Robocourier

Sunday 24th February 2013 Finally arrived at Huttoft Car Terrace a bit later than planned to find most of it under a foot of sand. Despite there being 'No Camping or Overnight Parking' we were lucky enough to find a spot amongst the dozen or so camper vans that had been parked there since the Eighties, complete with New Age Travellers aboard. The park and ride system worked well enough. You park up, set up and ride away. All on the beach; no parking fees, no tents, no lugging over sand dunes. Wind was about 45 degrees onshore and blowing around 20-25mph. The van provided a beach shelter, with the back doors open a wind break and, with the heater on, relief from the sub-zero wind chill. Tide was on its way out but there was a fair bit of water still on the beach. However there was a good 30 metre wide strip for as far as the eye could see both up and down the beach. Upwind was a slog with our lowly Accesses, although as the beach curved round the need to tack became uneccessary as we made our way towards Mablethorpe village. After nearly 4 miles, as we approached the Southern end of Mable, we were prevented from going to see Mick due to the Hillbillies and Rednecks patrolling the beach for the sand racers. So, time for the downward run. The sand was firm and good for bigfoots and speed quickly picked up, running steadily at 35-40mph. Due to the proximity of both the sea and the promenade it seemed a lot faster. Manoeuvering the posts guarding the overflows at that speed was frightening, knowing the gap was only twice the width of the rear axle. The beach was pretty much deserted but for the odd dog walker, blasting back down the beach reaching over 45mph at one point and heading towards Anderby Creek. The beach was superb for a winter run but is never going to be safe enough to do that in the Summer, simply not enough space. A more favourable wind direction would have seen us improve on the 8 mile circuit offered today. The day redefined the word 'cold'. I've never had hands so cold that I've struggled to hold my dick to pee. A quick break and warm up and back out for more. The tide was now coming in fast and the strip narrowed further. Runs up and down the beach were getting shorter as the tide cut off passable routes until we squeezed our last 12 minutes from the available space. 12 minutes we wouldn't have got at Mablethorpe. Finally, after a few excursions into the dunes, we were spent. A terrific day, only ever going to happen on an empty beach. http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/Robocourier/IMAG0267.jpg Huttoft Park 'n Ride Scheme http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/Robocourier/IMAG0269.jpg View from the Beach Shelter http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/Robocourier/90af3c19-0929-4d4e-b6b9-829fe07a2022.jpg The Proof is in the Pudding

Micks Rules!

Where's the GPS pic?? My review later.

Yes, I know. But we won't be able to fly to Seally end from Huttoft end cos they'll be in the middle.

Looks like there's beach racing on this Sunday at Mablethorpe. That puts pay to linking up with Huttoft then

Low tide at Mable is 11.15 so Huttoft about 11.27 (!). Was fancying a change of scenery by going somewhere else plus if you can park on the beach terrace I don't need to put a tent up and can explore without worrying about leaving gear on the beach. Plus the NNE will make it difficult to get up the bit that we're not supposed to fly in anyway (you know, where there's often dead seals). The wind should freeze that cold out of you tomorrow; it looks biting @3 deg. I'll speak to the guys I'm going with and have a vote. I take it you didn't go over in the week as we haven't heard about it on here???!

Pm'd you.

Hope they're not going to be left sitting in the garage. They'd look good on my buggy at a reasonable price.

Aiming for around 8.30 depending on lager consumption the night before and how long I fall asleep in McD's car park in Spalding. Low tide is 11.15 so I'd like to be ready for it.

Don't remember lending you a fiver last year so it must have been the year before! And yes, the beach will probably be wider at the North end especially as the tide will be going right out too. Last time I went a few weeks back it was also a low low tide and the beach was in really good shape. Hardly any craters or gullies. What time will you be getting there?? Still may go South but intend to do some exploring so will no doubt meet up at some time. Got a new buggy since last time but I still fly my Accesses. Guessing on a 6m at this point so it will be a red one.

Are you selling the wheels in the pics??

It takes roughly 12 minutes at an average of 30mph to do one circuit on the beach at Mable North. Just when you'd thought about giving up you'd find you'd have enough time to do one more lap. And it could be the best lap of the day. Would you want to miss that chance??

Lol. Timing is everything. I think you'll find it's an extra 12 minutes (approx) as Skegness is an extra 25 minutes. Thanks papa.

Mick, have you been to Huttoft/Sandilands before?? Wondering how firm the sand is for a mate on midis. Wind wise it should take better advantage of the NNE forecast as the beach is angled slightly more to W. Slightly later tide than Mable too so longer before the tide swallows us up.

starring House 0.07 Looks good for a lazy arse like me.

And now I've You Tube'd it. Do I see parking on the beach??!! Could really cope with that. Where's the best access point??

Buggy, maybe. Water, no. It means more kit, more space and more time. Can't really afford any of them so need to concentrate on what I've got. Huttoft Bank. What's the score there?? just Google Earthed it and it looks similar to Mable. Could cope with that.

Skegg's a bit more N-S and a NNE will make it a bit tough for us Access lighweights to get up the beach. Mable's a bit more NNW-SSE so it'll give us a bit more of a chance to run up and down the 'small' circuit. Bloody deadbeats, spoiling everyone elses fun.

Sunday is winding up nicely even if it comes forward a bit and stays at NNE. Potential for a blast. Low Tide 11.15am so will be there early.

Are you going tomorrow Mick?? Still aiming for the weekend as the wind is still looking good and tides are reasonable.

I was wondering whether there was some kind of puller that should be used. But I'll have a go at using a drift.

I'm trying to remove a pair of wheel bearings and spacer from an alloy hub. There are a pair of dimples in one end of the spacer (on opposite sides). Any suggestions on how to safely remove these without damaging the hub?? Pic attached. I'm not sure about prising them out with a screwdriver as you can usually get away with on a plastic rim. Thanks for any help.

Midweek???!!! Get a job! If it lasts till Saturday I'll be there. Good to meet up, Mick.

Sold subject to payment.