Here’s a timetable for Sat/Sun trains between London and Brockenhurst. This timetable is for July, so there may be differences when October rolls around, but it’s a start. Cheers!
Update on the October 2009 run
Here’s the rough itinerary for the weekend.
Saturday: Travel to the New Forest, rendezvous at Brockenhurst Station around lunchtime. Cycle to Lymington using a quiet and picturesque route devised by the fine staff of the New Forest Cycle Experience. This route is 20 miles only, to warm up and shake down the bikes for the following day.
Stay overnight at a B&B in Lymington. Dinner & pub.
Sunday: Cycle 2 miles to Boldre Village Hall, register by 9am for the Gridiron and set off. It’s 60 miles long, and apparently tough in places. I’m told it’s about as hard as the London to Brighton (minus Ditchling Beacon). When we’re back at the Village Hall, which should be by 5pm, head for Lymington Pier railway station (2 miles back) for trains home via the Waterloo main line through Brockenhurst.
I will be inviting new members to this trip, and I would encourage existing members to do the same.
October 2009 proposed run
Dear members – I propose joining The Gridiron on October 11th. This is a mass cycle through the New Forest, 100km in length. Please visit this web page for further details.
Second Run Scores a Hit With The Membership
The second run from Reading to Bristol along the Kennet and Avon Canal (Sustrans route 4) scored a hit with the three members who attended. Messrs Smith, Smith & Coles took the varied terrain in their strides and arrived at Bristol’s “Temple Meads” railway station with minutes to spare. Overnight accommodation was provided in Wootton Rivers, at the Royal Oak public house, which served a delicious range of evening meals and many fine pints of “Knobber”.
Perhaps due to the “Knobber”, the members failed to hold a committee meeting at the overnight stop, and instead an informal meeting was held “on the wheel” during the second day. No vote was taken, but members did discuss a third ride during 2009. Proposals included Isle of Wight, North Wales, Rye & environs, Holland. Would members kindly add comments if other proposals were mooted and have not been mentioned above.
The second day’s ride passed through attractive countryside, and skirted the Wiltshire market town of Devises. Many narrow boats were passed, with their gaily fluttering flags of tie-dyed fabric. The final descent down into Bristol was taken at speed in tyre-to-tyre formation, with Mr Smith’s newly purchased bell giving a fine warning to any hooded pedestrians to slouch out of the way.
Possible second run – September 20 & 21
I’d like to propose this route as a potential second run for the LHCSMGBA. It’s flat, stocked with pubs, littered with places to stay, and at 100 miles it should be a pleasant two day outing.
Success for inaugural run!
Three gentlemen took part in the inaugural run to Shoreham. It was a resounding success and photos of the weekend’s exertions will no doubt appear here in the fullness of time. Let the record reflect that the LHCSMGBA is a force to be reckoned with in the world of relatively easy weekend cycling rides in Southern England.
Welcome to the LHCSMGBA
This is the official website of the LHCSMGBA. As our inaugural run approaches, I will try to keep this site up to date with logistical details gentlemen members may require when planning their attendance.
