2011-09-17 Sat - Clacton-on-Sea - Last Ride of the Summer

^let it go FFS

Can't believe you ended up in the Wetherspoons. Again. Shame on you.

Next year please go to Frinton? The thought the people would choose to go to the hole that is Clacton astounds me.*

But glad you all had a good ride.

*Not just the ride, people actually live there. I guy I went to sixth form with still does. But he is a bit weird.

I dont mind if people want to have fixed only rides. Nothing wrong with it.

I was only disappointed to have missed this one because I'd organised time off around it, and then the fixed only stipulation went up relatively late in the day. I think it was a bit unfair to move the goalposts after thirty or so people had signed up for it without a restriction. (Without wanting to sound like a broken record) I think that any issues arising from Herne Bay ride would easily have been ironed out with a simple call out for safe riding in a group, and a constant pace, at the start of this one.

Five of us went to Frinton (geared), it was good fun and we enjoyed the ride, but obviously we missed out on the larger group buzz; and there were people on the Clacton spin who'd we'd been drinking with in Margate at the end who I would have liked to have met up with again.

I think by limiting spins to one type of bike only, you are missing out somewhat on the diversity (now) of this forum, but thats just my 2c. If people choose it, so be it.

I dont mind if people want to have fixed only rides. Nothing wrong with it.

I was only disappointed to have missed this one because I'd organised time off around it, and then the fixed only stipulation went up relatively late in the day. I think it was a bit unfair to move the goalposts after thirty or so people had signed up for it without a restriction. (Without wanting to sound like a broken record) I think that any issues arising from Herne Bay ride would easily have been ironed out with a simple call out for safe riding in a group, and a constant pace, at the start of this one.

this wasn't a fixed-only ride.

There were a geared bicycle, but only one though.

But yes, it's about the attitude rather than the bike, the bike make it easier to enforce the attitude.

And what about that kestrel, which some of us saw snatch a critter from a field, only for the prey to fight back as it ascended then escape on tiny urgent wings.

What was near what appear to be a bird sanctuary?

And what about that kestrel, which some of us saw snatch a critter from a field, only for the prey to fight back as it ascended then escape on tiny urgent wings.

Shit I forgot about that. Looked like they were fighting over fixed vs geared to me

I understand folks being disappointed when the ss/fixed rule was applied, but on all other accounts I say to you "LFGSS"

If you don't like it join "LFGSS&G.com"

Can't believe you ended up in the Wetherspoons. Again. Shame on you.

Next year please go to Frinton? The thought the people would choose to go to the hole that is Clacton astounds me.*

But glad you all had a good ride.

*Not just the ride, people actually live there. I guy I went to sixth form with still does. But he is a bit weird.

... indeed, any town that allows spelling like this needs to be barred from Wetherspoons

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Good ride. Thanks to MR & Mrs Ma3k for navigating and organising transport back. Seemed shorter than last year this time for some reason, despite how slow I was.

Thanks to everyone who waited at junctions for my lardy arse (ian, dropout, moth, probably others.) I need to lay offf the pies.

My flapjack recipe is as follows.

Mix 100g butter, 150g golden syrup, 100g sugar in a saucepan and heat until the sugar's disolved. Mix 500g oats, 100g raisins, 100g nuts, 2g salt. Add oats &c to sugars and stir thoroughly, Spread thinly onto a greased baking tray and bake at 190C for 20 minutes. Mark cuts before it's fully cooled.

a great ride - i was hesitant due to the weather forecast, but i am so glad i got out. apologies for being late to the meeting point - and thank you for waiting.

we managed to avoid all the rain - the clouds were just hanging in the distance - chiaroscuro and apophenia aplenty.

a special thanks for the flapjacks injections - very timely and much appreciated.

and yes, the group was small, and everyone stayed together. just a couple (?) punctures and a decent (for me!) pace (although my climbing muscles were gone by the time i had to do the last 20k stretch).

altogether, a far smoother and, dare i say it, easier, ride than herne bay/margate was.

the destination highlight was cooling down by the beach with the backdrop of tawdry entertainment devices and the empty wooden pier with its rusty crucifix of a mast.

props aplenty to MA3K for setting the pace, navigating, stopping to show the sights, and getting us there.

a few photos attached (pardon the shitty bberry quality photos).

nice seeing familiar faces as well as meeting new folks - hopefully i'll see you on future rides.

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... indeed, any town that allows spelling like this needs to be barred from Wetherspoons

'specially when they get it right 2' below. 'Tards.

Thanks everyone for a fantastic ride!
And for your flapjack recipes!

Team video, a bit shaky though :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEkTpI8fgLA

Was wondering why you were holding the phone like that.

anymore ride like this soon? please said there'll be!

Why don't you organise one ed?

Will see what I can do.

Was wondering why you were holding the phone like that.

I agree, looks weird, but at least I could hold it firmly :) without a mount.

In

I'm thinking dungeness...

Everybody likes a power station

Hint - taking the train back from Dungeness.

Good ride. Thanks to MR & Mrs Ma3k for navigating and organising transport back. Seemed shorter than last year this time for some reason, despite how slow I was.

Thanks to everyone who waited at junctions for my lardy arse (ian, dropout, moth, probably others.) I need to lay offf the pies.

My flapjack recipe is as follows.

Mix 100g butter, 150g golden syrup, 100g sugar in a saucepan and heat until the sugar's disolved. Mix 500g oats, 100g raisins, 100g nuts, 2g salt. Add oats &c to sugars and stir thoroughly, Spread thinly onto a greased baking tray and bake at 190C for 20 minutes. Mark cuts before it's fully cooled.

mm was such timely flapjack. good work. thanks!

I'm thinking dungeness...

Everybody likes a power station

I'm already working on this, just so you know :)

The Bradwell-on-Sea ride was always going to be the first of a series, aside from its 'Deepest Darkest Essex' tag.