2010-05-22 Sat 8am - Southend Seaside Jaunt (Because Long Rides are Fun)

Okay so even though I'm away, enjoying the sun in various climes, I'm still on the bike, and still thinking that you bods need to get out and put the miles in on a long forum ride, you know why?
Because Long Rides Are Fun. Especially Long Forum Rides. (Its all in the title.)
So this is the second of Four, yes count them, FOUR! Long forum rides, and as I've been hearing and reading, with the winter you've been having, you should be absolutely gagging to get out and make the most of the (fingers crossed) good weather.

The rides are these:

08 May 2010 Brighton
22 May 2010 Southend
05 Jun 2010 Cambridge
19 Jun 2010 Oxford

Every two weeks from the middle of May to the middle of June. Don't make one, then the next is just around the corner.

This jaunt to Southend we did this last year and it was a great deal of fun, especially the loop round the reservoir, so now is the time to sign up and set your legs loose on another long forum ride to the seaside, especially if you can't make the Brighton run on the 8th.

Also if you're planning on doing the Exmouth Exodus 26.06.2010 or the Dunwich Dynamo 24.07.2010 then think of these four long rides as excellent training runs, to stretch your legs and gain confidence that you can go the distance.

Obviously since I'm not going to be leading the ride (as if I lead any of the other rides I organised) could some old hand whose going to be definitely on it, take the lead and make sure people get to their destination in one piece and get from the pub to a london train station as well..

So find below the info for the first of them, link to the aweseomeness that was last years, and the year before that's epicness

2009 https://www.lfgss.com/thread22538-4.html
2008 http://www.londonfgss.com/thread3952-5.html

Meeting at the Polo Court @ Brick Lane for 7.30am for a 8.00am start and using the route below
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/BHF-London-to-Southend-2007-Home-to-Victoria-Park-Start-included

and here is a crib sheet from Lebowski
https://static.lfgss.com/attachments/184d1207910283-southend-ride.txt

About 70miles of scenicness, and undulating country roads, don't bring too big a gear, and enjoy the fish and chips at the end...

Now for the instructional bit with some tips for what to bring, and what to do if this is your first LONG forum ride courtesy of our very own Ma3k:

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 (if a night ride)
-Check for loose bolts
-Oil the chain
If you are not mechanically competent, get a friend to help you.
Make sure you do this a couple of days before, not the day of, it'll save you a stressful couple of hours if there is something you need to sort.

Prepare for self-sufficiency
-Bring a spare tube and tube changing tools
-Bring food and water, high energy snacks and fruit
-Bring spare batteries
-Bring extra layers, for if it gets colder
-Bring a rainjacket for if it gets wetter
-Bring a Fully Charged Mobile
-Bring a mapbook

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.

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
Either from the route posted up or grab a map/cribsheet/directions so if you plan to leave early, arrive late or if you get separated you can get back on to the ride

Be sensible
As with all forum rides we will endeavour to help out any stricken rider with their punctures and mechanical problems but on a large ride this might be difficult.
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 in complete darkness in under ten minutes and have all the tools and glues, be my guest.

Let the listing begin.

1. (in spirit if not in flesh) Cornelius Southendfoot