London Freewheel

Bassjunkieuk

I know this isn't strictly commuting but it seems they have finally updated the site with the route for this year.

It has been slightly extended this year as the turn around point (for those doing the *ahem* long course) is now on Tower Hill as opposed to London Bridge - this of course means we can take in the hill climbs from the Tour of Britain

It was great fun last year with plenty of freebies and cycling on car free streets was certainly an odd sensation!

Here's the route just in case anyone is interested: http://www.london.gov.uk/freewheel/imag ... -large.gif

I'm not gonna paste it in as an image as it's quite wide and will make the forum a mess!

helz

This was excellent fun last year and I can't wait to do it again! The only thing is it isn't sponsored by Hovis this year so I doubt if we'll get free sandwiches when we get to the Mall this time but I'm sure we'll survive!

snooks

I'll be there...what I'll be riding I haven' the foggiest..hopefully something shiny and fast

Last year I went by foot...forgot to register...and was amazed that even though the roads were just cyclists there were still the odd moron who Red Marshall Jumped through crowds of pedestrians crossing when they were allowed to


So when do we start getting the freebies then???

DonDaddyD

What is a Red Marshall Jump?

I'm going I've registered 3 times now, have yet to recieve anything in the post from them.

I will be on my SCR 3.

I know I have missed the last two site gatherings but it would be good to meet up and go in a group. Perhaps making a meeting spot before actually getting to a freewheel hub and then another meeting point for when we get there. - Just throwing that out there.

snooks

DonDaddyD wrote:

What is a Red Marshall Jump?

Like a RLJ, but there were marshalls who stopped the bikes, not Red Lights...and you can't jump a red light if there ain't a light to jump :0)

Specialized Needs

I signed up months ago and had heard nothing until an email a week or two back - my wife has heard nothing at all. I did email them 2 weeks back to ask how we could find out if we are still registered, but have received no response Last year there were loads of regular (if somewhat annoying at times) 'personalised' updates. I'll try registering again.

DonDaddyD wrote:

I know I have missed the last two site gatherings but it would be good to meet up and go in a group. Perhaps making a meeting spot before actually getting to a freewheel hub and then another meeting point for when we get there. - Just throwing that out there.

Also feeling left out due to the lack of SE London hub this year :evil: - Peckham Rye was fine last year and the ride in to Southwark Bridge was good. I suppose I can drag my wife in on my normal commute route...

I seem to recall that they are promising some kind of snack and refreshment on the Mall but, as HELZ says, I doubt it will be the sandwiches and the open houmous sandwich samples we had last year.

All feels a bit last minute - but then it looks like they didn't get sponsorship until late in the day, so it may well be. Still, I'm sure it will be fun again

Stuart

Bassjunkieuk

DonDaddyD wrote:

What is a Red Marshall Jump?

I'm going I've registered 3 times now, have yet to recieve anything in the post from them.

I will be on my SCR 3.

I know I have missed the last two site gatherings but it would be good to meet up and go in a group. Perhaps making a meeting spot before actually getting to a freewheel hub and then another meeting point for when we get there. - Just throwing that out there.

That was roughly what I was hoping for, last year I meet up at my local hub (South Norwood Country Park) with some mates and we rode up to the Clapham Common hub. My only complaint's where it took bl00dy ages! Mainly due to the fact that we could only go as fast as the slowest member of the group (a teenager or younger in our case) and we used mainly cycle network roads so whilst it was quiet roads it was hardly the most direct!

Meeting up at the event I think would be best, last year it was packed so meeting somewhere out of the main start point might be the best bet!
Any suggestions welcome, I can get up to Victoria from my house in about 45 minutes (accounting for traffic etc.) and probably the same for the Clapham Common hub (last year very busy, took ages to get through the gate proper but in theory you could just bypass and follow the signed route into town)

DonDaddyD

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

What is a Red Marshall Jump?

