UK based riders for Elephant Rally 2013?
 

Is anyone thinking of doing the Elephant Treffen in 2013?
I believe the dates for the Solla meet are (1-3/2/2013).
Dave.

I'm planning on going to the Solla version (isn't there another one at the Nurburgring a couple of weeks later?)

Unless you're planning on walking there though the bike I'm using is likely to be the slowest thing on the road - my schedule is 2 1/2 days each way and that's being optimistic. Might be worth keeping in touch so you can give me a tow when you see me at the side of the road :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Hi.
Lol, yeah, towing no problem.
I believe the Nurburgring one is from the 15-17/2/2013.
It's the Solla meet I'm thinking of.
Will keep in touch mate.
Dave.

What are you planning on using?

This -


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps6f3373b6.jpg


Old 70's Suzuki 125 smoker. 60mph flat out but 100mpg appeals to my bank balance. Someone gave it to me a couple of months back and I thought it would be perfect with a few mods. I'm hoping I won't go fast enough to get cold

I did it this year and walking is fast enough to get cold , great fun though .

I would have to say that the other advantage of a smaller, older bike is the narrow tyres and the fact that picking it up is a heck of a lot easier. You'll be thankful for that chain cover too.

Any plans for the electrics? I assume it has a kick starter, but if it's 6 volts you'll want everything to be like new and well greased up.

Most years the road from the autobahn to Solla is covered until they clear it for the day visitors on the Saturday. The outfits of course win for carrying capacity and stability, but I'll take this Suzuki over some of the fat tyred solo's you'll see. Twenty miles out, darkness falling, a mix of fresh snow and frozen slush on the road, a 1200cc touring bike two up is not the weapon of choice. We saw plenty turn back or resort to walking alongside, which having ridden all the boring Autobahn stuff is a real shame.

That said, coming back in 2010 I came through a blizzard near Frankfurt that was so bad the trucks had stopped because they didn't have enough traction to take any hill and the cars (and me on the outfit) were playing follow the lights in front at walking pace. If you meet this on any solo I'm afraid stopping and waiting is the only option.

Enjoy.

Andy

Apart from the fact that it didn't cost me anything so removing the tax disc for refund purposes is about the limit of my financial commitment, you're exactly right about the other stuff. Narrow tyres, chain case and about 85kg total weight (+camping stuff) are all ticks in the right boxes as is virtually nothing to bend when it falls over.

Down side is 6v electrics and a really sh1t headlight. Checking all the wiring connections if where I'm at with it now, but there's not much I can do to improve the headlight beyond changing to a 6v qh bulb. I've got a couple of 1500 lumen bicycle lights en route from China atm that run off lithium batteries and I was going to relay them into the lighting circuit. A couple of hours each and I can recharge them overnight in a hotel, along with phone, ipod, sat nav etc. 6v is a real pain.

I know what you mean about the weather turning really bad and stopping traffic on the autobahn. My very first trip abroad (many years ago!) we were coming back from Innsbruck in early Jan in a van towing a caravan and on a "minor" autobahn heading for Luxembourg. About 2.00am I handed over to my co driver and lay down to get some sleep. 2 mins later we started to climb a slight hill and about 1 min after that we were sliding backwards down the same hill on sheet ice. We had to jackknife the caravan into the ditch at the edge of the carriageway to stop us. Good job it was hired!

Suzuki Student
 

Love the bike, hope it goes well and you have a great time! Your very brave, or what's the other thing...................my wife says I'm.............naw, it's gone!

Best of luck!

[QUOTE=backofbeyond;396947]and about 85kg total weight (+camping stuff)Quote A couple of hours each and I can recharge them overnight in a hotel, QUOTE]


A bit of a contradiction here, so is it camping or hotel?
So which Elephant are you going to, is it the 'original one'? I don't like planning in advance but could well be interested, would use either a 500 Enfield or YBR125 and don't mind what low end speed is used.

[QUOTE=palace15;397013]Two Elephants is starting to get a bit confusing - a bit like some 70's bands breaking up with each member then claiming their new group is the spirit of the original. I'm heading for the Solla meeting near Passau at the start of Feb. According to Google it's a bit over 750 miles e/w for me (630 ish from Calais) so on the Suzuki I'm going to need two overnight stops each way. They are going to be in cheepy hotels. The camping kicks in for the time I'm there - either two or three nights (haven't decided yet).

