Yokels unite

itboffin

Jay dubbleU wrote:

itboffin wrote:

Right then, those starting out from Marlborough may I suggest we meet here and ride in convoy to Chiseldon along the sustrain route 45 old railway line (no traffic) i'll be popping out that way shortly, for a quick look see

www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=30119

Edit: forget that idea, just rode most of the railway line, i'm exhausted

I will be driving to the start point tomorrow :oops:

Hmm I did think that was a bit ambitious - for the same reason I'm driving to Chiseldon although Route 45 goes through Swindon what are conditions like ?

I really hoping it's slow going for anyone and not just me being ghey :?

daniel_b

itboffin wrote:

Jay dubbleU wrote:

itboffin wrote:

Right then, those starting out from Marlborough may I suggest we meet here and ride in convoy to Chiseldon along the sustrain route 45 old railway line (no traffic) i'll be popping out that way shortly, for a quick look see

www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=30119

Edit: forget that idea, just rode most of the railway line, i'm exhausted

I will be driving to the start point tomorrow :oops:

Hmm I did think that was a bit ambitious - for the same reason I'm driving to Chiseldon although Route 45 goes through Swindon what are conditions like ?

I really hoping it's slow going for anyone and not just me being ghey :?

From reading you exploits ITB I'm sure it's not you, I just hope the three of us don't slow anydown too much!

I am pleased to say that the never before used Thule 4 bike towbar rack has been tested and is working fine with the 13 pin to 7 pin adapter plug (Thankyou CRC)
It's rock solid too, well pleased, especially as it was an ebay bargain.

I am hoping it will fit on Darrens Pajero, as I think that will be a far better mode of transport for tomorrow, hoever the spare wheel may have different ideas, in which case we may have to try and make it there in a front wheel drive Nissan estate....

Shortly tucking into a hearty pie frm the butchers, and then will be filling up with porridge in the morning, and have a good supply of fig rolls and twix/snickers for tomorrow, think they might be required!

Wonder how many attendees we will end up with?

Cheers

Dan

Jay dubbleU

Don't worry Dan - I don't think its going to be a fast run - I'm pretty slow myself - my road speed is about 12 mph - the main A361 should be ok once you get off the M4

itboffin

The roads are fine apart from small country lanes, my avg today was 8mph frequently dropping to 3-5mph :oops:

stuaff

Good luck to you all, take care. Should there be a re-run in rather better weather, I could be interested.

Fireblade96

Kids, we still on for today ?

It's grey and cold out. I'm pouring cup after cup of coffee down my neck in an effort to WakeTFU
Think I'l probably drive down - there hasn't been any fresh snow here, how's conditions in Swindonshire ?

itboffin

Oh course it's on, it's lovely out there :roll:

12:00 at the pub car park, we'll hang around for a little while but not too long so anyone confirmed who is unable to make it please text me, you should all have my number by now.

I believe this is who we're expecting

itboffin
Attica
JayD
Dan B
Lizzie
Darren
Fireblade96
OSK + Mr OSK

pigeon42

Me, Dan & Darren are still up for it (shame the sun's not out like yesterday, but nevermind).

ITB - what's the name of the pub? We found the location on the map, but hadn't picked up on it being a pub (sorry if we're being dim!)

Just had a large bowl of porridge & a hot cuppa tea so all set

Fireblade96

itboffin wrote:

Oh course it's on, it's lovely out there :roll:

Cool. I've had my porridge, about to warm up by digging out the car !!
I tried using the leaf blower as a snow blower, and whilst it made a pleasing small snowstorm, didn't clear the drive :-(

itboffin

pigeon42 wrote:

Me, Dan & Darren are still up for it (shame the sun's not out like yesterday, but nevermind).

ITB - what's the name of the pub? We found the location on the map, but hadn't picked up on it being a pub (sorry if we're being dim!)

Just had a large bowl of porridge & a hot cuppa tea so all set

Not sure of the name, it could be the Patriot Arms also that car park I suggested is locked i'm sure it won't be a problem. we'll find somewhere. who suggested that pub?

itboffin

Jay dubbleU wrote:

If you're coming down the M4 turn off at junction 15 and follow the A346 south through Chiseldon - up the hill, past the garage on the right next junction is The Ridgeway - turn right and then immediately left into small car park - there is enough room for half a dozen cars.

Simples :roll: :?

Erm I'll check it again but that car park was shut yesterday, failing that we could meet at the petrol station and arrange something from there.

itboffin

Right i'm all set, food & kit ready, bike chain looking a nice shade of orange :oops: tyres pumped to within a inch of there lives 18 layers of clothing, and what always happens next.... yep off with the layers nature calls

itboffin

Great fun today folks nice to meet some new faces and old of course, i've posted some pics on the Ride Report forum, hope you all got home okay and sorry for the slightly longer route home, i'm not from around here! :roll:

pigeon42

Thanks for organising today ITB - great fun, and good to meet everyone too!

