What the Forum means to me.

[PanRider]

This is post No 400, I was hoping I would at least get a XRV biscuit or something similar, but it turns out the best I can expect is a hardly used teabag (LV’s ruling not mine).

Anyway for No 400 I’m gonna start a new thread…..

What the forum means to me..

I joined the forum as one of my mates’ aka Snaphappy told me about some charity ride he was taking part in, on the longest day of the year. He told me all about the ride & told me where it originated from, so I ended up on planet XRV. The truth is before I landed here I didn’t even know what an African Twin was, I would have thought something along the lines of two black guys born on the same day to the same mother, as for a Transalp, that was probably a train service that crossed the Swiss Alps. I am to motorbike technical bits what Bernhard Manning is to slimming and political correctness.

Anyway… I started monitoring the site for a while, then made my first ever post on Tuesday 13th Jan 2009, (I know what you’re thinking, only a few months on the forum and a bigger mouth than the Mersey tunnel) anyway my first post was…

Hello Guys & Girls,

Well seeing as the Curly Haired General (aka the wife) has given me the Green light, I will now be joining my good mate, who many of you know as Snaphappy, on a Bike trip he has been bending my ear about for the last 12 months. TLD 2009 the Five Capitals I got my dates mixed up and thought it was a no no from the start. That is now sorted and I intend to be there.

I understand a Pan European rider doesn’t actually qualify for a Trial Riders forum, oh well readers apparently variety is the spice of life.

Going by the website TLD 2008 was a tough one to follow, so 2009 had to be good. Not only does it sound like a great idea, a great challenge, a great craic and as if that isn’t enough, it’s in aid of a great charity. I’ll be honoured to take part.

Having read some of the threads regarding TLD 2009 may I add some new-boy input? Regarding accommodation, as long as I’ve got my own bed and the sheets have been changed since the last occupant, I’ll be happy. I agree with some other posters, and say a big thank you to the few who are organising it etc.

I’d also like to ask a few questions…. But, I’ll leave those till later. I’ll just say hello for now.

Ash.

Ps don’t take a laxative and a sleeping pill on the same night!!



Obviously this was before I realised Comic Sans MS & Blue font was the way ahead. Since then the forum has become a daily part of my life. I work from home during the week from an office in the cellar of my house, Planet XRV is a great reason to “do something other than work”.

As time passed I made many new friends who I had never met, had some interesting conversations, made a few “enemies”, learnt what an Africa Twin & a Transalp were & really enjoyed this odd link I had back to UK.

Now, when I come downstairs into the office (which is also the designated smoking area in the house) as I bump start my tortured lungs, I log on, somehow the two now go together, likewise when I come downstairs for a last fag I also log on, odd but true.

One of the things about planet XRV that amazes me is the different people that are here. From all walks of life, from all over planet earth. The different topics of conversation, the different views & opinions. The variety and the craic.

That is what it is for me, a good craic, a link back home, and a load of online mates, some of whom I’ve had the pleasure to have met.

The high point for me was the MAWF charity auction, which I "hosted" some brilliant stuff going on in that thread. Not to mention some money raised for charity.

Also the fact that planet XRV organises a bike ride in aid of Charity is also a major point for me.


What does the forum mean to you ??????

Ash

[Mabels Old Man]

Glad you're enjoying it.

Talking of the auction that's a cracking fleece. Really pleased with it.

[PanRider]

Glad you're enjoying it.

Talking of the auction that's a cracking fleece. Really pleased with it.

Glad to hear it, thanks for your support in the auction.


BUT, Dare I say it to a Moderator... "You're going off topic"

What does the forum mean to you ??????

[Mabels Old Man]

Glad to hear it, thanks for your support in the auction.


BUT, Dare I say it to a Moderator... "You're going off topic"

[Yeti]

Sentimental old fool!

Not a bad do on here tho is it?!

[Wee Jack]

Panrider , nothing wrong with having a mouth larger than the Mersey tunnel - mine is larger than the Clyde tunnel - and I've only got a wee head !!!!!

Glad you enjoy it around here - best place on 'tinterweb if you ask me ??

Full of good folk whose hearts are in the right place - a big family , but like most families sometimes there is a bit of bovver.

To whom it may concern - Lighten-up and move on.

[winxp-master]

I was pointed to this madhouse for the same reasons Ash, only it was last years TLD. A year and a half, where does the time go eh?

[Paul-S]

I'd always been into different bikes in the past so was never interested in trail bikes per say and I came accross the forum looking for more ideas for trips and tips on the bikes. I had bought one of these bikes and done some trips to Eastern europe and back one with Nick Sanders and also trecked down to Morocco and across the Sahara etc.

My mates have all stayed with sports bikes and won't go out in the rain. I like riding in the rain (I digress)

Since joining the Forum I went on my first National in 2007, made some new friends and continued doing so. Ever since then I have been attending rides, another National, mini meets, TLD08, Welsh invasions etc and local rideouts the number of interactions with old (existing) and new members is a constant refreshment and the banter / craic is great

I consider planet XRV as my extended family. It is a wealth of knowledge, help, advice and camaraderie I would not have imagined possible. Moreover, the support that is offered by members who are keen to help those in need is unprecendented and shows the world what a strong brotherhood we have here

I have had the most fun on a bike that I can ever imagine and it gets better and better going forward

Thanks you Dave-S for planet XRV and thanks to all those I interact with for being a really great bunch

[raymo]

I joined as I had a Transalp and was looking for tech stuff.. the rest is a very welcome bonus

[Whealie]

This place used to be all right until you riff-raff turned up