WNKR Hemel Hempstead

So? Did anyone survive?

Barely, without that woman barking in your ear we are like new born foals stumbling around in the dark..

BUT - it was great, if a little random...

rhow and BB punctured on the way, so DNS for them.

For some reason that route wouldn't give either of the two Garmins we had turn-by-turn directions (it was enabled) and I don't think any of us had ridden it before. Ordinarily that's not an issue but this route obviously crosses itself 4 times - so at each point we had a 50/50 shot as to which was the correct way. Amazingly I checked when we got back and apparently we got it right every time, albeit with a bit of faffing...

in other news... Howrad is back, complete with new (non-squeaky) bike and backpack!

I have only ever done the route once, and that was a few years ago, it is strangely cris-crossy (not in a trousers on backwards way). I remember it as being similar to PB in it'#s combination of a few lumps, a biggish drag and plenty of spinney flat/gentle descents.

Not sure why we always overlook it, what is the opinion of the riders? Should it be put back into the standard rotation? Anyone fancy another spin round it next week (if I can shift enough of the porridge that seems to be filling my lungs)?

in other news... Howrad is back, complete with new (non-squeaky) bike and backpack!

I'd never noticed his old backpack was that squeaky.

#inbeforeoliver

Yeah.

DNS for me. Shitty ride out, was running late, was run off the road by someone I admittedly told to fuck off when they beeped me for being in the middle of the road. I don't remember their plates.

Eventually punctured, got the train home from Welham Green. Me and Campagnolo Scirrocco are finished.

Me and Campagnolo Scirrocco are finished...

at least some good came of this...

Anyone fancy another spin round it next week (if I can shift enough of the porridge that seems to be filling my lungs)?

I wouldn't object, although I expect Howrad would (new gearing required)!

I can't do Wednesday though unfortunately, going t'footy...

^ That sounds like a shit night, sorry to hear it bb. That goes for @rhowe as well.

It was a fun ride - plus we had Bonus Phil join us, a North London lurker who spotted this ride very near his turf so nice to have a surprise extra.

It's kind of a weird route - I don't know what was up with the guidance situation - and even though the train ride isn't exceptionally longer, it does feel a long way to go for 30 mile loop (as for the those who ride out...well). I think it's definitely worth considering keeping in the loop, but the road surface is pretty shite, so it might benefit from being run mid season so as to be able to spot the giant fucking holes more easily. There are quite a few dragging climbs I found, but nothing unreasonable and actually pretty pleasant. Lots of time out of the saddle but no straining/gurning/heaving like on the Kent or Surrey beasts so nice actually. And some good downhill, false downhills as well.

I think the mysterious controller should keep it in mind for a mid-season left turn, like the WNKR version of an 8 mile TT stage.

at least some good came of this...

have some decommissioned rep

Casette being changed over as we speak.

Are you interested interested in them Jim?

the giant fucking holes

At least people have the option to be a little less blatantly in sight, then.

#inbeforemiddleofnowhere

yes, I have plans for them...

sweet.

Burn my rims, overnight deluxe to Frinton on Sea.

it was noted that there was a lack of impetus to get a pre-return beer MoN (!!)

Anyone fancy another spin round it next week (if I can shift enough of the porridge that seems to be filling my lungs)?

might be game, will be motivation for a speedy adjustment to the far-too-hard-up-a-hill 53x19.. made enquiries today.. will look to remedy in-time, :-)

would request the earliest start possible though - maybe to grab a glimmer of a sunset.. oh, and most-def. out if its Surrey Hills + damp (!)..

Bikes aren't allowed on trains out of London before 19.00, sunset next Wednesday will be at 18.54. WNKR has seen the last of the sun for this year.

meet-up 18.50 to enjoy the sunset sky over Lundun-town, then the aftermath on the train journey out?! unless its a rideable-out start-location (for us mere mortals!)?!

ps. most enjoyable comedy-banter in the thread above RodMunch, :-)

Ride out is about the same as Welwyn according to my plans

still pondering what to change the gear-ratio of me wnkr bike to...

... what's the wnkr recommendation guys?

did i recall correctly a wnkr'er from Wednesday running 44x17 (less gear-inches than 42-16);

44x15 for me at the mo I think

I'd be up for an off-week wnkr if you're still thinking of it~

blimey - that's a lot of gear-inch, 77.5 per the calc.,

you make it up hills with that - impressive,

until my hill-climbing effort improves, thinking to return to the safe-mode of 42x16, but fixed, instead of single-speed, to see if that extra momentum uphill helps a little, and also to avoid coasting at a faster speed than the mid-week fixie-folk!