Well, what a great bit of fun that was! I was lucky to just catch the Massiv as they rode off from the Eye. A nice, gentle pootle, through the heart of London, stopping for bagels in Brick Lane (while I went and swore at my shitty Surly Singleator (don't buy one; they are ****ing useless crap) in Brick Lane bikes- top friendly helpful fellers), then up through some little back alleys (oo-er!) in the City, having a look at some really interesting stuff (Tip: Postman's Park, nr. the Museum of London; read the memorial plaques), then past the big church thing built by Sir Christopher Wren, and down to the River. Along the north side, then across Tower Bridge, and on to the pub by the Golden Hinde replica thing. A good couple of hours riding, at a very relaxed and gentle pace, in some great company.
One puncture, one 'unforced error' (how did he manage that??), and a couple of irate motorists, but no Babylonian involvement, thankfully! Weather was ok, not too cold, although silly Flatboy didn't dress appropriately for February (poor lad's spent all his money on bikes, and cant afford clothes).
I think we may have actually spent more time in the pub, than actually on the ride itself! Did see a strange attempted suicide/man overboard incident whilst at the pub; river police were on the scene, and seemed to fish someone out. Dunno what the Fire Brigade were doing on the bridge, mind!
T'was really nice meeting everyone, and I'm sure this is just the first of many!
Spesh mention to LondonLady- aptly named; classy, refined, elegant...
Some crappy pics from compact dijical cam; sadly, no SFB with us.
A fine example of some for That London's fabulous architecture:
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Hucking; Rad, and indeed, Gnarly, Dude!
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Naughty boy!
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We obeyed all signs, as we are all law-abiding citizens...
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Give to me booze!
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'I want something shaped like a shed, and filled with meat, please!'
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Top stuff. I'm looking forward to many future London Pootles!
Nice hat
square pie, how apt for dirty londoners 😉
bugger... what time did you guys leave the rendezvous point? I reckon we got there around 10:20 (running a tad late unfortunately 🙁 )
Ah well, there's always next time 😀
so could we have a run down of the bikes? don't forget the all important "McHiggins Niche Rating"
RudeBoy - Member
Spesh mention to LondonLady- aptly named; classy, refined, elegant...
.
Classy, refined, and elegant ? .................. well meeting you must of been a disappointment then.
Psychle- you silly sausage! You must have been only a couple of minutes too late! I must have got there about 10.15.
Deffo a next time. Praps a little more cohesion to the ride; a more defined route might be an idea. Little bit of a random wander, today. You really can't go wrong, though.
Did that lass ever get to Brighton?
Lakes? Moors? Wales? Scotland?
Pah! Booooring!
London is where it's at. End of story!!
I managed to clear my fave steps on the way home (the ones near St Katherines, with the San Francisco bit at the side). Never cleared even the bottom flight, before. Had to go and have another go! Found a few more fun bits on the way home, but then got a bit tired.
well meeting you must of been a disappointment then.
Must [i]have[/i], GG. Please. We have standards.
She did say, 'who's that bloke who lives in the East End, does not in any way do hmself any favours?'
Can't think of anyone like that, on here.... 🙄
Actually, GG, where were you?
overbiked. should have got yourself an 'urban-fixie' while in brick lane bikes.
🙂
Yeah I can see what you mean now about the south east having some of the best riding in the uk. I don't know why I have been wasting my time in the Lakes tbh. 😛
Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great pics... looks like fun was had by all!
The Fire Brigade are used as spotters and placed on strategic bridges along the river to look out for floating bodies/people and then radio through to the police and fire boats for retreival.
May have to give the route a try after coming off duty one day........or even join you all in the future, thanks for the heads up!
Actually, GG, where were you?
On the North Downs(ish) (Warlingham-Farley-Keston way) with Marco and Addiscombe CC. Bit of a distance of me to get to your ride for 10am, might go on the next one though, if you do it again. Don't quite understand what your ride involved (didn't really follow the orginal thread) is a road bike no good then ? Apart for steps obviously.
Shame to have missed it! Let me know when the next one is, I'll see what I can do to the diary!
Besides, my 6" bike is now even more set for a bit of urban-street-core type riding, with an adjustable post!
Oh, and Gus, it's "must [i]have[/i]" not "must [i]of[/i]". I expect better from you, my dear old thing.
I'd say a mountain bike with suspension fork is probbly the ideal sort of thing to have, although we did have aP and LL on CX bikes. S'more an urban pootle, innit. In and out, down steps, up kerbs, that sort of thing. Not at all technically demanding (unless you really want to launch yourself off stuff!).
S'not meant to be a thrill-a-minute adrenaline rush; more of a bit of an exploration of this great city. Look at things, check out the history of stuff, etc. aP; he's an architect, and knows his buildings stuff. Has actually designed stuff we rode past!
People might knock the idea, but I reckon it's as much fun as loads of other types of riding. S'all about getting out, stetching yer legs, having a laugh, in good company.