Last time we went on a small bikes (TS100 Suzuki, DT125 Yam etc) we camped the whole way and I caught flu (the real thing, not wimpy man-flu) on the return trip. I spent 10 days in bed and really thought the end was nigh. Once bitten, twice shy and all that so Etap or whatever they're called this week (Ibis Budget?) will get my en route euros. Plus I can charge everything up. I've used these kinds of hotels a lot and only partially trust them to hold a room reservation. Three or four times over the years I've turned up a bit later than planned and found they've given the room to someone else so now I'll phone to confirm if I'm going to be late. That's ok in France as I speak good French but ordering beer is the limit of my German and trying to find the hotel phone number in the dark at the side of the autobahn with numb fingers and frozen brain isn't easy. The camping option might then be the only alternative.

Sounds like a good move.
I was thinking of F1/Etap hotels, for two nights aiming for Nurenberg/Regensburg on the last night of travel.
Regensburg is the closest (110km total, 80km of Autobahn) so depending on the conditions would make a good step off to the rally and hopefully give a daylight arrival time.
Do people fancy a meet up? Either at the rally or some point before?
Dave.

Good plan. The Etap is OK in a trading estate sort of way and you are up next day and only an hour or two away from the site.

Andy

When I was looking at routing to Solla a couple of weeks ago I'd loosely decided that my 1st overnight would be at Aachen on the Belgian/German border and the next one at Regensburg. Now I'm starting to wonder whether it'll be full up with snow on their boots bikers :rofl:.

There's only a few F1's in Germany (presumably the Germans are rich enough not to have to sink that low!) and none of them work for my likely daily progress, so I need to find a few more cheepie chains to check out nearer the time just in case. Are there any German chains equivalent to Etap? Hopefully one that has a better restaurant chain than Courtpaille attached.

We should keep this thread live and update it with travel plans and timetables nearer the time. Be good to roll into the Regensburg Etap and recognise some of the bikes parked there. Whatever you're on it'll be better than the Bloop so maybe the local pikeys'll take yours first. :rofl::rofl: :rofl:

Hi

Sorry for being stupid but u got any info on this rally i might be up for it :thumbup1:

I have Googled it but just found people talking about it :freezing:

Hi, no prob.
This is mostly German but the links to videos are worth a look.
Bundesverband der Motorradfahrer e.V.: Elefantentreffen

Did a google translate on this for ya.
Dave.

The elephant Meeting 2012 is over and it was great: great atmosphere, great people, auction and prize puzzle.

The BVDM thanks 6070 visitors, the 56th Elefantentreffen
come (4070 motorcyclists and 2000 daily visitors) are.

If you want to see what's the elephant meeting, or who want to see what he has missed the elephant meeting must necessarily Movies of Elefantentreffen reporter Amadeus watch on youtube. An hour Elefantentreffen pure:

We look forward to our Next, elephants meeting that from 1 to 3 February will be held again in 2013 in the cauldron of Loh and invite all of you now to attend.

Additional information about the elephant in the meeting, get BVDM office.

There are a couple of us that have booked into the Etap hotel in Regensburg on the 31st of Jan.
Good place to meet up for the Friday ride into the rally, especially if there is lots of snow.
Anyone else fancy a meet up?
Dave.

I went elephant rally this year great time very cold at nite and it was a mild compared to previous years ! I stayed in mcdreams hotel regensburg Good parking lots of shops restaurants walking distance so good to eat and stock up on food beer etc for rally ! Went on my own and didn't quite no what too expect ? So here's a few tips from my experience ! The rally is on a hillside so not to much level ground . Take a good spade as you will need to dig out the frozen snow for your tent . Take a axe for firewood . Firewood and bails of hay are for sale at the main entrance put plenty of hay under your tent before putting it up . If you got a bigger bike park on the road it's easier . Try and put boundrys with the snow around your tent as by Friday every inch of ground gets taken up ! Get a grill for over the campfire to cook on it's easier ! Hope this helps and might even go again next year il keep you informed !
:thumbup1:

How are plans coming along for this trip, I still can't commit as yet but if we decide to 'hook up' at least I have an idea of where and when you may be at.

2013 elephanting
 

Hello all on this thread who are actually going in feb. I am organising a small posse of riders to head out there also, all first timers so input on here very important. One basic Q is do we have any booking to do to actually attend the rally or is it just a case of "if your stupid enough to turn up your most welcome to pitch up"....???
Spade and axe already sorted thnx..:thumbup1:
Would be good to hook up with fellow brits on the thurs eve at one of the hotels mentioned and have some pre rally beers etc

Mez

No booking needed just turn up and pay your €20 ! just make sure u get there early on the Friday as it does get busy .I would still advise you to park your bikes on the road .and if you do when u book in just take you tent and spade no point struggling with all your gear on the ice until you've found a pitch !
I'm still debating on going again ? If I do il let you know and catch up with your guys on the Thursday :mchappy:

I'm going! See you there!
 