I'm going I've registered 3 times now, have yet to recieve anything in the post from them.

I will be on my SCR 3.

I know I have missed the last two site gatherings but it would be good to meet up and go in a group. Perhaps making a meeting spot before actually getting to a freewheel hub and then another meeting point for when we get there. - Just throwing that out there.

That was roughly what I was hoping for, last year I meet up at my local hub (South Norwood Country Park) with some mates and we rode up to the Clapham Common hub. My only complaint's where it took bl00dy ages! Mainly due to the fact that we could only go as fast as the slowest member of the group (a teenager or younger in our case) and we used mainly cycle network roads so whilst it was quiet roads it was hardly the most direct!

Meeting up at the event I think would be best, last year it was packed so meeting somewhere out of the main start point might be the best bet!
Any suggestions welcome, I can get up to Victoria from my house in about 45 minutes (accounting for traffic etc.) and probably the same for the Clapham Common hub (last year very busy, took ages to get through the gate proper but in theory you could just bypass and follow the signed route into town)

I think our stomping grounds are mostly the same. Are you sure I haven't scalped you? Lol.

I live in Norbury and can reach Clapham, Victoria (though I've never been there on a bike :shock: ) and surrounding areas inbetween.

I probably will be joining the Clapham Hub but as early as possible.

m0scs

I have registered twice and still heard nothing.

Would be nice to meet up with some fellow GAME players.

So who's going?

lost_in_thought

Looks great, never been before, but I'll be a yes for now!

And yeah, good plan to meet up beforehand with fellow forum types - just remember it's not a race!

Mr_Cellophane

There is going to be some free malt loaf and Ocean Spray (juices) are giving samples. All registrants (is that a word) get a hi-viz jacket and a bottle of water at their hub.
I am a marshal so I get some sandwiches 8)
They have posted the routes in from the hubs this year, don't remember that before. Also the borough rides look like they start later.

prj45

Mr_Cellophane wrote:

I am a marshal so I get some sandwiches

Me too. Looking forward to the slow crawl into town at 5mph, not!

Have to take some downers in the morning I suspect or I might just shoot off early.

Mr_Cellophane

Have they mailed you about the borough ride yet ?
Which one are you doing ? I am going in from Gidea Park. I think that will be about 13 miles so hopefully fairly serious riders.

prj45

Mr_Cellophane wrote:

Have they mailed you about the borough ride yet ?
Which one are you doing ? I am going in from Gidea Park. I think that will be about 13 miles so hopefully fairly serious riders.

No, but I've talked to my local LCC about it and already agreed to help it, although it itself had heard nothing by the end of last week.

Ravenscourt Park is my hub.

Still haven't seen the route from the hub to the event either.

biondino

Am going to go along, hopefully with the gf if she can get her bike back in time (she's supposed to be getting it on the 22nd, gah). Would be up for a pint with you lot!

Littigator

I'm travelling back down from a wedding Oop Norf

I see it's only on until 4.30, I might try and change my train to earlier though

Bassjunkieuk

biondino wrote:

Am going to go along, hopefully with the gf if she can get her bike back in time (she's supposed to be getting it on the 22nd, gah). Would be up for a pint with you lot!

As if we'd meet up with random people from some internet forum, next you'll suggest we go get food aswell

Bassjunkieuk

Littigator wrote:

I'm travelling back down from a wedding Oop Norf

I see it's only on until 4.30, I might try and change my train to earlier though

That's the sort of dedication we like to see :-)

coshgirl66

Anyone else coming along to the Freewheel marshal training at City Hall on Friday? I hear they're still looking for more experienced competent cyclists to help if any of you are interested... see http://www.london.gov.uk/freewheel/marshal/

andrewc3142

Went last year and it was great fun. Took the then 7 year on the tandem since his bro was ill. Some genius in transport planning closed the line from Woking for works so, undeterred, we rode about 10 miles to a station that was open.

