Tour de Pistonheads 2015
Discussion
richardxjr said:
I might be leaving the car/van overnight that's the bugger. Morden's do-able, are you catching the train up to Camb too?
No sir, the wife & myself are going up on the sturday & making a weekend of it .You are more than welcome to put your car/van on my drive & leave it till Mondy , it's no problem foe me , it's just a trek to Kings x
on the sunday i will be cycling home from the London finish . but as i said you can leave the vehicle there for as long as you wish.
The earliest train out of Farnborough on a Sunday seems to be the 0738hrs to Waterloo.
The National Rail planner wants me to change at Wimbledon, then on to Vauxhall, then to Kings Cross on the Victoria line. Are you even allowed to take a bike on the underground?
Simpler alternative would be to ride the train all the way to Waterloo (WAT), then ride the bike to Kings Cross (KGX), but even then that first train doesn't arrive in WAT until 0843hrs. How long ought it take to ride from WAT to KGX early on a Sunday morning? Is 20 to 30 minutes enough? If the trains arrive and depart on time, I'd have 27 minutes to get from WAT to KGX
Assuming I used their recommended route and connections, and made all the connections, and had no issues with taking the bike, then arrival at KGX would be 0913hrs, leaving me with 2 minutes to cross-deck from the tube onto the 0915 hrs departure from KGX (platform 3). This would get me to Cambridge at 1001hrs. However, any issues at all in making connections, or not being able to take the bike on board, and the next service is the 0953hrs departure from KGX arriving Cambridge at 1055hrs.
Helpfully, the rail planner suggests earlier trains I could catch, like the 0006hrs train that gets me into KGX at 0200hrs on the Sunday morning. Unhelpfully, it fails to make any suggestions about what I should do to occupy myself for about 7 hours on Kings Cross station overnight.
Why is public transport so utterly poo at weekends? I was considering trying to ride this, but once again, the railway network throws one of it's massive spanners into the works. How on earth is it possible to even contemplate spending billions on HS2 when the existing network fails to deliver on so many levels.
There are other reasons why I haven't committed to this yet. Chief among them my recent riding history, wherein I frequently fail to achieve anywhere near a respectable average speed. I don't fancy being the slowest rider on the road, holding back even those riders in the 'slow group' and dragging my sorry carcass into London at some depressingly cold, dark, late hour of the night, having failed to endear myself to anyone unfortunate enough to be riding with me.
Forgive my musings, rambling as they are. I need to work out if this is even feasible before I decide whether or not I'm going to try to inflict me upon the rest of you.
The National Rail planner wants me to change at Wimbledon, then on to Vauxhall, then to Kings Cross on the Victoria line. Are you even allowed to take a bike on the underground?
Simpler alternative would be to ride the train all the way to Waterloo (WAT), then ride the bike to Kings Cross (KGX), but even then that first train doesn't arrive in WAT until 0843hrs. How long ought it take to ride from WAT to KGX early on a Sunday morning? Is 20 to 30 minutes enough? If the trains arrive and depart on time, I'd have 27 minutes to get from WAT to KGX
Assuming I used their recommended route and connections, and made all the connections, and had no issues with taking the bike, then arrival at KGX would be 0913hrs, leaving me with 2 minutes to cross-deck from the tube onto the 0915 hrs departure from KGX (platform 3). This would get me to Cambridge at 1001hrs. However, any issues at all in making connections, or not being able to take the bike on board, and the next service is the 0953hrs departure from KGX arriving Cambridge at 1055hrs.
Helpfully, the rail planner suggests earlier trains I could catch, like the 0006hrs train that gets me into KGX at 0200hrs on the Sunday morning. Unhelpfully, it fails to make any suggestions about what I should do to occupy myself for about 7 hours on Kings Cross station overnight.
Why is public transport so utterly poo at weekends? I was considering trying to ride this, but once again, the railway network throws one of it's massive spanners into the works. How on earth is it possible to even contemplate spending billions on HS2 when the existing network fails to deliver on so many levels.
There are other reasons why I haven't committed to this yet. Chief among them my recent riding history, wherein I frequently fail to achieve anywhere near a respectable average speed. I don't fancy being the slowest rider on the road, holding back even those riders in the 'slow group' and dragging my sorry carcass into London at some depressingly cold, dark, late hour of the night, having failed to endear myself to anyone unfortunate enough to be riding with me.
Forgive my musings, rambling as they are. I need to work out if this is even feasible before I decide whether or not I'm going to try to inflict me upon the rest of you.
yellowjack said:
The earliest train out of Farnborough on a Sunday seems to be the 0738hrs to Waterloo.
The National Rail planner wants me to change at Wimbledon, then on to Vauxhall, then to Kings Cross on the Victoria line. Are you even allowed to take a bike on the underground?
