London to Brighton meet....

[Headhunter]

Okay Londoners and any takers elsewhere.

Fancy a ride a ride down to Brighton via the backroads on Saturday June 21st?

Will be meeting directly behind Metropolis Vauxhaul - http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=530367&y=178226&z=0&sv=se1+7tp&st=2&pc=se1+7tp&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf - on Goding Street at 11am.

Then bimble down to Reigate Hill for 12pm in case any of Surrey/Sussex/Kent would like to join us and then on to Brighton for fish & chips etc.

Fingers crossed for decent weather!

[Rogerg]

don't you mean Sunday?

[Headhunter]

Takes his worzel gummage hat off to the man. Yep, it's meant to say Saturday 21st!

[Rogerg]

doh - can't do Saturday - could have done Sunday

[Albie]

Possibly at this stage

[Headhunter]

Shame Rog. Cheers for pointing out the error.

[Headhunter]

Possibly at this stage

Would be good to catch up fella. Fingers crossed you and hopefully some of the Kenties can maket it. Appreciate it's a while away so will bump it closer the time.

[faulkss]

ok, now i am lost ... it is in two places ... well i guess that means that i have to come twice :)

[Lucati]

So it's Saturday 21st June - I'd like to join you if that's ok! Could be my last chance to take the current monster on a trip to the seaside as my 696 is hopefully arriving a couple of weeks later.
Any chance of meeting up on your way past the Sutton area - I can hang around the BP service station on the A217 and perv over the zonda's and ferrari's at Romans. I can be there from 11.30. Feel free to suggest elsewhere to meet if you prefer fellas!

[Headhunter]

ok, now i am lost ... it is in two places ... well i guess that means that i have to come twice :)


Depends which one is best for you. Metrop at Vauxhall just seems a central place for East, North, South and West London to meet but as it's a trip to Brighton I thought the regional guys/gals might want to come along as well.

Let me know which ones better for you closer the time, fella.


So it's Saturday 21st June - I'd like to join you if that's ok! Could be my last chance to take the current monster on a trip to the seaside as my 696 is hopefully arriving a couple of weeks later.
Any chance of meeting up on your way past the Sutton area - I can hang around the BP service station on the A217 and perv over the zonda's and ferrari's at Romans. I can be there from 11.30. Feel free to suggest elsewhere to meet if you prefer fellas!

Of course, fella. I'm actually up the road from Sutton. Was planning to head along the A217, so handy place to join the group.

[Diego]

I'm up for this. Meeting near Metropolis is no probs 4 me.

I hope the weather does not let us down though....such a difference riding into work this morning with a little bit of sunshine!!!!

[scrapps]

IF the weather is good I may join you at brighton for some fish N chips.

[benson]

Sadly doubt I'll make this one as it's a friend's birthday but you know me and chips!!! I can sniff em out at 500 yards...

[Headhunter]

IF the weather is good I may join you at brighton for some fish N chips.

Albie maybe coming as well, so hopefully they'll be a few more Kenties to tag along with.

Sadly doubt I'll make this one as it's a friend's birthday but you know me and chips!!! I can sniff em out at 500 yards...

A friend over chips and a day on the Monster. Disgraceful. I'll woft mine over in your direction.

[Lucati]

What better present than a pillion to brighton and fish n chips - any friend would be made up with that!

[Scott1]

This sounds great, I've never been on a Monster run before. I'm not far from Metropolis so as long as the weather is good I should be there.

One thing for sure, I'm not going inside Metropolis, no matter what bike you have, you always come out of there with serious bike envy.

I may have to be home for 8 as its the Euro 2008 quarter final, I need to be near beer for that.

Cheers
Scott

[Diego]

Roll on Sat 21st. Never biked it down to Brighton and could do with seeing some coastline. Dreading being stuck in the office tomorrow.....

[Headhunter]

Nice one, Diego and Scott.

