Round Britain - Saturday 4 to Saturday 11 August 2007

[GBRIBChallenge]

What-ho m'hearties.

A couple of friends and I are off round our wonderful island in August and would dearly enjoy the company of some similarly minded chaps or chapesses.

Please get in touch with me via the following:

george@gbribchallenge.co.uk
0781 666 8388
www.GBRIBChallenge.co.uk

Thanking you all very much in advance,
G.

[The Jackeens]

If we're around and in the vicinity we'll get out there.
Be glad to encourage any intrepids around anything

(We're keen to set a record around Whale Island or somehere. It may involve cutting through land. Better ask Pete 7. )

Kathleen & Paul

[Brian]

Would you like to tell us a little more about it?

[GBRIBChallenge]

Happy to tell you more about it.

We're a crew of all Ocean Rowers with at least one Ocean already under our belts each. I had planned to cycle from Canada to Mexico this summer but due to work problems I can only get at most two weeks off work in August, so I / we started looking around for something else a little whacky to entertain ourselves. They cycle ride will be next year, if anyone wants to come along.

The RIB challenge was borne of an idle moment on eBay (God bless eBay) and I naively see it as an easily achievable challenge… (Ho ho, how I'll eat those ill chosen words in August!)

So in terms of planning, we don't plan to plan too much. We'll be doing some trials as soon as we have our RIB to determine min / max distances and will from there work out fuel stops. We’re also going to have the RIB coded or brought close to code because due to our background in blue water expeds we’re only too aware of how badly wrong things can go – and of course how much danger it is possible to put your rescuers in when you set off the EPIRB.

We’re likely to use a 5.6 or 6m Osprey hard nose deep-v since these seem to be the daddies and cost 5-10k.

So that’s about it really. Early plans are to leave on the first day of Cow’s week and be back in time for the fireworks at the end of the week. We’re a sociable lot so if you like a beer you’ll fit in just fine. If you prefer an early night, that’s cool too, but would you mind checking the 2-stroke oil and the weather charts for the next day?

It’d be excellent if we could find some friends to come along their RIBs and come round with us as this would increase the safety factor. We’ll also be taking a couple of Inmarsat-B beacons (left over from a row) to give online tracking every 15mins or so which means if you’d like to pop out and join us for an afternoon as we pass by your home port it’ll be very easy to meet up. We’ll publish our MMSI when we have it.

Any questions? 0781 666 8388 or post away.
G.

[GBRIBChallenge]

If anyone has done this before, I'd really like to have a chat. Can anyone recomend anyone??

Ta
G.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by GBRIBChallenge

If anyone has done this before, I'd really like to have a chat. Can anyone recomend anyone??

Ta
G.

I believe Brian is already in contact with you but he's been around a couple of times. (well one of those times he only made it 3/4's of the way & learnt a valuable lesson about pub lock-ins and not falling over ). Do a search for 'RB4' which was a Rib event organised by Rib International magazine back in 2001 for under 5m RIBS.

[springtide66]

Good luck to you!
We will try to get out and see you off!!
Keep us up to speed............

[John Kennett]

You've got 8 days which is ample if the weather is OK. There's no need to stay on the boat all the time, unless it's your idea of fun which is fair enough. A couple of hundred miles each day followed by a couple of beers and a B&B would be a much better idea!

The route we used in 1999 worked pretty well, although Hull wasn't a particularly good choice. Brian may have better ideas for that part of the country.

As you have probably gathered, petrol is the biggest logistical challenge but I'm sure you'll manage.

Just keep your fingers crossed for some good weather . . .

John

[castle519]

Is this still on?

Let us know and will come out to see you.

cheers

[GBRIBChallenge]

I hope so. The first RIB fell through and we're looking at an ex MoD boat tomorrow - can use red so should be a LOT cheaper and easier to find fuel...

Will check back in when I have more news...