The Mega (AR09) thread.

[joshmac]

Wrestling a man, not only a challenge but a hobby too! The AR usually brings with it rain so it may turn into mud wrestling!! :-D
Surely that's an activity for the ladies to take part in :p;)

[Bear]

Wrestling a man, not only a challenge but a hobby too! The AR usually brings with it rain so it may turn into mud wrestling!! :-D

Well, I was pretty sure of my attendance before, but now I'm certain!

[joshmac]

Well, I was pretty sure of my attendance before, but now I'm certain!
:shock:
It was Phil's idea!
*Points at Phil then runs* :)

[phil24_7]

Well, I was pretty sure of my attendance before, but now I'm certain!

I shall bring my mankini!:D

[Alpinestarhero]

I shall bring my mankini!:D

I shall bring my camera!

[joshmac]

I shall bring the popcorn :lol: :razz:

[phil24_7]

AR09 sounds like it's gonna be a hoot!

[Frank]

AR09 sounds like it's gonna be a hoot!
dont think it will.Think we will all sit round in our beards ,drinking coffee,toasting marshmallows ,whilst keeping the rain off with our kagoules.
More enviro friendly water anyone.




















Naaaaaaaaaaa....bring on the dancing Orgettes an Hovis

[joshmac]

Had me worried for a sec there Giddy :lol:

[Stig]

I shall bring the popcorn :lol: :razz:

I shall bring me with the binoculars.

[Lifeboat Mike]

Is there a pool and crazy golf? (i love crazy golf)

[Tim in Belgium]

Unfortunately I won't be attending as Rad am Ring has been moved from the original published dates, but I'm sure you'll be able to have fun without me.

[Quiff Wichard]

should be good- man I hope I canmake it- tis the highlight of my year.

truly.






oh and I will either be living in stoke still or in Crewe- but if any northerners real northerners or scots folk need a bed to break the journey thursdaynight then I am sure can accommodate-if me go will prob be heading down friday in the day nice stop off at junction 16 M6

[Supervox]

Is there a pool and crazy golf? (i love crazy golf)


Why bother with a pool when you have the beautiful River Crouch ??

As for crazy golf - well, as I 've already decided to lead a rideout on the Sunday (for any who may be interested) that will involve a stop on Saaafffend Seafront you can indulge your passion (fetish ?) for crazy golf to your heart's content !! :cool:

[ArtyLady]

[...]
as I 've already decided to lead a rideout on the Sunday (for any who may be interested) that will involve a stop on Saaafffend Seafront [...]

Sounds good - hope Ive got some stamina left! :D

[Messie]

There's a hooooge trampoline in the pub garden!!!

[monkey]

'Now that's what I'm talking about!'

You go first Messie.
;)

[chris8886]

There's a hooooge trampoline in the pub garden!!!

i can forsee hovis creating the AR09 comedy moment again while rather drunk on that! lol

thanks messie for all your efforts, i'm looking forward to this already! :D

[northwind]

Crazy golf should be in the olympics.

[joshmac]

Crazy golf should be in the olympics.
That'd be chicken oriental!! ;)

#groan# :lol:

[Bear]

'Now that's what I'm talking about!'

You go first Messie.
;)

Votes for topless Messie on the trampoline...

[Messie]

Votes for topless Messie on the trampoline...
No, no no, and yet again no!

Sorry to disappoint Huni, but health & safety have been on to me already












I could 'ave someone's eye out!!!!

;)

[MR UKI (1)]

should be good- man I hope I canmake it- tis the highlight of my year.

truly.






oh and I will either be living in stoke still or in Crewe- but if any northerners real northerners or scots folk need a bed to break the journey thursdaynight then I am sure can accommodate-if me go will prob be heading down friday in the day nice stop off at junction 16 M6

Can I stay to break up the journey a little?

[Bear]

Sorry to disappoint Huni, but health & safety have been on to me already;)

The lucky b*ggers. When do I get to get on to you?

[Grinch]

There's a hooooge trampoline in the pub garden!!!

ooooh, great... you ain't seen nothing until you have seen me on a trampoline.