Am not looking forward to tomorrow either. Better enjoy the remaining hours of freedom!

[Albie]

Did I say I was going.Oh yes I did.

[Headhunter]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Have a good one, fella.

[Albie]

I was wondering what route you would take after Reigate Hill.It maybe that me and scrapps could intersect further down.

[Headhunter]

I'm thinking of a parallel run to M23 on the B-roads:

Go from Reigate to Redhill
Hang a right at Nutfield
Then follow Coopers Hill Road and Prince of Wales Road to Copthorne (ish).
Then B2028 to Turners Hill
Short blatt on B2110
Hop on to B2036 to Burgess Hill
Then A273 and A23 to Brighton.

If any knows of a decent route, please feel free to shout.

Also am gonna do a dummy run this Saturday, if anyone fancies meeting at Reigate Hill around 10.30sh?

[Diego]

I'll join ya m8 if it's not raining cats and dogs. Albeit ill prob follow you as I always get lost south of London.

Actually was thinking to get this contraption for cameras and gps mounting when necessary...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220244440306&rd=1







---------------------------------------------

[Headhunter]

[QUOTE=Diego;260046] Was thinking to get this contraption for cameras and gps mounting when necessary...

[QUOTE]

Nice one, Diego. Drop me a pm, if you can make it for this Sat too. Hopefully it'll be a decent day for both weekends.

Could have done with one of those at the weekender - good promotional material for the club.

[yantheman]

Hi, I think I will join you guys... :)

[Diego]

Nice one, Diego. Drop me a pm, if you can make it for this Sat too. Hopefully it'll be a decent day for both weekends.



Nice 1. pm'd! I have send you my mobile nr. Let's see what the weather is like on both Saturdays mornings itself.

[Diego]

Hi, I think I will join you guys... :)

Nice 1 Yan!

[Headhunter]

bump...........

[Diego]

defo not missing this one ;-)

tried to get the bike serviced before this weekend but rosso was booked till next month!!! busy days!

[Albie]

Still up for it except am going via A275 past Sheffield Park an via Lewes and past Race Track to Rottingdean and then coast road.

[Headhunter]

Yeah, lay off them curries Diego! :)

Excellent, Albie. Hope some of the other Kenties can make it too. Should be a nice day weather wise.

[Albie]

I had little response on my thread except scrapps. Carolines coming though.

[Headhunter]

Ah well. Must be a bad weekend for some.

If you're heading directly to Brighton was thinking of meeting on Grand Junction road just left of the main pier, if looking from the sea.

There's a large bike bay next to the bus stop.

[SazzaG]

Hi Jon,

I was having a look at your route, and it looks great - including the bit past the viaduct at Balcombe. I think I know a couple of nicer routes from Burgess Hill - either going over Devils Dyke, or Ditchling Beacon (anything to avoid the A23!)

I would suggest heading straight over to the A23 from Burgess Hill, then coming off at Albourne, taking the parallel road, then heading down towards Fulking, over Devils Dyke, then into Brighton on Dyke Road, and along the seafront to the pier. Might take a bit longer, but so much nicer!

What do you think?

[yantheman]

whatever the route, i'm game! :)

[faulkss]

looks like the weather man is against us :(

[modama]

I will try to do it this Saturday for my first group ride with Ducati. My hopes are on a pleasant weather... fingers crossed!

Joan

[Headhunter]

Hi Jon,

I was having a look at your route, and it looks great - including the bit past the viaduct at Balcombe. I think I know a couple of nicer routes from Burgess Hill - either going over Devils Dyke, or Ditchling Beacon (anything to avoid the A23!)

I would suggest heading straight over to the A23 from Burgess Hill, then coming off at Albourne, taking the parallel road, then heading down towards Fulking, over Devils Dyke, then into Brighton on Dyke Road, and along the seafront to the pier. Might take a bit longer, but so much nicer!

What do you think?

