Ted you organise one - then we can all come along. Bet you get a few more if your picking up the bar bill.

I done a few (i believe the first mini meets ) many years ago - around Yorkshire moors and Dales different pub each time like a mini tour of Yorkshire s - a sort of welcome to the (D)ales tour, but then everyone else started doing them so i stopped. Things seem to me that they have now become much more than a casual meet up a few s etc - they now have to be off road weekends, maybe involve bands or another event of sorts - more of a rally which is fine - but its not what the original mini meet was and for me too much hassle to organise, Hats off to those that do - but there is room for the simpler version as well.

If it was just easy pub / camping meets like I started years ago - more of a social get together a drink a laugh and maybe a tiny ride out to the chippy - well i would sort another.

The Scottish do's are like that and in a way are far more relaxed. The first Scottish do up in the far north was one of the best i ever went to - very late night a fair bit to drink, and excellent company - I am waiting for the next Scottish do to pop up. Well worth a visit.

Jake.

The original idea of the mini-meets was KISS - err I mean keep it simple stupid!

Anyone wants a nice simple meet feel free to go for it - and don't feel pressured to do something fancier because "everyone's doing it" - do what you like!

Date location and a field, not much else needed except maybe permission to be in the field...

And anyone who wants a fancier event, that's up to you to work out!

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I wonder if this should also apply to future national HUBB meetings, I never went to Donnington but the last couple at Lumb farm had so much happening it seemed impossible to see everything and I know took a lot of time and money to organise. Off topic I know but the thought just occurred to me, perhaps the next one should get back to basics which might also make finding a venue easier.

I prefer the older meets myself but that’s progress and you cant “ungrow” something.

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have fun with your helmet!

You can compare the meetings to watching football.

The mini-meets are like going to watch your local pub team on a Saturday. Everyone gets to know each other. It's all a lot of fun. It's not taken very seriously at all. You end up in the pub chatting about the times you used to play and make lots of new friends.

The big meetings are like going to watch a Premier league game. You're just another face in a large crowd. Watching primadonnas ponce around acting like they're saving the world. Then you pay £10 for a pie and a pint whilst getting blasted in both ears by advertising and vendors.

You still enjoyed your day out. But they make you appreciate what you're missing out on. Then you promise yourself to start supporting your local clubs and vow to go and watch some games in a wet field on a cold November morning.

But you never do.


Then you put on Match of the Day and renew your season ticket.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

When I was organising the HU meeting in France up to last year, I had a deliberate policy of trying to keep the meeting quite small in terms of numbers, but packed full of top quality stuff. This worked very well. The first meeting we had (2012) was 18 people and it pissed with rain, but we all had a great time and came back for more. The meeting now hosts around 100 people which IMO is big enough. More than this and you get ''cliques'' of attendees who womble around in groups and don't mix or share experiences. If there are too many people it becomes more of an exhibition. Nothing wrong with exhibitions, they're just impersonal (IMHO). In France also we sit down together to eat and pass the evening as a group- it's a great feast and everyone moves around the tables and loves it.( It gets very lively after a nice bottle - maybe 2...3... of wine with new friends!).

Countries like France are huge, it can take two days to get from one side to the other in the summer time ( at a sensible speed!), and one big meeting does have a disadvantage in that it only attracts those with the time and the means to attend. Localised regional mini meets anywhere are a good idea, as it keeps the spirit alive for those who aren't able to travel to the big meet for whatever reason ( we're by no means all permanent travellers, and our enthusiasm has to be paid for). It's all under the same umbrella, and we all have very similar motivations.

The only downside to mini meets is that it is the bigger meetings which generate the necessary to keep the website what it is. Mini meets just about hold their own in terms of costs. The major meetings must therefore continue and probably expand, but perhaps the mini meets could make a contribution also.

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-''It is better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction''. ( Herman Siu)
-'' Live life then give life '' (www.lltgl.org.uk)

Myself and Touring Ted have been looking for years for a venue to host a mini meet. However in this gorgoeus neck of the woods there are no camping sites and the football, rugby and cricket grounds I have approached have all backed off as soon as you mention a few motorbikes. It's as if they fear SAMCRO is moving in and they have to lock up their daughters and get the local militia out.

Private gardens are great for a couple of tents but neighbours complaining about noise and a lack of secure parking spaces also limits me and others I am sure. Trying to organise events miles from home mean they are not local and others are probably better placed to to do this.

On top of this, as others have said, trying to cater for veggies, real ale lovers who only want hand pumped in a local pub with a roaring fire complete with a food menu that looks like a shipping list. Alongside all of which are, those who only want to go all out for a day blasting up mountains on wet grass, loose gravel and ice and those who just want to sit around a fire and talk bolloxs all night is challenging to say the least.

Add in safety regs and insurance and it is clear that what used to be a group of people meeting up for a chat is now expected to be more of Thompsons weekend getaway. I am saddened but not surprised the mini meets are dying out or have become private invites only.

I do however live in hope.

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www.frothandflames.com
2012 Kawasaki W800
1997 NX 650 Dominator

Being one of the few HUBB members who can manage simple and stupid at the same time, I might just be qualified to pull it off.

When it's a bit warmer obviously

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.