[chris8886]

No, no no, and yet again no!

Sorry to disappoint Huni, but health & safety have been on to me already












I could 'ave someone's eye out!!!!

;)

stuff health and safety!! :p

[Sally]

602 mi – about 10 hours 54 mins.

Could be a emmm long ride haha :(

According to google maps.. :)

[Messie]

602 mi – about 10 hours 54 mins.

Could be a emmm long ride haha :(

According to google maps.. :)
Do it over two days - make a holiday of it. Several people have offered beds for the night on the way down.


Bear and Monkey and Chris - BEHAVE!!!!

[Supervox]

Bear and Monkey and Chris - BEHAVE!!!!

Yeah really !!!

Like that's EVER gonna happen !!! :p

[chris8886]

Do it over two days - make a holiday of it. Several people have offered beds for the night on the way down.


Bear and Monkey and Chris - BEHAVE!!!!

do we get to go in the naughty corner? or is it just a spanking? :o

[_Stretchie_]

nice stop off at junction 16 M6


Is that where them Scouce girls were the other year?????

[Viper]

Is that where them Scouce girls were the other year?????

i remember them... all dressed in pink with cowboy hats in a mini bus, quiff got a lot of kisses

[_Stretchie_]

Yeah.. Then them Scouce girls kissed him too

[Sally]

Haha apparantly the spearies have a plan already, so i dont need to steal a bed :)

[Quiff Wichard]

Yeah.. Then them Scouce girls kissed him too

ha ha ..

Na that services was above Sandbach.. but its quite near.

they were rough as sewer rats !!

[Messie]

I WISH IT WAS SUMMER NOW!!!! :batman:

[joshmac]

I WISH IT WAS SUMMER NOW!!!! :batman:
Why? It'd still be raining :lol:
Don't you mean you wish this AR was next week? ;)

[yorkie_chris]

Yes but the rain might be slightly warmer.

[joshmac]

True

[Messie]

NO! It's NOT going to rain!

I've told the weather people and they'd better do what they're told :mad:

[joshmac]

NO! It's NOT going to rain!

I've told the weather people and they'd better do what they're told :mad:
Sorry teacer :razz: but I'm not sure they're gonna listen to ya ;)

[Messie]

Hmph:mad:

[Quiff Wichard]

Can I stay to break up the journey a little?

yes- inthe garage



Sorry - another de rail.

ON TOPIC only may need saying here..

[chris8886]

you arrived with your head still slung low yet phil? lol

[phil24_7]

Just got here. It was a long journey!! :-D

[chris8886]

Just got here. It was a long journey!! :-D

did messie give you a clip round the ear on your way over? :p


:smt083

[phil24_7]

No, I can run far too quickly for that!

[joshmac]

No, I can run far too quickly for that!
You don't need to run quickly to outpace the "teacer" mate ;)

[phil24_7]

When I say fast, I mean 30 year old fast!! :-D

[Viney]

Well it had to happen. BBC and myself will not be there this year. We'll be spending the same weekend in North wales with her brother and family. We only found out yesterday that the weekends clash!

Never mind

[phil24_7]

Nooooooooooooo!

Rearrange it!

[TazDaz]

So...I'm a little unclear on the plans. Do most people camp on the friday night as well as the saturday night?

Cheers

[joshmac]

So...I'm a little unclear on the plans. Do most people camp on the friday night as well as the saturday night?

Cheers
Yeah most people did last year. Although there were people who just came for the ride, some who camped but stayed at the site during the ride. Whatever fits in with you was the general feeling I picked up last year. I think one or two even stayed on the Sunday night.

Last year was my first time though, so I maybe completely wrong.

HTH

[Messie]

Yup, pretty much anything goes. Some stay one or two or three nights.Some don't stay at all. Some stay in B&B elsewhere.
Some come along for the party but not the ride.

You're welcome to do what suits you best

[Viney]

Nooooooooooooo!

