Ok guys, it seems like we may have enough interest to hold the inaugural UK LT annual meet ( Phil seems to be taking notes of the interest) do we have any suggestions where or when?
I'm guessing a "summer" weekend would be favourite? I would guess somewhere roughly around say, Cheltenham? (just a suggestion and not 'cos it's close to me, I'm in London!) I suppose it depends upon where the majority come from. If we're mostly further north, I would think it'd be better further up the country.
What are we looking for? I'd be happy to camp although if I can persuade my wife to come along as well, we may be looking for a local B&B. Good riding roads for group rides and interesting places to go would be good as well.
Although I do ride in all weathers and am not scared of a bit of rain, if this is an informal meeting, how about if we make a provisional date that's not made firm until maybe a week beforehand when we can see how the weather will be? We can all keep in touch via email or this site to update ourselves on progress.
These are all just my thoughts, please feel free to chip in with alternative/better ideas.

Simon

__________________
1999 K1200LT "the big scooter" (my sixth LT!)
3 X 1999's
1 X 2001
1 X 2003
1 X 2005

Having lived round Cheltenham, I can't recommend the roads that much.
If you want excellent roads, there is a field next to my place for camping (a few beds at mine as well), and less than half a mile to moorland and a 30 seconds walk to a real ale pub. Wales is K1200lt country!

__________________
Since few are wise enough to rule themselves and even fewer are wise enough to rule others, why do we believe in a system where the stupid can spot the wise and give them power over all of us?

My Euro rides on YouTube (updated Aug 09)

At the moment we have 10 names off this board who are or were interested before christmas. I think now we are into the new year we could probably have more as people start to look forward to the summer months.If people want to email me I will compile a list and see how many are still interested.
phillp.hollick@btinternet.com

Hi all, You can put me and the wife down on the list please, would love to meet up with other LT owners, and talk bikes, whether its camping, BB, day rides out, were in,
c00k1e seems to have a plan... sounds good and suits all needs for all kind of rider..

Add my name to the list please. Dont mind where but would prefer b&b to many bad experiences camping. Can I suggest Princetown in the middle of Dartmoor. Camping, bunkhouse and plenty of B&B. The GS club I'm still a member of have had their annual meet at ther Plume of Feathers in Princetown for the last 8 years. Just a suggestion

__________________
Gazza


http://gazza.smugmug.com/
http://www.youtube.com/yosser29

LOVE Devon and Dartmoor, up to the majority of course, but +1 for Princetown!

Simon

__________________
1999 K1200LT "the big scooter" (my sixth LT!)
3 X 1999's
1 X 2001
1 X 2003
1 X 2005

Ruth and I would want to go B&B.

The only caveat about Dartmoor is that it's four hours from Derby so I doubt if we'd attract people from much further north than I am unless it was a long weekend and then the costs go up. The Welsh Borders would be a nice alternative. Anywhere on the stretch from Ross on Wye down through Monmouth and Usk would offer plenty places to go and to do with nice roads to get there on.

Keith's 2p!

__________________
UK 2004 K1200LT Lux - Katie

Welsh borders of where I am, so the field for campers, B&B 200 yards up the road, a few beds at mine.
Of course we could do an English LT meet AND a Welsh one!

__________________
Since few are wise enough to rule themselves and even fewer are wise enough to rule others, why do we believe in a system where the stupid can spot the wise and give them power over all of us?

My Euro rides on YouTube (updated Aug 09)

Just how many LT owners are there in europe ? cos there doesn't seem much interest.

__________________
Gazza


http://gazza.smugmug.com/
http://www.youtube.com/yosser29

"Exclusive" is the word your searching for. he he he

__________________
1999 K1200LT "the big scooter" (my sixth LT!)
3 X 1999's
1 X 2001
1 X 2003
1 X 2005

We have got 7 on the list at the moment showing interest but I think as time goes on there will probably be more.I have just put this meeting on the bmwclub website aswell see if we can drum up some more interest,

I think if you want to have European involvement then it would have to be a three or four day affair to make it worth their while and we would need to be much more formally organised to make that work. For the first one, I think we ought to keep it simple. Either one or two nights (at the attendees' choice) so that Saturday could be a half or full day.