The snow was fantastic - never seen snow like that - and Dan & I really enjoyed the ride, especially the downhill bit into the White Horse

We'd definitely be up for some other rides - there are some lovely off road ones near us, up over Watership Down is particularly good.

I've regained feeling in my toes now, and we've got a nice coq au vin in the slow cooker ready to eat

Jay dubbleU

Excellent day - nice to meet everyone - thanks to ITB for organising - I really need to get fitter - tell me again - why do we do this?

Great snow - good company - excellent ride if slightly scary in parts - bit worrying when both wheels are locked but the bike carries on down the hill :shock:

Fireblade96

Top afternoon out !
Riding in snow is fun :-)
Lovely pub for lunch.
Great banana cake...

...Damn I'm unfit :-(

Is pizza and beer suitable recovery food ?

daniel_b

Great day chaps, thankyou for organising ITB, good to finally meet you, as well as Jaydubbleu, Attica and FB96 - I even remember all your real names, but how long I retain this information is up for debate :oops:

Was a great day, the snow riding/sinking was mucho fun, and the pub was really nice with friendly staff and locals - anyone remember what it was called?

We got back fine, hope everyone else made it back ok.

I was certainly slow on the road bits, despite pumping up the back tyre, too little activity over christmas and too many mince pies, and other assorted things that are not good for you..........!

Look forward to the next one at some point in the future

Cheers

Dan

P.S Yes the Banana cake was fabulous!

OldSkoolKona

Sounds like a crackin' ride. Sorry I couldn't join, Mrs OSK and went up the old railway line from the Marl to meet but it was slow going so I told ITB to go on ahead. Looks like you cleared a route for us, after the car park in Chiseldon, we went along NCN 45 along the ridgeway (did see a few cyclists including one in jeans!! I was out in commuting yellow glory, wasn't going to get lost in the snow) then back into Marlborough along NCN4.

22 miles in total and my feet are just about thawing out now. Thermal socks and overshoes weren't up to keeping the heat in! Chapeau to Mrs OSK who stuck out the ride and had some gnarly downhill snow action.

There was a bit on the ridgeway, before where it joins NCN4 where there had only been one other cyclist out since the snow and without his/her tracks it would have been a lot harder!

Great route, though the route numbering from Sustrans seems a bit random, they have new number over the top of old ones yet the web page only has the old ones (e.g. the route from Marlborough to Chiseldon was 45, is something new now with three digits)

itboffin

I'm hoping one day the rains will stop, when they do is anyone interested in another ridgeway ride?

CX & MTB recommended

Fireblade96

itboffin wrote:

I'm hoping one day the rains will stop, when they do is anyone interested in another ridgeway ride?

CX & MTB recommended

Heck yeah, but it'll have to be a good one to compete with the Snow Ride for comedy value.

I'd leave it a couple of weeks though - the Ridgeway Mud will be axle-deep after all this rain !

itboffin

It will be good to test out my "NEW" MTB

waddlie

I could be up for this... any dates in mind?

Jay dubbleU

I'm in - we could go the other way to the other White Horse and back - done it on the CX bike - took about two and a half hours

itboffin

Waddlie wrote:

I could be up for this... any dates in mind?

April would make more sense, the ridgeway with thick sticky mud is harder than snow plus those tiny sharp stones stick like super glue.

Jay dubbleU

Agree - last time I tried it it took a week to get that horrible chalk mud out of the crevices - and no I don't mean the bike

waddlie

itboffin wrote:

Waddlie wrote:

I could be up for this... any dates in mind?

April would make more sense, the ridgeway with thick sticky mud is harder than snow plus those tiny sharp stones stick like super glue.

I hiked it end-to-end in 2005 and the first half (Avebury to Goring) would have been a nightmare if it'd been sticky. I have proper knobblies, so if anyone wants to MTFU and go sooner, just give me a shout.

itboffin

Here's a reminder once again, if/when it snows i'll be up for another Ridgeway ride.

Jay dubbleU

itboffin wrote:

Here's a reminder once again, if/when it snows i'll be up for another Ridgeway ride.

Friday then 8)

itboffin

Jay dubbleU wrote:

itboffin wrote:

Here's a reminder once again, if/when it snows i'll be up for another Ridgeway ride.

Friday then 8)

Yeh not looking good in the west :?

Fireblade96

*shuffles off to shed to fit new stem, bars and oh, feck, need to take bike to shop to have headset fitted*