Rearrange it!
Cant. We was going to come to the rideout then go to wales afterwards but Verna can't get time off either side of the weekend. So its a latenight blat up to Wales ont he firday and run home on the Sunday night :(

[phil24_7]

:-(

[joshmac]

:-(
You'll just have to settle for me instead then :mrgreen:

Alright! Don't get too excited ;) :lol:

[phil24_7]

But your so young and inexperienced!

[joshmac]

Meh, I'm a quick learner. Try not to make the same mistakes twice ;)

[Messie]

Some activity ideas:

...following Spiderman and his web of mischief comes...
Soulkiss with his LED light show...
a*hero's Pandora's topbox never fails to delight...
the most intelligent Squid in the World...
a Bear in stocks! I dare you to show him your bits...

If Soho made Circuses, it'd be the most motherflippin' on Earth...

Ok I've stopped sulking now.
I'm going to work on planning all of these... plus some!

Ner ner!!

[Baph]

Ok I've stopped sulking now.
I'm going to work on planning all of these... plus some!

Ner ner!!

Sure you're not making a rod for your own back? What if people don't want to join in the planned activities? :rolleyes:

*runs, quickly* :)

[monkey]

Don't sulky wulky Sally wally. Brbrbrbbrbbrbrbrbrb (finger on floppy sulky lip noise).

Wasssssuuuuup?

I forgot to put in the fashion show of pink t-shirt wearers.

[Messie]

ROFL you lot cheer me up Baph and T-Monkey!

[Alpinestarhero]

Every time i feel crap knowing i'll be holed up in a lab during the summer, i remember AR09 is coming

WOOOOO

maybe i'll not be on an SV this time.....

Maybe....

[Stig]

Next year is going to be planned behind closed doors.

[Stig]

Next year is going to be planned behind closed doors.

No choice, no moaning.

[Baph]

Next year is going to be planned behind closed doors.

TBH, I personally don't think that would help. I would go into detail, but I've been berated for giving my opinion on subjects in public before.

Besides, unless you're the person that's going to be planning the event next year, I'd wager you don't have the right to be dictating how it will be organised.

[Stig]

TBH, I personally don't think that would help. I would go into detail, but I've been berated for giving my opinion on subjects in public before.

Besides, unless you're the person that's going to be planning the event next year, I'd wager you don't have the right to be dictating how it will be organised.

You don't agree. I am shocked. Not :roll:

[Lissa]

Next year is going to be planned behind closed doors.

Wasn't this years? No options, no vote for the members of where it should be, just told 'it's here, like it or lump it':rolleyes:

[Messie]

Lissa that's a bit unfair. OK this year general area was decided without a vote but everything else about it has been put out to vote or opinion. And I think that's a bit of the problem.

What's the saying I'm thinking of - definition of a camel - a horse designed by a committee, or something like that

[carnivore]

What's the saying I'm thinking of - definition of a camel - a horse designed by a committee, or something like that

What, ilconceived?

[northwind]

Put a horse in the deep desert and see how long it lives :rolleyes: If anyone can explain my metaphor to me, please do, I'm totally confused.

[Baph]

http://www.dailygalaxy.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/06/10/deja_vu_2.gif

(Apologies TLW if I'm stealing your job...)

[monkey]

Have I missed some beef? If there's beef to be had I'd like some please.

[Baph]

Have I missed some beef? If there's beef to be had I'd like some please.

There's plenty of beef left. But the veg has all gone. Going to have to be quicker next time...

[monkey]

I'll have the salt beef with mustard and a gherkin on the side. Thanks!

Can I suggest that this year Fizzwheel and Drew Carey don't look alike? Maybe we could all wear name tags.

[Baph]

I'll have the salt beef with mustard and a gherkin on the side. Thanks!

Can I suggest that this year Fizzwheel and Drew Carey don't look alike? Maybe we could all wear name tags.

Salt beef it is, but the mustard costs extra. Price is non-negotiable, sorry, it was decided before the menu was created.

Nametags? When the BP section was put together I think Pete/Lissa made name tags for us all, still got mine somewhere...

