2011-04-03 Sun - Cambridge ride. Fixed-wheel bicycle required

what was our total distance?
Ave Speed?
Ave Rolling Speed?

All that came, thanks for your contributions. The catherders, you know who you are, a fine job done. And all us cats, we rode pretty well as it should be, considering the size of the group. Hope you all had as much fun as I did! The pub that a bunch of ended up at was really nice! Hope everyone got home nicely. Didn't manage to get properly acquainted with all of the group, but I'm constantly amazed as to how cordial, civil and friendly LFGSS rides are. The most unfriendly forum? Pah.

Rowan
So sorry to hear of your frame, you must be mighty pissed off. Hope Argos can find something suitable to fix it. Must have been a very thin tube?! It was really good to meet you on the ride anyway.

Good work keeping such a large group together, Skully/Skive/Shoots etc. Great to catch up with some peeps, and cruise through the countryside with you loveable rogues.

MOAR RIDES!

MOAR RIDES!
+1

I'd like to say well done to Will and Alex. From looking totally wiped out at about half way and a bit "oh shit", to finishing with big smiles and tired eyes at the end.

About a third of the way through I was feeling pretty exhausted, but from about halfway I got more and more energy towards the end (something to do with the overall downhilliness...). Too busy chatting to fulfill any kind of directional duties.
Not done a ride of that length with more than 3 other people, so a nice new experience.
I would also like to state for the record that I did not change gear.

Went to bed about 10.30pm, totally unheard of for me. Woke up without an alarm at quarter to 7, confusingly.

A+++ would ride again.

Perhaps we can do Southend (and back for some). It's an easy ride too and would attract more people.

A fantastic start to the season. Quite why it takes so long and always has one too many punctures within the first 5 miles I'll never understand, but once we hit the lanes, it moved pretty smoothly. Great to see Sam in the first few miles (hope your ride went well) and Coppi, if only for 30" (didn't know you weren't riding). Awesome to ride with Murts and Jim, Dropout, Fluff, Jenne and all the other old (?) forum faces I hadn't ridden with in a while. Very nice to meet some new people too - well done Alex - sure the new bike won't be far off. I don't think a ride has ever seen so many Kate's ; )
Cheers to skully n skive for a sterling effort and everyone else for keeping things moving (damo trying his utmost to instill some riding sense)
Oh and in case any of you wondered, yes it rained on the ride home... but better than that, it hailed!
About 15 miles into it Friday and I got absolutely shat on by some serious hail stones, got soaked to the skin, but did see some ducks crossing the road ; ) I bailed at Bishops Stortford with 105 miles on the clock. Friday "got his 3rd wind" and rode on home. Chapeau Nick. Sorry for slowing you down. Incredible sunset for you though.

Thanks everyone.

Bright times x

I would also like to state for the record that I did not change gear.

I don't think many other people changed gear either.....
;)

Thanks everyone for a great day out.

Still not sure what happened to Chainbreakers birthday cake...

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So just how many Kates were there?

Thanks everyone for a great day out.

Still not sure what happened to Chainbreakers birthday cake...

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that cake was delicious

Skully, now that I've met you I have to ask....

Are you heston blumenthal?

well done guys, sounds like it was a classic Cambridge day..

Hmmm cheeky Upstart.

Cambridge was ace last year (though later in the summer I think), and just as good this year.
That route is my perfect level of "flatness". I simply LOVE when those sweeping downhill bends start heading towards Hunsdon(?). Spin to win, innit.
Brilliant to see familiar faces, and as always I tried my best to chat to some new people. Good Italian contingent on the ride, and actually a good show of girlz.

Well done folks - Southend next?

Oh and lastly but not leastly, thanks to Skully for organising, Skive for navigating and all the other folk who kept us together.
Forever alone >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> not this time.

Oh and Rowan42, hard luck with the frame. That crack is such a shame, BUT at least you didn't come a cropper on it down one of those hills.

What kattiep said :-)

Your comment near the end while we waited for Xander to change his tube, has kept me chuckling.

So just how many Kates were there?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt3go0SB1Wk

Just somebody Fowever Awone this memeshot here, please...

Top day out, that.

Thanks to the organisers, to anyone who offered me a sweet, and obviously to everyone who tolerated my presence alongside them.

Definite props to the shepherds. Moving a sizeable herd of cyclists in a uniform direction is no mean feet. I didn't think that any element of the ride of out of step with its style.

The return journey was a blast, cheers to Shoots for sharing much of it. Listening to the rattle of an impending shower was the literal the lull before the storm, with the subsequent rain feeling like the spray from a power-hose. Whatevs, mother nature, the weather-related lunacy just made for a more interesting ride home.

What didn't add much to the ride home were a couple of loops around a local housing estate, just outside Bishop's Stortford.

I hit the burrito shop within minutes of it closing, and was treated to all the remaining steak.

that was an awesome ride, much fun was had!

London post ride pub was enjoyable as well.

Did anyone get a photo of the scarecrows? I'll link up my photos soon. Meanwhile struggling to stay awake at my desk...

PhotoJim you're amazing*, who carries a cake that far?!

*stupid

Krz and nellai and all the Kates ( and variations!) let's do the next Tuesday night ride!

for sure! :)

Good to see all yesterday. Nice weather, nice weather..etc Great to see young riders getting out on fixed - especially Alex who as the youngest rider on the day also had the oldest brakes.

What kattiep said :-)

Your comment near the end while we waited for Xander to change his tube, has kept me chuckling.

The one about your beautiful arms??

Good to see all yesterday. Nice weather, nice weather..etc Great to see young riders getting out on fixed - especially Alex who as the youngest rider on the day also had the oldest brakes.

He also didn't have a lock ring! Total badass!