Being a bit time starved we were looking for a breakthrough idea on how we could find the time to do a decent training ride together when we were presented with one by the Cyclists Touring Club. They organise a completely mad event known as the Friday Night Ride to the Coast; one friday every month they meet at midnight on Hyde Park Corner and then ride to somewhere known for its beach. So last friday they were riding to Bognor Regis and we joined them for the 70 mile trip through the night.
I like to think I have done some mad things but I have to say this one is right up there, it was really magical. The group of cyclists was 70 strong and as we cruised through central London we caused quit a stir, for sure we elicited a few beeped horns but we did always stop for red lights.
As we crossed the river and headed through south London we were cheered on by endless numbers of revellers whose alcohol intake led them to confuse us with the Tour de France. Clapham had become Alpe D'Huez. When we did stop they'd ask us where we were going and the stock answer was "to the seaside!"
Crossing the M25 on a deserted A24 we came across our first roads with no street lamps and that's when I realised my single beam headlamp was not going to cut it. Now, normally on a group bike ride I feel my masculinity is challanged by the fact I have no carbon fibre parts on bike at all. But on the FNRttC the big boys all have big lights. So I acknowledged my lack of manliness and rode in front of someone else and stared at my own shadow. Fortunately for me we soon stopped for breakfast at a cool truckers cafe and by the time we came out it was daylight.
We rode an easy pace all the way to Bognor which is just as well as it was very social group and no one had any breath left for riding hard. We both loved the experience and if you ever get the chance to do this ride you should, but do go and buy yourself a big headlight first.
I like to think I have done some mad things but I have to say this one is right up there, it was really magical. The group of cyclists was 70 strong and as we cruised through central London we caused quit a stir, for sure we elicited a few beeped horns but we did always stop for red lights.
As we crossed the river and headed through south London we were cheered on by endless numbers of revellers whose alcohol intake led them to confuse us with the Tour de France. Clapham had become Alpe D'Huez. When we did stop they'd ask us where we were going and the stock answer was "to the seaside!"
Crossing the M25 on a deserted A24 we came across our first roads with no street lamps and that's when I realised my single beam headlamp was not going to cut it. Now, normally on a group bike ride I feel my masculinity is challanged by the fact I have no carbon fibre parts on bike at all. But on the FNRttC the big boys all have big lights. So I acknowledged my lack of manliness and rode in front of someone else and stared at my own shadow. Fortunately for me we soon stopped for breakfast at a cool truckers cafe and by the time we came out it was daylight.
We rode an easy pace all the way to Bognor which is just as well as it was very social group and no one had any breath left for riding hard. We both loved the experience and if you ever get the chance to do this ride you should, but do go and buy yourself a big headlight first.
check out ayup lights for your helmet Matt - all the 24hr mtb riders wear them!!!
ReplyDeleteRiding flat out at the front of the bunch on a pitch dark unlit road is an experience not to be missed. But it's only do-able if you've got good 'see-by' lights to go with your normal 'be-seens'.
ReplyDeleteI love my Ay-Ups, one pair on the bike, one pair on the helmet. Not cheap but worth every penny.
Hope we see you guys again on an FNRttC soon.