2009-09-19 Sat - Clacton-on-Sea

Just read this:

My standard disclaimer updated:

A few things to read before you go:
**
Check over your bike
Make sure it is roadworthy**
-Check your tyres for wear and glass/flints/sharp objects
-Pump up the tyres(correctly inflated tyres puncture less)
-Check your lights and batteries
-Check for loose bolts
-Oil the chain
If you are not mechanically competent, get a friend to help you.
You have over 3 days to check over your machine.

** Prepare for self-sufficiency **
-Bring a spare tube and tube changing tools
-Bring some basic tools
-Bring spare batteries for your lights
(for the way home)
-Bring warm clothes
-Bring a rainjacket
-Bring a Fully Charged Mobile
-Bring a mapbook/gps
(will hand out routesheets at beginning)

**Sustenance **

• Bring some water
  
• Bring some food that you can consume at the side of the road/whilst riding
  (we will stop occasionally near shops etc, but you need to have some nibbles so that you don't hit the wall when we are in the middle of nowhere)
  
  

Riding in groups
Also, if you are not used to riding in groups, watch out for those riding with you.
Check that it is safe before overtaking, turning, track-sliding, wheelies, 180's, whatever.

Brakeless
If you want to come brakeless,(as I will be) you introduce an extra element of risk for those riding with you.
Unless you really(really) know how to control your bike under pressure don't show off too much in the pack and either get to the front or right to the back on climbs and descents.

** Help out, sound off about hazards and if people have been dropped of the back**
Usually if we are riding the first person over a nasty bump or hidden grate, sudden drop, glass, whatever will let those immediately following them now about it by shouting or pointing.
I will shout my loudest if I come across an imminent hazard, my voice, loud as it is doesn't carry all the way to the back.

So if you hear about it from the front, pass it back.

Conversely if you see people being dropped off the back, at the lights or because they are slow or having some mechanical difficulties, pass it forward so the people leading the ride know and can take steps to either wait up, slow down or go back and help them out.

** Get other peoples mobile numbers**
You can collect these in either the numbers thread or at the beginning of the ride, worth having in case you get lost off the back(or front).

Take a few minutes to check out the route
[ame]http://www.bikemap.net/route/295119[/ame]

Be sensible
Do not bring arcane or speciality equipment that needs non standard tools or esoteric knowledge in order to sort out failures and malfunctions.
Of course if you can change a 650 tub at the side of the road in under ten minutes and have all the tools and glues, be my guest.