Hey Sazza,

Am completely open to new routes, if it means better twisties and scenery for everyone. I know I should lead, as I organised etc but I don't care about things like that, so as you're the resident "Satellite Saz" it's prob best you lead from Reigate.

Fingers crossed for decent weather. Think it's gonna be a nice day but with a few spots of rain here and there.

[SazzaG]

I'm happy to lead if you want.

Right, I'm off to program my trusty Zumo...

[Scott1]

I'm up for this but the weather forecast, according to my ten weather websites, is a bit shocking at the moment!

Scott

[jerry]

you are all coming to Brighton, sadly I am still in Thailand , and it pouring down every day...cant ride in the monsoon,the roads a 3ft deep in water ..2 nights ago an Englishman was electrocuted in a flood by a powercable.

[ladybird]

i may wobble along, pending the ability to get out of bed before noon, i've been at least half hour late for work all week, is there a place to meet if i have to catch up and find y'all in brighton?

(has tomtom will travel :) )

[Headhunter]

Have suggested the bike bay to the right of the pier (if looking out to sea - could be difficult the other way around).

[yantheman]

Hi John,

Still 11:00am behind Metropolis at Goding Street? I will see you guys there :)

[Headhunter]

Yep.

Am aiming/hoping to leave soon after, as we need to get to Reigate by 12sh. Fingers crossed it's not p*ss poor weather.

[SazzaG]

Right, I think I've got the route sorted (well, it will get us to Brighton somehow!). We're almost going past Didge's house. Maybe we could all stop for a cup of tea?

[yantheman]

Great, see you there.

Looks like its going to be cloudy but dry tomorrow :)

[modama]

Let's hope it is just cloudy and no rain. Actually, all this week the forecast ad been light showers and no sign of water at all.

See you tomorrow!

[ladybird]

still up, not looking hopeful :s

[benson]

I've just got back from Birmingham - and the rain looks greasy rather than torrential - I'm actually having a day to chill today or else id join you on what ought be a monstrously good day!!! Happy and hopefully not too wet riding folks.....

[faulkss]

so who is still going in the rain?

[Headhunter]

Faulks, I will be at Metropolis and will aim to leave by 11.15, so I/we can get to reigate as close to 12sh as possible as I appreciate we'll all be a bit slower due to conditions.

Although it's dark clouds at the moment (8.45) it's supposed to be dry for the rest of the day.

Tea at Didges, sounds great Sazza - get the kettle on, Didge! :)

[barbican]

Think I'll give it a miss

[faulkss]

Hmmm ... what to do ...

I am not a fan of the rain... and i am going to the MotoGP tomorrow (so that will be a very wet day)....

hmmmm....

Steve

[SazzaG]

Hmmm, not sure yet.

Just going to have my brekkie, then check back here. If Barbican's not coming, then I won't stop at Bury Hill.

Back in a bit!

[Headhunter]

Cool. Let us know closer the hour. Will be heading off from here at 10.15 for Metrop in case anyone is about.

[faulkss]

NP ... will hit an update on here before 10:15

Steve

[Albie]

Well its grey here and wet continuous drizzle. I do rain but not for pleasure. Im sadly giving it a miss guys as I have other important things I should do but not as fun. If you go I hope it stays good for you.

[Headhunter]

No worries, Albie. Bloody British weather - summer solstice my.....

Just seen a well formed lady on the telly tell me it's gonna clear up around 11sh - fingers crossed these clouds clear between now and then.

[faulkss]

I think that your well formed lady is not telling the truth :)

[Headhunter]

Why would a woman ever lie? :)

[SazzaG]

Sorry guys - it may well clear up later, but I'm really not up for riding in greasy drizzle.

Maybe some other time?

[Headhunter]

No worries, Sazza.

I'm still gonna head to Metrop in case anyone else is still up for it. Will definitely have to re-arrange this for a day when the fookin' weather clears up. So, errrrrr, August it is then.

