CCA Ashwell—Wells-Next-The-Sea 123-miles Classic, Fri 25th Oct 8am

Martin L

C’mon everybody. Take Friday 25th October off and man-up/woman-up for the late late end of season Ashwell to Wells-Next-The-Sea ride to the Norfolk coast.

We’ll be starting from the Three Tuns at 8:00am to make the most of the daylight and meandering the almost pan flat lanes to pretty WNTS. We will be going at all-inclusive pace.

It’s a great way to bookend the season with a big club ride. From Wells, as before, it’s a 20 mile tootle to Kings Lynn station for the train back after fish and chips overlooking the harbour. I’d estimate getting back to Ashwell environs 7pm ish.

You will need proper lights.

If 123 miles seems a lot to you, ask those that have done it before, because the lack of climbing really makes a difference in the effort. Also, the more who come along, the bigger the draft – so all aboard! Remember too, the route takes us past the nearby stations back, so if you only want to come as far as Ely or Downham Market – happy days.

Having said all that, I just need to underline that everyone is responsible for their own safety on this ride.

Bob did it two years ago. He planned to bail out: but just couldn’t stop. Can someone let him know it’s on again?

The route keeps us off the busy roads, barring a tiny part of the orribl’ A10 where caution is required. Highlights include, Ely, Flandersesque Ten-Mile-Bank, watching the tornados taking off at RAF Marham and going through Holkham Estate to the bemusement of the National Trust punters.

Lowlights include the food stop at Narborough. A little town trapped in time like some episode of Sapphire & Steel. You will need to bring your own butties and jelly babies as there’s nowt much more than a bench and bus stop there.

The weather might play its part being so late in the year. But, generally, the weather is OK around All Hallows’ Eve. If the forecast is shocking, we will have to think about cancellation. There’ll be a fair bit of leaf action on the roads. We’ll be going steady.

Please check your tyres if you plan to come. Maybe switch to something a bit wintery. I haven’t done this ride without a puncture or two yet. It’d be nice to have a bit more time in Wells if possible.

http://tiny.cc/wells-ride

So far, me, Peter G and Strappy are madferit. Let me know if you want to come too.

tduckett

Should be good for that. Im in.

mwyer

Might be up for that. Will try and avoid booking any work that day.

Mark.

geoffg

The ride I last did was really good fun. Great weather and a tail wind saw us averaging 20's easily. But don't worry. Everyone rides together and the fast bits are really flat and easy. This is a club MUST ride. Get on board and have fun. Martin's route is perfect. I envy you all down there.

Martin L

Great. So far then...

Martin
Peter G
Strappy
Tim D
Mark W

20mph... maybe! Whatever the group is happy with really. I noted me, Pete and MC did it just over 17mph average a few years ago, in decent weather. 'Club run' pace.

phil k

i am also "mad ferret"

Stef

hope to join you also, cod willing.

Nathaniel Rosa

count me in!!!!!!!!!1

Martin L

Martin
Peter G
Strappy
Tim D
Mark W
Phil K
Stef
Nathaniel

I should add; every finisher gets an official finisher's badge, awarded in the Fenman pub opposite KL train station. If it's still open. It's wasn't exactly The Parcel Yard the last time we were there.

I just need to find and unpack the box with the badge machine some time in the next three weeks. Ibble obble chocolate bobble.

Factoid: the entire ride to Wells has approx the same climbing as just 4 x Coombe Hill climbs. Flatissimo!

Vic

I enjoyed it immensely last time, except my for tyre exploding with Mick G's CO2!
I won't be doing it on worn Pro 3s this time, that's for sure!
I'm about 95% sure I can make it at the moment and I really want another badge!

Martin L

Martinh

Always up for some fish and chips, count me in.

John R

Count me in please, 95% certain.
John

Martin L

Martin L
Peter G
Strappy
Tim D
Mark W
Phil K
Stef
Nathaniel
Vic
Martin H
John R

Shaun

"Lowlights include the food stop at Narborough. A little town trapped in time like some episode of Sapphire & Steel. You will need to bring your own butties and jelly babies as there’s nowt much more than a bench and bus stop there."

Martin, you could do a tiny detour to Castle Acre after Narborough / West Acre. It has this pub, next to this cafe on High Street.

Maybe better than a soggy sandwich?

Jon.c

counrt me in please!

Martin L

Well gang, if we want to forfeit the symmetry of 123 for the less catchy 124.9 we can do Shaun's excellent suggested cafe idea. Thank you Shaun. Looks like some interesting ruin there too.

Another bail-out station option, Waterbeach, featured heavily on yesterday's news. If you need to get on the train there with your bike, make sure you and the bike are, like, not literally 'on' the train as in all over the train in bits.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-24364332

Martin L
Peter G
Strappy
Tim D
Mark W
Phil K
Stef
Nathaniel
Vic
Martin H
John R
Jon C

PeterG

For sheer 'hardness' factor, Narborough has to be on the route, In my day etc. blah blah.

It ain't broke, don't fix it.

phil k

well said Peter - i signed up for a 123 ride and that is what i want - not some strange 124.9 meander through some old ruin...etc blah blah

Stef

could always grab a coffee/sarnie at a cafe in ely given we are there anyway, around the 40 mile mark.
could then push on with just the traditional brief break in narborough to whinge about what a hole it is.

Vic

97.5% certain now and I vote to keep the traditional (I've only done it once before!) 123 mile route.

Let's hope we get a nice SW wind like we had today.

Shaun

Pete, for sheer 'hardness' factor, surely you should ride back from Norfolk too?

wilburtrump

I'm game for that if you are, Shaun...

strappy

martin

Never been able to do this one before but looking forward to it , but the original 123 miles sound about right for me.

This could open a can of worms but with out getting a mortgage any idea of a good rechargeable slim led light for this trip I think my all singing & dancing lumicycle twin led blinding all on coming motorists set up will be a bit to much to carry around.

cheers al

strappy

Nathaniel Rosa

could ride back from cambridge?

JonathanS

Doable fixed?

Forum Admin [Martin]

Hi Jon - well there's no hill to fear on fixed on this ride...

Looks like there's a whole lotta love for Narborough. And its shop with one potato, an egg and can of Shop Local cola. Yes, to be fair, it's just refuelling. 123 it likely looks.



Lights?! I'll be packing two of these little fellas. Plenty enough at max 360 lumens for 2hrs, longer at still decent beam for where we'll need them. But there's a million other light options all good. This light is on at 40% off at mo as they've upgraded the model.

ScouseChris

Hi martin. Will miss it particularly the pub near station where their happy hour weekend was in full flow. When they played dualling banjos for vic and geoff was even funnier! Guard your badge of honour vic! Cold in france at mo...24 deg c and still cant wear thermals arm and leg warmers overshoes winter jacket. Bonjour a tous ????

Nathaniel Rosa

24c cold? damn you

Martin L

Mighty fine tanlines you and Pierre have got going on there, Scouse.



Keeping basting with foie gras.

If you get a mo, email me a few jokes to get us through Narborough and for while we are waiting for Vic to fix his puncture.

Jon.c

those tan lines are no match for mine!