UK 2011 Spring Travellers Meeting, Ripley, Derbyshire
 

The 11th Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Meeting, Lumb Farm, Ripley, Derbyshire, UK
Thursday June 23 - Sunday June 26, 2011

If you were there last year you know why it's THE event of the year for anyone interested in motorcycle travel!

We are also now accepting applications from presenters for putting on a show, it can be on any bike related travelling topic. Last year we had our most diverse range of topics ever, with some fantastic shows and knowledgeable talks. To help planning the event we need your application forms in early please!

For some more ideas on what YOU COULD present, see last years UK Meeting.

We are also looking for volunteers as usual! We had an amazing crew last year doing a huge range of activities - gate - registration - I.T. - recycling etc, as well as helping with some cooking skills too, to help with Danny's 'Roadkill Cookout Demonstration'.
It takes over 60 volunteers to put on the meeting and we can always use a few more. When you register for the event you'll have an opportunity to volunteer, and we'd greatly appreciate it if you'd help out for just a few hours. It's a GREAT way to meet people too!
We look forward to seeing you there! :mchappy:

Grant and Susan
and to all the people that make the event possible - our thanks to you all! :clap:

I Just checked my shift pattern yet again i am working till 25th 26th so can't go would love to of attended :(

That's a shame Selous, it would have been great to link up! Next year then : )

Hi all, just want to follow up on Susan's comment about volunteers. We are still short of helping hands so if you fancy a go, please do get in touch. If you've not signed up to help out yet, just fill in the form when you register or fill out the volunteer form if you've registered already.:thumbup1:

We are still short of people to help out on the Gate Crew, Registration (helps if you've been before) First Aid (need to be a Doc, Nurse or a Qualified First Aider) and it'd be great to have some more helpers for the Raffle Ticket Crew. We are raising loot for Motorcycle Outreach Motorcycle Outreach

For most of the crews it matter not a jot if you've never been before. You just need to be up for helping out for a few hours, and as Susan says, it's a great way to meet people.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cheers,
Sam

yes last time I saw you was at ABR Adventure Day at Ace.

But I don't give in that easy I have applied for Leave if all else fails will see if someone at work will swap. so keep them fingers xd

Good luck with that. Fingers firmly cossed for you down here!!! Looking forward to hearing how you get on.
Cheers for now,
Sam

Yipee :clap: Leave just come through I am coming, just got to try & save some of my pennies now, got to go resgister now.

how much is it per talk?

& re volunteers I have public first aid (ex Army RMA 2 Medic), however can put hands to anything.

Just registerd, so happy to be go ing, like a child in a sweet shop hehe

Excellent news!!! Yup, crack on and register : ) The talks? NOTHING : ) that's one of the brilliant things about the Meet. Once you have paid for your entry, the presentations are free so you can go to as many as you can fit in. There's a little to stump up for the Roadkill Cook Out but that's fair goes. Lots of driving/riding required to snag enough roadkill : )
First Aid? That's perfect. We are delighted to have your help. When you register you'll find the page to volunteer on. With First Aid you are normally just on call with a walkie talkie so you might like to put yourself down for a few hours on the Gate Crew or...
I'll be in touch with you directly as soon as I get your volunteer reg form.
Catch you soon.
Cheers,
Sam
PS Any more First Aiders out there? We still need 3 more on the crew...

Done Done Done lol

Road Kill mm been doing that for years, hehe

Your form is through. Brilliant! I'll be in touch in a few mins :mchappy:

This will be my first time at Ripley, so please forgive me if this is obvious, but . . .

I can see a list published on the site of who will be there over the weekend; will there be a more specific timetable of who / when, or is being at work currently affecting my need for organisation? There are some specific things I'd like to attend, and want to make sure I don't miss out. As my first time, I'm not sure what to expect.

Thanks in advance.

Nearly there
 

Hi Endurodude,

You're not the only one wondering when the schedule will be published. My apologies to everyone for keeping you in suspenders.

We've got lots of (really great) new presenters at Ripley this year, as well as plenty of well known favourites. There have been numerous last minute changes and additions (all good ones) and I'm just waiting on confirmation from one more person before finalising things.

I'm hoping to get the schedule published on the Ripley event page tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 14th) or Wednesday morning at the latest.

Will update this thread, and also Facebook and Twitter, when it's online.

In the meantime, the list of presenters on the event page is up-to-date.

Iain.

That's great, cos then I can start planning what I want to do :clap:

Iani can you please add a link, to the Ripley event2011 page I keep getting 2010 & earlier??

Great news about the Presenters schedule Iain. There are some excellent talks lined up. Lots of people who have not been up on 'stage' before too. Prepare to be stuck as to what to go and see :D

And while I'm here, all the volunteer rotas have gone out now. Many, many thanks to everyone who has given the thumbs up to helping out. The response has been terrific!! :thumbup1: If you have volunteered and haven't heard from me, can you PM me please. Not immune to snaffus! I'll get you sorted asap when I hear from you.