Simpler alternative would be to ride the train all the way to Waterloo (WAT), then ride the bike to Kings Cross (KGX), but even then that first train doesn't arrive in WAT until 0843hrs. How long ought it take to ride from WAT to KGX early on a Sunday morning? Is 20 to 30 minutes enough? If the trains arrive and depart on time, I'd have 27 minutes to get from WAT to KGX
Assuming I used their recommended route and connections, and made all the connections, and had no issues with taking the bike, then arrival at KGX would be 0913hrs, leaving me with 2 minutes to cross-deck from the tube onto the 0915 hrs departure from KGX (platform 3). This would get me to Cambridge at 1001hrs. However, any issues at all in making connections, or not being able to take the bike on board, and the next service is the 0953hrs departure from KGX arriving Cambridge at 1055hrs.
Helpfully, the rail planner suggests earlier trains I could catch, like the 0006hrs train that gets me into KGX at 0200hrs on the Sunday morning. Unhelpfully, it fails to make any suggestions about what I should do to occupy myself for about 7 hours on Kings Cross station overnight.
Why is public transport so utterly poo at weekends? I was considering trying to ride this, but once again, the railway network throws one of it's massive spanners into the works. How on earth is it possible to even contemplate spending billions on HS2 when the existing network fails to deliver on so many levels.
There are other reasons why I haven't committed to this yet. Chief among them my recent riding history, wherein I frequently fail to achieve anywhere near a respectable average speed. I don't fancy being the slowest rider on the road, holding back even those riders in the 'slow group' and dragging my sorry carcass into London at some depressingly cold, dark, late hour of the night, having failed to endear myself to anyone unfortunate enough to be riding with me.
Forgive my musings, rambling as they are. I need to work out if this is even feasible before I decide whether or not I'm going to try to inflict me upon the rest of you.
Is making your way to Canbridge on the Saturday out of the question ?The National Rail planner wants me to change at Wimbledon, then on to Vauxhall, then to Kings Cross on the Victoria line. Are you even allowed to take a bike on the underground?
Simpler alternative would be to ride the train all the way to Waterloo (WAT), then ride the bike to Kings Cross (KGX), but even then that first train doesn't arrive in WAT until 0843hrs. How long ought it take to ride from WAT to KGX early on a Sunday morning? Is 20 to 30 minutes enough? If the trains arrive and depart on time, I'd have 27 minutes to get from WAT to KGX
Assuming I used their recommended route and connections, and made all the connections, and had no issues with taking the bike, then arrival at KGX would be 0913hrs, leaving me with 2 minutes to cross-deck from the tube onto the 0915 hrs departure from KGX (platform 3). This would get me to Cambridge at 1001hrs. However, any issues at all in making connections, or not being able to take the bike on board, and the next service is the 0953hrs departure from KGX arriving Cambridge at 1055hrs.
Helpfully, the rail planner suggests earlier trains I could catch, like the 0006hrs train that gets me into KGX at 0200hrs on the Sunday morning. Unhelpfully, it fails to make any suggestions about what I should do to occupy myself for about 7 hours on Kings Cross station overnight.
Why is public transport so utterly poo at weekends? I was considering trying to ride this, but once again, the railway network throws one of it's massive spanners into the works. How on earth is it possible to even contemplate spending billions on HS2 when the existing network fails to deliver on so many levels.
There are other reasons why I haven't committed to this yet. Chief among them my recent riding history, wherein I frequently fail to achieve anywhere near a respectable average speed. I don't fancy being the slowest rider on the road, holding back even those riders in the 'slow group' and dragging my sorry carcass into London at some depressingly cold, dark, late hour of the night, having failed to endear myself to anyone unfortunate enough to be riding with me.
Forgive my musings, rambling as they are. I need to work out if this is even feasible before I decide whether or not I'm going to try to inflict me upon the rest of you.
you could get a good nights sleep just like that Lenny Henry fellow does.
Ref the tube, there are some sections non-folding bikes are allowed but they're generally at the open air extremities of the lines. In general they're not allowed on the underground part of the Underground.
Not saying you couldn't get away with it. Just you're not allowed to. But it would only take one staff member to stop you and you'll miss your connection.
edit - found that TFL map that shows the bikes permitted sections http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/bic...
edit II - The circle line isn't underground and, looking at that map, cycles are allowed so you could go from Embankment to Kings X. But I'd still recommend driving to Potters Bar as a better option due to your first incoming train's late arrival time.
Not saying you couldn't get away with it. Just you're not allowed to. But it would only take one staff member to stop you and you'll miss your connection.
edit - found that TFL map that shows the bikes permitted sections http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/bic...
edit II - The circle line isn't underground and, looking at that map, cycles are allowed so you could go from Embankment to Kings X. But I'd still recommend driving to Potters Bar as a better option due to your first incoming train's late arrival time.
