Potential car-assisted club run

I've got a plan to do a longer than usual ride at B group pace (but other groups are welcome to do it too, obviously) heading a bit further out into East Anglia than normal. It's a ride that I planned and did on my own last August, so I know the route is OK. It will require people to drive, that's the only problem.

The route starts and finishes in Thaxted. It's about a 45-minute drive to Thaxted (in Sunday morning traffic) - you just go up the M11 to junction 8 (Bishops Stortford / Stansted Airport), take the A120 to Great Dunmow and then head north on the B184. In Thaxted there is a free car park with a toilet on Margaret Street.

From Thaxted the route goes north up to Radwinter, then follows our part of our road race course (in reverse) and continues up into Cambridgeshire towards the villages near Newmarket we sometimes use as HQs for races on the E2 course. It then heads broadly east into Suffolk through the middle of nowhere and eventually swings south to Lavenham (which is very pretty). The remainder of the ride is mostly going south-west through several other picturesque villages: Cavendish, Clare and Finchingfield among them.

Route here: https://www.strava.com/routes/6175019

The total distance is just under 83 miles. When I did it last year it took me 6 hours (11:30-17:30) of which 4:51 was actual riding time (at an average speed of 17.1mph). I was trying to get to Lavenham before I stopped to refuel, but I had mistakenly thought it was at the halfway point and it's actually about 10 miles further into the ride than that: I ended up totally out of drink and getting worryingly thirsty quite a way before Lavenham and didn't pass a single shop so when I eventually found a pub a few miles north of Lavenham I had to stop there before I collapsed! Bearing that in mind, we should take on more drinks if we pass any kind of shop after an hour or so.

I'd be looking to do the ride in a similar sort of time - I'd expect B group to go a bit faster than I did on my own, but I'm looking for 18mph, not some kind of Ride London speed fest, and I would like to stop at a pub with a garden (assuming the weather is nice).

Here is a video to give you a sense of the scenery / roads:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s7SXlKa­tfI&feature=youtu.be

I was hoping to do this either on this coming Sunday (6th August) or two weeks later (20th August). I've got family stuff to do the weekend in between and I don't want to tread on the toes of the Summerhayes Summer Saunter which should be taking place on the Bank Holiday weekend at the end of the month.

I've got a car and a bike carrier that can take two bikes, so I can give a lift to one person. Who else is up for the ride and who else has access to a car? (And if you do, how many passengers + bikes could you take?)

Also, what kind of time would people like to set off? Let's assume it will take six hours from leaving the car park to getting back there. Let's also allow 15 minutes of faffing around before and after the ride to add to the 45 minutes drive time, so say 8 hours in total. That could be: leave Walthamstow 8am, get back around 4pm; or leave 9am, get back 5pm; or something else?

By the way, it's not worth trying to do it by train instead as the services up to Elsenham / Newport (about 8 miles from the start/finish) are hopeless on a Sunday morning.

I'm definitely up for it but depends on work and TT's. If I'm free, I can take someone up in my car.

Looking more likely for the 20th than the 6th as things stand

I could do this Sunday 6th but not 20th I'm afraid. Could take 2 others.

Hi David - hardly anyone seems to be around this weekend, so I've already abandoned the idea of the 6th and am working towards the 20th. I've entered a race this Saturday instead so won't be club running on Sunday. Are you likely to be on the club run? Not sure who the ride leaders are going to be given so many absentees, so maybe you are!

Hi Jamie. Understood. I plan to be at Walthamstow town hall on Sunday and am happy to lead a 18mph ride, Sawbridgeworth with a cafe stop is my default option although happy to go with flow. I'll see if there are any takers. Cheers.

Hi All - I'd be up for it but I do not drive... So will depend if there is space!
Thanks and see you tomorrow.
Caroline

I'm up for this for the Sunday 20th and can give someone (+bike) a lift. Cheers. Huw

Hi there. What's the latest on this? Just checking because I'll be away from Thursday and need to know whether to bring stuff (inc. bike) for the ride.

Hi Adam - I'll chase this up on Facebook. I'm still intending to do it. Need to see if Alex, Tim and Caroline are all still planning to do it as the logistics get complicated if we 5 people and 5 bikes heading up but only two cars...

I have car access. Need to confirm with the wife what's going on though. Can take 1 person and bike. May have room for a bike in the back if it's clean

As it stands at the moment we have two cars heading up and three heading back (!). Four people definitely going up, two more potentials (but unless another car and driver materialises only one of those potentials could go) plus Adam who will meet us in Thaxted. Will do a final shout out on Facebook to see if there's anyone else...