We do have some slots still free on The Reg Crew, Recycling and the Gate so if you are coming and are up for a doing a few hours, just fill in the volunteer form and I'll be in touch. Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers' Meeting Volunteers Registration

Looking forward to seeing you at the Meet.
Cheers,
Sam
PS Still on the hunt for raffle prizes so if you can sort something out, that'd be brilliant. It's in aid of Motorcycle Outreach. A great charity! Just bring 'em to the Meet and hand them over to Pink Helen. If you don't know her yet, you'll soon find her on the Reg Crew

Event Page
 

Here you go...

Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers' Meeting - UK 2011

Thank you much appreciated

Schedule Now Online!
 

As promised folks, the presentations schedule for Ripley is now online for your delight and delectation....

Phew! :)

Revised (already!)
 

Apologies to anyone who has downloaded the schedule in the last hour or so - it's just been revised slightly because a presenter has dropped out.

You may want to download it again - thanks.

It's not out of the question that it'll change again before (or even during) the event, so be sure to check the schedules displayed around Lumb Farm when you arrive.

Arriving at Ripley
 

Hi hope this is'nt to daft of question but this will be my first time at Ripley and I was wondering what to bring with me for proof of registration and payment?

:welcome:

Not daft at all! ;)

You shouldn't need anything at all! All your details are captured and will be there, so unless something has gone wrong, no problem.

If you want to be paranoid about paperwork - and as a traveller it's good practice to be completely prepared expecting those at the border - err registration in our case - to be numpties and totally stuffed it up - so you could bring printouts of your PayPal payment and registration confirmation email! :) In triplicate of course, and suitably notarised copies to prove you didn't dummy it up in Photoshop ;)

See you there!

Grant

I would of loved to come to this but just checked rota and down for 22nd to the 26th. Damn it. Will try for next year unless there is a winter meet anywhere??

There's an autumn meet in Bristol this year. Check out the dates, I can't remember them off hand. :thumbup1:

I had a look at the schedule - blooming fantastic! Only wish I'd discovered HU years ago....

Help
 

Just returned from dear old France had days of torrential rain and my reliable Blackbird seems to have bird flu.Hopefully I will get it sorted by next thursday and when I arrive I do not mind helping out as long as it does not infringe too much in getting to listen to the speakers.

Thanks - that'd be great. Have a word with Sam Manicom when you get there to find out where we could use an extra pair of hands.

Good luck sorting the bike.

I am getting the rear frame exchanged these days to make sure I will make it to Ripley.
Part between wheel hub and frame was missing and it was simply machined down to half width in the right side at the point where rear axle went through the frame.

Shocking.......................

:(

But I have been promised it to be fixed and 20.000km serviced ready to pick up and drive by monday.
It will probably set me back 2 years of savings but Ripley is first priority.
:palm: :scooter:

I just put on my Horizon Unlimited sticker and my ABR (Adventure Bike Rider) sticker on my panniers to get recognized by whoever may know those stickers or me.
:D

CU thursday.

Niklas

Thankyou, will have a squint at that. :thumbup1:

I have a small request to ask of the presenters.
 

Particularly of the presenters doing the more technical stuff and using powerpoint slideshow to get the points across.
I tend to suffer mental overload trying to take in the information from the numerous workshops over the weekend, and keep it in my brain. Beer and a relaxed atmosphere don`t help my memory :innocent:
I would like to ask, would they be willing to allow me to copy the Powerpoint presentation file onto a USB memory stick that I carry. So that I can watch the slideshow in the following weeks and refresh my memory with that part of the presentation.
Several of the presenters last year where gracious enough allow me to do this, on the agreement that I would only use it for my personal use.
I won`t be offended if anyone declines my request, but those who let me copy the file(s) I will be willing to buy them a drink beer over the weekend bier

Saving a copy of certain powerpoints sounds like an excellent idea, if it's possible? Again, purely for personal use, it would be extremely helpful as a reference tool. How would it be best to find out if that's a possiblity? Obviously there's just asking on the day, but if everyone likes this idea then the presenters could get inundated with requests!

How possible would it be to save them centrally here to download (even if just the bare bones of the information given)? Obviously not everyone may be keen to do so; just a thought . . . .

Early birds
 

Anyone else going down from Edinburgh way on Wednesday..?

We're heading down the A68 in the morning, stopping at the Camion cafe for breakfast. We'll be on the trusty Transalp, say hello if you spot us. :thumbup1:

We are coming from Dumfries
 

Hi we will be heading over to Scotch corner so my well see you, my wife and i are on a GS and a Rockster 1150
Doug Sanders :welcome:

This year so far has been a bloody struggle in more ways than one, now for all you people that are going to make next weekend very special I thank you all in advance and to be honest can't bloody wait to get there and have a relaxing beer and a chat....

Anyone heading up from Dorset?

Absolutely - the bike and helping out! Always happy for helpers - makes the Meet run smoothly:thumbup1: Hunt me out when you are set up.
Cheers for now,
Sam

Presentations
 

Having a central store of presentations is certainly achievable from a techie point of view (we could create a slideshare library of them for instance), BUT...

