Summer Gathering The Return - North London

24

Comments

  • optimisticbiker
    optimisticbiker Posts: 1,657
    Oh well, I suppose I'll have to try Swain's Lane sometime... but it'd better be a pootle round the park then!
    Invacare Spectra Plus electric wheelchair, max speed 4mph :cry:
  • Flyingbogey
    Flyingbogey Posts: 352
    Has a date. Even decided upon yet? I have an eye on this, it's just round the corner from the base so I'll try to come along.
    Bianchi Nirone C2C FCN4
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    Sunday 2nd?

    Was out tonight and had finished doing laps of Regent's Park... faced with a choice: Rapha for a coffee or Swains Lane. So I got some practice in for the final leg to The Flask. Overtook three cyclists including one other roadie who was at the cemetery as I went by the bus stop.
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
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  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    The 2nd certainly seems the most popular date...
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  • cyclingprop
    cyclingprop Posts: 2,426
    The second is shoot :(. I'm driving/mech for a charity ride to paris that weekend.

    I DO like the idea of a few laps of Regents Park followed by some sort of high speed it's not a race but it's a race type, sprint but not sprint finish.
    What do you mean you think 64cm is a big frame?
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    I don't think we're going to satisfy everyone and the 2nd has the most votes.... BTW I was only joking about the race around the park, I'm only bringing 1 of my hack bikes, I'm not leaving my decent, weekend bike kicking around outside some pub!
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  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    I could make a few of those dates but voted for 2nd. I'll be on the SS and slower than rubertoe and with similar navigation skills :D . I'll need the 'alternative' Swains Lane route if we end up there. The Flask is a regular hangout for LFGSS folks.

    Hmm. Maybe I should recce my route this weekend.
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    I didn't plan on leaving my bike outside the pub either - I'm taking it to the beer garden via the bar!

    And here's the easier route to The Flask (you'll still have to tackle Dartmouth Park Hill and Highgate High Street): http://goo.gl/maps/OkUtk
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    The fact that the flask is on top of a hill means there is no way of of avoiding it!!

    There will be a Hill.
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    I thought it was going to be near regent's park?
    _
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    I thought it was going to be near regent's park?

    It is, sort of.

    There are still Edinboro Castle and The Engineer as options, so I suppose it's up for discussion on the day. They all serve beer and pork scratchings. And even though The Flask is a bit further north, you're still WELL SOUTH of Tamworth.

    What is about Tamworth that you don't like, Rick?
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    rubertoe wrote:
    The fact that the flask is on top of a hill means there is no way of of avoiding it!!

    There will be a Hill.

    You are not helping :P :)

    Definitely need to recce the route.
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    Ben6899 wrote:
    I didn't plan on leaving my bike outside the pub either - I'm taking it to the beer garden via the bar!

    And here's the easier route to The Flask (you'll still have to tackle Dartmouth Park Hill and Highgate High Street): http://goo.gl/maps/OkUtk

    Nah I'll still take the hack bike. Last time I went to The Flask it was rammed to the rafters. If it's a nice day everyone and their dog goes there and sits in the garden... I don't mind that but I'd prefer for us not to have to squeeze through crowds of drinkers with 5-10 bikes (depending on how many people turn up)... I can still tackle Swains Lane on the hack bike though - Swains Lane is hardly that bad! It's not a patch on something like Yorks Hill, Star Hill or Toys Hill out in Kent... It's just short and sharp...
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  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    Cafewanda wrote:
    rubertoe wrote:
    The fact that the flask is on top of a hill means there is no way of of avoiding it!!

    There will be a Hill.

    You are not helping :P :)

    Definitely need to recce the route.

    You could take the very convoluted route of Haverstock Hill and then head east along Spaniards... but, seriously, you'd be better tackling Swains Lane in 34/28 or whatever. :)
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    Headhuunter wrote:
    Ben6899 wrote:
    I didn't plan on leaving my bike outside the pub either - I'm taking it to the beer garden via the bar!

    And here's the easier route to The Flask (you'll still have to tackle Dartmouth Park Hill and Highgate High Street): http://goo.gl/maps/OkUtk

    Nah I'll still take the hack bike. Last time I went to The Flask it was rammed to the rafters. If it's a nice day everyone and their dog goes there and sits in the garden... I don't mind that but I'd prefer for us not to have to squeeze through crowds of drinkers with 5-10 bikes (depending on how many people turn up)... I can still tackle Swains Lane on the hack bike though - Swains Lane is hardly that bad! It's not a patch on something like Yorks Hill, Star Hill or Toys Hill out in Kent... It's just short and sharp...

    Hmm it looks like I'll have to invest in a lock!

    Agreed re Swains, it's all in the mind because it looks like the side of a house!
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • dhope
    dhope Posts: 6,699
    Ben6899 wrote:
    Headhuunter wrote:
    Ben6899 wrote:
    I didn't plan on leaving my bike outside the pub either - I'm taking it to the beer garden via the bar!

