I think I'd like to start this by expressing some appreciation. To everyone that could make it, sharing their picnics & creating the warm, friendly vibe that we are so fortunate to share. And to those who couldn't - you were missed.
To everyone wishing us well for our 10th year, to all our fantastic photographers, to everyone taking the time to visit us, writing trip reports, making videos, joining our debates & discussions, & to everyone reading.
I'm not going to name individual names because there are so many people who have input to making this so special for me. But you all know who you are, & why I appreciate your efforts & the things you have done for us.

Its the people that make this little group as special as it is, as fun as it is, as geeky as it is, and as peaceful as it is!
This all started a decade ago with a small gallery of 'The Antelope'! - I had NO idea I was going to experience such wonderful excursions & treasured friendships.

So please charge & raise your glasses, & join me in a toast to the beautiful people around you.
And thank you so very, very much.
Col. xxx
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OK, with speeches out the way, lets begin... with the video:


Summer 2012 had so far been wet, VERY wet. With persistent miserable weather we weren't sure wether to cancel or postpone out 10th anniversary picnic. Miraculously the promising break in climate came just in time, making our picnic at Wicksteed a beautiful sunny occaision.

Thanks again to Martyn for pointing out the 2-4-1 vouchers which we gratefully made use of. £6 parking is no objection when we're paying £6 per person for rides!
So the rides at Wicksteed aren't record breakers, but a group of like-minded fun-loving individuals can have just as much fun as at the larger parks... without the Qs! Most we waited was around 10 mins while they cleaned the paratrooper following a protein spill! And around 10 mins for the go-karts, which are included with a wristband & NOT an upcharge attraction. Again Merlin, take note!

On with the pics. Many of these are courtesy of Jiffy, who took some stunning photos during the day.
We start off with the park's largest ride, a Pinfari coaster. Smooth, but whippy as Pinfari's usually are!






Anyone with us on Knightmare's opening day may remember this flume being delivered to Camelot, which came from Folkestone. The construction company who built Knightmare stored it at Camelot before Wicksteed purchased it. 4 years later, the ride is in great condition, with some of the cleanest flume water I think I've ever seen!






Cant keep geeks from kids coasters, whoever invented coaster-counting has a lot to answer for!




Next up, Paratrooper. This went on & on & on, no wonder it got spewed on just before we rode, even hardened riders like Runt came off feeling unwell!






Go karts - see-ing as they're included with the wristband - why not eh?


Lunchtime! Everyone had gone overboard so we had loads to eat & drink.


Including birthday cake, cupcakes & pink bubbly!


After lunch: Laser Extreme followed by fun on the dodgems




So far Kumba has ridden 199 coasters... so guess which he rides next?


Clarence the Clown!!


You get 4 rides on the Astro slide - there's no way our lot can make it up those stairs 4 times though! Time to work off that lunch!




With time rapidly running out, I am dismayed when Adam suggests riding this tower! Darren & Frase try to share a seat, Darren suddenly realises he is not safe!


So its all change! We dont know who the old guy next to Linda is or where he came from!
Darren however, seems to have gone from 1 extreme to the other!


After more faffing & waiting... the ride is now overweight so 1/2 the people have to leave...! The remaining riders eventually get to experience what looks like a better drop than SubTerra!


The twin Pirate ships at Wicksteed are quite beautiful. With carved wooden boats, with breasts!


Last time I visited (4 years ago to the day!), only the British ship was in use. It was nice to see both ships in use today, although not simultaneously. Apparently the A-frame 'walks' when both sides are in use!



With time for 1 more attraction, some of us ride the Carousel & visit the bar,


while the rest of us have a go at the crazy golf.


with SCARY clowns!


I wonder which STD is about to sit on?!


Having kindly arranged accomm for us all at Holiday Inn, it seems a day in the sun may be bit much for Deb, who takes a snooze!


A rather disturbing photo of Simon!! Poor lad had his eyes set on this peddle carousel ALL day, & was gutted the kids were still on it preventing him having a go!


With the bar still open, we sit out the dusk at the bar before retiring.


With many thanks again to everyone for coming along, making a great day. To Jiffy for the photos, and to Debi for arranging our accommodation.
Its been a wonderful ten years, culminating in a day out I'll always treasure the memories from.
And thank YOU for reading.
Col.xx

Great TR and video Col and photos Jiffy.

Really pleased that you all had a good day and that the weather held up.

Gutted I couldnt make it, but an urgent work project was calling my name. I was hoping I was going to get finished by early evening on Saturday, so I could at least pop in for a drink. but alas, it didnt work out that way and I got home in the early hours of the morning, with a few hours sleep before heading to Harwich and to pick up Em...