...while many of the presenters may be more than willing to publish their material (I'm one of them) - and/or do the copying to memory stick thing - some will understandably prefer not to because they're professional speakers and earn some of their living from doing talks (not that anyone gets paid for presenting at Ripley I hasten to add).

Grant or Sam may have other views on this, but my suggestion would be to go with the idea of asking each presenter at the END of a talk if you can get a copy. If the (partial) central library happens as well at some point then so much the better.

One request from me though.... there's very little time between talks (people need to move rooms, go to the bar/loo, the next presenter needs to get set up, etc.), so please don't hang around waiting to grab a copy. Arrange to meet at the bar, in the marquee, or in the 'Amazonia' room to swap email addresses. The 'Amazonia' room is probably the best place if lots of people are interested. Will make life easier for everyone - thanks. :)

Carnet Advice from the RAC
 

Some 'breaking news'...

Paul Gowan - "Mr. Carnet" - from the RAC has just confirmed that he'll be at Ripley from Friday afternoon onwards.

He'll be available to talk to anyone who'd like some one-to-one, straight from the horse's mouth, no-nonsense info and advice about all things Carnet du Passage.

This won't appear on the main schedule - so look out for more info about times and locations at Registration and on the main noticeboard.

Excellent news. Lovely chap. He is also Mr IDP ... "International Driving Permit" and Mr ICMV "International Certificate for Motor Vehicles"

I apreciate that not all presentations will lend themselves to being copied, as I suspect the more popular entertaining ones wouldn`t make sense even if you did copy the file(s). Which is why I`m focusing on the more technical presentations.
I`m aware that time is short between the presentations, with change overs etc. But judging by the what I remember from last year, several presenters where quite happy to make it known at the beginning of each presentation, that anyone wish to ask more detailed questions, they would be happy to meet people in the bar etc afterwards, so as to not cause any disruption at the change over. A few free beers from the odd members of an apreciative audience are always an incentive.
I`m not sure if hosting a central database or liberary would work, however the simplicity of hosting it, theres still webspace to be paid for on the server, and some of the files could be quite huge

Danny & Fil's Road-kill cookout
 

May I encourage anyone who's coming along to go and see the Road-kill cook out on Saturday at 3pm.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/...0d0cac1c_b.jpg

It's possible you could argue this is revenge for the 'oil' incident. :innocent: But I wouldn't know what you were talking about.

I will be there too, I have not put my HU or ABR Stickers on my new bike.

Bugger off :-)

It clashes with the the Two Pegs to Patagonia preso ! :-)

That's Why....
 

...it's so quiet on the HUBB. You're all at Ripley, I hope you're having a great time, sorry to be missing it, my favourite event of the yearbier

I'm sat in a very tense Lhasa- chinese troops in riot gear are everywhere, there's a Communist Anniversary coming up, and they're expecting trouble.

Haven't had internet contact for a while as the Tibetan Plateau doesn't have electricity let alone other niceties- even the sleeping accommodation is so basic it was shared as I found out when four Chinese Truckers crawled in next to me in the middle of the night:confused1:

They didn't realise I was female until the next morning.

Enjoy Ripley and I hope to see some of you at the September Meet:funmeteryes:

Photos?
 

I had a great weekend but as usual didn't get many photos - is there going to be any sort of photo repository on the HUBB for people to upload good shots they've taken or similar, a bit like a mass ride report sort of thing??

Well done to Grant, Susan and all the other people involved in making it what it was, I'm already looking forward to next year but also very inspired to be on some remote gravel road at the same time!!

It was my first time and I hope this is the correct place to say what a great four days.
Such great organisation, very friendly folk and great talks.
Brilliant.

Absolutely the right place - and we're delighted to hear you had a great time! the volunteers and presenters are what made it all happen, so we're very appreciative of their efforts - they were brilliant! :thumbup1:

See you there next year - the only excuse for not being there is that you're on the road! And then we expect a presentation on your return ;)

Thanks Henry! Photos - will be posted here and on the page asap, as we get them and I have time on our travels (we're off to Spain tomorrow for the HUMM) - and of course anyone who took photos can post them here too! :mchappy:

Yep, another great meet. Nathan's presentation 'riding Dorothy' from Sydney to London was great. I wasn't even planning on going to it but decided to stay in the Africa room for the panel. Glad I did because it was the best all weekend!

I didn't take any photo's this year either so im hoping there'll be plenty posted here and on the HU Facebook page too. Thank you and well done to all the organizers and volunteers.

Can't wait for his book, Going Postal, to be issued here. Amazon have it for the Kindle otherwise it has to come from Australia at just under $30.

Lost toolbag - red GasGas bumbag .. grrrr
 

Hi Guys,

Just a quick heads up in case anyone picked it up .... my travelling toolkit contained in a red GasGas bum-bag ... like a complete tw@t I didn't secure it properly and it bounced off the bike somewhere within 5 miles from the Farm headed towards Derby .. (turned left out of the gate) I turned back as soon as I realised it was missing, but it had already been 'collected' by someone... I'm hoping it was a fellow HUBBer!