    And here's the easier route to The Flask (you'll still have to tackle Dartmouth Park Hill and Highgate High Street): http://goo.gl/maps/OkUtk

    Nah I'll still take the hack bike. Last time I went to The Flask it was rammed to the rafters. If it's a nice day everyone and their dog goes there and sits in the garden... I don't mind that but I'd prefer for us not to have to squeeze through crowds of drinkers with 5-10 bikes (depending on how many people turn up)... I can still tackle Swains Lane on the hack bike though - Swains Lane is hardly that bad! It's not a patch on something like Yorks Hill, Star Hill or Toys Hill out in Kent... It's just short and sharp...

    Hmm it looks like I'll have to invest in a lock!

    Agreed re Swains, it's all in the mind because it looks like the side of a house!

    Umm, my commuter is 48x15, fixed. Is there a chairlift for this mountain?
    Rose Xeon CW Disc
    CAAD12 Disc
    Condor Tempo
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    Dont worry we'll bury you in the cemetry that runs alongside.
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    rubertoe wrote:
    Dont worry we'll bury you in the cemetry that runs alongside.

    The ultimate accolade?
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    I used to be a tour guide at Highgate Cemetery... It's a really interesting place!
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  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    have you read 'Her Fearful Symmetry'?

    I quite enjoyed it!
    Dolan Mythos
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    clarkey cat wrote:
    have you read 'Her Fearful Symmetry'?

    I quite enjoyed it!

    No I hadn't heard of that book. The last time I did a tour there was back in 2005 or 2006 when I lived in Islington, I moved SE in 2006 and it's a bit far to trek. I read "Falling Angels" by Tracy Chevalier which is also set in Highgate Cem. In fact I met Tracy a few times as she was also a guide there but then she got all rich and famous after "Girl with the Pearl Earring" became a Hollywood film.... Anyway once we're all suitably wasted I can regale (bore?) you all with stories of ghosts, vampires and famous people buried in the cemetery...
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  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    Tackled the West Hill last night!

    Will do Swains tonight I think. Gotta find the hill climbing legs.
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    rubertoe wrote:
    Tackled the West Hill last night!

    Will do Swains tonight I think. Gotta find the hill climbing legs.

    Swains is easier. :) You'll be fine.

    34x20 is about the right gearing - diesel powered spinning up to the cemetry and then out of the saddle as the gradient ramps up for the remainder.

    Rest day for me today. Off for a pint of Taddy Lager (because I miss Yorkshire) in the Glasshouse Stores.
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    The 2nd seems to be taking a clear lead at the moment...
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  • optimisticbiker
    optimisticbiker Posts: 1,657
    Headhuunter wrote:
    The 2nd seems to be taking a clear lead at the moment...

    :(
    Invacare Spectra Plus electric wheelchair, max speed 4mph :cry:
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    OptimisticBiker wrote:
    Headhuunter wrote:
    The 2nd seems to be taking a clear lead at the moment...

    :(

    Just cancel whatever it is you've got in the diary... Bikes take priority
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  • optimisticbiker
    optimisticbiker Posts: 1,657
    Headhuunter wrote:
    OptimisticBiker wrote:
    Headhuunter wrote:
    The 2nd seems to be taking a clear lead at the moment...

    :(

    Just cancel whatever it is you've got in the diary... Bikes take priority

    Believe me, if it were possible I would... but its a wedding and Mrs OB won't accept any valid or invalid excuse this side of death or severe maiming for me not to go... :lol:

    I shall have to insist that she drives and then console myself with several large glasses of bubbly...
    Invacare Spectra Plus electric wheelchair, max speed 4mph :cry:
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    OptimisticBiker wrote:
    Headhuunter wrote:
    OptimisticBiker wrote:
    Headhuunter wrote:
    The 2nd seems to be taking a clear lead at the moment...

    :(

    Just cancel whatever it is you've got in the diary... Bikes take priority

    Believe me, if it were possible I would... but its a wedding and Mrs OB won't accept any valid or invalid excuse this side of death or severe maiming for me not to go... :lol:

    I shall have to insist that she drives and then console myself with several large glasses of bubbly...


    OB, I suggest you do the decent thing and maim her then, death is a bit much. :twisted: :twisted:
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • cyclingprop
    cyclingprop Posts: 2,426
    rubertoe wrote:
    OptimisticBiker wrote:
    Headhuunter wrote:
    OptimisticBiker wrote:
    Headhuunter wrote:
    The 2nd seems to be taking a clear lead at the moment...

    :(

    Just cancel whatever it is you've got in the diary... Bikes take priority

    Believe me, if it were possible I would... but its a wedding and Mrs OB won't accept any valid or invalid excuse this side of death or severe maiming for me not to go... :lol:

    I shall have to insist that she drives and then console myself with several large glasses of bubbly...


    OB, I suggest you do the decent thing and maim her then, death is a bit much. :twisted: :twisted:

    I can't do the second as I'm support driving/mech for a London to Paris ride.
    What do you mean you think 64cm is a big frame?
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    The 2nd has most of the votes so far... I know some people Can't do the 2nd but are there a few people who actually can?
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