An idea for the UK HU meeting (and maybe the others) - a possibility Grant?

[Shells]

A Scratch Patch

We all know how expensive these overland travel dreams can be, but also how you often manage to accumulate travel equipment and bits and pieces that just end up gathering dust.

That thingiemabob that you have been meaning to give away for ages could be exactly what some skint newbie is in need of before a first trip.

How about a table set aside inside as the Scratch Patch at the UK HU meet? A place where people can put those extra inner tubes for the bike that they already sold but forgot to give to the new owner(clearly labelled as to size of course ); that jerry that you bought that doesn't fit your mountings; that Lonely Planet for Mongolia - anything that might be a big help to someone else.

It doesn't need to be a 'personed' table because it is a browse and help yourself idea.

I am leaving the UK for Oz and it just isn't sensible to take some of the stuff with me. I am much happier to just pass it on to someone who will find it useful. I have a feeling there are a few people who feel the same and would be happy to bring some stuff along.

A good idea?

(of course, anything that does not find a home by the end of the weekend will need to be reclaimed)

[Nomadic1]

Think this is a great idea. On other forums, they have a 'pay it forward' section. In essence the same thing as you're describing. An advertiser says i've got X. The responder says "i'll take it", and pays the advertiser for postage only.

Works well.

[Matt Cartney]

This is a great idea. I still have a bunch of maps, some foreign money, guidebooks, etc. that I don't want. I bet theres loads of stuff out there begging for a home. If everyone only brought one map say, that'd be 400 maps!

Anyway, I'll keep an eye on this thread and bring some stuff if Grant and Susan give it the go-ahead.

Matt

[Shells]

It looks like this one might be a goer. Yay!
Final formal 'Aye' required by Glynn, but...

can't hurt to start digging up that extra bungee that you have never used, or that cooking set that was a gift but isn't big enough for yer hearty appetite



Share the luuurve



.

[*Touring Ted*]

Great idea shell.

Would anyone mind if I took the lot, ebay'd it all and sodded off a few months early

Seriously though, you aint just a pretty face ! lol

[Shells]

... your keyboard shall be hidden!!

If you can fight off the others AND get it all on your bike to take away with you, I will applaud (just as soon as I get myself up off the floor and stop laughing)

[*Touring Ted*]

Originally Posted by Shells

... your keyboard shall be hidden!!

If you can fight off the others AND get it all on your bike to take away with you, I will applaud (just as soon as I get myself up off the floor and stop laughing)

Ever seen an XT600 tow a trailer before ??

[Shells]

Gather all your unwanted gifts, dig out the extra doodas that you have...

This year's UK HU meeting will be the first to have a Scratch Patch

Hoorah!

An area/table is going to be set aside for all of the goodies that you want to rehome.


Everyone will be free to browse and help themselves to anything that takes their fancy.
So, the more donations, the better it will be.


If it isn't absolutely obvious what your item is (like an inner tube's dimensions), please put a lable on it.

Excellent!! I just hope I can fit all my goodies and all my camping gear on my bike!

Like Matt said, if everyone brings an item - that's 520 (eek!) items that can be used, reused and recycled. Brilliant!

[Xander]

This is an excellent idea.. I will bring a bunch of stuff as well.. May I also suggest a list of stuff that is too big/ too heavy to bring along. maybe a photo.
for example i have a standard shock and front springs that I will give/ donate (please note also posted on my local site.. so may not last).. but i dont want to carry them up and then back (if not gone).. so I would prefer just a list as well..

by the way I have to admit i stole this idea of a pay it forward and suggested it to my local site.. thanks..

[*Touring Ted*]

Rolling on from Shells excellent idea, maybe a "freecycle" type category on the hub would be good too.

It would be nice to give something back into the overland community on the Hubb as we all get so much out of it.

I bet we all have garages fulll of part worn tyres, maps, bits from previously sold bikes, manuals, tools, maps etc etc.

Pay the donator P&P and happy days.

OI ADMIN

[goodwoodweirdo]

Great idea... what will happen to the items left over ? will it end in Grants garden shed ?

I think the space on the site is also handy.....

I'll bring along somehting!!! any Africa Twin Parts very welcome !!!

[Shells]

Unless anyone has any other ideas...

if it is not claimed, it is still yours.

If you are not leaving on Sunday, nominate a mate to round up your stuff for you (although hopefully there won't be any)

Any alternate ideas?

[Bossies]

This is really an excellent idea!!!

Well as we are in the pocess of clearing out the house for our immenent departure I am sure we will be able to find a mountain, well maybe a small koppie, of stuff. I do have loads of bike cleaning stuff which I don't use on our new bikes...they don't deserve it yet ;-

Well see how much we can fit on the might steeds

Now, how to make sure that all 520 people see this post and respond appropriately

----------------------------------------------------------------
Note to self: first check the rest of the site, including the meeting schedule etc, before making rash statements. The Scracth patch is clearly advertised in the UK Meeting link.

[Bjorn]

I just came back from a France trip where I used the map I bought back in 1998. I was also given a map from some other travellers in the Pyrenees Orientales. I knew I wouldn't be going there again (don't get me wrong: the Pyrenees were AWESOME) – so I threw them into my paper recycling as I couldn't be bothered about the ebay-way

Will dig them out from that recycling box & bring them to the meeting )


Bjorn