Ressurection of Thursday evening Greenway laps

Jamie Red Van Man

After a number of weeks of self inflicted abstinence from lapping the greenway it's time to resurrect the weekly dose of nocturnal nonsense.
I will be out from early tomorrow aiming for 2 laps before bedtime, Dave H joins in Hitchin.

Weather forecast is clear but cold (2-3C) According to Stargazing Live we may get to see the Arora Borealis - hmm maybe!

All riders welcome to join us - Expected schedule as follows, subject to no punctures, lights failing, bodies failing etc etc:

6:30 Letchworth Grange football club
6:50 Baldock Road Crossing (nr Harkness Roses, Hitchin)
7:00 Hitchin entrance to Greenway
7:30 Baldock Road Crossing (nr Knights Templar, Baldock)
7:45 Nortonbury Car Park
Then onto lap 2.... timings likely to be very variable for this!

If you want my mobile no to see where we are pls whisper me back

Thanks

Jamie

FD

Jamie, aiming to be out tonight and will ride from Hitchin anti- clockwise from 6.30 until I meet you.

I put new 35mm Schwalbe Sammy Slick cyclocross tyres on my cross bike to replace the worn Conti cross tyres and well, they are slick....as in no grip at all on mud and grass! That bit that cuts behind Knights Templar school was impossible! Back to the drawing board......maybe the Schwalbe Racing Ralphs or Rocket Rons?!

John

Hardy

I'll aim to meet you at the start at 6:30

Neil

Jamie Red Van Man

Hi John

I see that you've been shopping again in the chocolate shop - that being the one that specialises in fireguards and teapots!!

See you later

Jamie

Senecio [Daniel D]

John,
Have you considered using tubs?

Daniel

FD

Daniel

Having read the discussion on the other thread, I'd rather not!

Seriously, I did race on tubs as a junior over 30 years ago...I can still remember getting more glue on my hands than on the rims...and then attempting to stich the repaired tub using Egyptian cotton and making more holes in the tube! In the end I used to get them repaired for 50p each by one of the vets in my old club, Letchworth Velo, who liked to supplement his pension!

Ah, the discussions on how long to 'cure' the tubs in a dark room before use......

John

Jane

Oh lord. Not you as well

FD

Thanks for organising the ride tonight Jamie. Great fun in the mud! Some very bright lights out...wouldn't be surprised if someone reported a low flying UFO....I looked round at you four and it was like a scene from Close Encounters of the Third Kind!

Jane, how about another film title....Tubeless in Steeple?! I can hear the groan from here......

John

Jamie Red Van Man

Good ride last night with 5 of us out. Good to see you all again after the festive break. Thanks all for waiting for me as well!

Did anyone manage 2 laps, sorry I couldn't stretch to that. Felt like I'd be wrung out like a dishcloth after 1 lap!

Ride summary in weather forecast style: wet in parts especially in the west, leading to patches of mud splattered faces. Southern stretches fast, strava records challenged. In the north Bladock treacherous, localised amber mud warning in place near knights Templar school. Severe risk of sliding, one footed riding and possible decking!

Until the next Ronde Van Letchworth..... (Thanks for coining that dave!)

J

dhadsley

Good to be back. No matter how much I enjoy bombing around on my own it's much more fun in a group.

Second lap was aborted due to almost terminal brake failure. I thought at one point I'd have to perform an emergency bail on the singletrack near the golf course.

Some nice 'tripodding' near the school. I always try to follow Svenness and commit to the rut but under lights I was finding it tough to even see the rut never mind commit to it!

Hardy

First time round the Greenway. I must try it in the day light sometime.
Thanks to all.

See you next time.
Neil

Dominic

This sounds good.

Is there a mix of MTB and cross bikes?

Jamie Red Van Man

Not last night - everyone was on cross bikes, but fat tyred fanatics have joined us previously (and incidentally blown us away with their superior handling on fast conrners!)

All being well we will be out again next Thursday

J