Today fulfilled all of that. Was a proper success, I think. I really enjoyed myself.
Oh, and Gus, it's "must have" not "must of". I expect better from you, my dear old thing.
I've told him Flashy, I've told him.
Mind, he's from sarf London; what d'you expect? 🙄
More than welcome on the next one, Flashy. You're a man who appreciates this amazing metropolis, I know.
Thanks for posting the route, Jon. What did you use to get it?
I thoroughly enjoyed myself today, and look forward to the next one. Who wants to pick a date and see if it sticks?
Gus, it's "must have" not "must of".
Well I never knew that. But I'm glad I know now. 'Cause I like to be posh and talk proper on here. As I knows that I is in poo-lite company.
Yeah RB, I was thinking of the pompino, as it's a lot easier lugging in and out of trains than a mtb.
28th of March could be good. Hopefully I could make it.
Pompino should be fine. As long as it's not fixed.
ctually, next time, we could sit outside somewhere, and point and laugh in a crual and unkind manner, at any fixie riders going past. Maybe even thow poo at them, although we might reserve the poo-throwing for when we can stand on one of the bridges, with one of those glass-topped tourist boats passing underneath...
Speaking about boats, how about that rubbish one today? Like a floating Portakabin! Proper rubbish! What a crap boat.
As long as it's not fixed.
I don't remember saying that I was a ****.
😆
S'all about getting out, stetching yer legs, having a laugh, in good company.
Absolutly
As discussed I have set up a Facebook group as well for future urban events
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Hmmm, and we hear criticisms of stormtroopers who wear pads at a trail centres? A bit "overdressed" for a pootle around town and a pint perhaps? 😯
Sodafarls; what on Earth are you wibbling on about now??
Why not come on the next one? Go on, it'll be fun!
it'll be fun!
Each to their own? eh? 😯
Just an observation from the pics, no need to take it personally.
over dressed? eh is it coz they're not wearing tweed?
any ride is a good ride imho, some people have an over inflated view of their own importance, if the ride isn't over Everest and is at least a 1000km it isn't worth it 🙄
is it coz they're not wearing tweed?
And some people have a humour bypass and are a little precious.
I'm with soda on this, camelbaks?? you're never 200m from somewhere to get a drink in laarndarn!
and why were none of you wearing pinstripe? pah, you're letting the side down!
rudeboy, looks great fun! i'll have to get me over to your necks of the woods one day 😆
And some people have a humour bypass and are a little precious.
glad the penny has dropped 😉
Erm, the two people in the pic rode up from Richmond, and I don't really get the 'overdressed' bit. I'd say they were perfectly dressed, for 3-4 hours on a bike!
Sorry, we'll promise not to have any 'fun' next time.. 🙁 And promise to ask your permission for whatever clothing we plan to wear.
MrNutt; that's my Camelback, but it din't have a bladder in it. Just used for bits and bobs.
Aleigh; t'was a right laugh. You'duv enjoyed it! Don't worry, we'll be having more, that's for sure!
(Worries about what clothing will pass Sodafarls' sartorial scrutiny, on the next Pootle...)
glad the penny has dropped [;)]
Bend over and pick it up son 😀
Jesus f mohammad, you are some insecure bellends at times. Do they not have pisstaking in the "Greatest City on Earth"?
now now boys 😉
get lots of practise in for our next meet cos the climb you've possibly got coming is a right old b1tch!
I think somebody's got sand in their knickers over something!
Aleigh; a climb, you say?
Ha! I laugh at climbs! Bring it on!
Hmm, better make sure I've got the right gear on...
...32/15t, or would a 16t be a better bet?
Decisions, decisions...
Well I'm disappointed that it appears you won't be coming on the next one sodafarls.
I was looking forward to seeing what you'd wearing 🙁
or if he drops more money 🙂
Well GG, you can look forward to seeing my in my gear instead 😉
RB - you may laugh but I WILL have the last laugh hahaha 😆
I think somebody's got sand in their knickers over something!
My thoughts exactly. 😯
I was looking forward to seeing what you'd wearing
Head to toe Rapha, urban and sophisticated.
MrNutt; that's my Camelback, but it din't have a bladder in it. Just used for bits and bobs.
oh yes, the old "bits and bobs" eh, drugs, knives and guns no doubt! I've seen what you urban revolutionists are like!
Which one is Fred in the pics?
😉
excellent time was had, shame i had to depart after just one pint - sounds like you were all there for a few more than that!
was good to meet you all and the somewhat aimless rambling route was good fun too!
looking forward to next time, i might even bring another top!
Head to toe Rapha, urban and sophisticated.
Now I'm even [i]more[/i] disappointed.....
Say hello to my leetle friend!
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Essential equipment for urban pootling...
Looks like fun. I'm down for a couple of courses later in the year and would love to get out for a ride and a beer. Might have top borrow a bike though!!
i'm definitely up for the next one, someone find some steps and i'll brush up on my tube trivia 😮
Niche 'step-only ride' alert!
