2012-07-21 London to Bath Night Ride (a TNRC affair)

just finished all my chores. so tempting to sit in easy chair and rest my eyes...

NO, MUST RESIST!

#only4hourssleeplastnight

Got the fear about potential bikes on train capacity issues so spreading the load and getting an earlier train from Clapham Junction which arrives Farnborough 23:02 so will meet you all there.

Dibs not riding behind Ian.

I'll take this one too. From Surbiton.

Just eaten a bucket load of food. #worriedimightneedtopooinabush

Super, see you there Lolo.

Jealous.

Gods speed little sntnrcers.

Drunk.

Leaving soon.

Haha yes^

see you trainengers in a bit, will be the bloke wheeling the pink concorde around :)

I'll be the handsome man with an air of sympathy for the peasants

Working first thing, out.

All in black and white. Purple Pennine. See youse on the concourse.

Wish I could have come on this, but out of the country. Have a great ride!

Oof, gutted I missed it but my friend un-cancelled on me so am off to Great Missenden in a mo. I bet it was a good-un, am well-jell, will keep an eye out for the next one.

I hope you guys had fun

I was riding in Wiltshire at 11pm last night, the deep dark blue sky was amazing and there was a great sunrise, (though you were riding away from it).

This was a fucking great ride. Good speed, no crashes, great weather,fuck all traffic, great company. 10/10.

Oh, and a retarded duck.

The best forum ride I've ever been on. Perfect weather, effect company and a solidly paced lead from the glorious Braker. Surprised myself with ability to stay awake this time. Must have been the ever present responsibility of being 'organiser'.

Highlights:

The sheer amount and variety of wildlife seen: owls, bats, rabbits, sleeping badgers and a magestc deer just as the sun came up.

Those descents, oh those descents.

Rooftop pool in the sun (with a frankly phenomenal ratio of males to females) and generally being of the opinion that all TNRCs should end this way.

Unexpectantly high quality roast at the Assembly Inn.

Banter: on and off route. Favourite being on the intercontinental TNRCs of the future, beginning with a quick jaunt in the private jet (with custom livery) to regions of Chianti, Alps and Dolomites.

No space stations though.

^^+1

Almost slept through Cav's monster stage win!

I shall, later, regale you of our tale of first great western's faultless custom service.

In all seriousness though, it was an amazing ride. I remember feeling absolutely fucked at the end of this route a couple of years ago. This year I felt great. Amazing what an hour or two of sleep and a vat of pasta can do for you before you head out. Cheers, Sam and Ben, for leading the ride and keeping a lovely pace going through the night. For me it felt just about right the whole way through. We need to find another breakfast spot though. Those portions just don't fill the gap unless you're willing to bankrupt yourself. Spa at end was amazeballs. I could have stayed there forever.

Two massive thumbs up. Even after taking into consideration the farcical groupsave saga. First Great Western. WAC.

x

I shall, later, regale you of our tale of first great western's faultless custom service.

Haha. We should compare notes.

Nice one guys.
Thanks Braker for leading out the ride
A great night and day out.
And now to bed...

This ride should be compulsory. Great route Sam, thanks for leading. Very pleased to see more of it than the delights of sunny Yateley this time. Really never felt sleepy, and the night hours just slipped away. Some really silky riding all round, was a pleasure to be part of the pack.

Ben, cheers for organising, and for the inspired marshalling of the spa trip!

Here's what my Garmin made of it. What's everyone doing next weekend? Seriously.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/201892037

Haha. We should compare notes.

What? You too?

Best ride ever. Thanks all for an amazing (if slightly surreal) 12 hours.