Any news please let me know - it took aaaages to get it right and there was a 'special tool' from the wife in there too which I's really like to get back...

Cheers

Greg

What a week end
 

Well firstly apologies for not volunteering but when I arrived it just seemed everything was already organised.Well that is my excuse anyway.Having attended last year for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it I was keen to get back this year but at the same time I thought that I may be listening to the same presentation as last year, which if I had to would still have been interesting but that was not the case because yet again there were even more exciting travel stories to listen to.

The only difficulty any of us seem to have is choosing which presentation to go to as there are so many and on a range of topics. I am sure whichever ones I had chosen to attend to or not they would all be of the same high standard.

Because I attended so many and my rear end complained a little next year you will see me walking about with my Air Hawk seat.

Because I attended so many presentations and they were all so good it is difficult to whittle it down to my three favourite ones but for the record they are ;
1) Nathan Australia to London. And talking to Nathan some time after and saying he should leave Dorothy in her original condition he easily convinced me otherwise when he said that if he did that would be the end of her but if he updated her he could take her on further travels.Dorothy really must reign again.

2) Ed and mates Elefant Rally.What the three of them achieved was so amazing and whenever any one tries to denigrate the youth of today to me in the future I shall quote the achievements of these lads and their friendly demeanour.

3) Les Camping. Unfortunately Les presentation which was so good made me realsie just how inadequate the camping equipment I use is. Mind you the wife was not pleased when I told her I need to get a new Tent, Sleeping bag etc.

Three of my hi lights but there was so much more as well.

What is so great about the event is that 99% of those that attend are so willing to just chat pass the time.

The only other problem I have with attending the meeting is that listening to the travels of young, old, male, female I alwas feel so inadequate. This year that inadequacy was made even worse for me because one of my excuses for not doing anything daring was because I ride a Blackbird but that is no longer a excuse having seen Sjaaks presentations.
Yet another hi light.

I initially disagreed with Austins point about if you really want to do it you can but having spoken to others since and thought about it I do have to agree that he is right.And so the piggy bank is out of the cupboard and although it may take several years to fill it is going to finance my first Big Trip. Mind you its not going to affect my attendance at next years event though.

I did take a few photos and I will some time try and down load them, see I should have attended Grants presentation.

So in conclusion can I thank Grant, Susan, Ian, Sam and all of the volunteers/ presenters who clearly give up so much time, which must affect their own leisure time over the week end, for providing me with a great week end.Sadly the weather was not as good as last year but I hardly saw natural light anyway.

See you all next year.

Regards Ted

This weekend was my first Travellers meeting and i had a great time.:mchappy: Really enjoyed all the presentations i attended and had many questions of my own answered over the weekend.:thumbup1:. And i was also impressed by the tales of adventures from many sharing the campsite.
Highlights....there were so many but, yes, Nathans presentation was amazing:scooter:......as was Elas story of achiving her dream trip to Chile:mchappy:......and the dry wit of Ian Mutch. Plus seeing the variety of bikes used on these trips and more....!
Many, many thanks to everyone involved in organizing a fantastic four days, including the girls serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. I am planning a mini adventure on my trusty KLR 650, so hopefully will have a story of my own to tell at a future HU Travellers Meeting.

Ride safe.

As ever - a big thank you to Grant & Susan and especially good to see Sam back after his absence last year. HU just isn't the same without you Sam :) Iain also deserves a big thank you as does the irrepressible Matthew Cashmore without whom I would have laughed just a little bit less.

I have a request for those of you who filmed the incident with the deer and the sidecar outfit. Neither Danny or me managed to get footage of it as we were too busy performing the nefarious deed so I'd love to get hold of any photos or pics people might have of it.

You can email me at fil@***myusername***.co.uk

where you replace **myusername** with, well I think you get the picture!

Great to meet old friends and make new ones - there's nothing quite like an HU meeting.

Think we got away without poisoning anyone again, which is always good.

Another BIG thank you - to Grant, Susan, Sam, Iain, all the volunteers, presenters, Lumb Farm and everyone who attended. Everybody contributed to a great weekend.

Great to meet so many familiar faces. Hope to see you again soon, either September, next year, down in Cornwall if I do another mini-meet (possibly over the summer) or on the road.

Iain

Just one word - wow!
 

This was my first meet, and certainly not my last. From the minute I arrived to the second I rode home it was a great memorable experience!
Thanks to all the organisers, presenters and attendees for doing what you did so well and for being first class people. The folks at Lumb Farm were also fab - food, beer and facilities - and did well to cope with the numbers.

The presentations I attended were superb - and I understand those I didn't get to were as well. Just too much happening at the same time - like trying to ride in all lanes of a 4-lane highway at the same time!

I took lots of pics that I will post the best selection in the next few days when I have figured out the tech.

Great to meet you all and looking forward to next time...
Steve

A superb weekend. Great to meet up with old friends and make some new ones and just relax and chat when not watching the presentations. A special mention must got to Nathan for his post bike trip. Not just for actually making the journey but for his infectious enthusiasm when he was telling us about it. A big thanks to the organizers and presenters and all those who make it possible.