We didn't use the bike park, though, since there were huge queues. Ditto the free sarnies but we'd packed loads of food anyway. Plenty to see around the Mall and along the Embankment and through the underpass with no cars was a wierd and wonderful feeling.

We're registered this year but so far no emails or info except to confirm but we'll turn up anyway.

Clever Pun

I'm registered and will be there...

A cake stop maybe??

Bassjunkieuk

Well having less then a week left now I thought it might be best to try and get something organized!

I'm buggered if I'm riding away from London to my local "official" meet point in Croydon to ride back with a bunch of slow coaches!

I'm thinking head straight up to Clapham Common unless any locals wanna meet up before then? Anyone on here from SE London want a riding buddy?? Not sure how Clapham Common figures for anyone heading in from the west, or if they'll just be heading straight to the main area.

Just throwing it out there for the moment, pretty flexible for times but was thinking of leaving home around 9am

Mr_Cellophane

Some of the routes have been posted here (don't tell anyone though as they are not for general publication as they don't want people joining half way through )
www.bikely.com

Is this one any good for you http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Po ... ommon63365

I am not impressed by the Barking - Victoria Park ride.

Bassjunkieuk

Good find, how very sneaky of them to put them on there! Of course the giveaway one's are the one's for the hubs -> Freehweel!

Looks quite nice, I went from South Norwood Country Park last year which did (eventually) go across Tooting Bec, so similair to that one!

Last year once the ride leader didn't mind us going on ahead if we wanted to up the tempo a bit. Don't think I'll be spending as much time at CC this year tho, we managed to pick up a couple of cans of Redbull then spent the rest of the time waiting to get out through the start. What we should have done was backed up a bit and ridden round to join everyone on the other side of the start line!

Is that the one your hoping to follow Mr C and would this be good for any of the other SE London guys? I think DonDaddyD said he's in Norbury so potentially close enough for that one!

Mr_Cellophane

I am Essex so going in with the Gidea Park.

I noticed after I posted them, that a lot were posted just after last years event. Stupid Bikey doesn't have a year in the date. :?

Bassjunkieuk

Doh, both for the date and your location!

Anyhow just in case you do spot me among the few thousand other cyclist's there do say hello! There's a pic on my FB page (check the link for "THE GAME" in my sig, I'm the group creator......) but there can't be to many SCR 3 riders with tribal tatt's on both arms :twisted:

Bassjunkieuk

Doh, both for the date and your location!

Anyhow just in case you do spot me among the few thousand other cyclist's there do say hello! There's a pic on my FB page (check the link for "THE GAME" in my sig, I'm the group creator......) but there can't be to many SCR 3 riders with tribal tatt's on both arms :twisted:

Bassjunkieuk

Doh, both for the date and your location!

Anyhow just in case you do spot me among the few thousand other cyclist's there do say hello! There's a pic on my FB page (check the link for "THE GAME" in my sig, I'm the group creator......) but there can't be to many SCR 3 riders with tribal tatt's on both arms :twisted:

Mr_Cellophane

OK
I will say hello three times.

m0scs

Im coming in to London for the event from Hertfordshire. Thought I would put the bike in the back of the car and drive in to the outskirts of London, Brent way somwwhere and then cycle in and pick up one of the Hubs probably The Emirates.

I dont know anyone else who's going so would be glad to meet up with some Game members somewhere.

Maybe we all need to wear our FCN on our backs so we can spot each other, or is that just asking for trouble?

DonDaddyD

What time is a good time to get to a hub before it gets impossibly busy?

Bass, I'm going to avoid the 'led rides' (especially as most mean going back on myself to get to Clapham) I'll be making my way straight to Clapham Common. Happy to meet before Clapham hub if you'd like. If your coming in from South Norwood, I think our routes converge naturally around Streatham give or take a detour.

If anyone lives in South London wants to meet up and will be going through the Clapham Hub, please make a suggestion of a place to meet. Perhaps a train station of some form....