Hi, everyone!

I'm going to the 2013 Elefant (1st time) and have just booked my travel/accomodation;

I'm catching the 18:00 Dover - Dunkerque ferry on Wed 30th & staying that night in the nearby Premiere Classe Dunkerque Loon Plage.

Doing the 650 miles or so to Solla on Thur 31st and staying in the Panoramahotel Schollnach. (Only a few miles from the Rally and only 30 euros a night)

Getting there early Friday morning & camping Fri & Sat nights before going back to Dunkerque Sun, staying at the same place & catching the 12:00 ferry home on Mon.

I'll be riding a black 1200gs so it would be really great to meet up with some like-minded adventurers to help me pick it up in the snow!! Let me know if you want to meet along the way.

Cheers! Ben

Hi MEZ.
Just FYI, a couple of us will be at the Etap in Regensberg on Thurs 31st and leaving on the morning.

Adress:Junkersstrasse 1
93055 REGENSBURG
GERMANY

It's just off exit 101, E56.
Cheap and cheerful Formula 1 type thing @£30 a room.
Do a few fancy a meet there and a ride in together?
Could make our way to the Panoramahotel in Schollnach en-route to catch up with Mad King Soup (love it)?
What do you think?
Depending on conditions I wouldn't mind getting off early just to book in and grab a bale of hay before they're sold out and sort out a good spot.

Dave.

Hi Dave,

This sounds good to me, Schollnach appears to be between the rally site and the E56 (exit 112 Iggensbach) along the St2322. I'm guessing this is the route most people will take?

I'm more than happy to hang around somewhere obvious in Schollnach & then tag along with your's and Mez's group!

It definitely looks like getting there early on the Friday is worthwhile.

What will you be riding & how many of you are there?

Cheers!

Ben

Hi Ben.
Sounds like a good plan mate.
I'm on a GS too.
Will keep in touch with meet up times ect, as more folks might jump on board the "HU Elephant weekend" lol.
Take care.
Dave.

Hi all, Im hoping to attempt this on a Honda C90 :scooter: and would appreciate a bit of company. Obviously I will be going slowly as thats pretty much all I can do, as I reckon my flat on tank top speed will be somewhere around 50mph with luggage, so no GS's please unless your prepared to stay in 1st gear all the way ;)
Im ok with the camping as I have some gear but i dont mind a mix of cheap ibis/etap depending on your plans. I have no idea how to get there how long it will take or even if a 90cc is allowed on the main roads / motorways to get there. I would like to stay in the ibis Regensburg on the 31st to meet up with others as it sounds like it could be a good beer but when I tried to book it earlier it wont let me (possibly because my credit card expires on that day and the system wont allow it) I cant get a newly dated CC until 6 weeks before that date so does anyone think there will still be spaces there then ?

I am in North London.

Any help or advice is appreciated, and if your interested in joining me on this madness please pm me and we can have a chat.

Cheers,

Andy.

Hi Andy I am still contemplating going, if I do it will be on either a 500 Enfield or 125 Yam(ybr). I think running at 50mph with gear etc is a little ambitious, I don't mind what speed I travel at as long as I am having a laugh, I dont know what others think but I would allow 3-4 days on a small bike in freezing conditions to get there. and BTW :welcome: to HU.

Thanks for the reply, it would be great to have some company, even if it is just someone to laugh at me !!! lol

Having taken the bike out for a test ride last night in the cold and the only way i got up to 50 was downhill with a tailwind, I think once the winter luggage and my 14 stone are on the bike it may struggle with 30 so I think your 3 - 4 days estimate is a good one.

Do you think its a good idea to pre-book places or just book as you go in case of running into any problems and not being able to make it to destinations on time ?

Also anyone know where to get knobblies for a C90 ? :w00t:
or is that not needed ?

Cheers.

I'm only planning on 50mph on my 120cc Suzuki so I'd have thought 40mph would be closer to what a C90 would run at - and probably less on the hills. I did it (many) years ago on a C50 and that was awful - 25 to 30mph on a good road was about as much as it would do under its own power. Three of us went on totally mismatched bikes - a 750cc Triumph, an XL250 Honda and the c50 and it was impossible to stay together- the Triumph was still in first gear when the c50 was flat out.

