The Mega (AR09) thread.

I'm sure we did vote...and it was voted EAR. Nuff Said.

[Binky]

Originally Posted by timwilky

I too think there is probably a stop too much and not enough distance between.


I view the AR has multiple purposes, yes there is the social side, but it is also an opportunity for those in the know to show off the best roads in their area. Perhaps thats why I was so disappointed in the route used for the 07.

If I could make one constructive comment. I would suggest that there should be 3 groups of riders each led by somebody who knows the route. That way those who want a hoon can get one, those that want a bimble can admire the scenery, and those that are a tad nervous can find their way by the trail of destruction marked by the first group.


That way we do not hit the fuel station en mass. those burning the adrenaline can grab all the food they need and get out before the next group get in etc.

Nice ideas. Would the different groups idea be possible???
Although i suppose it keeps people seperate as apposed to one big socialising group, probably minimising interaction between everyone.

Originally Posted by hovis

just out of intrest why did we not have the usual vote as to where to hold it, so that it was up to the people of the org to decide?

AFAIK the usual vote has only been in for the last 2 years anyway, AR07 was voted to be Up North and it ended up being Soho members who took time off and went up there to sort out the route and camping as there was no help from locals, and last year there was so much bitching I think it was decided to forgo it this year. Personally I'd be happy if the mods said "This is the rideout weekend, the rideout is from here to here and it'll cost this much" and have done with it. I'll still come, I'll still get boozed up and I'll still molest whatever and whoever comes within reach or can easily be lassoed. On which note; Dizz, I'm sorry you're not coming...

When alls said and done the .Org anisers (sorry) do a brilliant job of sorting a weekend for the rest of us and I think they should be praised for it. Anyone (and I'm really not aiming this at anyone in particular) who says they don't like Essex is mad, there's a massive variety of Essex to be had, it's not all Southend Seafront. I've done some amazing rideouts through Essex, why not give it a go? If it's rubbish then just camp in the field (which will be the same as any other field in any other part of the country) and get bevvied with a load of mates who you either met last year and haven't seen since or mates you just haven't met yet?

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by Binky

Nice ideas. Would the different groups idea be possible???
Although i suppose it keeps people seperate as apposed to one big socialising group, probably minimising interaction between everyone.

Separate groups suck.

You end up with people riding in the "fast group" that shouldn't be but their ******** wont let them see sense.

You then get comments made to people in the slow group by those who went faster after the ride that make them feel bad.

Separate groups would not have seen the effect of 100 bikes going through a village, where I am certain the first bike was hitting the NSL sign at the other side before the last bike had entered the village - which is both cool for us, and it also got a lot of smiles and waves from the residents.

If you want to go for a hoon, then dont come to the AR, the Rideout theoretically should be accessible to someone who passed their CBT the weekend before and had brought along their CG125 on L plates, and they should be made to feel as much a part of the ride as anyone, not just some hanger-on stuck at the back of the group, catching up at the rest-stops just in time for everyone to move on.

So long and frequent rest stops are a good thing.

Hopefully this year will also see fewer selfish idiots who think that the definition of fun is to start at the back of the pack and then do dodgy overtakes all the way to the front (Markers are excluded from judgment on overtakes as they HAVE to get to the front)

Originally Posted by Binky

Nice ideas. Would the different groups idea be possible???

Probably not, firstly for the reasons you mentioned, but secondly because then we'd need 3 times the amount of markers, TECs and leaders, and there's 3 times as much chance of one group going a different way to the others. Furthermore THE AR IS NOT ABOUT HOONING!!! Never has been and never will be. There were something like 70 bikes last year, and around 40 the year before, and no offs on either. We all ride on our best behaviour as we're already annoying the locals by our very presence

[Messie]

I vote it goes somewhere else

I quit

Originally Posted by Bear

......
When alls said and done the .Org anisers (sorry) do a brilliant job of sorting a weekend for the rest of us and I think they should be praised for it. Anyone (and I'm really not aiming this at anyone in particular) who says they don't like Essex is mad, there's a massive variety of Essex to be had, it's not all Southend Seafront. I've done some amazing rideouts through Essex, why not give it a go? .........

Hear hear! on both points

[northwind]

Originally Posted by hovis

just out of intrest why did we not have the usual vote as to where to hold it, so that it was up to the people of the org to decide?

Because it has to be somewhere that has a dedicated, enthusiastic team to run it. You can't say "We want to do it here, now who's going to run it". Fact as I recall it is, there weren't multiple locations to vote for, there was one real serious proposal and so they got it. And no wonder more people didn't fall over themselves to volunteer!

[admin]

Originally Posted by northwind

Because it has to be somewhere that has a dedicated, enthusiastic team to run it. You can't say "We want to do it here, now who's going to run it". Fact as I recall it is, there weren't multiple locations to vote for, there was one real serious proposal and so they got it. And no wonder more people didn't fall over themselves to volunteer!

Agreed. In the past it's taken months to just decide on location.

[admin]

Originally Posted by Messie

I vote it goes somewhere else

I quit

Messie, are you serious?