UK Meeting - Autumn meeting?
 

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. :eek3:
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... ?c?

thanks, Grant and Susan

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

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?

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

2nd Meet
 

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

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)

:stormy::stormy::stormy::stormy::stormy::stormy::r ain::rain::rain::rain::stormy::rain::stormy::rain: :stormy:

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 beer and food sales to plough back into HU, plus we could have more live music etc

Anywhere's fine
 

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

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

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.

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.

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)?

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.

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

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.

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

I'd definately be up for one in south west.

I work at UWE in Bristol (now the largest campus based uni in Europe) not sure if we could put something together at UWE but as long as there's a good number coming I wouldn't charge to open the bar in the evening.

What about at Brands Hatch?
or Goodwood?
they might be glad of the revenue in Sept/Oct? positive pre-disposition to motorcycles, easy to get to etc
Just a thoughthttp://i381.photobucket.com/albums/o...edsmilie-1.gif

Worthy Farm, Glastonbury?
Well used to a large number of campers. Tolerant locals.
I've been there competing on Special Sections on a car rally, so they are used to motorised competition (vehicle noise).

And miles of unsurfaced and loose tracks for those who insist on impressing everyone else with their off-road riding skills!

I just noticed the Meetings page says "UK Autumn, 15-17 Oct, 2010 (to be confirmed)". Did it say that before, or is this a sign of progress?

Don't know whether they would be up for it but this place certainly has the facilities. Some good trail riding in the area as well.

Home

Is there any news on an Autumn Meet?

The New Forest would be a great place for a meet, i'm sure there must be a suitable venue there.
Any ideas on dates etc?

:thumbup1: + 1 on the New Forest, that would be a great choice. Been wanting a reason to ride the New Forest for a while! :clap:

Happy Dayz wherever it's going to be held. beer

xXx

After riding on Salisbury Plain last weekend I'd suggest anywhere within striking distance of there. What a fantastic playground for trail riding and green-laning. There are hundreds of miles of criss cross tracks where you can spend all day with hardly seeing a tarmac road or another vehicle. And it's all legal so long as you keep to the by-ways.
You need someone who knows the routes as it's not a good idea to stray off the legal tracks and you have to be prepared to modify any planned routes if the army are out playing that day.

question is ?

Is this going to happen?

Hi,

I'm also very interested to know what is happening regarding a possible Autumn event.

Are the dates of 15-17 Oct, 2010 set in stone or are they still only penciled in?

Thanks

I think it's probably up to one of us to organize it if we want it to happen. In the same way they often do for the Northern meets. I may volunteer in the future but I'm afraid it won't be this year. However if it is near Salisbury Plain I may know someone who could be asked to organize a rideout.

Im more than happy to team up and get something off the ground may need a few of us and the permission of Grant and Susan.

I might be able to help out with a rideout or two on The Plain.

If I can't, then I know a man who can

So is this a definate goer then?

I am a newcomer and from far away country (dont laugh). This coming October will be my first riding trip to the Uk and Europe and LOVE so much to attend the HU meeting. Scotland Highlands would be great for me as I will be heading there along my intended track. I miss this meet means there will be no other chance in my lifetime to meet you guys in the UK.

Amzah, Malaysia

Hi Amzah
There is a Northern meet in Yorkshire planned for a weekend in October. I'm sure they would would make you very welcome.
Paul

Roger that. Will keep watch the date and will adjust my timing accordingly if that is not too far deviate from my plan. Thanks

What's happened to this event? The date is looming fast and I notice there is a Scottish mini-meet on the same date.

I believe this meeting was in late 2008.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Niklas

DUH, I believe you are correct - it seems the thread was ressurected in July 2010 with a discussion about suitable venues.
Perhaps it should be unpinned from the menu.....?

Still working on making it happen in 2011! There is some progress but nothing definite yet.

Autumn 2011 Meet
 

Hi Grant, are you suggesting that we'll have both a Spring Meet and then an Autumn one to follow? :D :clap:

Spring and Autumn . . . . . . sounds like an excellent idea!

That's what we'd like yes! Ripley is obviously THE "spring" Meeting, and then Bristol / Cornwall-ish for the Autumn. :mchappy:

Hmm
 

Hi Grant and Susan seasons greeting to the pair of you, I know you are both foreign (nothing wrong with that), But we could do with three meetings a year in the UK, one up north, Scotland, one in England Ripley and one down south, Cornwall way. Given enough notice i would happily go to all three as i am sure many other Hubbers would.

The problem with most Brits certainly the ones who have not travelled is that 30 miles away is a long long way away.LOL it is not like California (where you have to travel three hours to find a decent pizza parlour) Keep up the good work, this site has enriched so many lives and fostered travel.

GM