So what would you like to see next year?

[DaveS]

I'm interested to see how you would improve things for next year so I'm going to prompt some questions to see if we can get some useful info.

Good location? Same place again next year? Anything we can do to improve things?
Enough loo's? Waste of money putting the two extra in that we got in?

Rideouts good? Off-road and on-road format work ok?

Do you want formal technical demonstrations? How about talks from people?

Should we do a formal BBQ that everyone can attend?

Anything else that you can think of?

[Sharribee]

Originally Posted by DaveS

I'm interested to see how you would improve things for next year so I'm going to prompt some questions to see if we can get some useful info.

Good location? Same place again next year? Anything we can do to improve things?
Enough loo's? Waste of money putting the two extra in that we got in?

Rideouts good? Off-road and on-road format work ok?

Do you want formal technical demonstrations? How about talks from people?

Should we do a formal BBQ that everyone can attend?

Anything else that you can think of?

I think a formal BBQ would be an idea Dave, the campsite was OK (will make a note to get there earlier to make sure I get a flat spot next time). It may be an idea to pitch the marque on the sloppy bit and leave the flat bit for camping and sleeping on.

If we go to the same campsite could we please cut the rope on those bloody churchbells

I didn't do the rides but Jason really enjoyed the one he did. Personally I would like a beginner off road ride as I don't know if I could manage the stuff the guys did yesterday but would like to give it a bash.

We really enjoyed the weekend and are looking forward to next years.

[Yeti]

I was having a think about things in the food dept.

I think a BBQ is a great idea but have a few additional thoughts.

In the past when I have been involved in anything with a number of folk, particularly camping when luggage space is at a premium, I have found the best solution to aleviate the stove, pans, blah blah...... space and weight problem is to have (and can get my hands on at least one set) a griddle (hot plate) and a bulfinch burner.

Then either unsupervised or not people can rock up with just their desired grub items and cutlery, cook or have cooked, and then get on with the bike meet stuff.

I have done such things with steak nights and as long as people have stuff that can be griddled ie meat or veggiesto do (corn on cob and peppers are great!), then as long as they have salad stuffs of their own it runs quite quickly. With just one griddle I have got through over 40 people no problem in a meal sitting quite happily just flipping their food for them whilst they stand and chat. Breakfasts are an absolute breeze! can do about 6 at a time if someone else can stir the beans n tomatoes.

All that is needed then is a birko for brews?!

Just a thought and no I don't mind doing my bit and standing around at meal times drinking bear flipping bacon, burgers, and steaks.

[F1etch]

Dave, awesum Gig dude...

As for improvements... Group Hug/BBQ thing on the last night would of been kool (After Chad leeves )... Bit of bonding stuff... With so many people there, it would of been a great opportunity to say "Hi" to all those missed... (sorry, Mabes, don't hate me )

A Demo... Something simple (for us simple folk), puncture repair/tube swap or alike, could of been interesting... (They did something similar at the HU Meet which got a great audience...) Only an Hour or so, but with us and having so many 'Experts' around maybe a practical on your own Bike as well?

Talk... I could of sat with a few sherberts for an hour or two and listened to any of the Pro. Guys talk about the Stella, or someones recant a recent travel gig, or a chat on green laneing and the law... (Early evening, when you just wanna mong out....). We're lucky, lots of the XRV.ORG guys are true Gods, and I would love to here some of there stories, whilst they impart maybe just a little of their knowledge and experiences...

Ohhh.... Camp Site improvement: maybe hire a Thai masseuse or two, available in the evenings for a quick rub down after long day in the saddle (or off it struggling to pick me bike up, again...)... "Just nipping to the pub love" )

Anyways... kinda keep it as it was this year dude, Kool... ergo, simple, friendly and informal... (with just a hint of Chaos )

[Sharribee]

Originally Posted by F1etch

Dave, awesum Gig dude...

Bit of bonding stuff... With so many people there, it would of been a great opportunity to say "Hi" to all those missed... (sorry, Mabes, don't hate me )

We talked about you does that count, and I almost got to say hello

[Robster]

Yup, I'd second a "formal" BBQ, if for no other reason than to get everyone together in one place at one time.

Maybe, as we had power in the Marquee anyway, a large electric hotwater urn would've been good too for those endless teas and coffees we were all making.

Dunno whether the extra loos were needed or not really, I certainly didn't use them, the ones on site suited me fine!

Dependant on where and when the next one is, and whether noise would be an issue, my mates band were itching to come and play for us. They're fantastic and really make a great night. Also would be another way of getting everyone together, particularly if anyone wanted to say a few words or whatever.

Cant complain at all though, I had an awesome time even if I did nearly keep sliding out of my tent in the night. That is genuinely the best riding I've ever done in the UK. I was quite taken aback really

Oh, maybe a bit more time to get around and speak to everyone! So many people....so little time......

[Recycler]

Some pot pouri for the portaloos!

Great rally, great site in fantastic country.
Top breakfast there (wait aside), plus you got to listen to Mick & Wendy have a ding dong in the engine room as you ate. Nice people.
I'd happily go back, but I'd happily ride to one in Scotland.

[DunkerD]

Originally Posted by Recycler

Some pot pouri for the portaloos!

Or some pegs available at the door..it was a bit ripe in there..!!!

[Xander]

Good location? >> Very Nice... I think Mabel is right though

Same place again next year? >>>>No, only cus it is big country and lets see a lot of it..

Anything we can do to improve things?>> Arrest the Flag thief

Enough loo's? >> yes

Waste of money putting the two extra in that we got in? >>>Dont Know if it was?

Rideouts good? >>>Ride outs great!


Off-road and on-road format work ok? >>>yeah Fine (dont really understand the difference from above)?

Do you want formal technical demonstrations? >>>>>No I liked it casual and all just hanging out with friends/Ride outs.. get demos and talks and it becomes the HU meet (which is designed to be a "how to" meet).. Lets keep the XRV a friends meet.

How about talks from people?>>>> as above..

Should we do a formal BBQ that everyone can attend?>>>> This would be good.. but could be a logistic nightmare..If it goes this way I would have a small registration fee... and hire a spit roast company.. this way none of the XRVers has to stay around and cook for 165 people (based on next year's estimated attendance because this year we had 2.4 times more people then Wales)

Anything else that you can think of? The band sounds nice, Bonfire?.. Really I think it went off better then any meet I have been too, so dont mess with it if it ain't broken!

[Austin]

Fantastic time but we were lucky with the weather, and unless any knew beforehand, lucky with the laid back approach at the campsite. Can you imagine how it would have been if it was peeing down all weekend and the campsite owners got all officious about noise, barbecues/fires, riding bikes on grass, camping too close together, or whatever. And the location with 2 pubs and a shop within 3minutes is perfect.

In terms of what is going on at the meet I think it is best kept simple otherwise all of a sudden we will have a new HU meeting. Unless that's what Dave and the others want, but I would imagine it will become a huge organisational undertaking. Personally I think you will loose some of the friendliness and camaraderie.

So good things to be repeated: weather, marquee, location, several rideouts, extra loos, weather and weather again.

Things not to do (in my opinion): mass Barbecue, music, try and fill all available hours with things to do/watch/listen to or whatever. bad weather.

Things to think about: instead of/as well as mass rideouts a "treasure hunt" that will take bikes on a 100+mile run through all the best bits; prizes (even if just named and shamed on here) - best bike, worst bike, distance, best hangover, drunkest the night before, etc; official en-route meetups; there's probably loads more - but keep it simple.