2010-09-19 Sun - The Red Kite Ride

I'm a bit of a closet twitcher and think Birds Of Prey are ACE!

After some light discussion a while back about Red Kites, makes perfect sense that we do a ride to go and see these fantastic birds.

Once on the edge of extinction these were introduced back to the Chilterns area in the 90's and have flourished to way over 300 mating pairs that are regularly spotted. Anyone having been on the M40 around the High Wycombe/Oxford area would have seen them soaring overhead - AND they get very low to the ground too - have been known to take family pets from gardens(wicked!)

The ride will basically be over to the triangle that is Stokenchurch, Lewknor & Watlington - Junctions 5 & 6 on the M40. We'll go the backroads(exact journey to be decided nearer the time)

Sun 19th September
10am start - departure location TBC

Right, there's no trains from Iver on that date, engineering works so we'll go to ***West Drayton ***and cycle from there

Train times from PADDINGTON:
9.44am - 10.06am arrival
10.15am - 10.37am arrival

Route:

[ame]http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/457653[/ame

36m from West Drayton to Watlington via Iver, Farnham Common, Hedsor, Cookham, Marlow then straight through. From here is prime Red Kite territory and this is where we'll hang out, get some snaps and go for a pint & pub lunch
I'v planned a route back from Watlington back down to Henley On Thames then across to Maidenhead and up through Burnham back to the route - a big loop effectively.
This loop all the way back to Farnham Common is around 62m then just carry on back to West Drayton for a train back(I'm sure some will just carry on back to London instead)
So in total the ride will be around 75/80m

1.Pistanator
2.CYOA

provisionally in
i liked the oxford ride and scenery we went through a lot

1.Pistanator
2.CYOA

1. dicki
   

Will it be safe for damo to come along on the ride or will he be at risk of being picked up and carried away?

Wish I could join you.

I shall marvel at my own collection of local raptors and think of you boys fondly.

1.Pistanator
2.CYOA

1. dicki
   
2. Skully
   

Will it be safe for damo to come along on the ride or will he be at risk of being picked up and carried away?

Damo'll have to check his diary first, the cunt never comes out

I'm not sure yet, but let me answer to this thread, so I can retrieve it later on.

Any preferences on day and date? Sat or Sun?

I'm thinking early - mid Sept

Are Cockney Kopites welcome?

Do it mike.

damo needs dates and times. busy family life with a new baby neice and a mental mother in law.

you're thinking august / september? sounds ok.

either saturday or sunday would be good with me. earlyish start?

1.Pistanator
2.CYOA

1. dicki
   
2. Skully
   
3. damo
   

I think this is an ace idea!

1.Pistanator
2.CYOA

1. dicki
   
2. Skully
   
3. damo
   
4. wools
   

1.Pistanator
2.CYOA

1. dicki
   
2. Skully
   
3. damo
   
4. wools
   
5. EEI
   
   

Oh, well...

All over this, like a melted lolly...

1.Pistanator
2.CYOA

1. dicki
   
2. Skully
   
3. damo
   
4. wools
   
5. EEI
   
6. Superperegrine
   
   

I'm away 3rd - 12th of September though. 18th of September? or the 25th (my birthday)?!

Early start, flask of coffee, bacon sarnies, Saturday or Sunday - I've got the last two weeks off in August to do some filming so ideally september for me.

We need some hens, cocks only so far...

Are Cockney Kopites welcome?

Yep. You're just banned from The Football Stadium Ride*

*JOKE x

damo needs dates and times. busy family life with a new baby neice and a mental mother in law.

you're thinking august / september? sounds ok.

either saturday or sunday would be good with me. earlyish start?

Not August - people still on holiday, kids, BH's etc. September would be better IMO

I'm more inclined to go for a Sunday(ideally less cars etc) 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th?

Birds of Pray are well pony.

Organise a ride then.

Birds of Pray are well pony.

PrEy you length!

I'd rather look at Red Kites than your shit bikes >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Weekend of the 18th / 19th?

Right. Are we agreed on Sun 18th Sept?