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27 Jun 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Caminando
Yes Ted, it was bikers who positioned the tents and bikes. And there WAS a route through them but it got muddy. You could always volunteer to oversee the parking and tent positions next time, though. That would be a positive step.
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I mean a route up to the top of the field. I think most people who parked near the top were stuck there all weekend, unable to get their bikes out.
God, i hate moaning.. it wasnt really a big deal
Next year I would happily lend a hand with trying to organise sensible positioning if it was required.
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27 Jun 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tedmagnum
I mean a route up to the top of the field. I think most people who parked near the top were stuck there all weekend, unable to get their bikes out.
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As I said. Has the event outgrown the venue? There were many ID cards left at the registration desk from people who either did not attend or didn't bother going to collect them, so I don't know if it even reached the 500 attendees mark.
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27 Jun 2007
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Camping quagmire
Ted,
Here I was thinking that you were just being lazy on the weekend 
The field was certainly tricky to navigate. The ol' evil eye disuaded some particularly enthusiastic campers from pitching right in front of my tent's entrance, which would have forced a mud and gravity defying dive-roll to get in 
Getting the bike out was another story.
I'm not sure if organised camping and parking will be as much fun though. A large amount of entertainment was provided by just watching some of the poor buggers trying to get out of the field on their bikes (funny until it was my turn) 
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27 Jun 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tedmagnum
I think most people who parked near the top were stuck there all weekend, unable to get their bikes out.
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Ted, I was right at the very top... (With some other XRV.ORG guys..  )
Wasn't really a big issue at all... Honest...
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27 Jun 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tedmagnum
Next year I would happily lend a hand with trying to organise sensible positioning if it was required.
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Ted, consider yourself recruited for the volunteers team - parking department! 
We will need more volunteers next year to give a hand with various jobs, and I will create a sign-up for that purpose along with next years reg page to come soon.
MANY thanks to all the great volunteers we had this year - they did an amazing job.
Final numbers still to be determined, but yes, the rain kept a number away. But a fair number just showed up too, so around 440 or so is my best guess at this time.
Any other comments on capacity with that in mind? I rather thought it worked better than last year with more people - the meals were much quicker - except for Thursday night and that was a surprise to all - we had 180 people register Thursday! Last year it was more like 80! Next year Angela will be prepared for that.
So far we're planning on limiting it to 500 again.
We are also considering another meeting in the autumn, perhaps north - or south!? Locations anyone?
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27 Jun 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant Johnson
Ted, consider yourself recruited for the volunteers team - parking department!
We will need more volunteers next year to give a hand with various jobs, and I will create a sign-up for that purpose along with next years reg page to come soon.
MANY thanks to all the great volunteers we had this year - they did an amazing job.
Final numbers still to be determined, but yes, the rain kept a number away. But a fair number just showed up too, so around 440 or so is my best guess at this time.
Any other comments on capacity with that in mind? I rather thought it worked better than last year with more people - the meals were much quicker - except for Thursday night and that was a surprise to all - we had 180 people register Thursday! Last year it was more like 80! Next year Angela will be prepared for that.
So far we're planning on limiting it to 500 again.
We are also considering another meeting in the autumn, perhaps north - or south!? Locations anyone? |
Hi Grant
A couple of years ago this subject came up and I looked for something in the south of England (excluding Kent because of security concerns you raised). However, I was not successful especially given your terrific arrangement with Lumb Farm.
I thought of south because of the proximity to the Continent for our friends over there.
Two a year might solve overcrowding though..and allow growth too.
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27 Jun 2007
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I agree with Grant on the 500 limit. Small enough to be intimate and large enough that you never quite get to see and do everything you wanted to, which is a great reason to come again next time.
I also think an Autumn meet would be great. I'm happy to scout out some venues in the Cambs area if people want to come round here. I could probably organise a group punting session if it's not too late in the autumn. I know it's not biking, but it is good fun!
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27 Jun 2007
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Sorry for changing subject. Feel free to move/delete.