Bike interfered with at Ripley
 

All,

Great meeting as usual, well done to all the volunteers and the staff at Lumb Farm who were as usual run off their feet but still coped with a smile on their face. When I woke on Friday morning and looked out of my tent I was horrified to find 2 suspicious looking characters sitting on my bike! I grabbed my camera but only managed to get this shot of one of them jumping over the fence and running off, so be warned, and check your nuts!

First HU Meet but definately not my last!
 

Peeps,

Just wanted to say how great the weekend was and what a fantastic job everybody involved did.

I met so many great people and got to meet some real idols like Walter, Lois and Sjaac. My only regret is that I didn't meet more, Austin, Susan and Grant being people I really wish I'd made a point of speaking to. Oh well, next year!

Thanks to everyone who made me feel so welcome despite being the second nutter to arrive on a sports bike. (Thanks Sjaac!)

Cheers for now and hope to meet you all soon.

Take care,

Bruce

A huge grin from me today as I'm sitting reading through all the posts. Wet weekend? Who cared! Brilliant that everyone seems to have had such a ball.

I just want to say a huge thanks to all the Volunteers, the Crew Leaders and the Presenters. You guys have all been great. Thank you very much for everything you did. The main reason for the Meet running so well was you guys. Thanks mates : )

The other reason? You all. Time after time I had comments with words to the effect that the Meet was a wonderful combination of friendly, laid back buzz and fascination. Thanks for creating that atmosphere bier
See you next year I hope, but then, perhaps you'll be on an adventure somewhere. Hope you are :mchappy: See you another time if that's the case.

Cheers to all and thanks again.
Sam

First chance to post since I got back, but just to say thanks to Grant, Sue, Sam and Iain for another great meet.

+1 to all the staff at Lumb Farm as well, I can't believe the hours they work!

Great to meet old friends ant make some new ones. Thanks to everyone who came to the Bushcraft demos and asking sensible questions.

Fil...I know Bij J got video of the deer on his i-phone, I'll get him to send you a copy.

Another winner
 

:DThankyou all, it was a brilliant meet (second one for me). Had a great time and met lots of people who I still cant remeber their names (:oops2:), but the smilling faces were instantly recognised. Volunteering was one of the highlights, main gate to check out the rides and helping recycling and looking after the site was a small way to give something back, count me in next year!

A quick Hi to Tracy, owner of one of the other best looking SR40 there:funmeteryes: will there be more next year? Certainly had fun riding back, although my appologies to Rossi for doing the A30 slip road like that:stupid:, at least i know where the limits are now :innocent:.
To the lovely couple from Canada, who rode the matching 250s with the bespoke 22mm pipework racks, it was me that left the cheese and roll for you, then forgot to tell you before we left!!!! :blushing:
I enjoyed all of the talks i went to and even met a few of my own personal legends, what a fantastic time.
Hopefully next year I may persuade the wife to come up, although it has been a while since she rode.
Best wishes to you all, and especially Susan and Grant, who have done so much to bring us all together, and spread the good word.
Mark

Well, I had an absolute rubbish time. Got carted off in an ambulance on Friday morning after falling over - (and I hadn't even had one drink, let alone loads) - missed all of the talks I wanted to hear, missed my volunteering stint and the bonfire, mostl of the camp food, and only escaped from the Royal Derby Hospital yesterday afternoon, patched up and as high as a kite on the very generous morphine chasers they insisted on handing out all weekend.

So apologies Susan and Grant for not doing my thing, apologies Birgit and Sam for chucking your mags all over the floor, but thanks to the two top blokes who picked me up, and to the Swiss girl who fetched my mates for me. I will try harder next year.

Thanks y'all,

Belle :thumbup1:

Thanks to everyone that organised this years meet. It was another amazing event.

Which makes it harder to say that as long as the road kill cookout is present we will no longer be attending. I found the 'entertainment' aspect of death at this years event disturbing and sick. I've been vegetarian for many years on ethical grounds and, as much as I would like to change things, I accept that most people will eat meat. However, to display the animals like trophies and to advertise 'how to stun a squirrel' is not acceptable. I could accept the concept of survival training for harsh environments, but I fail to see how a squirrel will sustain you. All that I see this achieving is to encourage the viewers to copy this at their local park (most likely doing it wrong and causing suffering). And as for them being vermin, don't get me started.

If you feel the same please post here, or better still petition Grant and Susan through feedback. If you disagree with me, well, it's a free world.

Glad to hear you're ok Belle. Hope you get yourself well again soon.

Hi Belle,

well at least the facilities at the Derby hospital were superb, as were the staff and the ambulance crew.

The only positive things that came out of the incident were;

1, you could have been in Mongolia when it happened.

2, Gord n myself had the chance to have a few beers and talked about you!

If anyone wants to see my images from the event then please pop over to;

http://www.xt225.com/forums/ubbthrea...3869#Post83869

Regards

Reggie

+1 on the excellent meet! I should have done more to help at the end to help clear up (I said I would and didn't help much) - sorry about that.

