Topic: Memorial Ride 2010 - 1st August

[Weaver]

Could someone from admin please pin?  Many apologies for the long winded post. Am rather late in getting organised this year so am hoping everyone has it in their diary anyway.

Just to confirm that this year’s Memorial Ride is on Sunday August 1^st and we will be going to Clacton again – if only to see Ginger swimming again! J

The parking is as last year in a designated area about 500 yards from the Pier, on or near which are cafes, pubs and arcades etc for our amusement/refreshment.  The parking is on grass so pucks should be taken as a precaution.

The plan is to meet at the Silver Ball - arriving variously between 9:00 and 10:00 to stagger breakfast service.  Sam (Snap) usually gives a small speech about the ride etc so I am hoping he will do so this year also.  If anyone wishes to say a few words about anyone they want to remember particularly, please let us know.  As usual – three groups and the first group will set off around 11:00/11:15 so that the last group sets off by 11:30.

Please remember that though the Silver Ball does good food and is friendly, the car park is dreadful so please take extra care on entering and riding within it and please try and avoid the potholes! 

This year’s charity is SERV aka Blood Runners, They are a charitable organisation that delivers blood products to the emergency and accident hospitals across Southern England at night free of charge whenever and wherever it's urgently needed.  We have many forum members in the areas they cover (indeed I think some forum members volunteer for them) so as we may need them one day, we thought we should raise some money for them.

There is a fund raising page set up at Just Giving so to make it easier to get the money in and to get the extra from the government too.  You can still pay on the day if you prefer but if you can make use of the Just Giving pages it would be appreciated.  We are asking riders please to give a minimum of £10 but we won’t object if you give more!   Link to JG -
http://www.justgiving.com/memorialride2010

Could people who are definitely going please post your names and I will amend the list in this post from time to time to keep track and to add numbers of any people from other forums.  Please also note in which group you wish to ride (advanced, intermediate or super-cool/pootle) but just keep the posts to that please and pm me or post a separate thread for any queries. 

The groups will have leaders and tail gunners who are Unity Support Riders – to whom may we please say a big thank you.  Could the usual suspects please let me know if they are available to lead/tail gun this year please?
We are hoping to have t-shirts again this year but the people who previously let us have them free of charge are unwilling now to continue.  However I have found a place willing to give discounts as the ride is for charity and am getting some prices from them.  Therefore please please DO NOT add a t-shirt payment to the Just Giving page.  I will sort out a payment method when I know numbers etc and if I am paid more than the cost price then any extra will go to SERV of course.  If you want a t-shirt please let me know and include your size.

Many thanks to everyone.

[Weaver]

Groups:
 

Advanced Group


Intermediate  Group - Leader Weaver/Tail Gunner Red One
+2LB
+ 1 Sprint site

Pootle  Group   - Tail Gunner BM Bob
Trisckie
+1 LB

[BM BOB]

Put me down as tail end for the Super Cool group please Penny.
Quite looking forward to this as it usually a good route and good company.
See you all there.
 
Bob

[Weaver]

thank you Bob - you are a star

[Weaver]

Bumping this up as a reminder as it is only four weeks away now.     
It would be much appreciated if people could pay in advance via the Just Giving link but also to post and let us know who is going and in which group so that we can see how many leaders etc are required.
 
Don't forget if you want a t-shirt this year it must be ordered and paid for in advance bec
because we can't get them for free - here's the link re those:
 
http://www.thelondonbikers.com/forum/index.php/topic,9397.0.html
 
Thanks guys - hope to see loads of you there. 

[jimc]

Apologies in advance Penny, but I won't be able to make this year's run, I've just organised a last-minute trip to "Somewhere in the USA".  I do have the remainder T-shirts from last year, let me know if you want them, and I'll get them to you.

[Weaver]

Just bumping this up in case anyone is planning to come - please pay the rider fee through the Just Giving link in advance to save time on the day and to get the charity a bit of extra dosh through gift aid.
 
Also if there is anyone to lead a group we would be gratefful - probably only have two groups this year and due to lack of interest probably not even a ride next year.  

[STEM-VFR]

I'll be there Pen and i think I can remember the route

[Weaver]

I can print off of send you the short version I use which lists road numbers and distances from the Silver Ball if that helps?

[STEM-VFR]

nah I'll wing it there must be a sign post that says Clacton on it somewhere in Essex

[Weaver]

Could be an interesting route!   

[jimc]

Sorry to miss this one - but I'm on 'mission improbable' in foggy/sunny California.

[Weaver]

We'll miss you Jim - have a lovely time 

[Mr Rizla]

Sory cant make it this year but am sure it will be as good as last year, just dont let the xmas tree lady go a swiming this year

[Weaver]

Sorry you can't make it Ken - as for the swim - if it's this hot I'll join her! 

[sparky]

sparky  in pootle group please.

[Weaver]

No problem - just make sure Stem doesn't forget he is pootling!   
 
Probably just the two groups this year - may be quite a few in each but we do not have the Leaders and Tail Gunners for three groups.

[trouty]

nah I'll wing it there must be a sign post that says Clacton on it somewhere in Essex

lvvin' the way you roll....

[Weaver]

This is for anyone thinking of coming on this ride:
 
The car park at the Silver Ball is gravel and pot holes so please take great care in it.
 
Please ensure you have sufficient petrol to get to Clacton from the Silver Ball as the intention is not to stop and it is in any case quite a way from the Silver Ball on our route to the nearest petrol station.  There are three places on the A10 you can easily fill up - Tesco at Cheshunt though this involves going off the A10 slightly.  Then there are two BP garages further up the A10, the second of which is on the roundabout where the A507 crosses the A10 and I suspect most of you know where that is :D.   This is about four miles south of the Silver Ball so there is no excuse not to fill up before we go 
 
Please also if you are going to have breakfast at the SB remember that it will be crowded and do not arrive too late to get your grub.
 
Last point - although it is probably going to be dry, please take a puck with you anyway as we park on grass at Clacton - specially arranged for us) so a puck might just save your bike from going over! 
 
We are looking forward to seeing old and new faces on Sunday - have fun and take care please 

[Weaver]

Huge thanks to those who came yesterday and special thanks to Stem & BMBob for their Leading/Tail Gunning.
 
We had a great day.   

[Trisckie]

Here Here,

Thanks lads and thank you Pen for organising, sorry we didnt stay to watch the swimming but we had a nice lunch somewhere outside Colchester (Tim knew somewhere) and we had a wonderful scenic ride home via Tiptree (one place i remember seeing only cos of the Jam lol), we got back to the Ace at 7.30 ..... a great day !!

[Weaver]

Hiya Jackie
 
Tim sounds like a useful person to know re routes and places to go as well as being a nice fella! 

[George]

I was really sad to miss it. I had to work in Glasgow over the weekend. Glad it went well. Hope to manage it next year.

[Weaver]

Hi George - it will be on 7th August next year so put it in your diary.
 

meanwhile I am sure there will be other ride outs 

[George]

I hope so. I've just spent a fortune on new chain, sprockets and some nice leather pants.