If you are doing the north/south thing then I would definitely recommend Wyke Down near Andover. It's a farm with a large restuarant, large camping ground and massive field AND golf driving range. Venues for presentations/talks might be an issue but sure some plans can be made. Maybe use the farms two barns. Also 15 minutes from Salisbury plains
Wyke Down Country Pub and Restaurant - Camping and Caravan Park - Andover, Hampshire, UK.
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27 Jun 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bossies
Sorry for changing subject. Feel free to move/delete.
If you are doing the north/south thing then I would definitely recommend Wyke Down near Andover. It's a farm with a large restuarant, large camping ground and massive field AND golf driving range. Venues for presentations/talks might be an issue but sure some plans can be made. Maybe use the farms two barns. Also 15 minutes from Salisbury plains
Wyke Down Country Pub and Restaurant - Camping and Caravan Park - Andover, Hampshire, UK. |
Golf range ?? Is that for all the 1200GS riding accountants
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27 Jun 2007
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Camping alone is not the issue. It has to be at a location with food & hygene facilities and the ability to host seminars and lectures with AV support (and preferably out of any inclement weather). A stock hotel or travel lodge might be up to the seminar rooms but isn't going to be too happy about hunnerds of hairy bikers camping in the grounds.
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28 Jun 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sagarmatha1000
Camping alone is not the issue. It has to be at a location with food & hygene facilities and the ability to host seminars and lectures with AV support (and preferably out of any inclement weather). A stock hotel or travel lodge might be up to the seminar rooms but isn't going to be too happy about hunnerds of hairy bikers camping in the grounds.
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But we are not hairy bikers! We are polite, interesting and very beautiful people. Anyone would welcome us! This is an English prejudice about bikers which you wont find in the rest of the UK or on the continent.
Youre right about the need for facilities.
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30 Jun 2007
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Wykes Down camp site nr, Andover
Looks like a good place for an AUTUMN venue.
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30 Jun 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PASSING PHASE
Looks like a good place for an AUTUMN venue.
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Tell us why it's a good place?
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30 Jun 2007
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Andover is easy to get to for everyone in southern UK.
The venue has a fully functioning restuarant kitchen
The venue has a fully stocked bar
The retuarant has two sepearte areas with seperate doors that can be used as presentation rooms
There is a pool room with 4 pool tables that can also act as a presentation room. All these are largers than those at Lumbs.
The camping ground has plenty of standpipes.
The camp ground had proper traffic circulation routes
The camp ground has a gentle slope so no skidding around trying to ride up a grassy slope which gave a number of people problems at Lumbs and sufficient slope for drainage.
The camp ground has ablution facilites in the middle of the tent area
There is a massive spill-over field
They host a number of motor fairs every year and host the weekly car boot sale
I have no clue what Audio visual facilities they have but if they don't have digital projectors then it's not difficult to hirte some in very cheaply for the weekend. The AV as Lumbs was giving troubles at the start of almost every presentation.
For an event of this size I am sure that the owner would be happy to arrange extra chairs, AV etc etc
It's 1hr out of London. Take a spin down there on a Saturday or on a day off and see what you think.
Last edited by Bossies; 30 Jun 2007 at 20:34.
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27 Jun 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant Johnson
We are also considering another meeting in the autumn, perhaps north - or south!? Locations anyone?
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NORTH NORTH NORTH!
No. I'm not just lazy we have some GREAT roads up here, much freer of traffic, and we are meant to be motorcycle TRAVELLERS after all! OK so some might find it a longer ride to get to but you could have it somewhere where the location itself was a draw. Lumb Farm is OK but it's just in the middle of commuterville really. Up North you could have it in Glencoe (perhaps the Red Squirrel Campsite?), or perhaps even on Skye (Sligachan Campsite after the midges have left!). Arran is another option. Or you could have it out East, say in the Cairngorms. People could then either take the fast road (the A9) or any number of other routes to get there.
Off-roading is limited up here but we could have ride outs to nice cafes or pubs instead.
Anyway, that's my vote. I can look into locations, campsites with pubs etc. if you like, any excuse to get out on the bike this summer!
Matt
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