The New Year's Eve Pub Ride

[Andrew G]

It's here, I'll be doing my New Year's Eve Pub Ride again this year .

This is a social ride and open to everyone.

It will follow the same format as previous years which for newcomers is as follows:

9.30am departure from outside GBs

A social ride of about 30-35 miles which takes in a few hills - Do not be put off by this as everyone will be waited for, it's a festive ride and if people ride off the front then they'll be the one on their own . One of the hills is tough (Slines Oak if you know it) and can be missed out if you don't fancy it, but anyone from the 17s would be fine. If you do not yet ride at 17s level then send me a pm and I can fill you in on some more details.

The route is primarily lanes so some of it may have to be modified if it's icy as was the case last year, other than that only a grim very rainy day stops play.

The ride "finishes" at the White Bear pub ([url]http://www.the-whitebear.com/[/url]) and we should get there about 12 although this will obviously depend on who turns up and what the pace is, if we are a bit ahead of time then I can easily add a bit on. It has a couple of open fires, good beer and good food. Lunch and a beer or two and then a spin back home.

If you plan on coming please let me know, there's no commitment but if numbers look like they are going to be above about a dozen then I'll call the pub and try and reserve a corner.

Thanks.

Last year's ride arrive for refreshments.
[img]http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/andrewgreen23/2008NYEvePubRideweb.jpg[/img]

[Antloony]

Yes please. Been waiting forthis to be posted.

Think I'm around, if I am I'll be there, really enjoyed doing this the past 2 years.

Will confirm nearer the time.

Thanks Andrew.

[Jonathan B]

Count me in for this ride.

[Rob W]

Yeah might be up for this one.

[Jon H]

Luvly Jubbly. Count me in.

[Kasper]

Thankyou Andrew for arranging this. Looks like an interesting ride and after last years write ups sounds like I missed a good social ride. Ideal training for New Years Eve celebrations not too hard so you can still party in the evening is the pace i shall be travelling at. Provisionally put my name down for this one. Kasper.

[Andrew G]

Well hopefully I'll still be doing this. The forecast at the moment is just saying a light sleet shower so it should be okay, however if it is chucking it down at 9ish then I reserve the right to not leave the flat . If it is then I wouldn't expect anybody else to be at GBs either, but as I say hopefully we should be fine I just don't want to have to have regroup waiting in the cold and wet or everyone gets a cold.

[huw williams]

FYI I was up around there and Biggin Hill area yesterday and all roads are clear of ice and snow but there's some serious flooding in parts (up to my hubs in one bit

Down the bottom in the lanes around the M25 and approaches to Chalkpits etc there is still a lot of ice on the edges of the road and slushy patches in the middle of the road when its under the trees, so beware.

[Amy]

I think I need a bit more persuading to take a day off work... that's if I can take the day off...

No, it's OK, I can...

[Andrew G]

I only won't go if it is chucking it down so do expect to be at GBs as it still says light showers, just wrap up warm and wear a waterproof. A proper bike with mudguards helps .

Thanks for the info Huw, originally I was going to go along Pilgrims Way but that is always susceptible to flooding so have changed the route slightly...and included the climb of Hosey Common Rd .

For those that know their way about, which isn't many , the (hopefully only damp) route will be:

GBs - up Old Farleigh Rd - up Slines Oak Road - down Titsey hill - up Hosey Common Rd - down the fast descent in to Westerham and A25 - up Polhill - Halstead (if not flooded in the lanes otherwise down the old London Rd and then A21) - up Old Hill (little 10% one way rd) - up Shire Lane - down Jackass Lane to Coney Hall - up Layhams Rd - stick toes in front of the fire at the White Bear. Approximate eta at the pub is noonish but impossible to say until we see how we're progressing as I don't know what the speed of the group will be.

Regroup at the top of the hills (Slines Oak is the hardest and people can skip that and meet the rest of us at the other end if required, Hosey Common is the second hardest and can't be missed out ).

Steady paced ride keeping people together, no winding up the pace to make people suffer or hang on.

If you are suffering then do shout out so the group can slow up a bit, if you need / want to turn for home let me know and I can direct you.

Hills rule - Ride at your pace, whether that's steady climbing or hammering it up to test your legs. If you want to ride them fast then you can either drop back down and re-ride all / part of that hill or just have to wait a bit longer at the top.

Cheers,

Andrew.

[Antloony]

Afraid I'll be a no show. Damn colds got the better of me so Im staying in the warm and keeping my germs to myself. Bit gutted as enjoyed the last 2 rides and meals we did. Have a good safe day out guys. Cheers.

[Rob Q]

DOH, overslept . Hope you had a good ride and Happy New Year to you.

[Andrew G]

Amy, Jonathan B, Jon H, John (? glasses and a sensible bike ), Nick, George, Steve W, Jon A, Marcus, and Grahame met me at GBs for today's spin over a few lumps and pub visit.

I kept off the quieter lanes which was fine as it still doesn't involve any particularly busy roads being slightly modified and is still on quiet roads, just not the windy little lanes I normally opt for. Grahame left us for home shortly after Hosey Common Road and the only grotty bit was a bit of a slog in to a cold head wind in a murky drizzle shower along the A25 to Polhill. Folk seemed happy to let me sit on the front along here going for the "we don't know where we're going, you're leading the route" excuse .

George turned for home at Coney Hall and the rest of us went up Layhams Farm Rd to meet my Dad at the pub, who'd gone for a little local spin first. Nick had gone off the front a bit when some had stopped for a pee and missed the turn for the pub never to be seen again. Sorry Nick, we did shout as loud as we could but you didn't hear us, and thought you'd get there okay as it was literally around the corner. unfortunately no-one had your number to guide you in.

A nice game pie and a couple of pints, shared a sticky toffee pudding with my Dad as I couldnt do it justice on my own. Back outside and shiver in the cold, but I only had two and a half miles downhill to get home .

Thanks folks, see you again for this next year.

A couple of pics taken in the pub.

[img]http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/andrewgreen23/webDSC04862.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/andrewgreen23/webDSC04867.jpg[/img]

[Rob Q]

How dangerous was the food that Marcus needed to keep his helmet on whilst eating

[Amy]

Man was trying to escape but Roy dragged him back for the photo shoot

Good ride, was going quite well even up some of the worse of the hills. Still think the pub could've been warmer all round - the loos were freezing... Will also have something else for lunch next time, like lasagne...