[Albie]

Yes sorry Jon its a big shame. Its still raining here and doesnt look like its going to stop for a while as grey skies all over. Deffo do it sometime as we always had a donut brighton run every year.

[faulkss]

Yep, i think that i am going to join the masses and pull the pin :(

Steve

[Headhunter]

Just the way it goes. Annoyingly tomorrow looks like a brilliant day but a bit windy.

For those not going today, I'll re-arrange this for another day. Prob August, as I'll be in the U.S. for the majority of July.

Also for the Londoners there may be a meet on July 4th in the Docklands. Hopefully better weather will be on the horizon.

[slob]

Just the way it goes. Annoyingly tomorrow looks like a brilliant day but a bit windy.

For those not going today, I'll re-arrange this for another day. Prob August, as I'll be in the U.S. for the majority of July.

Also for the Londoners there may be a meet on July 4th in the Docklands. Hopefully better weather will be on the horizon.


July 5th Jon

[Headhunter]

Still need to wake up.

[faulkss]

another meet sounds like a good plan!

[ladybird]

i woke up :)
weather just a bit grey here, if this coffee works i may get a shuffle on

[Lucati]

Just got back on-line after a week of computer trouble and it looks like everyone has postponed - I was a little wary of a wet ride to brighton!
I would just like to say thanks Headhunter for pulling it together...... nice try sir.

To those who braved it I hope the donuts are good and the sun shines - I'm going back to bed!

[CK & AK]

July 5th Jon

DD at Brands that weekend

[Scott1]

Oh dear, might have been better if I read the thread properly, I stood outside the front of Metropolis for half an hour only to watch about six of you guys go past me. I had to wait for my mate to turn up anyway and I got soaked and blew it out, hope you all had a good one.

Scott

[ladybird]

Oh dear, might have been better if I read the thread properly, I stood outside the front of Metropolis for half an hour only to watch about six of you guys go past me. I had to wait for my mate to turn up anyway and I got soaked and blew it out, hope you all had a good one.

Scott

i shall have to join that club...just got back from brighton, couldn't find the 'tea shack' off jnct 8 / reigate hill (not even any rain either) so headed to brighton. found on the way, who also couldn't find anyone. we ate some chips, hung about a couple of hours looking hopeful then gave up and came back - maybe was at the wrong side of the pier.... was in a huge bike bay...i suppose it was on the right of the pier, if your back was to it....oops...it was right next to a chip shop too... can has fail please... found an interesting route back though, 10% gradient not fun

[ladybird]

sorry i managed to deliver us to the wrong part of brighton :(

[Headhunter]

B*gger. That's annoying Scott and Ladybird. I tried to find a link for the Reigate tea shack but cheers for trying anyway guys.

To those who attended (Slob, Thuli, Diego and Yantheman) - cheers guys for coming along - turned out to be a good day weather wise - no rain and pretty much dry roads. Hopefully today's "David Bailey" will be along soon with photographs.

Next time I promise not to be so naughty!!!!! Always listen to your elders - there's a good reason for it!

[Diego]

Cheers Jon for setting this up and for riding lead! You the man.


Loved the b2028! Oh yes!


Superbe blat out and tasty cod and chips!

I take off my hat for the hardcore crew who ventured out today! Dry conditions after all who would have thought that this morning.....


Shame bout Scott and Ladybird! Try again 1st Sat in July perhaps?

[Albie]

Im glad you ended up going. It stopped drizzling around 11ish and dried up around 12 but kept looking grey. Never mind I did something productive this afternoon.

[yantheman]

Thanks everyone for a great day out... I want more :) couldn't stop riding and I end up riding a bit more in Epping Forrest by myself for a bit..

Sorry that we missed Scott1 and Ladybird. Would be great to see you again Albie... may be next time :)

Heres the piccies for the day

[yantheman]

the semi-solid crew for today ;)

[yantheman]

2 more pics

[yantheman]

btw how to I post images inline with the post. Don't seem to be able to see the attachements and edit the post using [img] tag...