As people arrived there could be a handout listing places of interest within, say, fifty miles, and/or some nice routes to ride. Make Saturday a go-as-you-please day but definitely gather for a group meal on Saturday night. I'd like to see a group ride organised for Sunday morning, ending somewhere that served food so that we can break up and go home from there.

Keith

__________________
UK 2004 K1200LT Lux - Katie

There are enough for over 100 to go all the way to Finland for an LT rally. But there are many who read Euro LT boards in other languages. Being 'mono-linguistic' as we generally are here in the UK, we use the USA board (this one).
I am sure that if we penciled in a date and venue and got that translated onto a few Euro boards, there would be more interest. I have already heard from a pyromaniac Oz who is interested ;-)
It is a good time to come here as the pound has dropped so much against the Euro.

__________________
Since few are wise enough to rule themselves and even fewer are wise enough to rule others, why do we believe in a system where the stupid can spot the wise and give them power over all of us?

My Euro rides on YouTube (updated Aug 09)

If it's to be as Keith suggests and I agree an informal UK meet and I take your point Cookie about language lets get something sorted for a 2/3 day weekend. I'am not fussed where, cant do June other committment.
suggestions so far =
Wales
Devon
Longnor ? where tf that

__________________
Gazza


http://gazza.smugmug.com/
http://www.youtube.com/yosser29

I think that we have to have some sort of date to allow people to work around i think the later we go into the summer months the less people will be able to attend.I would suggest perhaps mid may then 15th to 17th arrive on the friday depart sunday. This leaves the whit break free for any that have already made plans.How does this date fit in with everyone else.

ooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrr
the weekend before the Finnish rally, so those of us going can leave right after in convoy
I am usually in Cuba in April/May, Euro tour in May/June

__________________
Since few are wise enough to rule themselves and even fewer are wise enough to rule others, why do we believe in a system where the stupid can spot the wise and give them power over all of us?

My Euro rides on YouTube (updated Aug 09)

First thing first boys. We need to elect someone to be decision maker! Someone to pick and book venue’s and dates that suits, and don’t mind e-mailing members rather than hoping that they come across the thread.
Best if there are two so there is a back up, kind of chairman and vice chair, for the UK division.
It can be hard work and time consuming, so volunteers are welcome


Example;
c00k1e is on top of a possible venue and has good local knowledge
Phil24 has already started gathering info on other members that are interested
Simon started this thread to get us all in interested
Yosser and Rockdoc seems well experienced in meetings and what riders needs might be at the meetings



So first do you think we should do a list of nominees then a poll and let members vote?

Who is interested in chairing or making a list for the poll?

Should we start a new thread regarding this?

But let’s make it as simple as we can.
There can be more than one weekend meeting or day rides this year anyway.

I think Carl (Bear) has come up with some valid points there and that this is the way to go we need some person to colate all the information thats being put down.I think so far we have a choice of 2 possible meeting places Princetown and c00k1e's place has anyone got any other ideas where it could be held possibly in the middle of the country or are we happy to go with either of those after a vote. Then theres the date ? when do we want to have the first meeting.

I think the idea of keep it simple for our first meet is a good idea and as stated we could have more than 1.

OR, we could combine it with a pre-arranged meeting, like here
http://www.bmf.co.uk/Events/pages/bmf_show.php
Maybe this would also give us the opportunity to forward the notion of a "UK LT Annual meeting 2010" to more people?
Just a thought?

__________________
1999 K1200LT "the big scooter" (my sixth LT!)
3 X 1999's
1 X 2001
1 X 2003
1 X 2005

I can see the advantages of getting together but not, I think, at the BMF. I'll admit up front that it's not my cup of tea and hasn't been since it was held at Woburn Abbey in the seventies.

Trying to keep my personal prejudices out of it, unless we book a tent there's no focus for the meet and no reason why anyone would come to hear of the proposed event. As far as publicity goes, I think we'd do better by contacting MCN, MotorCycle Sport & Leisure and so on plus using the BMW Club site and magazine. The BMW Club will happily publicise events that it hasn't organised and that should find British and Irish LT owners who aren't on this site.

