View Full Version : GM2014 - Review thanks
carelesschucca
11-09-14, 09:02 PM
Thanks to everyone who's taken the time to reply to me with their reviews or this years Glencoe Massacre.
Mostly the replies have been positive with some good constructive criticism. What I have noticed is the range of views on the actual rideout itself, some people liked the idea of a double loop while others didn't.
In general it appears as if The MacDonald Hotel got a thumbs up with a few wee niggles that I'm sure didn't spoil what appeared to be a good weekend, Mark and Helen were brilliant and went out of their way to make us feel welcome.
The next question is what do we do for next year. I've had a few different ideas thrown my way. There was the idea of going back to Kinlochleven and doing a different rideout. Having a split GM with separate Friday and Saturday night accommodation and having the rideout between the two bases. Having an Applecross GM and having the GM back at Beinglass.
So what do you guys think*?
*if I'm organising I may or may not listen to what you're all saying (easy option for me is the first)
carelesschucca
11-09-14, 09:15 PM
One quick request, did anyone from the Applecross Add-on manage to get a photo of the metalic green Ducati and its rider? The guy made a lasting impression on me, but I really would like a wee reminder of his 'style' it was one of my weekend highlights..
Please, somebody must have photographic evidence to enlighten the .Orgers to the delights of Michelin Man on his Ducasaki. :cool:
The Guru
12-09-14, 11:56 AM
Can we have it in June?
carelesschucca
12-09-14, 12:47 PM
More than likely. If I'm doing it* the date will be brought forward either June or July. I don't want it clashing with any other major bike events.
*other folk can organise if they want it'd be nice to enjoy it without having to really do anything.
The idea of having a split base sounds quite interesting to me. I would have liked to attend the wee extra runs for the last couple of years but have been unable to , due work. So actually running the GM as a 'Wee Tour' of Scotland would appeal.
I appreciate it would not suit all(them that turn up and sit in the bar, no rideout) but the GM has always been about the rideout and the awesome roads we have up here.
Not always easy to find a circular route of 200 ish miles around a fixed base not too far north (so those from the southern states can attend).
Might be worth a shot ??? Just for a year to try ???
June OK, July Good ;-)
hopefully next year i will be doing the same as this year and a mini tour before the GM. i dont do 200 miles tough and its more like 400 each day.
i would love to see a borders GM but i have yet been unable to find a decent site for holding it. i'm still looking though :-)
carelesschucca
12-09-14, 02:43 PM
I've searched and searched for something down south. Tibbie Sheils was the closest to what we need but its too isolated with about 25 miles to anything nearby and a bit scruffy. it's a real shame because its a beautiful location between the two stretches of water.
There's cabins at Glentress just outside of Peebles as well but when I contacted them they were unwilling to go out of their way for us. It was a case of yeah you guys can come here but I'm not going out of my way to help you book you can do it online.
I really liked The GAC when Ron did his thing, food was awful from the place itself but the curries on Saturday made up for that..
JamesMio
12-09-14, 02:50 PM
There's cabins at Glentress just outside of Peebles as well but when I contacted them they were unwilling to go out of their way for us. It was a case of yeah you guys can come here but I'm not going out of my way to help you book you can do it online.
That's the problem, they get so much mountain bike trade, that they don't need to bend over backwards (or forwards for that matter).
punyXpress
12-09-14, 07:40 PM
One quick request, did anyone from the Applecross Add-on manage to get a photo of the metalic green Ducati and its rider? The guy made a lasting impression on me, but I really would like a wee reminder of his 'style' it was one of my weekend highlights..
Think Iain, the candle man, spoke to him.
I reckoned the whole thing was too bizarre, and felt quite ill.
Certainly too bad for any pics - sorry ;)
Tiger 55
13-09-14, 07:06 PM
Applecross GM sounds fantastic, except...
It's 300 miles over the border, which I think will sort out the Iron Butts from the Shandy Drinkers to the point there wont be anybody from the rest of the UK. I realise there already aren't too many takers from anywhere other than that mysterious part of England known as 'the North' but you're getting in to four day weekend territory holding it that far away. Ideal for Haggis mind you.
We could always have it a separate event, ROTSB style, (whatever happened to those/him?) we were gutted to miss the add-on this year.