Edited by SixPotBelly on Friday 1st May 12:24
Edited by SixPotBelly on Friday 1st May 12:29
Thanks for that Underground map link, SPB. It looks like bikes are not allowed on the line between Victoria and King's Cross.
A certain Mr ALawson of this 'ere parish has gone and stirred the pot a little just this morning. He's started a thread ( http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... ) linking to a local 70 mile charity event in Farnham. If I can't be sure of a) getting to Cambridge, and b) keeping up with the pace, then I might well default to the local event, where I could roll out of bed, ride to the start, knock out 70 miles at pretty much my own pace, then ride home again. Or, come the Sunday in question, I could take option three, and just decide it's all too much effort, roll over and go back to sleep
A certain Mr ALawson of this 'ere parish has gone and stirred the pot a little just this morning. He's started a thread ( http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... ) linking to a local 70 mile charity event in Farnham. If I can't be sure of a) getting to Cambridge, and b) keeping up with the pace, then I might well default to the local event, where I could roll out of bed, ride to the start, knock out 70 miles at pretty much my own pace, then ride home again. Or, come the Sunday in question, I could take option three, and just decide it's all too much effort, roll over and go back to sleep
SixPotBelly said:
Ah, but which would be more fun? Cycling on your own in an area you ride every day or going somewhere different, and riding with the best eggs on PH (ALawson excepted)?
Indeed, it's not every day the that small towns & villages get to see the good looking handsome fellows of the "Pistonhead Yellow peleton" rolling into town is it ? not to mention all the picci's, conversation , & memories of what should be an epic day.YJ > come on dude , get there.
yellowjack said:
Simpler alternative would be to ride the train all the way to Waterloo (WAT), then ride the bike to Kings Cross (KGX), but even then that first train doesn't arrive in WAT until 0843hrs. How long ought it take to ride from WAT to KGX early on a Sunday morning? Is 20 to 30 minutes enough? If the trains arrive and depart on time, I'd have 27 minutes to get from WAT to KGX
It's less than 4 miles, so 15 minutes or so riding.richardxjr said:
Sorry SixPot, missed your post, I'm coming up from Eastbourne. Parking at BlackCanMan's makes it a nice 200km day. See you on the train 
No worries. I looked at your profile after posting and saw the South Downs, and realised 12 o'clock on the M25 wouldn't be that convenient for you!See you on the train. I'll be the one in a yellow jersey with a bike.
SixPotBelly said:
richardxjr said:
Sorry SixPot, missed your post, I'm coming up from Eastbourne. Parking at BlackCanMan's makes it a nice 200km day. See you on the train
No worries. I looked at your profile after posting and saw the South Downs, and realised 12 o'clock on the M25 wouldn't be that convenient for you!See you on the train. I'll be the one in a yellow jersey with a bike.
Make that 4 yellow shirted adonis's on the train.
SixPotBelly said:
^ Didn't you say you were going up on the Saturday with Black Can Woman to make a weekend of it? 
Yeah i did , basically i really didn't think i'd be able to make Cambridge for depart time. The train will be quicker & Cheaper & Mrs BCM has said she doesn't fancy the drive back but was happy to take me but is happier for me to go without her.
More money saved for more bike stuff !
Probably a blessing in disguise as i need to save all my energy for stage 3 rather than the love making marathon she'd have to endure in a hotel without the kids being about.
Aha. I thought for a moment your wife was one of the Adonises (and you'd got the day wrong)!
Front carriage? I'll be joining at the second stop so will wait on the appropriate part of the platform, to save running up and down in cleats whilst peering in the windows looking for everyone. Too much potential for comedy there
Front carriage? I'll be joining at the second stop so will wait on the appropriate part of the platform, to save running up and down in cleats whilst peering in the windows looking for everyone. Too much potential for comedy there
Do we have to book our bikes on the train or anything (sorry, I don't usually do public transport)No need. Assuming they're the same rolling stock as when I did it in reverse the other month (rode up, train back) they have tip-up benches at the end of each carriage. You just lift those up and stow the bike there. I did read somewhere on their website there's a limit of two cycles per carriage (or was it per vestibule), but I presume four cycles together wouldn't actually be a problem outside of a weekday rush hour. Worst case we'll split up and put two in another section.
edit - official cycle page for Great Northern http://www.thameslinkrailway.com/contact-us/terms/...
Essentially not allowed in the worst of the rush hours, otherwise OK. If anyone was taking the train back to get their car on the Monday, having stayed the night in London, they could potentially get caught out, but we'll be fine on the Sunday.
edit - official cycle page for Great Northern http://www.thameslinkrailway.com/contact-us/terms/...
Essentially not allowed in the worst of the rush hours, otherwise OK. If anyone was taking the train back to get their car on the Monday, having stayed the night in London, they could potentially get caught out, but we'll be fine on the Sunday.
Edited by SixPotBelly on Friday 1st May 17:59
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