One thing to think about early doors, though: do we need third-party insurance to indemnify the organisers? In these litigious times it's something to bear in mind. I do know that every Club I'm in has it to cover any event organised by its members so it's got to be considered.

Keith

__________________
UK 2004 K1200LT Lux - Katie

I never thought of the insurance side of it but i would have thought a few lt owners meeting up wouldnt be a problem. I have already started a topic on the BMW Club site yesterday not had any response yet though from it but its early days.

Not been on there today. I'll go and have a look!Keith

__________________
UK 2004 K1200LT Lux - Katie

Sounds a good idea.
As for myself - I wouldn't be able to be serious enough to run a rally/meet. I go to many though and would help out as required.
Thing is, there are so many different types of meets/rallies. The Finland meet has excellent accommodation and is a right challenge to get to, others are just down the road but a challenge to survive (in a tent in winter). The Elefanten Treffen is both!
I know I am biased, but I came to Wales for a good reason - empty roads, hills and good countryside. But at the end of the day, it doesn't matter where you are, it is the company you are with.

__________________
Since few are wise enough to rule themselves and even fewer are wise enough to rule others, why do we believe in a system where the stupid can spot the wise and give them power over all of us?

My Euro rides on YouTube (updated Aug 09)

Well, that's probably the first thing we need to settle, then, even before we set the area: what type of event are we looking for?

1. There are the weekend/long weekend ones where we ride singly or in groups around a scenic area but mainly socialise.
2. What the US guys call "Ride to Eat" where we pick on a pub and go to it for a couple of hours of food and chat, the ride to and from the place being up to the individual.

I think we're looking at the former for the main event - the annual rally, hopefully - but the latter are easier to arrange so we can have several of those without a lot of agony for anyone.

As far as a date goes for the UK-CCR, I'd suggest early September. The weather is still going to be nice, and there'll still be quite a lot of daylight but the schools will be back so, with a bit of luck, the accomodation will be cheaper and the landlord will be pleased to see us. If we want European involvement the cost of the ferries is likely to drop then, too.

We will need a committee but not yet, I think. We're still at quite a loose stage and I'd like to see agreement on where and when first.

Keith

__________________
UK 2004 K1200LT Lux - Katie

I'm with you there, and I still live around Chelts. Your place sounds ideal, some eating/Drinking and some nice roads.

__________________
Rgds
Mike

Keep your bike in good repair: motorcycle boots are not comfortable for walking.

2001 K12 LT Toscana Green AKA Baby Sh*t Green
Kawasaki EN500 - been sold on!
Hardtail Chopper ( Honda CB 500 engine) in a box

The BMW Owners club always has a stand at the BMF, and when I've been there (been going since 1982) I've always had a great time.

I've suggested the BMF a few times, but you have to like to camp, not mind crap toilets, and the food (burger vans) is not very good. I can handle it for a couple nights, but do prefer a B&B myself. This year I'll be missing the BMF as I've two other family events to attend on the same weekends.

__________________
Rgds
Mike

Keep your bike in good repair: motorcycle boots are not comfortable for walking.

2001 K12 LT Toscana Green AKA Baby Sh*t Green
Kawasaki EN500 - been sold on!
Hardtail Chopper ( Honda CB 500 engine) in a box

I resemble that remark
Hey that's why we are closer to the lake

__________________
Ocean Blue '06
"Jenna"
On Tour
Near the Millau Viaduct, France. Wow!

Hi All depending on location and shifts I would be interested
Cheers Hovis

ROFL - you booked Finland already?
Hey guys, I think we should let the Oz decide the best date - that way we can guarantee that the event is truly international AND we get a proper BBQ!

__________________
Since few are wise enough to rule themselves and even fewer are wise enough to rule others, why do we believe in a system where the stupid can spot the wise and give them power over all of us?

My Euro rides on YouTube (updated Aug 09)

Yep. and Bremen
Indecision is the key to flexibility
+1 for the BBQ. Anywhere anytime.