It gave me serious food for thought on a number of issues - the shopping list has grown! Very inspiring - thanks to everyone. All the people there were very inassuming, willing to talk / help - excellent!

I agree with Riti somewhat. Being Vegan, I obviously didn't go to the roadkill cookout - BUT, each to their own. Whilst I have strong beliefs about eating / using animals when I don't need to (and we don't), I am aware that other people choose to / don't really think about it. I knew I would be offended / feel sick / angry by this 'talk', so didn't go. Makes sense really. I had an excellent time elsewhere, thankyouverymuch.

Cooking at the cookout
 

wow - what an absolutely fabulous weekend. Had such a blast and it was so much fun putting faces to handles, and even better, names to handles ;-)

The talks were fantastic - in particular I loved Ed March's talk about the run out to Germany to the elephant rally on a... C90... the guy is nuts - but in a good way.

I think particular thanks needs to go to Danny, Fil and all the volunteers who made the bonfire and the cookout so much fun and such a welcoming place. It's not easy to be the life a soul of the party when you have to sleep right next door to it - but these guys are the best. As is the homemade 'cordial'.

Whilst I was there - on the last day - I did get around to filming a quick cooking video - Bacon Curry (with optional bacon for our vegetarian friends) - I'll not post it in this thread but you can see it over at my blog if you're so inclined.

@riti - I need to let you know that the 'squirrel stunner' posters were me - not Danny. I'm afraid it was a bit of a joke I was having with Danny after he carried out a practical joke on me at the Adventure Travel Film Festival. It was my little get-back. I'm sorry if it offended you in any way - I can see why you may have taken it as offensive - it was intended as tongue in cheek.

It is worth pointing out that Danny & Fil are amongst the most kind-hearted and warmest people I have ever met. I know for a fact that they treat the animals they prepare with the respect and love they deserve. I keep chickens for meat and eggs as well as cows so whilst we may not see eye to eye on the meat eating front please don't take anything out on the guys who were there because of the posters.

I'm not sure this thread is the place to have a debate about having the cook out at the event - but I'm sure if you were to start a new thread there would be lots of people who would like to put their views across - both for and against - although given the popularity of the cookout I fear you may be in a minority.

Can't wait for the next meet - I may even get around to seeing the presentations I missed last time or finally getting my act together to do a cooking demo with Danny! (Danny, Fil... that's a hint). :innocent:

bier

Many thanks Iain, Maya, Reg and Mick . I'm getting there.

Belle

I had a great time, being my first also, the 3 people all first timer's as well,
everybody there where very willing and helpful lots of different options, the talks I went to where great, the only let down for me was the loud music I had a 8 hour ride home & kept awake till 3 is not fun! may be the party should be on the Friday night.

Have added a few photos as most of the photos I took where of the bikes & Lois ;-)

Hi Riti,

As one of the people who helps with the cookout I'm very sorry to hear that you found it offensive and I really hope it doesn't stop you attending future rallies.

Our section is very easy to avoid for anyone who finds this sort of thing distressing and it shouldn't stop you enjoying the rest of the event.

As Matthew has already explained the posters were a bit of an in-joke and not generated by the Roadkill crew. We do like to have a bit of a joke and there is certainly an element of entertainment we try to provide but you'll find that we care about animal welfare more than most people who've never considered where their meat comes from.

The more serious side of the demonstration is to let people experience something they seldom get a chance to do. We don't let people have a go at killing animals, but are happy to show and discuss humane ways of doing so.

For the most part the animals we have are pests which endanger local species (such as the American Signal crayfish and the grey squirrels) or are part of population control as part of responsible conservation (rabbits).

While I suspect you and I will never agree on the morality of taking the life of an animal I do assure you that we don't do it in some sort of gung-ho bloodlust way. In among the banter there is a definite element of conservation and animal welfare which we try to convey.

I reiterate - please don't let this spoil a rally it sounds like you otherwise enjoy and I am genuinely sorry if our demonstration is offensive to you. We don't set out to offend people, but the demo is inevitably challenging and we do hope people go away thinking about where their meat comes from and perhaps choose free-range over a battery hen.

Thank you for the response and clarification. And thank you Mat for stating the posters were not from the cookout crew. I appreciate that you've both been very mature and considered in your posts, something I'm not always able to do.*Probably you're right that we'll always have a difference of opinion (although I hope not :)

Because of the posters I had read between the lines and interpreted a callous attitude towards the animals involved. I don't agree with some of your statements regarding them as pests, but this is a very different topic for another time and place.

As I've said elsewhere, I choose to try and live without using animals, and in my ideal world we would all feel the same. I do realise though how unlikely this is, and if this ideal is not to be then I am massively in favour of everyone being educated in where their food comes from, and if the cookout encourages this then great.

I'm still unsure about future events, but you've certainly given me more to consider. Thank you.

Rich

Rich - that's a great response, thank you.

I hope you do come again. We were slightly let down this year and failed to do so but we always do also try to offer vegetarian alternatives.

