TE meet up in the UK?

[ClockworkOrange]

Yes Rebecca, you are sooooo right.

Just been trying to work out the easiest and cheapest way to get to London. Would need to get a coach to Victoria Coach Station and arrive at 10.50 am that's not too bad but it's a pain getting across to Look Ma No Hands , it would require two buses and walking and would take a good 45 minutes.

So am undecided, as I would only be there for an hour and then would have to wave everybody off...................

Got to have another think.

[Vanilla]

You could always hire a Boris bike and come with us

[ClockworkOrange]

Woohoo, a friend who lives in Chelsea has invited both myself and my partner to stay Friday evening, so I can leave around 10.00 am and jump a few buses and arrive for 11.30 am. (On my own of course)

This place looks so cool too, would love to join you on the ride but it will be good just to meet and chat.

Will send you my mobile number too.

So, please add me as a definite.

[Rebecca19804]

Woohoo Clock!!

And stop press, I've now got a route planned!! I won't have time for an end-to-end reccie before the 22nd but I've done all of the sections before and it should work beautifully. Almost completely traffic-free... but shared-use with peds so we won't be breaking any speed records.

I've been giving some thought to assisting the ladies coming into Euston to get from the station to LMNH and then from the end of the ride back to Euston, will post my ideas shortly.

And now a little advice on things to bring on your visit to the Big Smoke:

• be-seen" lights (with fresh batteries) as the evenings are drawing in and there's a chance you'll be cycling at dusk in London - and then of course there's your journeys from your end train stations that night.

• at least 1 (2 if you have them) good locks with you. They should be Sold Secure rated at Gold, Silver or Bronze level. (Manufacturer ratings are meaningless as they are not independently tested.) If you only have 1 of these, do bring it - we'll pair you up with someone else who has 1. As your "hostess", I don't want you to be nervous about bike theft! And the good news is, the right locks + the right technique will take all the fear out of it. Here are 2 videos on locking up - both standards and technique. Please watch them in advance if you can. They show you what WORKS. If you don't already have a Sold Secure gold/silver/bronze rated lock, do consider getting one before your visit to London. You should be able to get one for about £50 - and the peace of mind is worth every penny.
  How to lock your bike:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dscni...feature=relmfu
  How NOT to lock your bike!:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPDHPpnXPv8
  
  If you cannot bring a good enough lock with you on the day, please let me know by PM as soon as possible and I'll try and sort out an extra one for you to use.

I'll start posting weather forecast info during the week leading up to the day.

Have a great Monday!

[uk elephant]

I've booked my tickets! I'll be arriving at Euston at 10:15 (if all goes to plan). I'll make my way down to Look Ma for breakfast, and will probably need a fair bit of coffee. I'll have to catch the 5:15am train! And I'll have to catch the train from Euston again at 18:43. it will be a very long day, but a great adventure! Next, negotiation with BF about transport to/from station at this end.

Really looking forward to meeting you all and to discovering a new side of London. Is there really such a thing as a traffic-free cycle route?! Not sure whether my lock is of the right specs, but it will have to do. I'm pretty sure its a good one, though it is only the one....

Just need to survive a couple more horrendous weeks at work first....

[uk elephant]

Final bit of trip planning....apparently on the Virgin Pendolino trains, you need to reserve a space for your bike. Took 3 goes, but got there in the end. Tickets were bought through trainline and so tried calling them to reserve bike space, but the reservation came only for the return journey. Called back, so very sorry we have now sent the correct reservation.....another return journey! Stopped by the train station this morning and got the outward journey sorted. But I now have space reserved for two bikes coming back from London....hmmmm....any time for shopping??

And I've booked my bike in for a spa day on Thursday so it will be all shiny and smooth for the trip to the big city (maybe I had better ask them about borrowing another bike lock too). Both the bike and me will look like big wide eyed country bumpkins all dressed up for the big city!

[Vanilla]

I've reserved bike space on the Virgin trains when bringing my bike back from Glasgow but I did it at the station rather than online but can't remember why. It's such a faff though.

Anyway: four days to go! I've had a stinking cold since getting my flu jab last week (just say NO!) and hoping to have shaken it off by the weekend as I'm sure nobody will want me to share the joy