In Aust we BBQ the SNAG and we BBQ the CHOP
What's the difference ?
About 4 beers !




S.N.A.G. Sensitive New Age Guy.
C.H.O.P. Chauvinistic Hedonistic Opinionated Pig

__________________
Ocean Blue '06
"Jenna"
On Tour
Near the Millau Viaduct, France. Wow!

Sounds good guys. Keep us "Micks" up to date, all going well we may convince a few to come over. Anyway we can get the webmaster to dedicate a special forum for it?

You're on top of the Forest of Dean and the Welsh marches, to the east into the Cotswolds - crap roads???

Here's a good B&B - www.hopeorchard.co.uk. Owners are both bikers, loads of off road parking, pub up the road, easy runs to A40 and dwon to the forest and say, Blakenay (the Cock Inn for instance), or how about past Bishops Cleeve to the Rising Sun and the High Roost?

Chelters is a good location as its sort of "middle", easy runs from the smoke, Brum, south, wales, north.

Niall

Good roads indeed - IF they weren't so full of cars and badly maintained roads. Now Welsh roads on the other hand....................;-)

__________________
Since few are wise enough to rule themselves and even fewer are wise enough to rule others, why do we believe in a system where the stupid can spot the wise and give them power over all of us?

My Euro rides on YouTube (updated Aug 09)

-c00k1e- could you be good enough to find out location and prices for camping & BB, PUB in your area and post hear?
If other members could do the same we could have a variety of choice.

Because of work I like the idea of arriving on a Saturday,
a LT Sunday ride,
returning home on a Monday
so a bank holiday weekend could be favoured (if there is one?)
No reason why others could not arrive on a Friday or leave on a Sunday.
Or even just turn up for a Sunday ride?

Once we choose a location we can sort a date out.

Sounds simple enough to me?
What do you think?

Thank you all, keep this thread alive...

Bear-KLT - a Bank Holiday is not a good idea. Accommodation will be at a premium and there will be a lot of well-established rallies - like the BMW Club - that we'd have to compete with.

So we seem to have ideas for an event around the Welsh Borders (cook1e) and one for Cheltenham (Niall) with Dartmoor a possible third. I think we need to get the venue - or the area for the venue, at least - sorted PDQ so we can concentrate on sorting out the accommodation and, perhaps most importantly, getting it advertised.

Is it time to stick a poll up?

Keith

__________________
UK 2004 K1200LT Lux - Katie

[QUOTE=Bear-KLTBecause of work I like the idea of arriving on a Saturday,
a LT Sunday ride,
returning home on a Monday
so a bank holiday weekend could be favoured (if there is one?)
No reason why others could not arrive on a Friday or leave on a Sunday.
Or even just turn up for a Sunday ride?

Once we choose a location we can sort a date out.

Sounds simple enough to me?
What do you think?

Thank you all, keep this thread alive...[/QUOTE]

I think you are right, keeping it very flexible will be the best thing as this is a first attempt at any kind of UK meet. Given some like to camp, or are happy to rough it in tents, and other like the comforts of a B&B or better, then picking a location which offers both will satisfy everyone. I'm happy in a tent, but her in doors would prefer a B&B.

Q. - Are we allowing other biker buddies to join us? I have some none BMW friends who I ride with, who would probably come along for the fun of it. All good people, age range from 30 to 63.

__________________
Rgds
Mike

Keep your bike in good repair: motorcycle boots are not comfortable for walking.

2001 K12 LT Toscana Green AKA Baby Sh*t Green
Kawasaki EN500 - been sold on!
Hardtail Chopper ( Honda CB 500 engine) in a box

I would have no objection to other people attending but I wouldn't like to see the emphasis shift away from it being primarily for LT/RT bikes even if the balance of the riders went that way. If a gaggle of GSers want to go green laning that is up to them but I've no desire to chase them two-up on Katie!

I'm thinking of it as a rally for BMW touring bikes that other marques and types of bike are welcome to attend.

Keith

__________________
UK 2004 K1200LT Lux - Katie

OK
Our local eat/drink/stay/see web page is HERE

Camping - free or virtually free in the field next to me. Showers and toilets available right next door (also emergency accommodation if it tips it down etc.)

