AR15 Help

[Matt-EUC]

I'm going to be putting in a bid for AR15 but I don't think I can do the whole thing on my own. The reason being, no-one else has yet.


If any of you are willing to help I would be most grateful, there may even be a pint or two in it for you.

I'm going to need a TEC and as many markers as possible. The TEC could be anyone really but the markers need to be confident overtaking and capable of getting back to the front of the pack.

I'm hoping for around 10-12 markers if possible but it could be done with fewer.

I am also open to any and all suggestions and improvements to routes, stops etc.

Thanks in advance guys, your help would be very much appreciated.

[tom9]

I'm up for that

[Matt-EUC]

Marker or TEC?

[tom9]

What is TEC?

[NTECUK]

T ail E nd C harlie.
It means that you are the last bike on the run
You basically have a bib or something like that so your easy identified by the marker.

[Littlepeahead]

And it helps if you know the roads well, especially if you have to go off looking for lost bods! Not that people will get lost if you've got enough markers. And it's usually my husband who gets lost on Essex rides, even though we live there, I just leave him to it :rolleyes:

It's quite fun to be TEC as you are always playing catch up.

[Matt-EUC]

I will be taking the markers and TEC round the route multiple times so they know where they're going.

[tom9]

I don't mind either tbh, helping out this weekend on the toy run in reading. But I'll come and have a look at the route whenever you go.

[Matt-EUC]

Ok. I still have a few things to sort out first but I'll let you know.

[mattSV]

I'm going to be putting in a bid for AR15 but I don't think I can do the whole thing on my own. The reason being, no-one else has yet.


If any of you are willing to help I would be most grateful, there may even be a pint or two in it for you.

I'm going to need a TEC and as many markers as possible. The TEC could be anyone really but the markers need to be confident overtaking and capable of getting back to the front of the pack.

I'm hoping for around 10-12 markers if possible but it could be done with fewer.

I am also open to any and all suggestions and improvements to routes, stops etc.

Thanks in advance guys, your help would be very much appreciated.

I offered to mark last time it was down here and didn't even get a response. :rolleyes:

So it is a no from me this time.

The one bit of advice I would give, is that markers should be competent overtakers rather than confident. I have been on rideouts before (not just with the Org) where too many markers have too much confidence, and then feck it up for others.

[Matt-EUC]

Apologies for that Matt, I wasn't the one organising.

But you're welcome to do it if you change your mind.

Even if you came along to test the route(s) I would appreciate it.

[squirrel_hunter]

There are some experienced markers who will be more than willing to help but might not know the route or be able to make the practice runs. But so long as the ride follows the first man drop off with dedicated markers, a leader and TEC then there is no reason why they cannot help out if required.

I know a couple of riders who fit the required profile with the above exception. If they are attending then they will be more than happy to assist...

[Matt-EUC]

Definitely something to keep in mind. Early days still.

[Nutsinatin]

I'll put my name forward to help with route testing etc but not really confident enough to be a marker, plus working full time whilst studying a degree means that I can't guarantee that I can commit the time.

[Matt-EUC]

Fair enough.

I'll put up a thread when I'm going route testing.

[Red Herring]

There are some experienced markers who will be more than willing to help but might not know the route or be able to make the practice runs. But so long as the ride follows the first man drop off with dedicated markers, a leader and TEC then there is no reason why they cannot help out if required.
.

Matt, I know I'm not GM so please forgive the intrusion but the above is solid advice. You need as many of the riders as possible to be willing and able to mark junctions. If you try and marshall a large group of riders with a small ratio of markers the lead rider will have to set such a slow pace that the entire affair will turn into a procession for the vast majority. This rather defeats all your efforts of trying to set an enjoyable route.

The most successful organized rides I have been on have been the ones using the drop off system and the leader sets a pace designed to string everybody out, not bunch them up. There are always going to be less confident riders who are slower than the average, and it's to everyones advantage if they don't stop and mark junctions, and that's easily catered for. What we have done in the past is nominate a bib/jacket colour in advance for those that fall into this category (tip, don't use pink like we did last time....it tends to imply something.....) and then these riders can make sure they bring something appropriate with them, and those that don't want to be mistaken for a non-marker can make sure they don't! The alternative is to do it the other way round and make sure all those that are willing to mark bring a reflective jacket/tabbard.

