2015-05-03 Isle of Wight Randonnee

I can report that I've not finished the garden path. Sorry, I didn't make it to the IoW this year.

@Pifko it was vile. There were nodders in cotton shorts setting out into fierce wind and rain from kite hill with a shit forecast and I thought 'I'm. Not .like.you. '
So bailed on a free entry we've done 6 times before

I flew (I wasn't, sadly, in a chopper) over the IoW on sunday afternoon and it looked sunny.

staying in Bembridge we just waited for the morning drizzle and a bunch of sodden riders to pass.

set off around ten. loved every mile of it. 11th time for me, 12 if you include tnrc deluxe a few years back. the route remains one of the best 100k in terms of mixing it up with hills and tight lanes.

cowes chain ferry was mobbed and had to wait for next one. three pints and chips and pea fritters at the end. good day of rolling.

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loved rolling up blackgang into the mist. later on to be rewarded with blue skies and some decent tailwinds. rode gears this year and saw very few fixed or ss out there this year. makes me think in previous years this here forum has really swelled the numbers

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I had the forum jersey on but weather never quite got nice enough to take off the barrier layer and represent

My flight back, from the holiday that caused me to miss out on this ride, came in over the island this morning (Monday). The plane helpfully banked at the right moment to give me a perfect, cloudless, view of the north of the island and amongst all the other landmarks I could clearly make out the Wooton camp site. Couldn't see if there were any forumengers still hanging about.

Registrations are now open - not that you have to..
http://www.cycleisland.co.uk/

@_Leon - In for this? Fixed?

@Pifko definately maybe

Going to sign up for this!

Ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth start this year?

I have reserved my slot. Who else is going?

Only a few weeks away now.

Nope. Alas, I will be in Edinburgh that weekend.

I'm gonna be up a hill called brown Clee in Shropshire.
Have a spin out on Black gang for me

Going to start a new event thread. But before I do that I was going to try and get a few peoples attention.

@Ludd @benjam @hats @pifko @middleofnowhere @Fox @jonny

I've signed up, yet to decide what to do about transport/camping etc.

Happy to take on the arrangement duties.

Shall we do what we did in 2014. Cycle/train down on the Saturday. Camp that night, do the ride on the Sunday. Camp that night, then return on the Monday.

diary clash this year means no IoW randonee sadly. I will get down there and roll around the route at some point over the summer. A very good friend has bought a place on the island in Freshwater so that would have been base camp in any case.

hope you get good weather dude. for a 100k ride the randonee is one of the best

@fasih: that's pretty much what I plan to do, perhaps with a bit less clobber than last time, but a slightly less crap tent. I did look at the possibility of heading down there on the Sunday morning but I reckon that's hopeless from SE London. And it would be wrong to dash back as soon as the ride is over, so it looks like 2 nights camping.

But Mrs Ludd asked why I don't take the car. If I did that, there's be space for at least one other rider and their bike. Will ponder.

If I do it It'll have to be a day trip as I have to be in London Saturday evening. I have yet to look into the logistics but I recall others finding it tricky in previous years.

If you decide to take the car can I join your party please @Ludd.

People have done it before, but due to the volumes of people on the ferry. Getting on a ferry becomes a little hit and miss. This ride's popularity increases year on year. The Bridges Ride is the night before as well - which I am no missing.

@jonny @T4NY4

Early days but I might be heading to the IoW for an over-nighter to coincide with the Swift Campout (because obviously I need people in Seattle to tell me when I should go camping). No real plans yet but your company would be a pleasure.

Sounds good. I shall consult the calendar etc.

hey dude. checked the Swift Campout site and those dates of 25-26 june could be tricky. but not impossible. will keep it on the radar as would be great to see you down there.