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

I know a lot of peopl eon the list know this stuff, but it's worth trepeating on every page! A reminder of this lot from Corny, in good time for people to get mechanical things / spares sorted if needs be. I have underlined one section in particular and added a bit about stopping and turning, for those not very used to riding in groups that is essential for a trouble free ride... listen, communicate hazards, turns, slowing/stopping very clearly and loudly, be midful of other riders around you ....

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 (if a night ride). Lights are advisable at all times during foul weather/low light
-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, when making turns or stopping, whatever will let those immediately following them now about it by shouting or pointing. Also be sure to warn others of vehicles, pass the message along the ride. 'CAR FRONT' when oncoming, 'CAR BACK' when cars attempting to overtake from behind. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DIRECT TRAFFIC.

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. When we turn off a road, if you know people are a way behind, wait for them at the turn to make sure they know to turn too.

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.