TE meet up in the UK?

[Rebecca19804]

BUMP

Lots of things trying to crowd it out, but I've still got 22nd October pencilled in! Will start working on a plan for the day.

Could anyone who thinks they can make it on the 22nd let me know if they're coming into London by train - and if so - which station and what's the earliest possible time you'd be arriving?

Some of you are coming quite a distance so I'm thinking we could start the "TE meet" by having lunch, then cycle round in the afternoon and hopefully get you all on your various ways back home at a reasonable hour?

[uk elephant]

I've still got october 22 as TE day on my calendar and I'll be arriving by train to Euston. I could get there by 10 at the earliest, but that would mean a 5am start so closer to lunchtime would be better. Looking forward to seeing London from a different perspective and meeting up with you all!

[Mako]

Hi,

I still may be able to make that date.

I'm not too keen on taking the train down with my bike
Was any one else thinking of driving down?

Just not sure about parking and stuff? Any of you Londoners have any advice/suggestions

Cheers

[Rebecca19804]

I'm not too keen on taking the train down with my bike
Was any one else thinking of driving down?

To be honest Mako, unless you're used to driving in London, I wouldn't recommend it. I do drive here and actually enjoy it, but to those unfamiliar with where things are and especially what lane to be in (and how, when and where to change into that lane you want!), then driving here is just a good way to spend hours lost and in tears... !

I travel up and down the country by train with my bike and find it works pretty well.

Just not sure about parking and stuff? Any of you Londoners have any advice/suggestions

If you do decide to drive, Google NCP to find car park locations and prices. Once we've chosen a meet-up point, then you can decide which car park to aim for.

hope that helps!

[Mako]

Thanks for the advice!

I have driven in London quite a few times but I don't exactly relish the idea. I guess it will depend on where everyone decides to meet up.

As for the train I really don't like the idea of letting my bike out of my sight

Don't you worry about it getting damaged?

[Rebecca19804]

As for the train I really don't like the idea of letting my bike out of my sight

Don't you worry about it getting damaged?

I suppose different trains have different layouts. So far I've always been able to sit immediately beside my bike or in direct line of sight (close enough to shout "OY!" if anyone's gaze lingers on it. ) In any case, the bike itself is parked with front wheel in a rack or the whole frame is strapped in - depends on what facilities the train carriage has fitted.

I've never had any damage happen or any situation that made me think there was a risk of damage.

Maybe check out what bike facilities are on the rolling stock your train company uses, then decide if it worries you too much?

[shootingstar]

Hope you'll posts some pics of fun times when you all meet up later in October.

It would be good for us in North America and elsewhere, to know how members elsewhere have fun in the UK.

[Mako]

Maybe check out what bike facilities are on the rolling stock your train company uses, then decide if it worries you too much?

I'll give them a call, the website is a little vague.

I'm a little over protective / paranoid when it comes to things getting damage. Its been pointed out that it may be a little unhealthy

[Vanilla]

Could anyone who thinks they can make it on the 22nd let me know if they're coming into London by train - and if so - which station and what's the earliest possible time you'd be arriving?

Some of you are coming quite a distance so I'm thinking we could start the "TE meet" by having lunch, then cycle round in the afternoon and hopefully get you all on your various ways back home at a reasonable hour?

I'm still free on the 22nd. Where were you thinking about for lunch and a ride? Look Mum No Hands is nice and has a lot of bike parking from what I remember and might be good if people are worried about leaving their bikes. The city is dead at weekends and is lovely for cycling around, especially if you're lucky enough to hear the bells of St Paul's as I was last week.

[Sardine]

I'm sorry I'm going to miss this as I'm not in London at that time. Hope you have good weather and an enjoyable day.

[Rebecca19804]

So far the only ride idea that I've had that I've pursued further than just "random musings" is the Thames Path, with lunch at the wonderful Meantime pub in Greenwich.

But obviously the plan for the day needs to work around which train stations people are arriving into, which so far seem to be Paddington and Euston - both of which are north-ish. So a North London ride would be great, in which case I wholeheartedly second LMNH as the lunch stop.

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with North London and am not confident that I could put together a traffic-lite (and not too hilly?) ride in that part of the city. So - if anyone would like to help me with planning one, PM me please!

[Sardine]

This may be of interest http://www.greentraveller.co.uk/blog...cies-uk-trains

[Rebecca19804]

Hi all,

Okay, so if my notes are right, we have 4 definitely (or very probably?!) coming!

me (based in South London)
Vanilla (also in South London)
Beck aka Mako - coming from Midlands by train into Euston (unless she drives)
Eli aka uk elephant - coming from Wales by train into... Paddington??

I like Vanilla's suggestion for our lunch meet up: Look Mum No Hands, located at 49 Old Street, London EC1V 9HX - website http://www.lookmumnohands.com/

Shall we aim to meet there for lunch about 12 midday? Have lunch - and of course wait if anybody's delayed - with hopefully everybody ready to ride by 1.00/1.30pm?

Vanilla, can you please phone/text me on 07905 797585? I'd really like to brainstorm ride ideas and then spend some time over the next few weekends trying things out. If you're available to be a sounding board (by e-mail/phone), that'd be great - and if you've got a few hours one weekend to field test with me, even better!

I'm really looking forward to the 22nd!

[uk elephant]

I will also be arrivin into Euston. Look Ma No Hands sounds like a great place judging by the name! I will get my train tickets sorted shortly and make sure I can find my way there by 12. Looking forward to an adventure!