UK Meeting - Autumn meeting?

[Grant Johnson]

We have 492 registered for the UK meeting and 95+% paid!

With 2 1/2 months to go - and traditionally half the entries come in the last couple of months - we are obviously well and truly sold out. When we hit 500 paid we're closing it as promised. Those registered and unpaid are out of luck.
The hard part is going to be saying no at the gate. We are not looking forward to that and feel bad already that people who want to come will miss out.

So we'd love to have another meeting, there is clearly loads of interest, but we need your help!

We've thought of moving to a whole new location with a capacity of up to 1,000 but we think that will take away from the small cozy friendly "HU Community" feeling that we think - and you've told us - is so important.

Bristol Community are working hard to get a meeting going but don't have a super good location on the level of Ripley yet, so that won't substitute, but it will make a great smaller meeting for those in the area.

We're wondering what we can do - another meeting? Same location different date? Different location and date?

Perhaps September in Ripley?
Dates for a second meeting this year? Next year?

Please let us know what you think, all suggestions appreciated - and I think most important get out there and find us another location! Perhaps Southwest? Or North?

Location requirements for a second meeting:

1. Capacity - at least 250 people
2. Good camping
3. Good pub / restaurant
4. Presentation rooms
5. Friendly owners!
6. "away from the public / roads etc location"

over to you lot to tell us what you want...

thanks, Grant and Susan

[David L]

I'd certainly be keen on a second meeting as I can't make the dates for the first one. Personally I have no preference to the same or different venue just so long as its a different date. September would be fine.

David

[Tim Cullis]

There's a lot of things going for Ripley--it's pretty central in the UK, it has offroad tracks nearby, the facilities are tried and tested, etc., etc. So it makes logistical sense to reuse Ripley.

I can't put my finger on exactly why, however, but I think to run a second meeting at the same location would NOT be a good idea.

If Bristol isn't possible, maybe Mid Wales, or near Salisbury Plain?

[JimOD]

I like Ripley but I agree that a second meet there wouldn't be a great idea. It would dilute the original meet I think.
I know of a hotel in Southern Scotland, Lanarkshire, that hosts bike rallies. Well it hosts one for definite and that rally has over 300 at it. They camp in the grounds and some book rooms in the hotel. Unfortunately I don't know how to run a rally or organise it
I'll email Grant with the hotel website and see what he thinks.
Jim

Originally Posted by Tim Cullis

There's a lot of things going for Ripley--it's pretty central in the UK, it has offroad tracks nearby, the facilities are tried and tested, etc., etc. So it makes logistical sense to reuse Ripley.

I can't put my finger on exactly why, however, but I think to run a second meeting at the same location would NOT be a good idea.

If Bristol isn't possible, maybe Mid Wales, or near Salisbury Plain?

[PASSING PHASE]

How about this place near Andover Wyke down farm looks like southern version of Ripley.If thay would be able to cater for meet?
I have no connection with this place

[*Touring Ted*]

I think Cornwall or Devon would be a lovely place for a second meeting. Especially Cornwall really. LOADS of camping infastructure, beautiful beaches and riding roads and a large traveller, hippy feeling down there.

Probably not the easiest best location for us folks up north but the weather in the South West is almost continental !! (Remember Ripley 07)

:r ain:

[henryuk]

I would definitely be in favour of there being one meeting that everyone could go to, its a great opportunity to put faces to some of the many names and psuedo-names!

Is it essential to have it at a permanent facility such as lumb farm? I do a fair bit of work with festivals each summer and getting a temporary events notice that would permit the sale of alcohol and food along with people camping on-site etc shouldn't be too hard. If people think this would be acceptable then I will happily arrange all the paperwork - we just need a landowner with some fields who doesn't mind bikes and wouldn't say no to a few hundred quid.

Another advantage of doing it like this is we could take some of the income generated from and food sales to plough back into HU, plus we could have more live music etc

[g&s2up]

Help after two weeks I am now addicted to this damn site! can't make the first meeting so will travel anywhere in September.

[henryuk]

could you make it to the HUMP in late August (30/31st)?

[Keith1954]

Originally Posted by tedmagnum

I think Cornwall or Devon would be a lovely place for a second meeting. Especially Cornwall really. LOADS of camping infastructure, beautiful beaches and riding roads and a large traveller, hippy feeling down there.

If there is a general consensus for Cornwall or Devon - especially Cornwall - then lemme know, and I'll do all I can to help out with the logistics. There's a few of us HUBB members down here in PastyLand [I think?] so I'm sure we could come-up with some good stuff if we all put our heads together.

Moreover, my missus works for the Cornwall Tourist Board - 'Cornwall Enterprise' - so she's well connected with the tourist/campsite set-up down here.

[Jake]

I am out the country this year when the hu is on at derby - I will be trying to get down to somerset though but another meeting would be quite nice - having said that there are always the local meets which we have had quite a few of and they always seem to be a good little weekend do.

[wanderingscotsman]

I'd be up for a second meeting but only if it was further north - e.g. Scotland / Northern England. I can understand you may not get the numbers to make it as feasible though but that's just my 2p. It would have to be outside midgie season though to make it more sociable!
Some great riding roads up around Kintail (towards Skye)?

[Jake]

I have voted for the south west/wales - long way from home but its a ride out - but why not try having a floating second meeting scotland / north one year south east / west next time or is that two difficult to organise - also It would be nice to see it limited to smaller numbers like the earlier hu meets and maybe late september / october. I missed last years meeting and will miss this years meet as I am away on the bike - next year I am away for 3 month - I will probably be on my way back by late June so may get to that HU. So a second meeting is the perfect solution.

[mcgiggle]

2nd meetings good for me as I havn't been around here long so missed out on getting into the 1st, will travel

[Alexlebrit]

Well I went for South-West too, but that's cos I'm in Brittany so it'd be easier to get to, just a hop over the Channel with Brittany Ferries. Obviously it'd be good to know well in advance to take advantage of any cheap deals though, but I'd love to be able to make it.