Charity Idea - Cycle Ride: Goldstone > Priestfield > Withdean > Falmer

[Gwylan]

I'd prefer to do it on the day of the first friendly but I would be worried about missing the game.

80 miles is going to take a fair amount of time and I do think we'd have to leave at stupid o'clock to make sure we do it on time

 

[Mendoza]

Looks like a 3 day event then (well one evening, a whole day, then a morning)

3 days
Day One - bus ride from Goldstone to Gillingham (two days before game)
Day Two - cycle from Priestfield to Withdean (day before game)
Day Three - cycle from Withdean to Falmer (day of the game)

 

[Vatican Citys No.2 Keeper]

I'd be up for this also. Not that fit at 6'1 and 16 stone however after doing some cycling in belguim during the holidays i'd like to give this a stab if still more places available!!

 

[fcportaloo]

I am interested in doing this. I don't think we should worry too much about 'permission'. Just think of it as a bunch of friends going for a bike ride. There is annual ride to the Suffolk coast from Hackney - cyclists just turn up and go.

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/london-to-suffolk-on-two-wheels-and-a-baked-potato-675478.html

 

[Notters]

Isn't there likely to be an evening friendly? Wouldn't that make matters easier?

 

[Gwylan]

Looks like a 3 day event then (well one evening, a whole day, then a morning)

3 days
Day One - bus ride from Goldstone to Gillingham (two days before game)
Day Two - cycle from Priestfield to Withdean (day before game)
Day Three - cycle from Withdean to Falmer (day of the game)

A mass cycle from Withdean to Falmer doesn't really have the same impact, does it?

 

[Mendoza]

A mass cycle from Withdean to Falmer doesn't really have the same impact, does it?

what would be your preference? I am thinking two day thing, bus up the day before, and ccle back on the day of the game.

If its a 3pm kick off, and we left Gillingham at 6am, we would be back before 1, I am sure, thats 7 hours

 

[Gwylan]

what would be your preference? I am thinking two day thing, bus up the day before, and ccle back on the day of the game.

If its a 3pm kick off, and we left Gillingham at 6am, we would be back before 1, I am sure, thats 7 hours

That would be my preference too. It would have to be 6.00 sharp though, I could see some people rolling up at 6.30/6.45 and I think we'll be cutting it fine.

It will take more than 7 hours - guaranteed.

 

[Foolg]

My old man does a lot of Cycling, and im sure he'd be more than interested in doing it especially for charity with other albion fans. He does the south downs way ever year and could do it a similar way to that as it always seems well organised.
Top idea though

 

[Mendoza]

That would be my preference too. It would have to be 6.00 sharp though, I could see some people rolling up at 6.30/6.45 and I think we'll be cutting it fine.

It will take more than 7 hours - guaranteed.

Indeed, thats why I thought a bus trip to a hotel in Gillingham they day before, then EVERYONE is in the same place, and we can bang on doors to get people up if needs be.

Say a 5am meet in a hotel recpetion, a 10 min drive to Priestfield, 30-40mins to get bikes and set up - then away we go

 

[Notters]

Indeed, thats why I thought a bus trip to a hotel in Gillingham they day before, then EVERYONE is in the same place, and we can bang on doors to get people up if needs be.

Say a 5am meet in a hotel recpetion, a 10 min drive to Priestfield, 30-40mins to get bikes and set up - then away we go

Evening game, 10 o'clock start, publicity On south today when we get back, simples.

 

[Mendoza]

Evening game, 10 o'clock start, publicity On south today when we get back, simples.

Itis tougher getting people to have time off work, and cycling on roads during lunch time is not the best idea.

There will publicity whenever we do it, I am sure

 

[DIFFBROOK]

If you use me as an example. I'm neither overly unfit or very fit, somewhere inbetween and I'm 43. A couple of years back I cycled 75 miles from Wetherby to Filey in an organised ride. I started at around 9 and arrived around 4.

So it can be done on the day. Obviously if you leave at round 6.30/7.00am you give yourselves some leeway in order to get to the game if its 3pm kick off.

Btw put me down for it

 

[Perry's Tracksuit Bottoms]

The event would have more impact if it was all cycling, Goldstone - Priestfield - Withdean - Falmer. If we're getting the bus there we might as well get a bus back... and it solves the problem of getting the bikes over there in the first place!

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

I'm inclined to say that if it's going to happen it should be done properly i.e. cycle there and back. Perhaps there can be two options, one with coach and one with two cycle rides?

 

[Emily's Mum]

It's a fantastic iea, but no doubt the Health & Safety police will have their opinion. My dad is a member of Lewes Wanderers Cycling Club & has organised loads of races over the years. The police do have quite strict policies on this sort of thing & at one stage wanted to ban all cycle races. It might be worth checking out the Cyclists Touring Club CTC website to see if it gives any guidance.

Don't forget that if you're coming back via the A26 & Ditchling Beacon, you'll be doing part of the 1994 Tour de France route.

I've not been on a bike for over 20 years, but if I could borrow a bike, I might be able to do a couple of miles before conking out. Failing that I can hand out bottles of water.

 

[Jamon Jamon]

Don't want to piss on anyone's chips or anything, it's a great idea and i'll be digging deep, but with regards to timings etc, Last year Me, Mr Banana, Johnny Byrne, Andy Joicey another dozen or so Albion fans and 35 or so others did Dieppe to Paris (160 miles, 3 days) i've also done L2B, just bear in mind it ain't gonna be like either of those two. very few quiet roads (unlike France) no road closures (unlike L2B) so for anyone who's done a ride like L2B it's not much use using that as your yardstick. as you will get caught in traffic and there'll be little bombing down hills and the like. 50 miles a day is probably more realistic as there are going to be a number of diffrent standads involved and there will inevidently be punctures. Good Luck in getting this thing going. (I mean that in the good sense, not the sarcastic way!)

 

[Durlston]

This is a fantastic idea.

I'm taking up cycling again after a few months off from it.Going to need some serious training though for that distance.

It would be a great,positive challenge to aim for.

 

[Hiney]

People should stop looking for excuses for it NOT to happen and look at the best way we CAN make it happen.

Brett's idea of a Bus to Gillingham (bringing back matchday memories for some), an overnighter and then a cycle back to Withdean and Falmer is the best I reckon. If it's going to take a long time then we start earlier in the day.

It would be great to get Gillingham involved in some way - maybe Scally can pay for the Hotel

If we start early enough then it should be OK.

We HAVE to make this happen - it's a great idea that DESERVES to be taken to fruition.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Making it over more than one day is going to put off a lot of people I would have thought.....would you want to spend the night in a hotel with a load of internet geeks?... not to mention cost of hotel etc. 0509hrs train from Brighton, arriving Gillingham at 0742 and bobs your uncle.