On Bank Holiday Monday (at the risk of calling down the wrath of the Weather Gods) Haren and I are planning to take out his Dolan tandem for a spin to clear off any cobwebs that "may" have become attached since the last Sussex triathlon.

Our plan is to cut out the boring weave through South London traffic by taking the train out from Herne Hill at 9.34 to Otford. in Kent. Then spend the morning "meandering at a social pace" along Pilgrims Way and out into the beautiful Kent countryside.(which hopefully will not be blanketed with rain, fog etc etc)

Depending on a number of factors, we "might" try a few climbs up to the top of the Ridge (but don't bet on it)

What you can be certain of is that the ride will be at a social pace, that anyone will be able to cope with, and I would not be at all surprised if the journey ended at the Tea Shoppe in Otford. Then you could either ride back or join us on the train.

Post below if interested in joining us - the idea would be to meet before 9 outside Herne Hill station.

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At the risk of calling down the weather gods to blitz Bank Holiday Monday

the forecast at the moment is:

dry (1% chance if rain)

sunny

warm 16-22c

So should be an excellent day to see the Downs - plus if you have spd shoes you can also try tandem piloting (and really earn your slice of cake)

Tony - I am a maybe, assuming I survive my sea swim on Saturday

Hi Tony,

I wonder if this would be a good opportunity for me to have a practice run with Haren on the tandem? I could cycle out to Otford to meet you and Haren, ride with you and perhaps you and I could swop bikes for part of the way so that my first ride piloting the Dolan is on a country lane rather than the South Circular? Let me know if you and Haren are happy to do this; don't want to detract from your Bank Holiday Tandem Special!

If you both think it is a good idea, what train would you be catching out to Otford and what pedals are on the Dolan?

That sounds like a good idea as the Ride London thing is looming :-)

The Dolan has spd pedals - you could bring an Allen key and swap your pedals to the Dolan or just wear SPD shoes which is what i am planning?

there are a couple if trains out to Otford - one just after 9 and the other about 9.30

Charles Barclay said:

Hi Tony,

I wonder if this would be a good opportunity for me to have a practice run with Haren on the tandem? I could cycle out to Otford to meet you and Haren, ride with you and perhaps you and I could swop bikes for part of the way so that my first ride piloting the Dolan is on a country lane rather than the South Circular? Let me know if you and Haren are happy to do this; don't want to detract from your Bank Holiday Tandem Special!

If you both think it is a good idea, what train would you be catching out to Otford and what pedals are on the Dolan?

Actually the easiest thing would be if you fitted spd to your bike so i could try to keep up with the two of you on the tandem 

Either that or i could lend you a cyclocross bike with spd to ride out to Otford on - its roughly the right size

OK, excellent. Carn you get the 9:30am train arriving around 10am I assume? If I leave at 8:15am I should be able to get to Otford station for 10am with a bit of time to spare.

I've got SPD pedals on my commuting bike so will swap on to my road bike for the day.

See you both on Monday in the wilds of Kent.

Thanks Tony. If I can't get the pedals off my commuting bike, I'll borrow your cyclocross bike for the day as you suggest.

“Otford” and “wilds” not often juxtaposed

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I can make it.

Andy

Great 

The train we are aiming for is the 9.04 leaving from Herne Hill and changing at Bromley South for Otford.

Despite Charles and Haren’s enthusiasm, this will very much be a social paced ride - I’m  also hoping that, it being the first time on the front of the Dolan, that Mr Barclay’s exhausting enthusiasm might be tempered for once :-)

I’ll be concentrating on not landing Haren and myself in a Kentish hedge Tony

How not to do it Charles

https://youtu.be/3hHkrilA-us

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