This year we only managed smoked cheese and Cogs & Lisa brought some cashew nuts which we cold smoked with great success - so they'll probably be on the menu next year.

We will probably also have nettle soup and battered elderflower - you'd be very welcome to have a sample. :) also if there's anything you'd like to have a go at hot or cold smoking we're happy to give it a go. You bring it, we'll smoke it!

mm looks like I will bring some ingredients to make Biltong next year.

Over the past days I've had loads of brilliant emails sent to me at home. I've copied out a sentence or so from each to post here. I'm sure the guys won't mind. :thumbup1:

§An amazing event again. We’ll be back.
§It was my first time. I had no idea how special this Meet is. Can you pass on thanks to all.
§The volunteers did a great job. Everything seemed to run so smoothly. Can you thank them please.
§I’d never been before and to be greeted in such a friendly way at the Gate made the rally special from the moment I rolled in.
§I was amazed at how many presentations there were and how few issues you had on the IT side. You have some brilliant digi guys. Must have been loads of work.
§I’ve never been to a rally where everything was so clean and tidy.
§What a great atmosphere! Everyone was so friendly!
§The toilets were always clean – not a fun job for the volunteers but tell them we noticed and it was great. Oh and we never had to hunt for loo paper – that was a bonus!!!!!
§Really good that HU do recycling. Thank you – even though we saw some people putting the wrong stuff in. How did the volunteers have the patience to deal with that?!
§The Registration people were great. Organised and knew the answers. If they didn’t, they found out. Couldn’t ask for more.
§The raffle was good this year. How much did we raise? £1,580!!!!! Simply amazing!!! Thank you to all for buying tickets and a big thanks to all who provided prizes!!!
§It all seemed so laid back. I’ve organised things like this myself so I know how much effort the volunteers put in to make it seem this way. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Have to bring the wife next year.
§Car parking fee? Great. It’s a motorcycle event! Good to use it to raise money for MOR. I heard some of the volunteers being spoken to in an unpleasant way. I hope that didn’t happen too often. There’s always going to be at least one isn’t there.
§Next time I’m volunteering. This was my third year. Never volunteered before. I really should. Look out for my name. I’ll do anything.
§I'm glad I didn’t need first aid help but it was good to know the guys were there. I know some of them and I’d have felt safe being looked after by them. What happened to the ambulance lady? (Belle) Was she ok in the end? Previous posts answer that : )
§The slow bike race was great, but I was too slow to enter! Next year! You are doing it next year?
§Who kept the fire area clean? When I went to bed at night I could see the mess but in the morning it was spotless.
§Next year I’ll volunteer to stay behind to help with clearing up on Sunday. I should have this year but didn’t think about it until I got home.
§An amazing atmosphere. So many of my questions answered. Great people to be around. Made loads of new friends.
§I saw some volunteers helping Jane from Motorcycle Outreach to set up her tent. That was great. She looked too tired to do it herself. This sort of care shown by volunteers towards people that come to HU is one of the reasons I come, and I volunteer.

Thanks all for taking the time to write. Chuffed with your thoughts and I'm sure that everyone who went or was involved with making it happen will be chuffed too :mchappy:

Here's the pictures I took:

Horizons meet 2011 pictures by Dave_ett - Photobucket

Another great visit - my second year. Met even more amazing people, was inspired by so many talks, and just loved the whole atmosphere.

Why can't the rest of the world be like a HUBB meet?:funmeteryes:

""my second year.
Met even more amazing people,
was inspired by so many talks,
and just loved the whole atmosphere.""

Just like to add a BIG Thank You,
to all who made it such a great weekend !

Some ... (lots) ... photos here :cool4:

https://picasaweb.google.com/superte...47054260318066

... though next year I hope to include some people in the shots too doh

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q...0/IMG_4573.JPG

Looks like it was a good one !! Did it rain though ?? :innocent:

Thanks reggie great posting and excellent photographs.

Warning though going to Ripley can affect you bank account.This was my second year and of a cause it was excellent but it left me with a yearning to get an Adventure type bike.
Result of which the Blackbird was part exed today for a Varadeo.Yes the difference in power is clearly obvious but do you know what because of the fear of getting nicked or injurying myself I had not used that power for ages and instead I can get my thrills at a more moderate speed now.
As you can imagine I have not stopped grinning all day and now if I ever do get down to Morocco it will be on a bike that may even let me do a little bit of off roading.

See you all in 2012.

It is a free world & I found the caring, yet educational demonstration provided by Danny & Fil very informative- not least of all for my youngest 10 year old, who, having been educated at a Steiner School had seen/experienced enough of the vegetarian angle to want to enquire- and that is what it was all about- broadening horizons. As his father, I learnt a fantastic amount, but at no stage did I ever see any disrespect to any animal- instead I saw a well presented, interesting introduction to cooking. I really despair when I see a minority trying to drum up support on a faceless forum.

