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CCA Gent6 trip - Nov 2012
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I thought I'd start a new Gent6 discussion thread. The old one is here.
The tickets have started to arrive. Each one with a free beer voucher to collect from the middle of the track...
For us cycling over, here are draft routes. Did the Romans give Kent a miss? Or were they popped up on all the fermented hops? Hardly a straight line to anywhere. This could be a problem as it pushes my Derren Brown abilities to memorize the turns into the red.
Thurs 22nd Nov
Ashwell - Tilbury
Familiar lanes basically to Hatfield Forest, then essentially a TTT down the quiet A road.
Gravesend - Dover
Staying off the busy roads. But this could mean some Frank Spencer moments through peoples' living rooms and washing lines - coming out with a pair of bloomers on yer headset.
125 miles and about 4,000ft climbing. Tasty enough for November.
Fri 23rd Nov
Calais - Gent
The 100 mile dash to Gent - check this out - contains about as much climbing as just twice the Club 10 loop. Flatter than a pint of Bill's 'specially reduced guest ale'. We'll go via beautiful Bergues for a hair-of-the-dog half in Trumpton town square. And go along the canal through Diksmuide, to see that waitress again.
Hope to see some of the Club tomorrow - for a swift half or two.
Martin L
martin@ccashwell.com
The tickets have started to arrive. Each one with a free beer voucher to collect from the middle of the track...
For us cycling over, here are draft routes. Did the Romans give Kent a miss? Or were they popped up on all the fermented hops? Hardly a straight line to anywhere. This could be a problem as it pushes my Derren Brown abilities to memorize the turns into the red.
Thurs 22nd Nov
Ashwell - Tilbury
Familiar lanes basically to Hatfield Forest, then essentially a TTT down the quiet A road.
Gravesend - Dover
Staying off the busy roads. But this could mean some Frank Spencer moments through peoples' living rooms and washing lines - coming out with a pair of bloomers on yer headset.
125 miles and about 4,000ft climbing. Tasty enough for November.
Fri 23rd Nov
Calais - Gent
The 100 mile dash to Gent - check this out - contains about as much climbing as just twice the Club 10 loop. Flatter than a pint of Bill's 'specially reduced guest ale'. We'll go via beautiful Bergues for a hair-of-the-dog half in Trumpton town square. And go along the canal through Diksmuide, to see that waitress again.
Hope to see some of the Club tomorrow - for a swift half or two.
Martin L
martin@ccashwell.com
Comments
As I understand i would need to arrange a hotel (I will check with Martin Hillier to see what he has booked)
I would also need to find venue tickets as ScouseChris? I believe may have them but in uncontactable at present?
Kevin
my mobile if this makes things easier 07796267434
I just checked with Martin L who organised the tickets and he has a spare (was Chris's) - I'll put you in touch with him on email.
Yes think you will need to find a hotel. Most are in the Ibis Centrum Opera, and some are in the Ibis Centrum St-Baarfs.
Cheers
Stef
All - I gather Bob wants to come - so I've booked him tickets for Fri, Sat 23-24th Nov. And he has a space on Mark's bus. Can someone let him know??
Also, I hear Vince, is thinking about it. Ditherus Maximus needs to get a move on - there's barely any ticket available for Friday now. Let me know Vince!
Meanwhile, cycling-over people; I've spoken to a nice chap at Gravesend CC who has recommended a safe passage from Gravesend-Dover, with the brief of being fairly winter-friendly and low traffic. So new route here. We'll be going over that big bridge on the M2! Don't fret: apparently there's a cyclepath. We can maybe thumb a lift from Richard. If our thumbs haven't dropped off with frostbite.
It involves a fair bit of A20 action - but apparently it's low traffic as most are on the M20. One change: we could go around Folkestone instead of thru it - to hit the 25% ascent for fun. Phil K's idea *ahem*.
Also looks like Gilbert will be kicking things off with a demonstration pursuit. Hope he pops in at the weekend.
Spoke to Dad (Bob S.) tonight he is really looking forward to Ghent and thanks so much for sorting tickets.
He had a couple of questions though?
Can he share a room or should I book him one online?
How much does he owe for tickets?
Ta very much.
I bet there's someone out there who's booked a double room - so could divide the cost. Anyone able here? Let David know.
If not, we are booked in the ibis hotels in Gent - some here;
Ibis Gent Centrum Opera
http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-1455-ibis-gent-centrum-opera/index.shtml
Others around the corner here;
Hotel ibis Gent Centrum St-Baafs Kathedraal
http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-0961-ibis-gent-centrum-st-baafs-kathedraal/index.shtml
Meanwhile, Tickets and transport costs total £111 [£35 + £76]. I'm collecting it all - I've whispered bank/address details here.
Looks like Wiggins is out. They can't afford him. And he's in the pub.
A day trip to nearby Oudenaarde to visit the Tour of Flanders Centre & Museum looks like a must.
http://www.crvv.be/en/museum
cheers
martin@ccashwell.com
I have forwarded all the information to Dad, he is posting you a cheque today.
Sounds like he might have found a room mate already.
Thanks again for making it all happen.
PS: how is life in Lancashire? (are there plenty of epic climbs?)
Here's the official CC Ashwell Gent trip 2012 t-shirt design. All Flemish - no criticising the spelling mistakes please. In a slightly retro central-European styley. I think I'll reverse the colourway - so it will be white on blue.
Don't expect Abercrombie & Fitch quality - but they'll be about a tenner each.
Put your name on this Doodle - and tick your size. I'll collect the money in Belgium or whatever.
I'll place the order at the beginning of Nov.
i'm sure its probably impossible but for what its worth jane reckons the girls might prefer the blue on white design.
girls dont spill beer apparently
Stef - I think I should be able to do blue on white for the gals. They on the local clear gin then?
Each shirt will incur a £1 Iljo Keisse Tax - I will get one done for him and see if we can present it to him and get a group photo. I'll get a Small?
While I'm here - a reminder to those cycling over - please forward on your d.o.b. so I can group book the ferry if you haven't yet let me know already.
Interesting collection of racks, rucksacks and lights currently being assembled by the team. Reckon we'll look a bit like the 'rag tag' convoy from Battlestar Galactica.
Watch out for dem Cylons in France.
martin@ccashwell.com
Everybody ready?
1. I'd forgotten Richard is coming back a day after Mark's minibus. So people need to note this with anything they might want Richard to bring back. Some might want to keep their things with them on the bus back with Mark.
2. The cyclists can drop off their Ghent bag at Richard's house on Wednesday 21st Nov eve.
3. There is room for 4 more bikes on the trailer if anyone wants to take a bike to Ghent.
Long range weather forecast looks OK. The Gent Christmas fair opens when we arrive - so should be festive.
Robbie [and any other Garmin users on the ride?] - here are the routes in bikeroutetoaster which I'm guessing is what Garmins like because Shaun uses it;
Ashwell - Tilbury here
Gravesend - Dover here
Calais - Gent here
Note - if anyone fancies joining us next Thurs 22nd for a ride out of Ashwell for a bit or a lot of the way - looks like we are setting off at dawn 7:30am
Hope 4 arrived today, alongside a new set of mudguards. Let's hope both are redundant!!
Adam
I'll make a list of kit I'm taking and post later in the week.
Let's try and avoid loadsa clobber and go light by sharing up kit.
Riders.