The Lloyney Inn is walking distance from all of the places on this page and possibly a good focal point for the rally.

B&B - quite a choice here;

• Lloyney Mill (awaiting prices)
• Bryn Heulog **** (£28-£35pppn)
• THE WATERDINE ***** (from £105pppn)
• The Castle Inn (from £25 pppn)

Cabins

• Black Hall Lodges - silly money, but worth a look if you want to stay in the area for a week.

__________________
Since few are wise enough to rule themselves and even fewer are wise enough to rule others, why do we believe in a system where the stupid can spot the wise and give them power over all of us?

My Euro rides on YouTube (updated Aug 09)

Princetown: Suggest May 22-25 over to you.

PLUME OF FEATHERS INN, PRINCETOWN, DARTMOOR, DEVON.
Camping, bunk house or B&B's.

Good Beer & Cider, Good Food(Lets hope the other chef is back),local cafe's more B&B's in and around Princetown, and we should have a pick of Ride Outs in or around Devon & Cornwall.

There are a few Pub's and B&B's in the village as listed below:

Inn's/Pub's

The Plume of Feathers 01822 890240 (Fax 890780), www.smoothhound.co.uk/hotels/plume or email jamesplume@ukonline.co.uk, You are required to book the Bunkhouse or B&B.

The Railway Inn 01822 890240 (now all B&B next door to the Plume and booked via the Plume).

Prince of Wales Pub (B&B) 01822 890219 (this is 100 yards away from the Plume)

A Few miles away:

Cherrybrook Hotel, Two Bridges, 01822 880260 www.cherrybrook-hotel.co.uk Seven bedrooms all with private facilities.

Prince Hall Hotel, Near Two Bridges, 01822 890403 (Fax 01822 890676) www.princehall.co.uk Eight en suite bedrooms.

Lydgate House, Postbridge, 01822 880209 (Fax 880202) www.lydgatehouse.co.uk Seven en suite bedrooms.

The Pump House, Postbridge, 01822 880286 Two en suite Doubles.

Higher Lydgate Farm, Pastbridge, 01822 880274.

East Dart Hotel, Postbridge, 01822 880213 www.dartmoorhotels.com

Brimpts Barn, Dartmeet, 01364 631250, www.brimptsfarm.co.uk Ten en suite bedrooms.


The Forest Inn, Hexworthy, 01364 631211.

Moorland Links Hotel, Yelverton, 01822 852245 (Fax 855004) www.forestdale.com 44 bedrooms.

The Harrabeer Country House Hotel, 01822 853302 www.harrabeer.co.uk .

Callisham Farm, Meavy, Yelverton. 01822 853901 www.callishamfarm.fsnet.co.uk

Withhill Farm, Sampford Spiney, Yelverton. 01822 853992

Peekhill Farm, Dousland, Yelverton. 01822 854808 www.peekhill.freeserve.co.uk

Knightstone Tea Romms, Yelverton. 01822 853679

I think these are all still operating!!!

Information courtesy of the www.GSclubUK.org

__________________
Gazza


http://gazza.smugmug.com/
http://www.youtube.com/yosser29

I can't imagine why you're suggesting we go to Devon on a Bank Holiday, Yosser. Every man and his dog will be on the road, the pubs will be full and rooms will be scarce and expensive. Far more people will be holidaying at home this year with the pound being low against the Euro and Dollar so it could be worse than usual.

Other consideration for whichever venue we choose and whatever date:

1. I reckon we're already looking at 10+ bikes so, by the time it happens, we could easily have to cater for 25-30 people or more, with luck. Is it going to feel like an event if we have folks spread all over the local area, one or two to a spot?
2. Shouldn't we be looking at hotels that can cater for that many so we can all be together? We might have to look at the cheaper chains, like Comfort Inns, staying as close to where we want to be as possible.
3. The same applies to restaurants if we want to have a meal for everyone on one of the nights. Saturday would be favourite but that's got to be their busiest! Not very many places can cope with an influx of 30 people and those that can would probably want us to book both numbers and meals.

