And me......
 

Grant just sent you a pm

Well having to have just cancelled my attendance t this years meeting - grrrrrrrrrr

I would agree to another meet - SE pref or SW 2nd choice - just being selfish, but thats my preference.

As a matter of fact, (just catching up on this thread, been running flat out...) we're thinking THREE altogether next year, spring, probably south / south-west, summer - Ripley - and fall, possibly Scotland-ish.

EXACT area irrelevant to us - we just need the right location!

So if you're out for a ride, keep your eyes wide open and see what you can find. Those of you who have been to Ripley know it's almost perfect, a bit small for food, otherwise ok.

To be clear - we need: good food, camping, meeting rooms - ALL onsite - if you have to leave for anything, it's out. (other than hotels for those who prefer their comfort). Great riding in the area or on the way there for most is a big plus.

There's a couple of holiday camps on the south coast that sound good though we haven't looked at them yet, a location in the west, and one in Scotland that locals are working on, but nothing confirmed yet, so it's still open.

All help appreciated! It's a HUGE amount of work making these events happen, so the more that put in a little the better. The hardest, always, is finding the location, so get out there and ride with a purpose! :)

See you in Ripley, or at YOUR new location ;)

and thanks!

I know it restricts it to holiday times only, but have you looked at University campuses or similar at all? For years there was a cyclist meet at the place I went to in Lancaster (used to be University College of St Martins, but I think it's changed its name now). It provided everything you'd need I think. Accomodation was either in halls or camping, there's obviously lecture theatres available, bars, food etc and given how cheap it was for CycleFest I doubt it cost a huge amount (although one of the organisers was a lecturer now I think about it.

In fact St Martins would be a great place now I think of it, as there's plenty of great riding either out the back door in the Forest of Bowland, or up into Cumbria or down to the Fylde and Blackpool, and Glasson Dock, just down the road has (or had) a healthy group of bikers on a Sunday morning for tea and bacon butties. Conference Cumbria for more details (as an example).

Anyway, just a thought, if people are considering possible locations, is to ring the local uni.

This is a great idea - I'm gutted I can't make this years meet - after so much planning to come along too!

Would love to finally meet everyone and put faces to names, and having a few meets around the country over the year would be perfect.

Location wise - my suggestion - (actually I think we should have one in Wales so I can show you all how stupidly amazing it is for a weekender) - but for practicality...

The Angel Inn down in Snetterton

The Angel Inn Review » The London Biker

I don't have many good photos (these are all of the facilities and one small part of the camping area I'm afraid camera ran out of battery whilst I was down there). But it's VERY biker friendly - it's just down the road from the race track. It's facilities are top notch, the food and B&b in the Angel are spot on and cheap and the area is surrounded by stunning off-road routes.

It could comfortably deal with a 1000 bikers, plus the site has a bar right in the middle of the camping area if we want to use it. They also offer a massive BBQ facility, again right in the middle of the site.

http://larlingangel.moonfruit.com/co...4516378905.jpg

Come to Scotland!
 

Of course, those wishing to go on a second HU meeting could always come on the Edinburgh communities weekend to Arisaig and Applecross! Weekend of the 20/21 September, all welcome!

No slideshows but plenty of yer actual motorcycle touring!

Matt :)

Universities are great venues, I've run conferences during the summer breaks in Sheffield Hallam, Exeter, Warwick, Bath, Nottingham and so forth. In the past I've visited probably half the UK Universities in order to check out the facilities (though my data is now out of date).

The best Unis for this purpose would be campus sites where parking wouldn't be a problem and it's a short walk from the halls of residence to the lecture theatres and refectory. But I doubt if camping would be allowed, after all the Uni is trying to fill the student bedrooms.

One problem for Grant might be the financial exposure, the universities would probably want fairly firm bookings on the number of bedrooms and for catering.

Tim

How about campsites belonging to the Scouts? There are a number around the country and they do allow other organisations to use them. I used to work for a company providing outdoor education trips to school groups who always used scout sites. I know there is one somewhere near Ross-on-Wye which should provide some good riding opportunities.

Possibility of a meeting in Ireland which ticks most if not all of Grant's boxes. How would May bank holiday in a beautiful part of NW Ireland 2009 sound as a possibility?

any word of a meeting after the German one next week end , wont make it :(

Is this thread still live - or is there a 'UK meetings 2010' thread hiding there somewhere.
Would be well up for a weekender in Wales / South West - time, money and family constraints put the blocks on anything further than 4 hrs riding.

I would be up for the Ireland meeting if it comes off

hi would love to do a hog roast at your event with some of proceeds going towards your event and to meet like minded folk i can travel anywhere in uk im derbyshire based but want to get involved what do you think? im fully registered and legal
regards chris

I was gonna vote wales, and then I saw this post

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...186#post295647

how cool to tie in the meet with this fledgling competition
I'll do my bit for looking into venues in the area (maybe the competition organisor knows something in the area?

Universities do seem to be a good option. I belong to a bike club who are hosting their international rally at Lancaster, sounds like a great place to be (lake district, scottish borders, northumberland, yorkshire dales - all on the doorstep)
But I suspct it would have to be outside student semesters, so perhaps Autumn is not the best time...?

PS Where do I register an interest for this event?

welsh venue
 

Hi all

how about margam park less than a mile off J38 of the M4, lots of camping space easy access to the seaside and a short trip up to brecon, sadly most of the byways in brecon are now closed but there are a number of ROW's in the locallity.

they are also used to hosting large and small events & concerts
I used to organise a camping weekend there for the Green lane association (Glass) we also had a scenic off road route through the park.

clicky for details: NPT CBC - Margam Park

Oh and its 5 miles from me:thumbup1:

regards

All