Head to toe Rapha, urban and sophisticated.Now I'm even more disappointed.....
Don't worry, i'll dress up all mountainbikey, just for you...
Clarey, how tall are you?
I'm only ickle, 5'4 1/2", but I'll happily lend you a bike if you want.
No, no, you're getting me all wrong sodafarls - I want to, in fact I [i]need[/i] to see you 'head to toe Rapha, urban and sophisticated'.
Don't let me down and turn up not looking like a tw4t.
I'm 5'8..........but I like smaller bikes !!
Right o then I'll sort my dates out and give you a shout 😀
how does this work then? I know how speed-dating works in the usual pub-type scenario but not sure how it would translate to riding round London?
who ended up together?
- I want to, in fact I need to see you 'head to toe Rapha, urban and sophisticated'.
Well considering our current financial crisis, I would feel rather [i]gauche[/i].
Clarey; I've got a nice steel framed rigid bike you could borrow. S'a wee bit big for me, tbh. The seatpost could go up quite a bit. You're welcome to borry it.
I would feel rather gauche.
No don't worry about that. It's always a good for laugh when someone turns up for a ride and it's obvious that they are desperate to impress others, with [i]whatever[/i] they happen to be wearing.
It's always a good for laugh when someone turns up for a ride and it's obvious that they are desperate to impress others, with whatever they happen to be wearing.
May I make it clear at this point, that I did not pay GG to illustrate nor support my initial observation.
RB sounds fab thank you very much for thte offer.........will get in touch when I know the craic 🙂
No worries Clarey! Nice to see that people from outside the M25 might find this fun!
Count me in for the next one.... did anyone start up a facebook group or something. I often don't have my eye pinned on the forum so might miss another one.
PS: Who is in Richmond? Thats my gaff.
As discussed I have set up a Facebook group as well for future urban events
I hate you lot!
While you were enjoying yourself, I was in work getting frustrated with dodgy fibre, dodgy networks & dodgy everything else I touched.
While you were enjoying the pub I was no more than a few hundred yards away swearing at useless IT kit and getting a ****ing parking ticket as well 🙁
If I'm about, I'm up for the next one
It was good fun yesterday - but we did very carefully choose the coldest windiest pub balcony on the Thames to stop for pints & pies. I gradually added more and more layers as the drinks kept coming, and even the river police fishing someone out of the Thames couldn't stop the cold.
The way home ended up with us meeting the Fulham turning out after a Sunday afternoon cheeserolling which was much more extreme riding than the mincing that had been going on earlier 🙂
Ah, poor Cheesy!
I told you to sack work off!
aP; I've been caught up in crowds along there, when a game was on. Had to tell some Newcastle fans, in the cafe, to keep the bloody door closed (January, them in NUFC tops only). The fans were all ok though, very good natured.
Here's to the next one, and many more, I say. Plenty of pootling to be done!
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classy, refined, elegant......LOL
Exactly how many pints did you have at the pub?
Good day out though. I think we ended up doing about 40-something miles in total which is a long way to go for a bagel 🙂
is there a Birmingham branch of this ride?
plenty of steps about
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Is that the Yam Yam's ride?
Is it some unwritten rule that all London street rides must end at the Old Thameside Inn?
Before I moved north for the good life the street rides I used to regularly go on always finished there.
nice pics there aP! i particularly like the first one 😀
SaJ, i always seem to end up at that pub by accident whenever i'm in that area, it's like a magnet for borough market area pint drinking!
and by the way, looking back, my favourite bit of the ride was definitely from spitalfields to the pub - combination of lots of little alleys, steps(!) and the thames path was quality. good fun!
tfb - I have a bigger version of it if you want a copy?
It's "derring-do" not "daring-do". Glad you all enjoyed yourselves.
Was good fun and with a bit of refinement and more local knowledge could be a great ride.
London>Rest of UK
aP - Membertfb - I have a bigger version of it if you want a copy?
yes please! theflatboy at gmail dot com, if you'd be so kind.
I know you have to make do with a bad lot when it comes to mtbing down that way, so I'm really sorry to say that it looks like a shit ride by most standards on here. 🙁
Sorry.
It was a fun day out, it was more the backdrop and watching armed response cars hurtling past, watching someone being fished out of the Thames by the river police, getting salmon and cream cheese bagels in Brick Lane, the riding was incidental really.
Oh, and no one had to drive to get there 😛
What makes a good ride?
fun - tick
the company - tick
exploration - tick
interesting scenery and goings on - tick
beer and shooting the (icy) breeze afterwards - tick
the feeling you want to do it again - tick
We don't need no mountains! At least not all the time.
t's "derring-do" not "daring-do"
[Embarrased 😳 ] Yes, it is! You're right!!
Actually, I forgot to thank Duntmatter, for actually suggesting this in the first place. Big up, an' nuff respect!
Scienceofficer; it was crap, really; we're only pretending to have had a good time. 🙁