2013-09-07 - Sat - Ride to Reigate (AKA Mumbles in the Jungle)

sorry oliver
i got to a set of lights i don't know where and waited for about 5 mins i didn't see any sign of you so just decided to head onwards
i am not sure where that was but past croydon i think
i ended up heading back on the a23 then through brixton and up to london bridge

Sorry. I was too hangover to do it on a folding bike.

Thanks Murts for having us!
Thanks T4 for organising.
Thanks HatBeard for leading.
Thanks everyone else for a good day out, nice chat and I'm glad so many people had puddings, all in the name of scientific discovery of course.

The only down side was the guy cycling with headphones in, undertaking people and nearly getting hit by a car - then getting shitty with me when I suggested he needed to improve his group riding skills. I take it back: he needs all round cycle training.

sorry oliver
i got to a set of lights i don't know where and waited for about 5 mins i didn't see any sign of you so just decided to head onwards

I must have left the roundabout by a different exit than you, as I couldn't see you any more after I came round the corner of the traffic island. When I went back to look for you, it was probably too late.

^^
Interestingly, Hats initially alleged I was listening to music whilst cycling on the road. I never do that on roads. There were actually no music files on my phone at the time. The Bluetooth headset does not completely seal my ears from background noise but were passively worn whilst connected to my Windows Phone for potential hands free voice and SMS communications handling. That's why I was able to respond to Hats utterances immediately at a junction stop whilst parked next to Ada.

It may be reasonable to state that all cyclist within the UK are constantly nearly getting hit by cars. That's partly why I wear a helmet and have multiple lights on even during the day to raise the threshold of awareness to drivers peripheral vision and use an Air Zound horn liberally.

What Hats may find intolerable and "shitty", I would probably define as exercising my rights under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights in the interest of public safety. As well as assuming I was listening to music, Hats declined to communicate exactly what made her feel that I was dangerous as feedback for these group riding skills mentioned. When I politely requested this feedback that may enlighten me, Hats promptly withdrew towards Hat Beard in silence.

I have no recollection of actively undertaking anyone, let alone "people". Does undertaking include avoiding a collision with someone who suddenly decreases speed by moving into clear space on the left? Perhaps Hats meant overtaking on the right? As Hats was so concerned about safety, why didn't Hats mention this on the ride?

It may be of interest to know that as a child I passed a cycling proficiency test and used to BMX race plus freestyle. I have been riding in groups and peletons of varying cadences and terrains for many years since.

I'm happy for anyone to get on their high horse and clearly tell me a better way of doing things, just please don't do so by making assumptions, broad generalisations, obscured by notions of peer group popularity with a deficit of eventual facts.

I have really enjoyed riding with the LFGSS in recent years and have witnessed many things, so I write this with my eye brows raised in disbelief to be vaguely told off on the grounds of safety. Nice to meet you Murts and everyone else. A great scenic ride, well mapped out with plenty of laughs along the way. Cheers T4NY4.

Riding etiquette arguments aside, that was a great day, even nice to see Murtle. Really enjoyed the ride back with Radius, Ada, Schick and Wandering Dicki. Shame on the rest of you for taking the train. Must do it again.

me, dropout and dwayne left murts wobbling down the road as we left just after 10pm to catch the train back.

excellent day all in all.

but i must say i cant let the biggest controversy of the day go that easily.

I have to know... can you really not make a milkshake with nutella?!?!!

can you really not make a milkshake with nutella?!?!!

Really? I would have thought so, what was the logic behind that?

BTW - Good to meet you HB. And you too dicki.

ahh did you miss that conversation Chris? it was probably the highlight of the day (sorry murts).

it was certainly a you had to be there kind of conversation but it started with a guy on the tour microwaving and drinking a jar of nutella each stage to can you make a milkshake if you put milk in with it only for ada to insist you couldn't, from there we learnt about her extensive scientific experiments on the matter and the continual efforts to make it a reality.

let's just hope that the scientific grant is awarded so the ongoing funding is there.

No, you can't make a chocolate milk using nutella!
Am i the only one that tried doing it?

clearly not...

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=nutella+milkshake

ada did you lie to us or is this some ferrero conspiracy?

As I understand it, if it's possible to do it, Ada would have found a way. Her commitment to the cause is without question.

Riding etiquette arguments aside, that was a great day, even nice to see Murtle. Really enjoyed the ride back with Radius, Ada, Schick and Wandering Dicki. Shame on the rest of you for taking the train. Must do it again.

was i failing to hold my line on the return journey ? 'cause i was having issues standing at the pub near the end !

• hic *
  
  

sorry

^^it's true, her research notes on the matter were certainly comprehensive.

was i failing to hold my line on the return journey ?

• hic *
  
  

sorry

Depends which lane your line was in...

No, you end up with this
http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/9/98/Make-Chocolate-Milk-Out-of-Nutella-or-Hazelnut-Spread-Step-6.jpg/600px-Make-Chocolate-Milk-Out-of-Nutella-or-Hazelnut-Spread-Step-6.jpg
Nutella doesn't dissolve in milk properly

nature always finds a way.

I think you need an industrial strength blender. Or you could ask the "will it blend?" guy.

Peanut butter and nutella milkshake? ZOMFG! http://pocketchangegourmet.com/peanut-butter-and-nutella-shake/

i bet the problem is cold milk actually. which makes me think the nutella needs to be introduced to the milk during the pasteurisation process.

anyone know any dairy farmers or are we going to have to do a kickstarter?

I'm sure there is a way of getting it right but it should be fairly easy.
Warm up some milk and pop in few spoons of nutella rather than using industrial strength blender.

^the simplest solution is usually the least fun.

Or write a petition to nutella?

"Dear Nutella People

Can you make your nutella melt in the milk easily?

Nutella Lovers"

Tuned in hoping for popcorn but got Nutella.
FFS.

can you put nutella on popcorn?