Keith

__________________
UK 2004 K1200LT Lux - Katie

Not suggesting just offering alternatives. Don't really want to go either but someone asked for suggestions. I'am up for anything but not camping.

__________________
Gazza


http://gazza.smugmug.com/
http://www.youtube.com/yosser29

are former LT owners allowd to come too?! (Just buying a GT at the moment)

End of May not good for me though....

Marc

Surrey area

__________________
"...if at first you don't succeed, then skydiving probably isn't the sport for you..."

Sorry, Yosser. I didn't mean to come over as grumpy as that.

Keith

__________________
UK 2004 K1200LT Lux - Katie

Yep, totally agree. One of the reasons I am suggesting Lloyney;

All but one of the accommodations is in about the same size/area of the accommodation of the Finland LT rally.

Meals
B&B will sort breakfasts out of course. Campers cook their own or I can put something on next door.
Fri evening meal at Lloyney Inn (will be up there later and will check how many they can cater for).
Sat meal can be anywhere on the ride out.
Evening BBQ - Hilton?
Sunday Lloyney Inn do an excellent Sunday spread

Entertainment

• Technical

• Final Drive Rebuild? (all parts ready to go!)
• Learn how to BBQ the 'Australian way'
• More suggestions?

• Local Ride outs

• Judges Lodgings
• Spaceguard Centre
• Acton Scott Farm
• Bleddfa Centre
• Powis Castle

• Longer Ride outs
  • Elan Valley
  • Snowdonia National Park
  • Horseshoe Pass
  • or all 3 for a mega K1200lt 6hr 235mile round trip!

__________________
Since few are wise enough to rule themselves and even fewer are wise enough to rule others, why do we believe in a system where the stupid can spot the wise and give them power over all of us?

My Euro rides on YouTube (updated Aug 09)

This is all sounding pretty damn good!

__________________
1999 K1200LT "the big scooter" (my sixth LT!)
3 X 1999's
1 X 2001
1 X 2003
1 X 2005

Ill second that sounds good to me think I'm sold.

Well I'm up for the weekend by Cookie. Looks like we even get a tech session thrown in, something I didn't think was going to happen first time around.

With luck, the weather in may will be warm enough to camp, well it always has been at the BMF and I do that one in may.

I only suggested opening up to other riders if we though numbers were going to be low. Happy to keep it to LT/BMW tourers.

Elan valley is a place I've riden a few times, and it makes a nice day trip out for where I am in Glos. Looking forward to the trip already, even if it is not very far from me.

__________________
Rgds
Mike

Keep your bike in good repair: motorcycle boots are not comfortable for walking.

2001 K12 LT Toscana Green AKA Baby Sh*t Green
Kawasaki EN500 - been sold on!
Hardtail Chopper ( Honda CB 500 engine) in a box

Cook1e's idea looks extremely good so we're in. Now we just need to decide when and get the word out. I strongly suggest we keep away from the school and Bank holidays to give ourselves cheaper rooms and more chance of finding overspill accommodation if it proves very popular. The tech session alone will bring in people, I'm sure.

Cook1e's said he doesn't want the bother of the organisation but I think we can wangle around that. If he does the negotiations with the pubs and B&Bs getting numbers and the rest of it can be done from a distance.

What does anyone think of a Ride To Eat late(?) next month where we can get together over food and to start to firm things up?

Keith

__________________
UK 2004 K1200LT Lux - Katie

How about I ask all the local B&Bs etc. when their quietest weekend for this year is, and see what kind of a deal they will do to fill it?
What is the earliest and latest dates people will consider?

__________________
Since few are wise enough to rule themselves and even fewer are wise enough to rule others, why do we believe in a system where the stupid can spot the wise and give them power over all of us?

My Euro rides on YouTube (updated Aug 09)

Now that sounds like a good idea, but don't let them tell you the last weekend in Nov, far too cold then

__________________
Rgds
Mike

Keep your bike in good repair: motorcycle boots are not comfortable for walking.

2001 K12 LT Toscana Green AKA Baby Sh*t Green
Kawasaki EN500 - been sold on!
Hardtail Chopper ( Honda CB 500 engine) in a box