Modern Vespa

I love riding in Europe as well but as far as this event goes I'm for keeping it in the UK - that way more people will be able to participate - those who can't do the entire thing will be able to do bits of it when we're in their neck of the woods.

plus we stand a chance of getting decent rates on hotels if we're staying places overnight - hotels sometimes offer reduced rates if you arrive in a group and/or are doing something charity-related. we could certainly organize that if we did the event in Europe but it would be more complicated.

and finally of course if we do it here we will have the delightful English weather to enjoy

Alright maybe I was a bit hasty and having thought about it a little more yes I would do it as long as it was a weekend and I would donate the money myself.
Just a suggestion Marc but what about a ride to a War Memorial in Europe or Historic Town and charge ourselves a fee which we donate to the agreed cause. I like Help for Heros.


More later.

Bill X

If you just wanna weekend thing, my mates sister got a farm with loads of camping space, a permanent stage and sound system, really central (derby), they just had a mini festival there(beefstock), had 7 live bands, bar, bucking bronco etc, was a good laugh, im sure they would nt mind us hijacking it next year as all the money they make goes to charity anyway , just a thought

That is the best festival name!!!

Not to mention a good idea.

Good for you Billiam. I think the location of the ride will have to be voted on. I think a weekend 2-3 day thing is best for all? I agree with Genie about the Europe thing, I know alot of you will be doing the Greek Rallies next year too, which no doubt will tie up alot of holidays for you. I can't attend the Greek rallies as I never take more than a week off work.

So 2-3 days over a weekend, within the UK. (its becoming clearer .. sort of)

Marc

Sounds good. Definitely up for the challenge!

Good for you.


We could end up with a nice number of people!

Looking like my idea could be a goer then! 8)

But what about the tempting prospect of Beefstock??

The idea of riding to one point and then camping doesn't do it for me.

A point to point involving B&B's is better imho. 8)

I do agree. But its called Beefstock

I would like to stay on the move and cover as many miles as possible. With the occassional stopping and sleeping. I know Bill is allergic to camping anyway. (I have a tent, never used it)

I have a tent too.......it has never been used either.

Camping ? Jesus.

No Camping.

It seems Bill, Pepy and I are allergic.

I have a note and everything.

I get rashes.

And hate smelly toliets.

I like warm soft beds and en-suites.

i'm a vegetarian

no i'm not really but you know what will happen if we plan some camping related thing: it will piss with rain, the heavens will open, we will get a flood of biblical proportions, and we will sit around soaked and freezing in a tent trying to console ourselves about the fact that we've just lost money for charity

i adore camping, but only if it's done north american style i.e. in campsites where you're a) allowed to make bonfires, b) not pitched up 4" from your rat-arsed complete stranger of a neighbour who snores like a locomotive. i also demand a reasonable chance of the sun peeking through the dense cloud cover for at least 15 minutes at some point over the weekend, and i like being more than 10 miles from the nearest urban connurbation. that rules out England.

Can someone explain the facination with camping when there are lovely hotels everywhere ?

Bill X

Don't look at me.....no bleedin idea!

done properly - i.e. in proper wilderness and not in some farmers field with 50 other people crouched shivering over a tin of f**king sterno and ordering takeaway from the chinese just up the road out of hunger and desperation - camping is a fantastic experience. hiking into the woods, setting up camp, building a big bonfire over which you grill a delicious dinner, seeing a huge canopy of stars without light pollution, lying warm and dry under the canvas whilst listening to the sounds of nocturnal creatures gamboling through the forest ... it's heaven.

Most of my camping experiences have been close to Hell.

Silverstone 2000 for one.

Bill X

I have never 'done' camping in the way you suggest Genie, but it sounds incredible.

All of my camping experience comes from the festivals. (and not even the nice ones) It was all well and good when I was younger. I don't think I can stand smelling that bad anymore.

Any thoughts:

Margate to Lands End. 466 miles (and back home)

Day One:
Margate to Folkestone to Eastbourne - 83.9 miles 3 hrs
Eastbourne to Portsmouth - 71.7 miles 2 hrs
Portsmouth to Lymington to Bournemouth - 59.3 miles 1.5 hrs

Day Two:
Bournemouth to Swanage to Weymouth - 40.4 miles - 1.39 hrs
Weymouth to Torbay to Plymouth - 109 miles - 3 hrs
Plymouth - St Austell - Falmouth - 64.6 miles - 2 hrs
Falmouth - Lands End - 37 miles - 1.5 hrs


Day 3
Homeward bound. 2 days home or 1 stint?? Maybe take in a war memorial or museum on the way home?