[dizzyblonde]

I've still got my name tag from AR07.......but none of you are having it ;-)

[Baph]

Actually, with the nametags idea, can we have a title for the person underneath it too.

For example "trouble maker" or "Event Organiser" etc. :D

Or is that a bad idea? :oops: :lol:

[monkey]

Well mine only needs three letters.

S I R

[Baph]

Well mine only needs three letters.

S I R

Silent Information Regulator?

[Balky001]

where is the rideout route, I can't see it on stickied posts? I can see people have commented on it but I think I'm losing my eyesight?

[Drew Carey]

Did someone say Beef???? Yum Yum.

[fizzwheel]

Wasn't this years? No options, no vote for the members of where it should be, just told 'it's here, like it or lump it':rolleyes:

we did that with AR08 and look where that got us....

[Stig]

Wasn't this years? No options, no vote for the members of where it should be, just told 'it's here, like it or lump it':rolleyes:

The only thing that was decided without a vote was the area/venue. Even this was discussed at length by the moderators. Unsurprisingly, this is also the only decision that has been made without any complaining or moaning. Who would have thought. The route has been chosen by the people that know the area as is to be expected. This has also been discussed at length. Again there was no complaining or moaning. Well until it was handed over to the general populace for comments (obviously a mistake).

Considering the numbers of people that attend these weekends and do not complain or moan and have a fantastic weekend against the very very small amount of people that wish to pick holes and complain but still attend and have a fantastic time, I personally think it is worth organising behind closed doors with the only thing being left out for a vote is the date of the venue.

So yes Lissa. I think a like it or lump it system would work just fine.

[Bear]

The only thing that was decided without a vote was the area/venue. Even this was discussed at length by the moderators. Unsurprisingly, this is also the only decision that has been made without any complaining or moaning. Who would have thought. The route has been chosen by the people that know the area as is to be expected. This has also been discussed at length. Again there was no complaining or moaning. Well until it was handed over to the general populace for comments (obviously a mistake).

Considering the numbers of people that attend these weekends and do not complain or moan and have a fantastic weekend against the very very small amount of people that wish to pick holes and complain but still attend and have a fantastic time, I personally think it is worth organising behind closed doors with the only thing being left out for a vote is the date of the venue.

So yes Lissa. I think a like it or lump it system would work just fine.

+1.

Or maybe we get Baph and Hovis to organise next years? With all their helpful suggestions I'm sure it'd be the best AR ever.

[SoulKiss]

+1.

Or maybe we get Baph and Hovis to organise next years? With all their helpful suggestions I'm sure it'd be the best AR ever.

Only 2 mistakes in the organisation so far.....

1) Publishing the Ride-out route in advance - IMHO only the leader and Markers should know this info, our marking team has been excellent in the last 2 years (and probably before that but as I wasnt on those rides I cannot comment)

2) Trying to organise a lunch-stop when there was going to be a like it or lump it situation. It would have been better to have just said the lunch stop is going to be at place X, lunch should be purchased from the stop before, which you will be made aware of, or to have an option on the Friday night to order a packed lunch from the Pub to be picked up on Sat morning.

As someone above said, give people choices and they will give you problems.........

[plowsie]

Lock all the threads, do what was did with AR07.

All there was that I remember was a post from Rictus saying, AR07 - Its here, it'll cost, I've been to check it - its fine. We were part of the first few to turn up, and we managed.

Then the route was published fairly late and then locked.

Look what a great time people had.

And that way, the comments can't be made, or have to be discussed via PM. Organisers don't get stressed with people moaning.

As said above, give us the choice, call on the problems...

[Rai86]

Whats with all the complaints? Please correct me if im wrong (this will be my first AR), but surely the point of the AR is to spend a couple days with like minded people, who we talk to every day over the net, go for a nice ride and chill. It makes no ends where it is or where we have lunch ffs

[plowsie]

It makes no ends where it is or where we have lunch ffs
As shown with AR07, everyone was standing around chatting in Leyburn, I was the only one who foooked off over the road and got Battered Sausage and chips :D

[SoulKiss]

Well mine only needs three letters.

