on a tourer with a triple and 32mm tyres; yet I tended to roll along in the same gear for most of the way. Any one who rides a triple or similar would admit that they roll along most of the time in the same gear.

However, I did drop down to the 28 front on the climb up from Stapleford....

I also envied the F/SS weight advantage most of you had.

Yeah, but they leave it in a medium gear or two for the most part. It's easier to 'lock into the rhythm' of a particular gear on flattish terrain, than clickety-click like a mentalist through the gears.

I'm not the only person to tag along with their group on 60-70" fixed during the winter and fit in seamlessly.

A bit of practice and some canny drafting and you'll be fine :)

@wools - adjust gaps accordingly (i.e. >) for nocturnal outings :O

Would love to do a similar route again and enjoyed the pace, for what its worth.

@Peter Carter: Never got a chance to say it to you, but love the paint job on that bike. It really has some depth when you get up close in the light.

@JAH Tim: 91 miles. Damn, way to go and you finished before we did!

@all interested in more rides: I'm game.

well if anyone wants a gentle paced 20-30miler with a long stop in the middle for climbing trees i'll think about planning a route/climbing spot
would prob have to limit it to 5o6 people tops otherwise wont have time for everyone to play monkeys.

Count me in for a couple of weeks time.

The idea I have is for a monthly ride leaving a Cafe at 9 .15 on the dot. Riders should arrive @ 9.00 or earlier if they want coffee. The Cafe I have in mind is in Orford rd in Walthamstow.

The ride then heads out to Essex and comes back for 1 pm . Initially we will ride at a social pace,but we can split up the ride based on speed and ability as the group develops.

The idea is to get people used to group riding and for the to learn about the Essex lanes and their secret bunkers . I doubt if we will go further north than Matching Green

Yes, there will be stops for 11 venses .

BlueQuinn, sounds like we've something in common, all these young things who think lovely rides through the country are point-to-point alleycats properly boil my piss.

A 9am to 1pm ride sounds like something I can get away with on a regular basis. Taking off for 10 hours is something I have found tries my wife's patience. Would be very interested in that.

Thanks

I d suggest the same saturday a month and go from there . I ll talk to Wools and Oliver as to their thoughts on this

First one would probably be in October..

hi guy i am going for an other scan today to check if i really need an oppiration or no , the bone still look like sticking out slightly , thanks edouard for collecting my bike , is it quiet damaged/i hope no

i think the monthly sat morning rides sound great. I'd definitely be interested. Im the same as d.gen, i full day can be testing on the better half!

definitely interested as well in a regular essex ride.
Could set off with the bunch and dissapear climbing at 1 and make our own way back.
my second time ever in essex. first time i went to moreton as well.
good luck for you scan lyes

My girl lets me do what I want. Just wanted to let y'all know.

My girl lets me do what she wants...

hi guy i am going for an other scan today to check if i really need an oppiration or no , the bone still look like sticking out slightly , thanks edouard for collecting my bike , is it quiet damaged/i hope no

from what i saw - you've got a flat tyre at the front and a smallish dent on a top tube, other than that bike is ok.

hope your injuries will heal fast and we'll see you soon on your bike.

sorry guys if I was a pain in the back for accelerating too much, that what my body was asking me for. I needed a bit faster paced ride and I do love hills.

If I wasn't in such horrible shape, one of these rides would actually sound fun. They actually already do.

The next ride .....

I ll pm Wools and Oliver and post a suggested date for the 1st ride next week

Probably the 2nd saturday in October.

OK, I want to send Linda (who kindly drove Ilias to hospital) a bouquet of flowers. I'm thinking of using this service, at Peter Carter's recommendation:

http://www.interflora.co.uk/

However, I don't know at all what sort of bouquet would be suitable. Does anyone know much about flowers? If you do, please have a look around the site and recommend something. PM me or post here. Ta!