Ah well, heres to the next 10 years and hopefully will be there for the 20th anniversary.

Here is my report with the pictures.

I’d also like to start by saying a final thank you to everyone who made the day a special one. I think I’ve been here from the start (give or take a few months) and what UK Rides has become in those 10 years is nothing short of amazing. There are too many things to mention over the 10 years, so I’ll just say this... to everyone who I have met, I consider you all really good friends and those that just read the forum, thanks again for listening to me bang on for 10 years. You are all welcome to my house anytime for a chat and a beer, just say the words.

Congratulations go out to our host, Col. Thanks for giving us all a place to share our shared passion of rides and everything in between. We have a unique group here (every forum boasts this) but I think we are one of the best around, I really do. I have really enjoyed my time here and it has helped me through some tough times of health etc myself, with the understanding of what were strangers to good friends, it warms the heart to know people like us still do exist in broken Britain and around the world. Thanks and here’s to the next 10 years! Cheers.

Here come the pictures...


















































Thanks for reading...

Happy 10th Anniversary to Ukrides - It looks like you all had a great time together. Shame I couldn't make it over to Wicksteed, something else took the priority that day.

Clarence the Clown Coaster - yay Ex-BPB's Circus Clown lives on !

Yes, was good to see coaster again. Infact there are a few rides from Beaver Creek in that area.

Interesting, what other Beaver Creek rides do they have ?

Fantastic day!!!
Great pics and trip reports above ^^
I agree with Kev, its a unique group but most of all, a very friendly group with the empthasis always on just having fun.
Great to see old friends again and make new ones We even had a '12 minute' trans atlantic toilet break chat to Tanky
Oh and well done to Adam for his 200th coaster being Top Thrill Dragster . . . oh hang on, no it wasnt, it was actually the clown coaster that we know as Clarence Oh well, they all count LOL
Well done again to Colin and heres to the next 10 years . . .and for keeping Nick off those charlatan lucozade drinks haha
Cheers

If I remember rightly there was the little space rocket thingy that spun and is raised into the air. They also had Camelot's old crazy golf course, that was situated infront of the castle up by Whirlwind/Knightmare.

I think those Honey Pot Bear teacup things came from Blackpool...?

^ yes and those, well remebered!

I guess this is an appropriate place to start with catching up on posting trip reports.

Back in 2007 I moved to London knowing just one person. Anyone who has moved a significant distance from "home" will empathise with how hard it is to settle in to a foreign city. Determined not to let this city break me, I set up camp for an indefinite amount of time (I'm one of those lucky buggers who holds two passports ).

Fast forward to 2009, I went on a date that didn't go too well which I walked away from a lot earlier than expected. By this time I had made a few friends and also reconnected with a mate who had moved from Sydney to London some time ago. Being at a loose end, I called a mate seeing if he wanted to go out for a pint or two. He was off to a party and invited me along as his plus one.

I got to chatting to some people at the party and to one friendly bloke in particular. We got to talking about my impending trip to LA to meet up friends from home for a holiday and mentioned that I was going over a couple of days earlier to visit Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm before meeting up with my mates.

And from that moment onwards I had made a friend for life. Col and I were then deep in conversation about theme parks and roller coasters for the rest of the night. I had already seen UK Rides before moving to London and was quite impressed I had met the owner.

Col, I can't thank you enough for walking into my life. You are responsible for releasing my inner geek and are one of the main reasons why I stay in this country. You have helped make friends and gone out of your way to help me indulge in my passion for all things coaster related.

As for Wicksteed, it couldn't be more perfect. The weather was great, the atmosphere friendly and relaxed ... it was a great day.

I didn't take many photos but, as is now tradition, I did do a check in picture:



Here's to the next ten years!!

Wow, it's only been three months!
Yeah, sad I missed that day. Hard to believe Yukkies is 10 years old - though I've only been here since 2006. Four years until I can celebrate 10 years with Yukkies (and the Rio Olympics - heh!)

aww, Adam... touched. xx

This little community is what is it is because of the people that are here... the genuine friendships we've made & the harmony we've developed. Thats thanks to ALL who contribute, past, present & future.

... none of this is chore, its an absolute pleasure, touring the globe, riding the coasters, discussing & debating, & just spending the quality time. I cherish the friendships, the TRs, pics, the videos & the memories. It sounds corny, but I honestly feel that when we depart this world we can say "we LIVED!", & be proud & grateful about that.

Nice words Adam, very nice.