S I R

Silent Information Regulator?

Nah, Simian In-need-of Restraint :)

[fizzwheel]

It makes no ends where it is or where we have lunch ffs

I agree it doenst matter as long as I get something to eat I'm not bothered.

We had all this bickering with AR08 and I'm really saddened to see it happening again.

[SoulKiss]

I agree it doenst matter as long as I get something to eat I'm not bothered.

We had all this bickering with AR08 and I'm really saddened to see it happening again.

Its a fact of life - everyone thinks that they could do better............

Still, going to put my bid in for the Central London AR for 2012, middle weekend of the Olympics.

[Magnum]

How many people normally take a spill on the AR's?

Central london? Not sure if that would make a good AR...

[plowsie]

Message to AR09 organisers.

Lock everything, post whats happening with regards to Date, location, whats gonna be there, any threads/posts to show concerns or problems, delete, if someone feels so strongly they should PM, make this clear.

If you don't like whats being said, I can understand that some opinions and views are annoying and repetetive, you have the power to delete or lock threads. Do it.

If I can attend (which is highly unlikely) I will be happy with a, it's here, like it or lump it.

That way, there can be no arguments. Last year, this place became a little parted before the AR with opinions on this and that, and by the looks of it, after the weekend all was forgotten and a great time was had...

[hovis]

I agree it doenst matter as long as I get something to eat I'm not bothered.

We had all this bickering with AR08 and I'm really saddened to see it happening again.

+1

and it seems as if i may have started it, which i apologise for, but

all i ever said was i thought there were too many stops, and for to long (after the OP asked what we thought)

i have never complained about the vennue, how far away it is from me, the breakfast, the route, the distance of the route, the cost or even essex in general, i didnt even moan about the fact we did not get chance to vote on where we wanted to go, some people need to get theier facts straight.
and its going to get blown out of all proportion like the origanal 08 one if it carrys on

[SoulKiss]

How many people normally take a spill on the AR's?

Central london? Not sure if that would make a good AR...

No one in the last 2 years - its not a fast ride and the route is chosen more for scenery than technical riding.

Whats wrong with Central London?

I am sure I can get Lizzie to let us camp in her back garden @ Buck House, then its not that far to the M25 for a lap - prizes to anyone that can do it in under an hour (Prizes to be awarded by the Police in the form of Points - but hey, "What to Point Make?" - "Revenue".....).

Add to the mix the extra traffic/pedestrians, most of them from out of town, so lost, due to the Olympics and the filtering through the West End wil be extra exciting :)

Whats not to love about this plan?

[Magnum]

The further away from london, the nicer the people are. Even the van drivers are OK outside of london :D

[SoulKiss]

The further away from london, the nicer the people are. Even the van drivers are OK outside of london :D

And where would the fun ni that be :)

Anyways, back on topic, as long as I have somewhere to chuck my tent up, somewhere nearby (preferably walking distance to get food and refreshments) and someone to follow on a ride, then thats good enough for me.

Well done so far organisey-type folks :)

[dizzyblonde]

I'm not going, already said so.
Theres a lot of reasons for not going, but one of them is the fact that 'no offense to the people involved' but I just don't like bloody Essex, no matter how much its buttered up, its not attractive to me, its the pitstop to Dover before finding proper roads in France as far as I'm concerned.

Its not the only reason, I've got other personal reasons amongst the many.

I've looked at the rideout, and its still not convinced me, stopping every 30 miles for an hour and a half just doesn't interest me either.
Yes its all about the social, of course it is, I spent the AR last year with Rictus, 21Quest and the YCs in the field on out own and it was splendid, but theres a few in my org circle that aren't going either, who incidently i don't see often, and would love to spend a weekend with.

The Ecosse was my priority this year, due to Matt missing out last year after the hip op, we're off up there, stunning place, and the rides more interesting. He loves Scotland, I do too, and neither of us have many holidays to spend together from work anyway.



Sorry for stepping on toes, I just had to get it off my chest.