We as a family, really appreciated Danny & Fil . As an aside; when I did not want to watch a speaker..or found I could not learn anything...I walked away...perhaps coming back next year, when I was able to better undertsand what the lecture was trying to impart. Thanks Danny & Fil- your efforts are greatly appreciated ( by the way, the burn on the nose, caused by a villainous marshmallow, was also learnt!)
http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/...2/DSCF1759.jpg

Big Thanks from Motorcycle Outreach
 

Hi All,

Apologies for not posting something sooner, but once again, everyone at Motorcycle Outreach is amazed by the fantastic generosity of all who attended the Spring Meeting and supported Motorcycle Outreach. As Sam has already posted elsewhere, this year you raised £1,580 for us which is an all-time record. Thank You!!

With the totaal raised in Northern Ireland added, this means that Horizons Unlimited has raised over £2,000 this year. We are both grateful and humbled.

The funds raised will go directly into the project in Flores, Indonesia (no staff costs or other 'admin' charges which rip out such a large proportion of most 'aid' budgets). It means that the project itself can continue into the first part of 2012, but we still have a major challenge in needing to replace the 110cc motorcycles, which are now well past their normal life span for the type of terrain that they are used upon daily. Two recently had to be retired which underlines the urgency of he problem.

Unfortunately, this means we need to raise around £30,000, which is vastly more than we have needed to raise on a yearly basis before. Many great folk from HU have already mailed us with suggestions and this is really helpful, but our greatest challenge for fundraising is time and people - we don't really have much of either. Any volunteer fundraising help will always be gratefully received and we are always tremendously grateful to those who support our charity on their journeys. Plus if more bikes could carry our logo and website details, more people would get to learn about what MoR does. (Stickers are £1 each, (mail info@motorcycleoutreach.org)

Once again, thanks for all your support. We are very grateful.

Craig

Craig Carey-Clinch

Cookout pics
 

Had a great time last weekend. Finally got round to putting some pics up from Danny & Fil's cookout.

They are of what they are of so please don't look if you don't want to.

Danny & Fil's Roadkill Cookout | Facebook

Next year, I guess.


Andy

Hi Touring Ted,

yeah it rained a bit but nothing too nasty and we just retired to my big tent for a few minutes!

Regards

Reggie

Hi HondaTed,

welcome to the darkside!

Regards

Reggie

Another big thank you to Grant, Susan et al for a brilliant meeting.

Really good to be met on the gate by Sam Manicom, looking fit and healthy..! Great to see you back again Sam after last years trials.

The presenters were excellent, volunteers amazing and Angela and the staff as accommodating as ever. As a long time member of the vege 'minority' I, personally, don't have a problem with the cookout. It's not my sort of thing, obviously, so I don't go. I would have a problem if I thought it was done purely for entertainment but the views expressed by Fil make it clear they care about what they do and treat the animals with respect. Fair enough. +1 on more vege options next year..!

Thanks also to Bram, my campsite neighbour, for supplying the glue to repair my sleeping mat, hope you found a throttle body for your bike.

Another inspiring, entertaining & enlightening meeting, here's to next year..!

A couple of presentations from the event
 

Thanks to all involved once more for a fun event.

Sorry if this qualifies as a shameless plug but some people asked for the presentations, so here they are:

Information Security on the road
The presentation: http://apapadop.files.wordpress.com/...n-the-road.pdf

People asked about free antivirus software - please see http://thinkingspaces.org/2011/01/14...e-for-windows/ for a list.

Some attendees were also intrigued by Stuxnet, a software malware that seems to have come out of a spy story. Wired just published a good writeup on how Stuxnet attacked the Iranian nuclear plant and how it was captured and dissected. Fascinating stuff: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/201...hered-stuxnet/

The UK2India trip
Presentation: http://apapadop.files.wordpress.com/...esentation.pdf

Hello All;

We attended from Canada, via Rome 6000km on the rental!
Really enjoyed the chance to catch up with our friends from the community, and spend a lot of quality time with so many great people, both Tracey and I remarked how tired our brains were from trying to take it all in. We look forward to being there next year too.

Come on out to Canada for ours! Lots of great roads and people as well.

Thanks to all the presenters who shared their experiences and knowledge and thanks to all the non-presenters who did the same thing, just on a smaller scale.

We are definitely enrichened by the experience.

Cheers!
Miles and Tracey

Heading off to South America Sept 17, on our Ural.

The two lads tavelling through Russia !
 

Whilst at Ripley we were able to get to speak via a tele link to several fellas riding out through Russia and I would love to know how they are progressing so can anyone direct me to their road reports on here. Thanks

That was Zebb and Henry - speaking from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan.

Their blogs can be found here: http://www.motoloco.eu

The HU YouTube channel has their video intro too.

Thanks Ian See you next year Regards Ted

Photos by David Yard
 

I've just uploaded a new photo album on the HU Facebook page, with 40 great new images from David Yard of YardOverland.co.uk, who kindly volunteered on the photography crew.

Here's an example...

Thanks Apapadop - I didn't get a chance to see this, but it looked really interesting! TK80's were good, then?

TKC80's were great. I carried a spare back tyre all the way from Turkey to Pakistan and sold it, unused, before entering India.

Great endurance, on and off-road behaviour.

-A