Alex, I'll be going on my brand new Derbi Terra ( I didn't get the Adv myself in the end...although thought about it long and hard!!).

I will be checking out what is around for the smaller engined bike, so will report back for you! Least I can do seeing as it was actually your thread on here when you were choosing the Terra, that gave me the idea for one!!

for people going to this meet here's some local info
good pub grub
new tradegar arms in upper cwmtwrch- 2 miles (my mate is the chef)
butchers arms in pontardawe-5 miles (very good but may need to book)
abercrave inn in abercrave-5 miles (ish)
copper beach in abercrave-5 miles (ish)
royal oak in pontardawe-5 miles (ish)
local pubs on fri/sat night.
in ystalyfera there are the new swan and the swan about 100 yards apart but on weekend night's are full of drunk idiots! just outside the touratech estate is the all blacks pub which is ok and serves a tidy pint.failing that walk up the A4068 towards brynamman and there's another quiet pub on left after 1/4 mile at the most. there are lots of pubs around the vicinity which can be easily reached by a cheap taxi ride.(ask driver for detail's)


if you want bike accessory shop, M&P is just down the road at about 15miles in garngoch. open all day saturday and sunday.

I should fit right in then.

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A nice event - better than I expected. Lots of BMW bling to gaze at. Charley Boorman did really well by his relaxed approachability and his readiness to sign books and chat easily to all and sundry. No trace of the luvvy there. And two good talks too.

Horizons well represented by two talks.

Nice to see Sam Manicom, soon to appear at the Ace.

Great fish suppers in the village, and a handy supermarket for and breakfast.

Theyre going to do it next year.

Nice to see some Ripley faces there too.

yes, a very good event. Especially given it was the first time theyve put this on.

When I get chance I'll post some pics taken over the weekend, and also of the off-road ride out. This was the highlight for me, as I didn't have any previous experience off road. The chance to be taken out by the BMW off-road instructors really couldn't be passed up - expecially as it was free! Heaps of fun. And proved to me that my bike and I are more capable than I would've thought.

Also, good to see so many familiar faces from the Somerset meet. Basically, a fab weekend.

A great weekend nice to see a few faces from HU events there, my son and I enjoyed the talkes and had a good ride out after getting some local advice on a route. The weather made it but a bit chilly first thing in the morning,and well dune Charley for staying around to sign the books.

First time at this sort of meet for me and must say I thoroughly enjoyed it..
I think I also had the 'honour' of being about the smallest bike there, and the only one on L-plates!!

Talks were interesting and informative, not just extended sales pitches, which was nice to see.. and the evening slots with Simon, Nick & Charlie, were also good fun..Charlie & co. great about signing books, photos etc..

Only criticism was that they ended quite late and the place just seemed to die quite quickly after..but hey, it was a tad chilly, so I guess a lot of people were in the pubs by then!

Loads of bling to check out (albeit mostly BMW), but v.little for us small bikes.. granted some of the 'universal' stuff could probably be adapted, but very little specific stuff for smaller bikes.. (Alex, maybe market opportunity here!!).. still no sign of any pannier rack for my bike..

Food & easy, both on-site and from supermarket/village shops etc.. camp area was a bit rough, but generally level, so not a big problem..

In all, definitely worth the trip to get there, but what a trip, 190miles each way, on a fully loaded up Derbi Terra 125, trying to keep with a experienced rider on a 1200GS !! Suffice to say, I was a tad battered on returning Sunday night!

Soem photies to follow...