Clifton CC

You'll have seen this on the Challenge ride calendar. I know it's a long way off (in more ways than one), but thought I'd give you a heads-up.

Plan: Ride out of Edinburgh Waverley Station at midnight and ride home. Simples. Planned route (a bit sketchy as yet) should take us through Innerliethin, close to Carlisle, Hartside, Teesdale, Richmond and home. 200 (ish) miles. Am expecting to be home at tea time. What an adventure!

You'll need to commit to it and organise your train ticket to Edinburgh on the Sat evening (with a bike reservation). This far in advance it's £22.50. There's already 4 of us booked...

I'm in! Train gets in to Edinburgh Waverley at 22:08

Hi, like the sound of this. Are you all booked on the same train that gets in to Edinburgh Waverley at 22:08 as above?

sounds like immense fun, are we talking Rob pace here ? or comfertable pace all the way back.

Hi Pete, we're spread across a few trains. I'm getting in to Waverley at 2303.

It'll be Sunday clubrun pace. I'd keep your powder dry for another year though Joe - this is too far/hilly for a new rider with a gammy knee There's plenty of other adventures to sample.

Thank you Rob, i hope you all have an amazing time. put me down for next year .

That's it - that's me in - I'm on the same train as you Ian.

I really think we should take in some of the good climbs in the Lakes on the way as well (no Rob, before you start planning that - it's a joke )

@Broomwagon: I am getting on one of the Transpennine Express trains at Northallerton then get the train to Edinburgh from Newcastle. I have a seat reserved in Coach B.
I was thinking I would try and get something to eat once I get to Edinburgh to help me over the hills.

Right. I think there's 6 of us on this little adventure. Any last minute bookings could you please let me know (via PM at least) so as we know to wait for you in Edinburgh station.

I'm planning on cooking a pizza to eat in Edinburgh station along with a Burger King coffee.

The route I have sketched out is 350km / 3000m climb.

We're look looking at about 4 hours of darkness (4 mins less than in York!) So decent set of lights (and back up) will be needed.

I have some feelers out for a cafe for breakfast (unconfirmed as yet). Best case is about 0800 at Hadrian's Wall or about 0930 in Alston. So we'll need a fair bit of fuel in the saddlebag (pack of sandwiches in my case). Petrol stations sometimes have an outside tap even if closed, but again.....

After Alston it's Teesdale, Richmond, Bedale and home.

Fingers crossed for good weather!

I'm in! I get into Edinburgh just after 10pm.
Any idea on the rout to Alston yet?

Hi Ian. Need to get to Langholme first. There's a nice looking B road route through Innerleithin or we can take the A7 through Gala and Hawick. The B road is single track in places. The Gala route is 300m less climbing and easy navigating..... but its the A7..! But then I can't imagine much traffic at that time of a morning... Have a look at the map and see what you think.

Langholme to Alston depends on what comes back from my cafe search... either following the River South Tyne or via Hartside Pass.

R

Hi Rob: Steen and I rode that B road out to Innerleithen and it was a bit bad in places, particularly near the start which was probably the B7007 stretch, although the B709 south of Innerleithen was very good. One option may be to head out on the A7 and, if it is busy, turn left on the B709 to Innerleithen. If not, stick to the A7 all the way through to Selkirk and then pick up the B7009 /B709 to Eskdalemuir and on to Langholm - it should be getting lighter by the time we get to Selkirk and it would be good to cycle down Eskdale in the early morning.
Alternatively, taking the A7 to Hawick (about 50 mile) and then that B road south

Rob wrote: Langholme to Alston depends on what comes back from my cafe search... either following the River South Tyne or via Hartside Pass.

This will still be the wee small hours, yes? You're probably best going for a feed at the 24h services at Gretna. I rode the A7 between Longtown and Langholm and also the A6071 Gretna to Brampton at a similar time to what you'll be doing when I did the York-Langholm-York a few weeks ago, and had zero trouble with traffic. In fact, I think I might have been the only traffic on the A7!

I'm ready go, though I confess to feeling a little nervous, it will be the longest ride I've ever done. Fitted a rack and bag to my bike this afternoon, so another first - my 25 year old self would have almost spat the word 'tourist' at me.

Don't forget the sunscreen chaps!