East Herts Laning Day - 4th December

[gregster]

BadBoy (with Bobbins as co-pilot)
RobFog
Tom
Retro Pedro
andytats
Tazman
Bushwacker
Wideformat
Hipo1024

[stretch]

Yeah count me and the wench in

[BadBoy]

BadBoy (with Bobbins as co-pilot)
RobFog
Tom
Retro Pedro
andytats
Tazman
Bushwacker
Wideformat
Hipo1024
Stretch

Would anyone like to volunteer to lead a third group if we get any more names?

[bushwacker]

hi ya has any one got a linky for green lane maps of the area?

[Retro Pedro]

Would anyone like to voulenteer to lead a third group if we get any more names?

Here we go with the Pluses and Minuses.
Plus - got a laplop with maps on
Minus - got no means of charging it whilst we're out, so once the battery dies, that's it - unless there's a cheapo gizmo on the market that I could buy in time that would plug into the 12 volt cig lighter to feed the lappy.

Another minus - I certainly haven't got any local knowledge of the area and not sure if my sharp shooter riding shot gun in the front seat as either

[fogman]

Minus - got no means of charging it whilst we're out, so once the battery dies, that's it - unless there's a cheapo gizmo on the market that I could buy in time that would plug into the 12 volt cig lighter to feed the lappy.

1 of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-500W-Watt ... 3a6ab22046

[Retro Pedro]

Minus - got no means of charging it whilst we're out, so once the battery dies, that's it - unless there's a cheapo gizmo on the market that I could buy in time that would plug into the 12 volt cig lighter to feed the lappy.

1 of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-500W-Watt ... 3a6ab22046

Got one of them fogman, but it's a long-term mod (been very long to date already because I bought it well over a year ago ). I would need to sort wiring it up and running the cables through etc.
On a serious note, I was thinking of something that would plug straight into the cigarette lighter. I know they exists because Paul (mapracing) runs his works lappy off it.

[hipo1024]

Foggy - Are them inverters any good? Because 500W at that price is flipping good!!

Retro Pedro - Also you could just rig up a temp wiring solution to get you through the day and make it more permanent at a later date??

[Retro Pedro]

Cheers Rob - guess it's the 120W that's the important factor - my lappy is an old Compaq 2131so I guess that power supply will to the job - or does it just charge the lappy battery and the computer runs off it's battery.

[BadBoy]

hi ya has any one got a linky for green lane maps of the area?

We tend to use Memory Map (http://www.memory-map.co.uk) to plan routes. RobFog or myself can show you this on the day as it's offline
For online maps, there's OS Maps http://www.getamap.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk/, and another favourite is Where's the path http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm
I tend to use MM and where's the path, then compare Where's the path to Google Maps Street View, to check the entrance/exit for signs of restrictions in conjunction with local TRO information from council websites (example http://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=51.920106, ... 5,,0,17.36)

Rob, if you can work some of the Therfield and Sandon lanes into the route that would be great. (think we'll give Ashwell a miss though lol)

As the first section of the planned route isn't that interesting, that may be an option. I'll have a look and email you both my thoughts (MM file) if we're going to amend the route as it needs local knowledge. How long does the lane at Ashwell normally take to do????

Would anyone like to volunteer to lead a third group if we get any more names?

TBH I think we'll be ok, but if your happy to do it and we get any more people then we may have to break up the 2 groups we have at the moment to 3. Just need to keep options open


As the OP can I ask that any more chat about inverters is done on a new thread please so to keep this on topic

[BadBoy]

Information Update
I will PM everyone on the list my mobile number by Thursday evening so please check for PM's after 8pm.
If you are unable to attend on the day, can you please call me before 10am so we're not waiting for you to arrive. This also applies if you are running late. We can wait, but only if we know you're going to be late

I have confirmed our booking for lunch at [linkurl=http://www.brownbearpub.co.uk/]The Brown Bear in Braughing[/linkurl]. Sunday roast is available from £6.95. Lunch in the pub is optional, but proved a popular last time we did this route. The pub is child friendly.

Lastly, it has been pointed out to me that the postcode on the first post may take you to the wrong address
The full address is
Sainsburys Stores
Coreys Mill
Hitchin Road
STEVENAGE
[linkurl=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Sainsburys+Coreys+Mill,+Hitchin+Road&hl=en&ll=51.92565,-0.217924&spn=0.00696,0.021136&sll=51.923957,-0.217205&sspn=0.00348,0.010568&vpsrc=6&hq=Sainsburys+Coreys+Mill,+Hitchin+Road&t=m&z=16]Clicky map[/linkurl]

[wideformat]

Will we need to bring any special bits and pieces with us or just the normal stuff you use when out for a Sunday drive for e.g. a CB etc ?

