Discussion
A few of us got chatting on the P&P forum and this is what we came up with...
Personally, I have only just started cycling again and the longest ride I have done is 16 miles including a coffee break! I am not terribly rapid so I am looking at this as a bot of a newbie ride but no reason we cant have a mix of people, we start together, and the fastest person cycles back up the route to adminster CPR on the slowest!
so thanks to GBbird for what strikes me as a great route idea. Whose up for what will clearly be the slowest PH hoon ever?!
gbbird said:
I prefer cycle paths or quiet country roads personally. We could cycle up or down the Grand Union Canal. Relatively flat so quite easy to do 20 - 30 miles, and lots of nice pubs to quench our thirst.
So, i propose - Watford all the way into London along the Grand Union - perhaps around 20 miles or so? Easy to do in a day, with frequent stops at pleasant pubs
So, i propose - Watford all the way into London along the Grand Union - perhaps around 20 miles or so? Easy to do in a day, with frequent stops at pleasant pubs
Personally, I have only just started cycling again and the longest ride I have done is 16 miles including a coffee break! I am not terribly rapid so I am looking at this as a bot of a newbie ride but no reason we cant have a mix of people, we start together, and the fastest person cycles back up the route to adminster CPR on the slowest!
so thanks to GBbird for what strikes me as a great route idea. Whose up for what will clearly be the slowest PH hoon ever?!
Just a suggestion - I'm sure this will keep on the back burner until next spring.
The weather is closing down, daylight is diminishing and cycling during the hostile months is not for the faint hearted. Let's face it, we all want to have a good time at a get together, rather than face an endurance test.
A spring event would be prep for the London-Brighton, for those mad enough to do it.
The weather is closing down, daylight is diminishing and cycling during the hostile months is not for the faint hearted. Let's face it, we all want to have a good time at a get together, rather than face an endurance test.
A spring event would be prep for the London-Brighton, for those mad enough to do it.
I was considering the London-Brighton as well, perhaps we can get a PH team together. Anyone here participated before and can tell us whether it is a bad idea? The most cycling I have done in the past in one go is 25 miles (last Sunday!) and I understand the L-B is about 50 miles but I would have thought on-road would be easier than off-road...??
I did the London - Brighton when I was about 16 having only done 15-20 mile road rides beforehand. It wasnt really that difficult I dont think, you can take it pretty easy along the way, the only bit thats quite taxing is the climb up Ditchling Beacon over the South Downs about 5 miles outside of Brighton
Edited by Locoblade on Tuesday 17th October 23:26
The london to Brighton is a nice route for a ride as there's lots of different terrain..
One slight drawback is that you can't put your bike on the train to get back to London so need support drivers to get home again!
However, on the day of the Heart Foundation ride it's to be avoided at all costs as; a) it's just too crowded b) there are so many "not ridden in years" riders on it that they swerve all over the road and endanger everyone else.
SO any day but the heart foundation day and I'm up for it rain or shine.
One slight drawback is that you can't put your bike on the train to get back to London so need support drivers to get home again!
However, on the day of the Heart Foundation ride it's to be avoided at all costs as; a) it's just too crowded b) there are so many "not ridden in years" riders on it that they swerve all over the road and endanger everyone else.
SO any day but the heart foundation day and I'm up for it rain or shine.
I've cycled from Uxbridge down the Grand Union and into London a few of times now. From there to Brentford/Kew is about 12 miles, I usually follow the next bend of the Thames, cross Hammersmith bridge, head up Kensington High Street to Hyde Park, then past Buckingham Palace and along the Mall to Trafalgar Square. That's about 22 miles.
From Watford to Uxbridge is about 11 miles on the Grand Union, so you'd have to add that to those figures - about 33 miles in all. It's all very flat and easy riding (I did it in a couple of hours, jumped on a train, then did 10 more miles to my parents, with a change of clothes for a wedding on my back!), but is a fair old way, and can be slow going if it's busy with walkers. The nice pubs stop at about Uxbridge too, then there's nothing till you join the Thames at Brentford.
From Watford to Uxbridge is about 11 miles on the Grand Union, so you'd have to add that to those figures - about 33 miles in all. It's all very flat and easy riding (I did it in a couple of hours, jumped on a train, then did 10 more miles to my parents, with a change of clothes for a wedding on my back!), but is a fair old way, and can be slow going if it's busy with walkers. The nice pubs stop at about Uxbridge too, then there's nothing till you join the Thames at Brentford.
I know of a good (relatively) flat route out from West Wycombe to Aylesbury and back it's about 40miles with places for coffee stops being; Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Thame and loads of other pubs en-route.
WOuld be a good ride for those trying to start out riding (plus there might be a few non PHrs who I could rope in for help if need be)
WOuld be a good ride for those trying to start out riding (plus there might be a few non PHrs who I could rope in for help if need be)
Edited by marcellus on Monday 23 October 15:48
Another thumbs down for the London To Brighton - a nice ride, but far too many muppets on the roads.
There are a couple of other good rides that also enable you to raise some money for charity: Capital To Coast (Hampton Court to Hove) and Castle to Palace (Windsor to London). Both these rides attract around 2,000 riders and there are no ridiculous train bans so easy to get home again.
I'm all for a leisurely pub-based ride though!
There are a couple of other good rides that also enable you to raise some money for charity: Capital To Coast (Hampton Court to Hove) and Castle to Palace (Windsor to London). Both these rides attract around 2,000 riders and there are no ridiculous train bans so easy to get home again.
I'm all for a leisurely pub-based ride though!
Guys - I've just been reminded that it the PH Cjarity Treasure Hunt this saturday which is starting in Marlow;
www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=308596&f=65&h=0
www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=308596&f=65&h=0
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