[Messie]

Have you thought about a campsite yet? One which also has indoor beds for the old and/or creaky is the best.


What about eating arrangements and lunch stop food?


Just giving you the heads up that there's more to an AR than a route (although that is very important ;) )

[NTECUK]

You could approach the site that was used in 2013.

[Matt-EUC]

You could approach the site that was used in 2013.


Nope! No facilities, repeated complaints of food poisoning.

[Tomor]

Ha, repeated claims.....

Sent from my magical portable device

[DJ123]

Nope! No facilities, repeated complaints of food poisoning.

Ha, repeated claims.....

Sent from my magical portable device



We've eaten there fairly frequent & only one of us has ever felt a bit 'dodgy' afterwards. Everyone else was fine. A bit harsh to slate a place that does good food and is packed every weekend with repeat business customers . . . .

[Matt-EUC]

I know of three people who have been ill after eating there, it's plausible that it's coincidence but I'm not comfortable risking it.

I'm not turning it down on that alone. My other comment stands, there are no facilities and there are enough places not too far away that do.

It would be nice to show the org different parts of Hampshire too.

[Spank86]

How long after eating there?

[Matt-EUC]

12-24 hours.


As I said, it's not entirely about the food.

I have found a place where they can cater for us and have toilets and showers.

I would have almost certainly chosen the west meon hut had it had facilities.

I want to take the org to other places as well.

[Spank86]

12-24 hours.

I think you should check how long it takes food poisoning to develop.

12 hours is too soon.

[Matt-EUC]

Does it really matter?

I have other reasons for going elsewhere.

[Spank86]

Does it really matter?

I have other reasons for going elsewhere.

It does if you want to spread **** about a place.

I don't think any of us would see the point of merely replicating an old AR when there are other options but that's no reason to make stuff up about a Perfectly fine pub.

[Matt-EUC]

I haven't made anything up.

I have eaten there myself many times in the past and have had no issue.

But, people who have eaten there have gotten sick. Because of that I don't feel it's worth the risk.

Whether it was food poisoning or not is irrelevant.


I have given multiple other reasons for going elsewhere.

[Red Herring]

I think you should check how long it takes food poisoning to develop.

12 hours is too soon.

It all depends on the incubation period of the particular bug.

12 hours would do nicely for Bacillus Cereus which can be found in rice for example.

Salmonella in eggs and some undercooked meat can be 12-72 hours.

Campylobacter on the other hand which can be found in undercooked poultry is typically 2-5 days.

Matt, you're the one doing all the work, you don't need to give a reason for picking a venue so don't worry about it.

[BBadger]

Im game. just give me a heads up.

[littleoldman2]

Tomorrow is deadline day. Good Luck.

[kaivalagi]

Yeah, good luck Matt

[Wideboy]

No but you do have to back up your statements about a well used and successful eating establishment making people ill on a public forum. You can get ill from having something under your finger nail and chewing them, if you feel it's true then report them for an investigation. As for the singular apparent case of "food poisoning" on the GMAR (despite 3 other people eating that exact meal at the same time and being fine), they drove over 100 miles home 2-3 hour's after their life threatening illness.....

Not singling you out Matt, if you get it then good luck. You'll get people complain about the most stupid of things and you won't satisfy everyone, some people are just born whingers. For example GMAR had free camping, free use of facilities and a free thunder box supplied and paid for by dirtydog to satisfy some whinging and there were complaints about a suggestion that org'ers might be inclined to buy some drinks from the pub simply as they've been kind enough to let us stay there for free. You also had people complanine about things none of the organisers had any control over.

Seriously you could do an all expenses paid AR to the Bahamas and people would whinge about not having a passport.

[Spank86]

... and a free thunder box supplied and paid for by dirtydog
Plus extensive testing of said box to make sure it could handle any eventuality.

[Matt-EUC]

The thunder box was one of the reasons for going somewhere else.

Nobody wants to be covered in ****. Do they Adam?

[Spank86]

I've suffered worse for longer.


It isn't ideal though no.

[Matt-EUC]

I've suffered worse for longer.




What you do for pleasure is none of our concern ;)

[The Idle Biker]

Whats all the shizzle about no facilities last year? I sneaked into the Ladies loo in the pub as soon as it opened and washed by tackle and crack in the sink and dried them in the Dyson hand dryer. I thought it was lovely.