Essex Afterworkers

Embarrassed to say I had unsubscribed from this thread. But this looks awesome, hope to make a few if poss

Outrageous behaviour! Who says you'll be welcome?

Has anyone been to The Rising Sun on Cotman's Ash Lane? It's a mile or so on from the Fox and Hounds on Bower Lane (ace pub - had an excellent lunch there once).

We've passed it a few times on TNRC Kent I rides and I've always thought it looked interesting.

I'm studying every evening in April and generally don't expect to be out of work in time for these afte that anyway but have had a couple of lovely rides this week in the shoreham, eynsford, Farningham, Horton kirby, Crockenhill area so would love to join you if the gods are smiling on me one time in May.

Has anyone been to The Rising Sun on Cotman's Ash Lane? It's a mile or so on from the Fox and Hounds on Bower Lane (ace pub - had an excellent lunch there once).

We've passed it a few times on TNRC Kent I rides and I've always thought it looked interesting.

Good shout, I'll add it to the list. I can't actually remember seeing it but that's probably because I'm usually too busy swearing and stropping while riding up Cotmans Ash (or going wheeee the other way).

There's one just past there if you hang a left at the end onto Heaverham Rd as it turns into Watery Lane which looks pretty good too, though I can't remember what it's called.

I'm studying every evening in April and generally don't expect to be out of work in time for these afte that anyway but have had a couple of lovely rides this week in the shoreham, eynsford, Farningham, Horton kirby, Crockenhill area so would love to join you if the gods are smiling on me one time in May.

I plan to keep them going (assuming I can actually get them started) till July when we go touring, so hopefully things will line up a few times between now and then :)

OK let's do it. Thursday 3 April?

what time?

I'm going to have to postpone for a week, sorry :/ first one Thursday 10 April.

Time - any preference? Is 6.30 from Catford doable?

The net outcome of this thread will just be a long list of never-visited pubs. :)

:(

maybe I'll postpone for another year.

Given the general level of shambolicity around here, that sort of resolution would probably produce a lot of rides. :)

I'd love to join you for a few, Rosie, but can't do Thursdays as Andrea is at yoga from 7 pm so I'm at home looking after the (sleeping) girls.

You should do it though. Set a time and departure point and see who turns up.

I will. I'm pretty flexible on days, can mix it up to add to the general chaos. Will give it a couple of days to see if anyone expresses a preference re time and then set it.

You'd be even more flexible if you did a spot of yoga like Andrea.

I am in for any other day before Thursday next week as I think I'm going to Berlin on the 10th. But not Monday because London Classic. Or Tuesday because yoga. So yeah Wednesday or I'm out! shakes fist Blerh. This isn't the awesome 'yay afterwork rides' I thought it was going to be :( Curse life, why must it get in the way of riding bikes!

OK, I'm going with:

Wednesday 9th April
Wednesday 16th April
Wednesday 23rd April
Thursday 1 May

-All rides meet at 7pm for 7.15pm departure from outside the Turkish Food Centre on Bromley Rd (here).

Slightly ridiculous but necessary note: everyone who shops there seems to drive like a lunatic, so don't leave your bike/yourself anywhere where it could get run over, as it probably will. For those who like pre-ride snacks, they sell very good lahmacun/borek/baklava.

-I'll call routes closer to each date so I can strategically plan for tailwinds etc.

-Roads will generally be sururban followed by country lanes followed by pub, so bring good lights. We'll probably come back in on the a21 fairly often, mainly because it's one of my favourite A roads, but it should be fairly quiet by the time we're returning.

-I don't mind what you ride and how fast you ride it (though generally I'll be aiming for around 15mph). No-one will be left behind and if you want to ride off the front that's fine, but please make sure you know where you're going as I am not being held responsible if you get lost in the Ashdown Forest and get eaten by wolves.

-Distance will usually be around the 30-35 mile mark from and back in to the start point.

-Bring money for a pint, and a credit card in case your bike explodes. (It's never happened before, but you never know.)

In for Wednesday! Yeah!

I'm up for it if I can get there in time. It'd be rude not to, as you're coming almost past my front door. Leaving Camden at 6, I'll be cutting it fine, but I'll give it a shot.

I won't be out to play on the 17th, as it's my birthday and I'll be doing something IMAXy if all goes to plan.

In for Wednesday as well! should be able to get to Catford in time

My diary management is awful. Had to move the 17th back a day, which means it clashes with WNKR, but can't be helped.

Totally in for Weds 9th, can't do 17th as I finished work at 6pm.

Wednesday 9th is to Ye Old George Inn in Shoreham, which I really want to post a photo of but am failing at mobile technology. It's very cute though.

Excellent, will be great to ride with you again.

just in case scoble attendance isn't enough to put everyone off, I'll be there too.

I'll have to pull out of these, with the exception of the 16th (probably). I've tried leaving work at 6 and getting to Bellingham for 7, but it's not working. Well, it did once, but I was not in a fit state to carry on riding for another 30+ miles

I'll be along on the 16th, as I've got that week off.