I'll be up for whatever is organised I think, although it doesn't make much sense for me to go over to Kent reeeeally, so I'll probably meet up at Plymouth?

The question was raised earlier about 50cc's and 125cc's - are we going to have two 'packs', or are we gonna stick to A roads?

Meh - I've done Cornwall and back in a day - hardly any A roads either. Now do it on 50ccs and it's a different matter...

Help for Heroes for me. I give to some other charities anyway, but this one needs attention.

The trick is to get a fun ride somewhere and back that we want to do anyway that others see as a challenge, and will stump up some money.

I'll happily do camping, but then I can snore anywhere. Not-camping is easier especially in England, but usually much more expensive.

How about the most easterly point in the UK (Ness point) to the most westerly (The Point of Ardnamurchan)? A good long-legged long weekend.

553 miles minimum each way.

I like the sound of this. 8) (Obviously)

Jim

I don't mind a bit of mile munching but it's a whole different ball game on a 50/125.

There's next to no motorway between Margate and Lands End so not too much of a logistical nightmare for said 50/125's either.

If you folks do it for Help For Heroes, count on us for a donation.

I'm sure there is someone who can accept a PayPal transmission of funds.

AND, I'll pass the word to other veteran supporters I know.

Al

I was thinking this morning that we could have 2 different groups, both on the same 'A' roads. The 125's and under and the over 125's. Both setting off on each leg at the same time, but the over 125's can stop and take more pictures, sort out places for refreshments Even a bit of video action (not that kind )

This way we can document the trip for posting on MV.

I think Jim is correct, it has to be seen as a challenge so we can get sponsorship. But not overly difficult as we have smaller cc's and some total newbies (me )

Jim, I was going to do the trip home from Cornwall in a day But it might be bit unfair to the lower cc's . Seeing as I started this thread, I will make sure everyone gets back home OK, so it will take as long as it takes.

I realise that everyone has different charities that they would like to support. However it seems we are all agreed that 'Help For Heroes' is a deserving cause and the majority have stated that as a preference.

I would suggest that this ride be in aid of 'Help For Heroes'

If you would rather support you own charity as well you are welcome.

I hope this sits well with everyone.


Marc

I will sort out some T-shirts nearer the time too.

That sounds good to me.

I've just had a look at autoroute regarding my potential mileage for the south coast option and i would be looking at near to 1000 miles.

Huntingdon
Margate
Lands end
Huntingdon

Over 3 days i'd say that was a test on a 250cc.

I have had a quick tot up too, and I would accumalute about 850 - 900 miles. Which is a fair bit for me.

What are others thoughts on the South Coast trip? Or should we do some numbers on different routes?

I like the South Coast route - I can stop off and pester my boyfriend in Dorchester along the way - heck, we all can!

Seriously, he doesn't live too far from the Tank Museum, which would fulfil the museum stopoff criterion.

Another suggestion: the Royal British Legion Riders Branch do an annual ride to the National Memorial Arboretum, a fitting destination for a ride in aid of Help for Heroes.

(I actually prefer the South Coast idea, but what do other people think?)

I am all up for stopping off and pestering people.
Anyone else on the South Coast we can pester??

The Tank Museum looks awesome! [American accent] I want to visit there without doubt and would fit perfectly with the Help For Heroes charity.



(Genie and Jim, do you want me to start a new thread in the rides/rallies forum or do you want this moved. )

How about a new thread when we've picked a date and venue? (So in about six months and twenty pages.)

It all seems a long way from Manchester.. I would be knackered before we started...
Could we just ride in a big circle round Birmingham ??

Seriously... I could make up to a 3 dayer. Anywhere ... count me in if its Help for Hero's.

The Scarabeo deserves a long run on its new Rotax.

That's great! It is a bit far from Manchester. On the up side I will buy you a 'kiss me quick' hat and a stick of rock at the seaside.

South Coast works for me, tho' I'm not sure about being able to take day 3 off work... Would certainly be up for doing the first stage Margate to Eastbourne tho'... and then who knows (I'd probably be totally adiceted and decide I just have to finish... (who said I was competitve????? )