I have camped on the outward and return legs of the journey on two Elephants but it's not that easy as all the campsites are shut so you have to find the corner of a field or something and that can be a bit tricky in the dark. Also, if the weather is nasty early on and you get frozen or soaked it can be hard to dry out or warm up in a tent knowing you've got to do it all again every day for the next week (on a C90 anyway). At least on a bike with a decent electrical output you can run heated clothing but my 6v Suzuki won't run anything other than a candle in the headlamp so I'm looking at hotels en route on the basis that prevention is better than cure.

My (rough) schedule is to leave the UK Wednesday morning and arrive at the site Friday lunchtime, so two overnight stops. Coming back I'll probably leave late morning on Sunday and try for mid afternoon Tuesday ferry / tunnel (nothing booked yet).

I've done the first part of the motorway route from Calais (as far as Brussels) twice in the last month or so in a car and concluded it's not going to be easy on a small bike doing less than the 90kph that the trucks run at. It really is wall to wall trucks and with half of the drivers watching DVDs or reading books as they go (according to the recent shock horror tv programme anyway :rofl:) it could be difficult riding on a slow bike.

. Don't think you will need knobblies being such light bikes ! Get some bar muffs if your on 6 volt . I used them and put some pocket warmers in each one and rode all the way in just summer gloves

2013 Elephanting
 

Hi all, it's looking good for a possible meet up at the suggested location for the thurs night, we have had some drop out's so now only two of us will be heading out. We are on our trusty XL600's with TKC80's, not had much chance to check out travel plans getting there etc but over xmas will be booking up.
Looking forward very much to this trip in a twisted kind of way, keep you all posted......

Tunnel tickets booked for a tues pm (29th) crossing....

Hello chaps. I'm looking at attending this years rally. I'm coming down from Yorkshire, so will be taking a few nights to get there.
Anyone in the Yorkshire area a going?
I have been reading the other posts and am also willing for a beer meet on the 31st. So if any of you go firm on a pre rally pint I'm up for it too. Let me know guys.

Al

offering place to sleep
 

to everybody, in addition to the hospitality we've got on our south/north america trip, we offer you a free place to stay (indoor or in tent as you prefer). We live neer Antwerp, 1hour from Zeebrugge and +/- 3 hours from Aachen. Indoor place for the motorbikes too.

see you!
www.kisshteride.blogspot.com

2013
 

Hi all, we have a cheap hotel booked in Gent on the 29th and again the following night in Wurzberg ready for a thurs arrival at camp where hopefully thick snow and ice will give us the reason to try our fantastic idea out for overcoming the treacherous conditions and run down the hill into the valley, were bolting our two XL600's together sidecar style and hence should glide into camp commanding awe and admiration from onlookers......!!!! Good plan eh..???

It looks like everyone is making there own plans here but if anyone is looking to hook up then feel free to tag along for the journey there, PM me for hotel details etc etc....

Mez

Gent - Antwerpen = only small 1 hour drive :welcome:

Thanks Johan for the invite but unfortunately Antwerp is off the intended route and we will be single minded about getting to the Rally, your most kind...!!

Elephant
 

Hi all.
It's getting closer:clap:.

As mentioned, I'm in the Etap in Regensberg on the Thursday and a few others look like they will be too.
I'll be on a yellow GS and will put my room no on the bike when I check in and keep an eye out for others.
Be good to grab a beer.
Catch you there.
Dave.

have fun !!!!! :D:funmeteryes:bier

It is getting closer!!
 

It certainly is getting closer isn't it? Aaargh!

Been checking weather reports & it seems to be generally -2 to around -15 over there at the moment. Gonna need some thermals!

It looks like everyone who's going has finalised their plans so it will be great to see a few brits there. Unfortunately I think I'll have to miss out on the drink in Regensburg as my hotel is a bit too far along.

I'll definitely be looking out for those GB plates though!

See you there.

Ben

North Sea Ferry
 

Are any of you guys using the Hull ferry for the Elephant ?

Hello - I'm heading out from Harwich on Monday, arriving Tuesday morning and taking my time from there on in. Ideally I will arrive there early to blag a good spot, as I'm currently intending to ride into the site. If I make it in, look for a blue KTM 990 flying a union jack from the pannier, next to an orange tent - otherwise just the tent and the flag! bier
Cheers
Martin - my mobile is +44794160[the UK emergency services number]5.

Finally got my old 125 Suzuki packed and ready to go. I'm on a Dover- Calais ferry Tuesday morning but heading for Amsterdam first and then going south on Wednesday morning. Below is what the thing looks like at the moment so if you see me plodding along at 40mph it's not broken down, that's about all it will do. Give me a wave and/or say hello - it's a long lonely ride at 40mph!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8361/8...245c2e3c_m.jpg