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Bernie - I haven't got permission to view my PM's yet apparently (newbie init) - but will be at Tooting Broadway at 9

No worries, if you can PM me, then I will send you my mobile. Well worth having comms. sorted before tomorrow morning.

See you then!

Was there a mention of storage for bikes? Trying to work out if I can get my fixed wheel trued, or else the nice biek

Good call. I will give the hotel a call and see if they can find somewhere secure, but a few of us are travelling fixed, and a man of your calibre could do with the extra challenge...

Bernie - have updated the route to follow the route out you've described. From Iver onwards it's just the way we went last year.

http://connect.garmin.com/course/2425835

Can you check you're happy with the route to W Drayton?

That is spot on.

OK folks, the hour is approaching.

Vital checks;

• Tyres
  
• Tubes
  
• Brakes
  
• Layers on, and spare
  
• Lightweight waterproofs
  
• Snacks
  
• Sense of humour
  
  

Oh, and did I mention beer money?

PM sent to all with my mobile. Come back at me via PM if not received safely.

^ was going to be my next question. I assume things get booked up pronto with 7k people involved. Anyone know if camping is an option? I'm coming from Far East (combining with family visits, 2 birds n all that) and would love to keep costs down...

I stayed at the Cascade Camp Site close to the bottom of Alp d'H, and it was superb.

Loads of Dutch riders and fans ( Alp d'H is their mountain...) so warm, friendly atmosphere, but don't expect a full nights sleep the evening before.

hey, I'm very much a maybe, as I'm hoping to go to a music festival in Brighton, but for whatever reason that's now looking unlikely, so i have a few quick questions.

Is it really impossible to get your bike on a train at oxford?

Are there enough people training back for a group save, or is it a cheap ride anyway?

Is anyone (balmain - I'm looking at you) thinking of going there and back in a day?

You will be more than welcome, if you can make it.

In terms of the three questions.

1. Certainly not impossible, but dependent on the approval of jobs worth train guards, and there being no bikes already on the train, before it gets to Oxford.

2. Possibly, but see 1 above. Last time the group was split, and personally, a long drawn out slanging match with train staff is not how I want to close an epic ride in the Chilterns.

3. Again possibly, but it does make for a big day in the saddle, and the last 20 miles tend to be proper hard work. Add in the fact that you miss the jolly japes and pints in Oxford, and may well have to do the final part of the ride in the shopper traffic of a darkening Saturday evening, not the most appealing of prospects.

Bernie, sorry, but family commitments mean that I'm out for this weekend. Hope you all have a good ride.

No problem mister, shame you will not be there.

Feel free to join us for a pint if you are free, or a few miles on Sunday morning, if you can sneak out of the house for a couple of hours.

Any thoughts on departure time / route home on the Sunday?

Very much open to suggestions. Was thinking we should compare sore heads, weather forecasts, and appetite for pain, but please do consider some preferred options, and we can then decide how we roll.

The straigtforward route is Wattlington, then up on to the A40, but if we can persuade Clubman to join us, I am sure he can think of a more challenging and interesting route.

Oh, and could you "Garmin" the route from Tooting Broadway to West Drayton? I am good to Shepherd's Bush, but it would be of great to have the final back doubles confirmed on a GPS device.

And finally, the promise from everyone attending is that they have checked tyres and inner tubes for life expectancy, and replaced where necessary, so we get no where near last years record number of blow outs.

Useful phrases for this ride:

Performeth ye a skid!
H.Ye.F.U
U.Ye.F.S
What A Countrye Gentleman

See you all soon!

Oh and ride definitely on for this Saturday there, and Sunday back.

We are hoping to see some friendly faces before the final furlong into Wattlington, details on rides and Raced, Lilliput and Back.

@Bernie
2.5hrs/19 miles = 9.5mph

I thought I was being cautious leaving 2hrs to travel 23 miles

I am sure there will be a few emergencies that hold us up, and as the organiser, I really should be early, rather than late.

Are you willing to list out your route to the start, so anyone not following the saaf massive, can meet up with you on the way?

No dishonour in taking the train from Paddington to West Drayton, but for those south of the river, it is as easy to ride directly to the start.

^ Chris, I'll be riding fixed and I reckon a fair percentage will be. Re. the sunday ride, Bernie did mention something, somewhere about taking the A40 back, so it may not be a particularly scenic ride!

I will be rolling fixed, and I am sure at least two others will be the same.

So, for those riding to the start from Saaf London, the full route is actually nearer 19 miles, so the start will be

9am

Tooting Broadway, NOT the original time of 9:30. Opening post has been amended, but please spread the word.

The route will be as follows

• Tooting Broadway
  
• 
  
• Garratt Lane
  
• 
  
• Wandsworth
  
• 
  
• Putney Bridge
  
• 
  
• Hammersmith
  
• 
  
• Shepherds Bush
  
• 
  
• A4020 Uxbridge Road
  
• 
  
• Ealing Common
  
• 
  
• Southall
  
• 
  
• West Drayton Road
  
• 
  
• West Drayton station
  
  

We will be taking a leisurely 15 mph pace, and NOT stopping at any of the above points. Work out when you think we will be at a particular destination, PM me to say where you will be, and be there 15 minutes early, and we will sweep you up on the way through.

