2014-01-11 - Astronomical Observatory Stargazing ride

You'll now have 20 people arrive without locks.

and why not?
great day for it :)

Most definitely in - looks like a very fine day for this one. Helpful route Velocio - going to steal the Chiswick to Greenwich section, although I'd better give it two hours to allow for the seemingly obligatory getting lost south of the river diversion.

I wouldn't follow that route too closely. It was Google Maps and I knocked it up for the sake of a quick mileage calculator rather than route guidance.

My plan is to head in North of the river in a rough straight line: Kew Bridge > Hammersmith > Kensington > Piccadilly > Embankment > Tower Bridge > Docklands

Then turn right and follow signs for the Greenwich foot tunnel around the Isle of Dogs.

Coming out near Cutty Sark makes it super simple... just go South East, up hill, through the park to the observatory.

The Google maps is just me getting an idea of the mileage I'll do today.

And as I'm still lazing around doing some work instead of getting ready, I may even cheat and get the train to Waterloo and start the day's riding from there.

Just to confirm that the weather is looking good so the ride is on. woop

Soo.. Really no locks? Would rather not carry one as always.

Thanks Nick - looking forward to it. I am still trying to figure out exactly where we are meeting...

Thanks Nick - looking forward to it. I am still trying to figure out exactly where we are meeting...

https://plus.google.com/113462117244724873394/about?gl=uk&hl=en

That is the statue next to the observatory that overlooks the Docklands.

The road goes up to it, but does not show on Google Maps at the standard zoom level as it's actually used as a car park and not classified as a road per se.

The satellite view of that shows it clearly: http://bit.ly/1euZ8uL

Thank you Velocio!

And as I'm still lazing around doing some work instead of getting ready, I may even cheat and get the train to Waterloo and start the day's riding from there.

Nah, I'm riding... too nice a day not to.

Leaving shortly as it's a long long way and I presume (remember badly) that there's a coffee stall near the statue anyway.

I have changed my front tyre and now just need to decide whether to bring a dslr to document the ride. See you all soon.

I've put together a space playlist and am bringing a blue tooth speaker .. if people want some sounds for the ride...

Ha. Reminds me of riding up Chinnor hill at 2am to the sound of stairway to heaven.

It's a good chance to grab some pics of the scopes...

I have changed my front tyre and now just need to decide whether to bring a dslr to document the ride. See you all soon.

This looks fantastic. Have an out of this world ride everyone.

any more dropouts? are the people from the waitlist definitely filling in for the dropouts?

^ there's no easy way to tell, but I haven't had a reply from Temp who I PMd at short notice to let him know he had a space (ha!) available. You could go to Greenwich anyway and tag along if the number limit hasn't been made up, I guess.

We are 15 at the moment. Not sure who/if anyone we're waiting for... leaving in 10 mins

Had to bail at Battersea as the cold was making my leg tighten up and I could feel the tightness that leads to sciatica, which I'm shit scared of.

Got home hoping to jump in the car and catch up, but reality is that I need to spend the evening doing stretches and keeping warm.

Sucks. Been looking forward to this so much for so long and then had to bail because the cold aggravates sciatica.

Still, hope the rest of you have a glorious time.

aah bad luck David. maybe a warm edition in the spring...

Such a shame Velocio. Amazing viewing. Mands has some excellent photos of the moon that will hopefully be put up.

Thanks Nick!

well thanks for a top idea Nick, I didnt make the list but with a bit of Googling found out that both Greenwich and Mill Hill Observatories do public visits, just had a top couple of hours at Greenwich looking thru the 28inch Victorian,what a clear nite , couldnt be better, cant wait for Mill Hill in March,.... Fank Mista

Nick that was amazing gazing!
And loved the hills.
Thanks so much for planning this and for your comments.
Seeing the moons of Jupiter was awesome
(Also such a well led forum ride in terms of group riding skills and ride etiquette. Excellent red light discipline and appropriate filtering/not filtering decisions. Top marks!)

Awesome awesome awesome, great ride and great people thanks for an amazing day out. Thanks Nic!

Some pictures:

And more...

What an excellent day out. Thanks Nick and everybody else. Here are a few pics...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/middle-of-nowhere/sets/72157639658835416/