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Hmm...if I could borrow some gears I'd be interested. Let me have an ask around.
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@Poots, you are more than welcome to come on single speed, but some of the climbs are quite cheeky, and mixed in with the best part of 60 miles, may be a bit of a challenge. Fixed would be seriously challenging, and make the down hills interesting, especially if the roads turn slippy.
See how you go, as it would be great if you could make it along.
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In. So glad this has materialised :)
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I've got a ladies ride scheduled for that day I've just realised so no can do...enjoy though!
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I'm sure the Dean would approve of any and all bedwetting that may happen.
I'd love to do this, but need to get back to London for some fireworks in the evening. Will put my name down for now if that's OK, with possible reassessment later.
- Bernie
- Balmain
- OLC
- Dumps
No worries, come half way with us, and then check out your timings. The good thing about the ride, is that you are never more than 8 miles from a mainline station, and a swift return to Paddington, and the joys of the smoke.
However, if we have a day like today, I do not see many people able to resist the attractions of Oxford on an autumnal afternoon.
- Bernie
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Thanks for the message.
I hope to be able to come, although I can't be certain yet.
Can I suggest a possible variation to the route which might make the ride a bit more inviting for single gear riders.
From Marlow, take the road through Lane End to Stokenchurch. This is a hard climb, but does not involve anything like the ascent to Christmas Common on the other road. From Stokenchurch take the A40 to Wheatley. This may sound silly, but in fact the old A40 is completely by passed by the M40 and is almost empty of traffic. Just before Wheatley there is a slightly worrying section when it is necessary to negotiate the roundabout where traffic is coming off the motorway for the M40 service area, but this is the only real difficulty with the route.
After going through Wheatley village, it is possible to cross the main road by a bridge and use the cycle path on the North side of the main road which goes all the way to Headington.
I think this route is quicker, although a bit less picturesque, and so it's handy to know it in case of bad conditions, failing daylight, dislike of steep hills etc.In general I'm opposed to 'dumbing down' rides by taking out hills, but if that's the only to get people to leave their 'summer bikes' in the shed then I so be it. In this case the Stokenchurch route is probably slightly higher, but the climb is more spread out.
As you know, for my part I don't much mind which way I go because if I have to walk up a hill, I'll just walk.
So:
- Bernie
2. Balmain
3. OLC
4. Dumps
5. Clubman
- Bernie
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This looks lovely - if I weren't otherwise engaged I would have loved to do this. I wouldn't fancy the climb from Marlow w/o gears, though.
I have very happy memories of drinking mulled wine in the Turf (and some slightly less happy ones when I lived in a room overlooking the beer garden).
Have a great ride!
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I'm very tempted by this ride but with my roadbike project essentially frozen at the moment fixed is my only option. Climbs don't bother me as such (apart from huuge ones) as I run a pretty spinny gear but descents are less fun - I managed 182 rpm down a hill the other week and I'd be lying if I said I enjoyed it!
That said, would you mind me tagging along for the early part of the ride and wimping out when / if necessary? Have no problems with being dropped if everybody else is on gears - just fun to be out there :)
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Should the Oxford sub forum dust off the LFGSS bunting and flags for you triumphant arrival?
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Should the Oxford sub forum dust off the LFGSS bunting and flags for you triumphant arrival?
Ohh that would be a fine idea. The last time a LFGSS patherfinder squadron came down (myself Joe Garcia and One Less Cardigan) for the Battle of the Bands alleykat, it turned into a bit of carnage, which we are hoping to avoid this time out.
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I'm very tempted by this ride but with my roadbike project essentially frozen at the moment fixed is my only option. Climbs don't bother me as such (apart from huuge ones) as I run a pretty spinny gear but descents are less fun - I managed 182 rpm down a hill the other week and I'd be lying if I said I enjoyed it!
That said, would you mind me tagging along for the early part of the ride and wimping out when / if necessary? Have no problems with being dropped if everybody else is on gears - just fun to be out there :)
Do come along. It sounds like we will also have a welcoming committee of car friendly locals, greeting us like Guy Fawkes at Tyburn!
Clubman was single speed on the Kite Ride, carried on to Oxford, and impressed the sproket muppets with his ability to conquer both sides of the hills. He also made a very good point, that the key thing on the down hills is to have a decent double brake set up. Relying on a single Dirty Harry is a recipie for a fixie skidderz in the bushes disaster, so that would be my main suggestion.
I am planning to go single speed on the Giant Bowery, with "proper" brakes to protect me on the descents.
Now, where is my gunpowder?
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Thanks for that advice Bernie. My winter bike (pompino) will have front and rear brakes (albeit fixed) by then so will come along on that rather than my usual long distance fixed bike as that's not drilled at the back.
So to business:
- Bernie
- Balmain
- OLC
- Dumps
- Clubman
- upstart
Excellent plan. Maybe worth adding a flip flop to the rear wheel to give you two options, and to ease the down hill?
- Bernie
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Ohh that would be a fine idea. The last time a LFGSS patherfinder squadron came down (myself Joe Garcia and One Less Cardigan) for the Battle of the Bands alleykat, it turned into a bit of carnage, which we are hoping to avoid this time out.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/2257653306/ it has begun. ominous voice
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http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/2257653306/ it has begun. ominous voice
Cheers, fella. That is really appreciated, and the first beers will definitely be on us.
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I might be going to a party in Oxford this weekend so pencil me in!
xxx
- Bernie
- Balmain
- OLC
- Dumps
- Clubman
- upstart
- Matthias
- Themefrom90210
- Bernie
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The last time a LFGSS patherfinder squadron came down (myself Joe Garcia and One Less Cardigan) for the Battle of the Bands alleykat, it turned into a bit of carnage, which we are hoping to avoid this time out.
Was that the incident that involved your lovely red lo-pro?
pootsmanuva
OneLessCardigan
dumps
clubman
KT_Bee
upstart
fatoldbloke
mmerkens
Themefrom90210
Rowhan
Booga-
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About
2011-11-05 Gulliver's Travels
Posted by
@Bernie
This November is the 344th anniversary of the birth of Jonathan Swift.
One of the greatest satirist writers, in any language, Gullivers Travels remains his most famous work.
A few of us are building on the 2nd Kite Ride, and extending it on to Herford College in Oxford, where the dean studied before going on to greater things.
The ride will be a social, relaxed affair. There will be regular cafe stops of approximately 20 minutes duration, along the way, but the aim is to keep a steady pace, with no long stops during daylight hours.
I am hoping to persuade Paul to join us, and lead us through the hidden lanes and cycle paths of the woods, around Burnham Beeches and Henly. The ride will be spiced with a few decent climbs up to Christmas Common and other excellent viewing points across the Thames Valley, before cutting west at Wattlington for the dreaming spires.
As the days are getting shorter, am looking for a prompt departure of 9:30am from Iver station. There is a train leaving Paddington at 8:57, arriving 9:19, with just enough time to grab a breakfast bagel from the local supermarket.
The ride will be into the centre of Oxford, with views of the Bridge of Sighs of Hertford College, and then a few pints and some food at the Turf Tavern, just behind the college in Bath Place, off Holywell Street.
So, to start proceedings, a list.