2011-12-23 A Christmas Cracker

I've not decided on my Christmas leave arrangements just yet, but if I'm around London I'll come!

I would be up for this but I'll be back in God's Country™ over xmas

I have been told I need to mention a 'USP' for this ride. It's 'festive' because there are some awesome little lanes in the area with vague references to Christmas.

there will be mince pies*

*size, colour and existence may vary

I'll stash a couple in my bib shorts to keep them warm for you.

My mates factory is 2mins from the station we could have 'predeparture mince pies and coffee' there..... (trying to be helpful suggestion)

^ Is it a mince pie factory? If so, dibs.

'Unique Selling Point'

Unique Selling Proposition, actually!

My contribution to the 'USP' will be fitting my bike with tinsel and wearing a Father Christmas hat.

'Who ate all the pies?'..................Mr Fox

@tonyme that could work. I like the sound of tea/coffee and mince pies pre-ride. So long as everyone can commit to being fairly brisk...i.e. down hatch and then out. We can save life stories for the pub afterwards.

I only say this because I would rather finish while it's still light. Will pm. Thanks for the offer!

So long as everyone can commit to being fairly brisk...i.e. down hatch and then out.

Out. You've seen me drink coffee...

Seriously Tony that sounds good, I'm sure we'll be faster powered by mince pies and caffeine. Plus it will stop me halting the ride while I buy an espresso (it has happened before, I'm ashamed to say).

^ witnessed this myself.

Yep, cleared it with my mate....... so its Tea/coffee/mince pies /stollen...........last minute use of the loo and off we blast...........

are people doing this fixed or geared?

I'll be going fixed as I don't have a road bike I want to get completely filthy. I'm going to be checking out a couple of sections of the route tomorrow so I might change my mind, depending on the conditions.

want some company for the recce?

no mince pies til friday...........will my 27 gears be enough?

I'll be going fixed as I don't have a road bike I want to get completely filthy.

Same here. Also know too many people who have fallen on ice in the last week :/

want some company for the recce?

Yeah, why not? My number's in the numbers thread if you want to hit me up. I'll be at St Mary Cray for 10 in any case if you want to meet me there.

Bollocks
Only just saw your post, too late for me to get there now.

Tentatively in for this.

No worries dj, I went to souths last night so only saw your post quite late.

It was a tad greasy out there but nothing treacherous, and no ice that I could see. What I did see was some bonus christmas wildlife which I had completely forgotten were on the 'new and improved' route...

I was thinking of fitting my marathon+, but since the weather is forecast to get milder (and not colder) for the rest of the week it would seem like overkill. 23s will be fine, in case anyone was thinking of changing tyres too.

so doable fixed?

i quite enjoy country jaunts without gears

Definitely! There are some 'gurnworthy' climbs but that is all part of the fun.

I've also seen plenty of squirrels, unfortunately none of them had their head stuck in a cracker.

are you still planning on rosendaling afterwards?

I hope so, if others are up for it. If today is anything to go by we'll be done somewhere between 2 and 3 o'clock.