Split event would cause me to wriggle a bit what with all the packing/unpacking (two up don't forget) but in the end we'd just get on with it. I did think that the figure 8 with lunch stop this year was fantastic, letting people join in late or bail out early as fatigue/blood-alcohol levels dictated.
...the GM has always been about the rideout and the awesome roads we have up here.
Hmm. Might have to run a poll on that one. :-) For me the GM has always been about meeting people and having a beer in good company. Don't get me wrong, my friends and family are brilliant, but they know fu*k all about motorbikes! Showing people who've never been to Scotland what our roads are like is a deep, deep joy, but we can ride them anytime. Having said that I do enjoy the actual rideout bit, sometimes it's the only one I get to.
So, Kinlochleven brilliant, Beinglass brilliant, Applecross brilliant with provisos, somewhere else potentially brilliant. :smt041
dizzyblonde
13-09-14, 09:51 PM
Applecross too far for a weekend. Besides, Petes ones of those few that can't understand the appeal.
Think he'd rather go to Ardnahmurchan point?!!!
Now....if you had a Gm in Ullapool, well, he'd be up there in two hours flat on NCC-1701 ;-)
All that aside, thoroughly enjoyed Kinlochleven. Couldn't have had it better.
carelesschucca
13-09-14, 10:08 PM
Applecross too far for a weekend. Besides, Petes ones of those few that can't understand the appeal.
Think he'd rather go to Ardnahmurchan point?!!!
Now....if you had a Gm in Ullapool, well, he'd be up there in two hours flat on NCC-1701 ;-)
All that aside, thoroughly enjoyed Kinlochleven. Couldn't have had it better.
only reason to go to Ardnahmurchan is to say you've been, its one to tick off the list then never go back. I went on a beautiful day but anything else would be hell.
Ullapool is even further north than Applecross. you'd need more than warp drive to get there in a day.
The lazy git in me says just go back to Kinlochleven. Or even lazier says someone else can do it... We should get Northy back to do a special anniversary edition.
personally i dont care where it is as long as there is a bed for me to sleep in.
the roads.. well there are not many that i haven't been on so that again makes no odds.
the beer and banter, yes lots of it as i like to talk a lot of pish and keep people up very late to talk even more drunken pish.
in essence the further south the GM is held the more people might attend from across the border but wont get to sample the best of Scotland and its roads.
the 'cruchan farm?? (stuartyboy)' i thought was a good venue but lacked luxury accommodation on site but i guess you could get that next door.
kinlochleven was i think the best location to date and i would be happy going back.
GAC was also fantastic but again lacked luxury accommodation on site with no option of anything near by.
even if i had to be forced to take a tent and camp in a field i would as i'm there to have a good time with friends.
davepreston
13-09-14, 11:54 PM
Split GM location
F()ck right off, me sober up mid GM , are you taking the PI55
move on quickly
DP
dizzyblonde
14-09-14, 07:37 AM
only reason to go to Ardnahmurchan is to say you've been, its one to tick off the list then never go back. I went on a beautiful day but anything else would be hell.
Ullapool is even further north than Applecross. you'd need more than warp drive to get there in a day.
The lazy git in me says just go back to Kinlochleven. Or even lazier says someone else can do it... We should get Northy back to do a special anniversary edition.
The Ardnahmurchan comment was sarcasm. Tiger took the Essex boys there, it's a running joke about them hating every minute, and an SV650 being carried up the steps to the foghorn. Applecross he really don't like. It's as much a dislike. Ullapool is his favourite place.
Just take DAves advice :lol:
Blue Flame
14-09-14, 11:43 AM
I don't particularly like beinglas. Too many jakeys and the owner was a bit of a primaddona if I remember correctly. I thought that the place this year was good.
Not sure about the split venue as this would mean loading and unloading, erecting and dismantling and re-erecting tents etc etc.
The one area that we haven't visited yet is the east around Glenshee area which might be a change to consider? The road to Glenshee from the south is spectacular.
punyXpress
14-09-14, 11:55 AM
? answer to split venue ?
Bribe ( with ale ) Yorkie Chris to attend in his van & take all the gear to second venue?
btw: haven't mentioned it to Chris yet
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