[BluprintZ]

2 more pics

Wish i could have gone :-( but it's such a long way from Bangor.
Well done to you all, i'll get to do a run down south one day.

[Diego]

btw how to I post images inline with the post. Don't seem to be able to see the attachements and edit the post using [img] tag...

cheers for the pics Yan!

I usually plonk em on www.photobucket.com then copy the img code 'ere on the forum for ease....

[yantheman]

cheers diego... i normally use flickr.. I just thought there must be a way to upload the attachments and that edit the post later. I remember that was the case.. now I don't see the tag in the post anymore. Anyway, I will do that next time. :)

[slob]

'regions' forums don't support [IMG] tags

DD at Brands that weekend
hmmm, perhaps a slightly earlier meet and a trip to Brands for the afternoon is in order?

[Albie]

Sounds good to me

[slob]

Next time I promise not to be so naughty!!!!!

...lucky escape, seemed like a decent bloke and not a word about pipes, plates or visors.

[slob]

one more by T

[yantheman]

nice one slob, fish and chips!

[Diego]

...lucky escape, seemed like a decent bloke and not a word about pipes, plates or visors.

very true....usually its always dark visor this....small plate that.....

[Headhunter]

Yep. Best comment was.... "your photo, you look sooo young".

From the conversation during lunch if it had been Yan the ladies would have been asking a lot more questions and not about the bikes. :)

Earlier meet and brands sounds like a top idea, Rob.

[yantheman]

:) :) :) They would probably think I was too young to have a license ;)

I am up for a Brands meet!

[Diego]

:
I am up for a Brands meet!

same ere! count me in.

[modama]

i shall have to join that club...just got back from brighton, couldn't find the 'tea shack' off jnct 8 / reigate hill (not even any rain either) so headed to brighton. found on the way, who also couldn't find anyone. we ate some chips, hung about a couple of hours looking hopeful then gave up and came back - maybe was at the wrong side of the pier.... was in a huge bike bay...i suppose it was on the right of the pier, if your back was to it....oops...it was right next to a chip shop too... can has fail please... found an interesting route back though, 10% gradient not fun

Yesterday I went to Vauxhall for the meeting and due to terrible traffic jam in North London I arrived there at 11.15... no signs of anyone at the back of Metropolis and just some annoying light rain. I waited until 11.25, when with no signs of anyone else I decided to go to Brighton myself. As neither planned route nor map were in my possession I tried my best luck to avoid the M23/A23. I managed to go through Caterham and landed myself on the A23.

At some point, I decided to stop at a petrol station to check directions and I saw Ladybird's bike! Lucky me! From there we went together to Brighton and waited at the pier... without seeing anyone - except for a new Monster coming to have some chips and actually being completely unrelated to the club.

Anyway, we had some chips and a good conversation with Ladybird. Both of us thought that we were the only expeditionaries.

As mentioned, coming back was good, apart from a dangerous hill plenty of chippings and pebbles.

I can't wait to go for a ride with you guys and actually be able to meet you! By the way, in the event of possible rain and to avoid waiting inside Metropolis service area, could we leave the bikes in front of Metropolis and actually meet at Madeira café, just a stone thrown from Metropolis under the arches?

Well see you soon and regards to Sarah.

Joan

[Headhunter]

Hi Joan, sorry we missed you. You must have literally turned up minutes after we left.

I decided to use the back of metropolis, as the front bike bay (as long as it is) tends to be "inch free" space at best.

For West London meets, I am thinking of organising a meeting point on the edges of London. Richmond, Kew etc. Minimises the amount of London traffic before hitting decent roads.

Shame we didn't see you down there. What time did you arrive?

Cheers for making the effort BTW and really hope to meet you at the next one. Slob (East London rep) may organise one for July 5th - keep an eye out on the London events board.