Deal With It (Again)

MEET 19:00 For 20:00 DEPART

Weather permitting, I want to see if we can get another one in before the season ends.

Using Sunday the 30th (with the Bank Holiday to recover)

FIXED* overnighter to DEAL on the South East coast

Like in Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' we follow the Thames down to the estuary as the sun sets. Into lanes towards the Medway, over Rochester to Herne Bay and the magical coastal path. From there it is round the headland to the Viking Coast and Deal (Where hopefully there will be jacket potatoes waiting..)

Approx 166KM with large traffic-free sections
1km grass section and a few bits of gravel
23c tires OK

Idea is to stick together as much as possible and the leaders will wait at non-obvious forks in the road and corners

Fast-social pace, nobody left behind
Bike, body and brain could be tested :

No crybabies, No crap equipment

Be self-sufficient and bring adequate clothing and decent lights

Plenty of bail-out points, (BUT) you may have a long wait at a train station
Most trains down there resume at 07:30 in the morning (there are plenty of train stations enroute)

LONDON - Woolwich - Gravesend - Rochester - Rainham - Faversham - Whitstable - Herne Bay - Margate - Ramsgate - Sandwich - DEALT (with it)

Meet London Fields - top Broadway and Westgate

I will be going fixed on about 71GI (46x17:23c)

*If you want to ride gears, three simple rules:

1. Geared riders to the back of field (I want to enjoy the silence of
   the night without your freehub ruining it)

2. On descents give clear warning (on right, stay etc.). Always pass on
   far right

3. Don't sprint off at the bottom of a descent. Slow down and let the group come back together

Plus it will be just off a full moon!

Weather looking ok so far.

Changed start location to steps of St. Paul's Cathedral. 19:00

Ride is (99%) off.

Block of solid rain from 01:00 and through all tomorrow (will check weather again at 18:00).

Prospect was always a bit dicey for a night ride in August.