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Bonfire night ride; Re-run of last year's excellent outing
Topic Started: Sep 30 2012, 05:51 PM (960 Views)
belugabob
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Mudking
Anybody got a large plastic sheet, that'll fit in a camelbak?
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belugabob
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Mudking
Roll call time - who's going tomorrow?

20:00 rollout from the uni car park at Stanmer.
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JimXC27
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Mud Connoisseur
I'm there mate.
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belugabob
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Mudking
Darth/Ashley/Jax/Jim/Ming - you still planning to meet us up at the viewpoint?
We should be there a little before 21:00

Looks like just me and JimXC27 so far.
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darth vader
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Mudking
Sorry cant make it ear infection I dont think I could balance on a bike
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belugabob
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Mudking
darth vader,Nov 5 2012
02:05 PM
Sorry cant make it ear infection I dont think I could balance on a bike

That explains a lot ;)

Catch you next time.
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JimXC27
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Got a tarp, prepping some mulled wine and some dry/smoked Polish sausages. Ready to rock.

Now just hope the bike works...
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drbike
Collecting Speckles
Me and my mate Robby are coming tonight :)
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Chadders
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Going to be very cold with a brisk northerly. Wrap up guys! Have fun!
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belugabob
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Mudking
drbike,Nov 5 2012
04:17 PM
Me and my mate Robby are coming tonight :)

Great - see you there!
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belugabob
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Mudking
Don't be late, if you're starting at Stanmer - we'll be leaving at 20:00 on the nose.
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JimXC27
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Mud Connoisseur
bar the usual jim-faffage
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belugabob
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drbike,Nov 5 2012
04:17 PM
Me and my mate Robby are coming tonight  :)


Sorry we missed you - not sure whether you stayed at home or just went to a different place.

We didn't get to the car park until dead on 20:00 - due to not being able to find my glasses (important for driving)

Started the ride at 20:20 (Nothing to do with with the glasses providing perfect vision ;)) and arrived at the viewpoint - after a long squelchy climb - at 21:15

It was truly nippy in the wind, but two bikes leaning against each other and draped with a plastic sheet make for a pretty effective windbreak, and we were soon settled in - enjoying coffee, mulled wine, polish sausages and chocolate chip cookies.

Our excellent vantage point revealed a few red glows, amongst the lights of Lewes, revealing that some of the bonfires were starting and, slightly to the west, the moon had risen - with an eerie red glow!

At about 22:00, the displays started to get underway and things looked a little out of control

The various bonfire sites across the town (each run by a different 'society') took it in turns to up the ante on things such as number of fireworks launched per second, the amount of different colours present at once, the loudness of the bangs and the sheer brightness of the explosions.

Just when we thought things were dying down, another cluster of fireworks would erupt from a different part of the town to keep our attention.

The best part of the evening was provided, courtesy of our choice of viewpoint, was the westernmost display point - being only about 400 yards away, this was by far the most impressive. The surprising bit was when the really bright fireworks exploded, lighting up the landscape, revealing the fact that we were surrounded by sheep!
:o

Eventually, the displays ceased, and it was time (23:00) to head back to the car. after packing up the kit, we retraced our steps, via very slippy, squelchy mud and frost covered grass, to the safety of the car and, after dropping Jim off, finally got home at 01:00


We seriously need to get organised for this next year, as a bigger group would be able to carry a few more things that would make the viewing a bit more comfortable

It's in my diary for next year already - thanks for the company (and the wine/sausages) Jim!

:ph43r:
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sallyb
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Slightly Splattered
Glad you had a good evening. I really enjoyed it last year. Still suffering from a cold and Ollie was on call which was why we couldnt make it. Look forward to next year though.

Sally.
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guy
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Mudking
Sound like you had a good (if cold) viewpoint...still can't quite get over the 80+ reported injuries requiring medical attention from the Lewes display last night being discribed as "a safe and successful night" :blink:

Or the 2 people left blinded last year...er...

Mental.

Next year will they just stop all the faffing around and simply set the whole town on fire while setting off a few howitzers, calling in a large scale Naval bombardment, getting the RAF to strafe the surrounding area before, as a grand finale, nuking the site from orbit as "it's the only way to be sure"?

Traditions eh? ;)

And yes, I am only jealous as I missed both Halloween and Bonfire night due to work and also forgot to get any sparklers so even my traditional November 5th "run round the back garden waving two bits of white hot burning metal" couldn't happen :(

Still, no trick or treaters so we ate all the sweets :)
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Rich_F
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Mudthing
Excellent stuff Bob !

Glad you had a good night. Its such a special view from up there :)

shame its such a late night (well that's late for me :))

R

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drbike
Collecting Speckles
we went but no one there?? <_<
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belugabob
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drbike,Nov 9 2012
08:54 AM
we went but no one there?? <_<

Depends where 'there' was, I suppose.
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