[BadBoy]

You should only need to bring yourself and any passengers.
There will be people in each group that have recovery gear, although this shouldn't be needed.
A CB is not really necessary, but if you have a CB radio bring it along as it is desirable for the leader to talk to the last car in the convoy. CB's can also provide a good laugh with chit-chat throughout the day
Warm, waterproof clothing (just in case)
Wellys incase you need to get out of your truck on a muddy lane.
Flask of tea/coffee + snacks + packed lunch if you are not eating in the pub
Camera and/or video camera
Wet Wipes/loo roll (just in case too )
A basic toolkit is also a good idea, but again I would expect that between us we'd have enough should anyone breakdown.

My only other tips would be, check your car over the day beforehand (oil, water, tyres etc.) and check your journey time to our meeting point. Remember that if coming from the south via the M25 that there are roadworks between J20-23 (M1 to A1). Please allow extra time for this.

Finally, have a read of this document - http://www.fronteraowners.co.uk/downloa ... ctions.pdf - It's an excellent guide to laning prepared by our own Trugga

[wideformat]

You should only need to bring yourself and any passengers.
There will be people in each group that have recovery gear, although this shouldn't be needed.
A CB is not really necessary, but if you have a CB radio bring it along as it is desirable for the leader to talk to the last car in the convoy. CB's can also provide a good laugh with chit-chat throughout the day
Warm, waterproof clothing (just in case)
Wellys incase you need to get out of your truck on a muddy lane.
Flask of tea/coffee + snacks + packed lunch if you are not eating in the pub
Camera and/or video camera
Wet Wipes/loo roll (just in case too )
A basic toolkit is also a good idea, but again I would expect that between us we'd have enough should anyone breakdown.

My only other tips would be, check your car over the day beforehand (oil, water, tyres etc.) and check your journey time to our meeting point. Remember that if coming from the south via the M25 that there are roadworks between J20-23 (M1 to A1). Please allow extra time for this.

Finally, have a read of this document - http://www.fronteraowners.co.uk/downloa ... ctions.pdf - It's an excellent guide to laning prepared by our own Trugga

Thanks for the link to the laning instructions most of the stuff is common sense but its well written and very helpful, Sunday can't come soon enough

[tom]

tazman will not be coming

BadBoy (with Bobbins as co-pilot)
RobFog
Tom
Retro Pedro
andytats
Bushwacker
Wideformat
Hipo1024
Stretch

[bigmike]

Cracking Day out lads good to see those that i have met before and nice to see some new faces.

Hopfully see you all again in the not to distant future.

Pics on Photo bucket see below link:

http://s1044.photobucket.com/albums/b449/mike_grange/

BIG MIKE (BUSHWACKERS SON)

[gregster]

Good day out, riding shotgun with RetroPedro with Davetherave in the high chair...

Great to catch up with some members that I havent seen in a while, and a newbie to who has been avoiding us I think! LOL...

Thanks to Pete for his chauffeuring and Badboy/Bobbinsjob for the lanes.

[wideformat]

Good day out, riding shotgun with RetroPedro with Davetherave in the high chair...

Great to catch up with some members that I havent seen in a while, and a newbie to who has been avoiding us I think! LOL...

Thanks to Pete for his chauffeuring and Badboy/Bobbinsjob for the lanes.

Now I have met some of you the only way you're know iv'e been avoiding you is if I turn up to the next one lol

A really good day out thanks to those who did the organising and the rest who made it enjoyable.
Bring on the next one................

[BadBoy]

Huge thanks to everyone that made it today.
Unfortunately RobFog and Stretch both had to drop out last minute, but 7 of us was still enough to run 2 groups.

The morning started off a bit slow with MM issues. As Rob was unable to make it some last minute improvisation was needed with RetroPedro and Tom both having MM but not having ever led a group (Thank you both). Then finding out my CB wouldn't transmit further than it could see , but perseverance payed off. Then after lunch Tom had to drop out due to engine issues (hope everything's ok now), but we continued on to do both fords in Latchford (as seen in Bigmikes photos), as well Retropedro doing some nice drifting through Barwick ford with this locked up rear diff (maybe I should have warned you it was slippery ), as well as some of the finer lanes in the area.

Was great to meet some people I haven't seen for a while as well as and also to meet Wideformat for the first time.

Hope everyone had a great day

[Retro Pedro]

Cheers Paul and Ian for organising this event - thoroughly enjoyed it and even got to get the underneath of the car cleaned in the bargin.
Was good to meet up with some old faces and say hello again plus meet wideformat for the first time.
Does anybody know if Dan made it home OK?