For the Oxford posse, we will be rolling past the Fox and Hounds, Christmas Common, OX49 5HL and stopping for a quick water bottle fill and "comfort break."

I cannot give a ETA as all timings will be dependent on weather and inner tube conditions but we will post on the forum as we move into the hills.

is it too early to start looking at weather reports?

also, yesterday the missus said "so you're not going to be here when Wendy & John come over for tea on Sunday? I'll be very annoyed if your not here!"
... bit rich really, as John is rarely about if we go over to theirs

Maybe time for a

"Dear John" letter?

Don't worry about the weather reports.

Myself and Almac did a recce ride yesterday.

Wind, leaves, bright bracing sunshine, and a lovely cup of tea half way.

Com'on, what possibly could go wrong?

Here's last year's route
http://connect.garmin.com/course/2425835

Not sure which way you want to come home Bernie

Lance got shot?!

More like got eaten...

On Sunday 10th November there will be a special screening of The Flying Scotsman in London's famous Brixton/Herne Hill borders at the Prince Regent... It's part of their A to Z of Movies season which is now in its second year, some of you may have come to see Breaking Away last year... Many lolz were had...

Free entry and free popcorn, main feature on at 7pm... Come on down!

The Prince Regent. 69 Dulwich Road, London SE24 0NJ

Is that our very own Apollo in the opening shot?

Can any of the techno savvy riders from last year, post up a route in GPX (?)

(Please don't ask what I mean. Sounds like I am ordering 5 litres of oil for my 1972 Ford Capri 1.6L)

Bernie what's the plan re bikes when we get to Oxford?
Was gonna ride the road bike but not sure I want to leave it locked up in central Oxford while we get pissed, as it's new and shiny.

PM sent...

I'll possibly be up for pitchfork and flaming torch duty, depending on how well I recover from sawing into my own thumb at work today!

Hope the hand is on the mend and would be good to have the welcoming committee at Christmas Common or Wattlington.

So, I am confirming hotel booking late this afternoon. Anyone who wants to join in, please PM me. No pressure either way, but will be closing the book tonight.

Hope the stunning weather and colours of yesterday are with us on the 9th.

In

Out.

"Work, the curse of the drinking classes..."

A storm is brewing...

... in tea cup.

About much chance as free beer.

Will see if can get clear of work, and down for a catch up with the Monday massive.

Would love to join the outward leg of this but I'll have to see how my own (legs, that is) hold up over the next couple of weeks. Although I do have a load of non indexed gears. And brakes.

Good to see so much interest, and thank you to the overnighters, who have already transferred money. Much appreciated.

I am looking to confirm the precise booking on Wednesday, so if anyone else is interested in definitely securing half a room, please do PM me.

Very happy for people to wait and see, but equally, if you are definitely going to do both ways, well worth the investment now, to secure the cheapest possible price.

Unfortunately not, I have immovable plans for the saturday and am running on the sunday. Take the gold stetson in my place!

Ah, it won't be the same without you.

We will try to be expecially sensible and sober in your memory.

1. 50/14
   
2. Bernie
   
3. upstart (to and from)
   
4. esstee
   
5. Branwen
   
6. JoePablo (one way only, joining somewhere in the hills)
   
7. cnkr
   
8. Raeba (and possibly housemate)
   
9. T4 (to and from)
   
10. Balmain (to, maybe from)
    
11. jochta (one way only, joining somewhere in the hills)
    
12. almackety, no slackety, there and backety xc
    
    
    

Good to have you on board, mister.

So I have me, Upstart, Esstee, Branwen, T4 and Almac all staying over.

Can any one else who is definitely staying, ping me a PM, and I will send bank details for you to make a transfer in. The cost, including breakfast, is coming out at a few quid short of £50 a head, but these cheapie rooms are sure to go, as the date gets closer.

Very happy for members to wing it, and try and get in on the day but personally, I always prefer the certainty of a guaranteed room, to the living on the edge exitement of a night in a bus shelter, in the p!$$ing rain.

(Not that it will be raining, of course.)

I am looking to book the rooms tomorrow by lunch time, so please come back to me, via PM ASAP.

Thanks muchly...

Very keen on this. Possibly only the sat but will ride nonetheless

Good man.

Check out the "new" thread and get your good self on the list.

1. 50/14
   
   1. Bernie
      
   2. upstart (to and from)
      
   3. esstee
      
   4. Branwen
      
   5. JoePablo (one way only, joining somewhere in the hills)
      
   6. cnkr
      
   7. Raeba (and possibly housemate)
      
   8. T4
      
      

?

Why we no ride from central London?

Why you no read the information supplied?