2012-04-07 Sat 8am - Bournemouth - (The 100 Club)

What's the deal with trains for this? In addition to my loathing of train operators I'm fuck-off poor so a big fat whack on a ticket isn't an option. I'm guessing we can do the magical groupsave? If not, are the individual ones expensive? I shall investigate myself but am a bit retarded when it comes to the train websites.

I don't know the exact plan but currently they 10 to 15 quid, single bournemouth to london. nothing too scary.

I'm always in favour of buying an advance ticket although groupsave will likely work out as a similar price.

If you do buy an advance ticket, don't go for one departing before 7:30. Best to air on the side of caution in case something holds us up on the way.

Hmmm ok. Thanks Sam. I will probably look into one of those cheap ones as I was quite envious of this ride last year. Hopefully I won't smite the ride with bad weather.

Just realised when this is, and I have other commitments so I am out. Which is shame because there's an easter egg waiting for me at the other end. Iirc singles on the day are £20+ so best avoided =

http://i44.tinypic.com/28iuhqd.png im skint all the time and might not be able to make it but booking in advance looks really reasonable

i out a railcard in though :/

Still only £10 without though :)

Just booked on the 8.22. Looks like a fun group. I've never ridden to Bournemouth before, should be good! Anyone else doing it fixed?

1. braker
   
2. edscoble
   
3. youramericanlover
   
4. Soul
   
5. Eamesy
   
6. Yasi
   
7. Iknowhowtowhistle (If I'm good enough to keep up)
   
8. poots
   
9. Sweats
   
10. Cafewanda (as Iknowhowtowhistle)
    
11. Xander
    
12. Raymund (i did this trip once but on a bmx should be better on my current bike )
    
13. Jim
    
14. Stonehedge II
    
15. CelesteGreen
    
16. Hairnetnic
    
17. Fox
    
18. spybot
    

I'm going to put myself provisionally down for this as I've got a lot of weekends booked up non-cycling so I owe myself some milage:

1. braker
   
2. edscoble
   
3. youramericanlover
   
4. Soul
   
5. Eamesy
   
6. Yasi
   
7. Iknowhowtowhistle (If I'm good enough to keep up)
   
8. poots
   
9. Sweats
   
10. Cafewanda (as Iknowhowtowhistle)
    
11. Xander
    
12. Raymund (i did this trip once but on a bmx should be better on my current bike )
    
13. Jim
    
14. Stonehedge II
    
15. CelesteGreen
    
16. Hairnetnic
    
17. Fox
    
18. spybot
    
19. BenJam
    

also: looks like a really good route!

Looking forward to this as it will be my first century!

Still only £10 without though :)

Just booked on the 8.22. Looks like a fun group. I've never ridden to Bournemouth before, should be good! Anyone else doing it fixed?

1. braker
   ...
   
2. Fox
   
3. spybot
   
   

I'm planning to go SS but there is some 15% gradient in there so I'll be getting some hill practice in over the next two weeks!

Yup, there are actually quite a few hills spread over the route. No monsters to speak of, but they really add up. There have been fixed riders each time we've run the route, but it's only for the brave!

EDIT:
Bike Spaces. After a long-winded conversation with a few people at SW trains, it transpires that there's no way to reserve the spaces on this route. I don't recall this ever being a problem previously, but if we are unlucky enough to find a fuck-ton of other bikes all trying to get on the same train and a jobsworth simpleton conductor to boot, then taking your wheels off and insisting that it's lugguage is the best response.

FYI: I'm on the 21:12, which suits my post-ride alcohol requirements fine, and only cost £10

.

Yeah I'm interested to see how my SS holds up. Going for a few rides in the meantime so *should *be strong enough.

I have a Network Railcard which give up to 4 people roughly 30% so if you leave with me and travel all the way back to the same station then 3 of you can save some £££.

After getting fined with Spybot for a broken/violated groupsave ticket I'm never doing them again. Railcards FTW

^oof, what happened with the groupsave violation? what was the fine?

Really want to do this, but it clashes with HH and still need to get paid first! have fun guys!

Me Spyboy and a 3rd came back from a Brighton Ride and the 3rd alighted at Clapham Junc instead of following us to Victoria. Train staff utter fucking jobsworths. Wanted to land us with £40 or £60 fines, but reduced it to £20 as it was completely clear we weren't trying to dodge. So. Fucking. Annoying.

Ouch.

Fucking jobsworths.

I'm planning to go SS but there is some 15% gradient in there so I'll be getting some hill practice in over the next two weeks!

I'm ok with 15%. It's the more than 15% I'm worried about :)

Yup, there are actually quite a few hills spread over the route. No monsters to speak of, but they really add up. There have been fixed riders each time we've run the route, but it's only for the brave!

I'm not sure I'd call myself brave, but I should be fine. I really need the fixed miles for the 300k audax we're doing later in April. If I change my mind I've always got the Colnago.

Yup, there are actually quite a few hills spread over the route. No monsters to speak of, but they really add up. There have been fixed riders each time we've run the route, but it's only for the brave!

Whut? Hmm...this puts a slightly different slant on this. I had it in my head it'd be fixed friendly.

thinks

What's the furthest you've gone fixed so far poots?

Probably around 80 miles in a day? Yet to smash a century certainly

My climbing skills are improving thanks to better gearing, spinning and equate but still pretty lame compared to most...

No monsters but a long grind out of Alton that takes you to the highest point on the route (and is also half way, pretty much).

Honestly? I'd say a 120 mile ride with over 4k of climbing might not be the best choice for your first fixed century :)

Take gears and do a shorter, flatter ride that's closer to 100 for your first fixed century. It has less to do with climbing skills really than endurance. 120 miles needs more endurance fixed than 100 and anything hillier needs more on top of that.

I'm with Pete on this one. Gears or SS would prob be best.

My first fixed 100s were notable for being knackered on the downhills as much as the uphills.