ThNRC (Roydon't), Roy-do-do-do

Hoping to finally get myself along to some ThNRC this year after talking about it last year and not getting round to it. Likely to be train out and ride back I think but will update the list when I know what time I can get out of work.

Weather looks pretty spot on for this.

Train out.
1) Scrabble
2) Jaeyukdapbap
3)

Ride out.
1) rOd_mUnCH
2) rhowe
3)

Ride Back

1) Rod_Munch
2)

I'm in:

Train out.
1) Scrabble
2) Jaeyukdapbap
3) cagimaha
4)

Ride out.
1) rOd_mUnCH
2) rhowe
3)

Ride Back
1) Rod_Munch
2) cagimaha
3)

Train out.
1) Scrabble
2) Jaeyukdapbap
3) cagimaha
4)

Ride out.
1) rOd_mUnCH
2) rhowe
3) mashton
4)

Ride Back
1) Rod_Munch
2) cagimaha
3)

BALLS. I'm not coming.

Train out.
1) Scrabble
2) Jaeyukdapbap
3) cagimaha
4) cgg
5)

Ride out.
1) rOd_mUnCH
2) rhowe
3) mashton
4)

Ride Back
1) Rod_Munch
2) cagimaha
3)

Train people: let's meet next to the ticket machines. Note that we can get group saves from them directly.

Pic not working for me. Hoping it's supposed to be flapjacks.

Oooh, I have some flapjacks. They may be past their best, but I know how you lot love em.

I want to ride the shiny bike, since the weather looks so nice. In which case no way am I going to use the river path.

Is there a nice route out from Central that anyone could recommend?

Avoid the B194 coming out of Waltham Abbey. Probably one of the scariest cycling experiences of my life when I rode out last year. Half of the population of Essex seem to use it as their commute out of London and they're in a rush! Have fared better along there mid year when it's lighter for longer. The station restaurant do good cake though.

Best route is probably the most straightforward - this is how I do it. There may be more, cleverer ways but at least you know where you stand with Epping High Road. As you don't have to do it at rush hour it might not be too bad. Apparently the new-ish cafe at Roydon is v nice and friendly, so could plan a cake rest there

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27166148

I'll bring some fig rolls as our fearless leader is absent. They'll be in my pocket though so will have that "just baked" warmth by the halfway stop.

I have never enjoyed any of the riding I've done around Waltham Abbey. The driving is truly, truly awful.

Train out.
1) Scrabble
2) Jaeyukdapbap
3) cagimaha
4) cgg
5) ruserius
6)

Ride out.
1) rOd_mUnCH
2) rhowe
3) mashton
4)

Ride Back
1) Rod_Munch
2) cagimaha
3)

Thanks guys. See you later.

I fucked up and brought no food with me. Diverted to see @edmundro and pick up some tyres and ended up in Waltham Abbey at rush hour. Awful.

Then I bonked on the road to Roydon and have just collapsed into the Italian at Roydon Station. I'm shagged.

Will see if the escalope, penne arrabiats and garlic bread can fix me. Right now there's no way I want to do another 37 miles!

You have like 50 mins to turn things around. I have faith!

Garlic bread wolfed.

Bring me moah fooooood, please proprietor!

I need to find a purveyor of jelly babies and snickers when I am done here.

Right. I'm afraid I'm out.

I'm going to ride 20 miles to Harpenden where I can get the train all the way home. Seems like a good compromise.

Have fun y'all.

Likely story, he's off to Brent Cross IKEA for some reindeer balls and some flat packed goodness really ;)

Crikey, that would have been a good idea.

I set off for Harpenden, following Mrs Google's voice directions. She led me onto Route 61, which is the Lea towpath. Grrr. Followed that for a couple of miles before she told me I had gone the wrong way along it. Bitch.

So I gave it up as a bad job and got the train back to London.

I've had a lovely day though. Apart from the shit bits.

(BTW, who are you?)

Avoid the B194 coming out of Waltham Abbey.

I just checked.

I hit this road at about 6pm. It was horrific. I bonked just after Nazeing. Not a single shop or garage between Waltham Abbey and Roydon. I was seriously conidering knocking on a door and begging for a biscuit.

What a total rookie error.

I hope you all had a good ride?

If that makes you feel any better, naze in French is slang for 'rubbish' (as an adjective). Or 'knackered' or 'broken'. Never fails to make me chuckle.

Our dear leader was missed, as were a number of turns, a puncture was had not 100 yards into the sprint, great ride! Nice to be back on the lanes.

Got back in about 12.30, great spin though some lovely lanes and also great to meet some new faces.
I rode back through Epping Forrest which was ace in total darkness. Definitely could have done with some shoe covers to help with those water features though! Thanks all for organising, providing biscuits and laughs.