Groombridge Ferrari and Ducati day. 31st July 2011.

[jimbo696]

Groombridge; Ferrari, Ducati and hot air balloon day.

On 31st July there will be another event at Groombridge Place; (Tun Wells TN3 9QG)
www.groombridge.co.uk

We have been invited back again, it is free entry if you arrive on a bike, preferably a Ducati, or another Italian bike, or a scooter, or another marque.
Lunch will be provided FOC for us. There is live music and entertainment provided, plus awards for the best bike etc. the event starts at 2pm and finishes at 5pm, but you are welcome to stay there until 8pm when it closes.

The Help for Heroes charity is benefitting this year from the event.

Last year we had 100 Ducatis there, let’s see if we can beat that this year.
Please let me know if you are planning on attending as I need to provide numbers for catering.

We can arrange meeting points for a 'mass' ride in like last year??

[mrbryanmarshall]

Keen but will need to confirm...when do we need to RSVP by?

thanks!

[Paivi]

I'll be there, just not sure which of my Italian bikes comes with me.

[Albie]

Should be able to make this one finally on a bike this year. First one broken bone. Last year was on hols.
Put me down for 2 as pillion. Not sure whether Monster or the little 600ss

[scrapps]

I will check but 99.9% sure we can come again.

[Pomp1]

I'm in (as long as is dry)

[jimbo696]

Thx guys.
Bryan, just rsvp whenever you can, it is only needed for luch numbers really....

[Albie]

Add your name

Jimbo696
Paivi
Albie and Caroline
Scrapps and Heather
Pomp

[rossifumi]

Add your name

Jimbo696
Paivi
Albie and Caroline
Scrapps and Heather
Pomp
Rossifumi(on only surviving bike,my aprilia & broken leg permitting)

[jimbo696]

Thx Albie...

Jimbo696
Paivi
Albie and Caroline
Scrapps and Heather
Pomp
Rossifumi
mrbryan (maybe)

[NattyBoy]

Jimbo696
Paivi
Albie and Caroline
Scrapps and Heather
Pomp
Rossifumi
mrbryan (maybe)
Nattyboy

[number24]

I could be up for this, ill confirm closer to the date

[Shuffy]

Jimbo696
Paivi
Albie and Caroline
Scrapps and Heather
Pomp
Rossifumi
mrbryan (maybe)
Nattyboy
Shuffy

[woody71]

I would love to come but got tickets for WSB at Silverstone that weekend. Maybe next year.

[BigOz]

Jimbo696
Paivi
Albie and Caroline
Scrapps and Heather
Pomp
Rossifumi
mrbryan (maybe)
Nattyboy
Shuffy
BigOz

[number24]

Jimbo696
Paivi
Albie and Caroline
Scrapps and Heather
Pomp
Rossifumi
mrbryan (maybe)
Nattyboy
Shuffy
BigOz
Number24

[gary tompkins]

Jimbo696
Paivi
Albie and Caroline
Scrapps and Heather
Pomp
Rossifumi
mrbryan (maybe)
Nattyboy
Shuffy
BigOz
Number24
GT

[BigOz]

Just realised I'm away that weekend.

Jimbo696
Paivi
Albie and Caroline
Scrapps and Heather
Pomp
Rossifumi
mrbryan (maybe)
Nattyboy
Shuffy
Number24
GT

[banditloon]

Jimbo696
Paivi
Albie and Caroline
Scrapps and Heather
Pomp
Rossifumi
mrbryan (maybe)
Nattyboy
Shuffy
Number24
GT
Banditloon

[jimbo696]

Thanks everyone. Looking fwd to a good day out.
We can sort out meet points closer to the time.
Cheers.

[scrapps]

Looking forward to the event. its a nice relaxed day with plenty of nice bikes and cars in a stunning location.:thumbsup:

[JMo]

What sort of time are you planning on getting there?

I quite fancy a ride in the 'old country'...

Jx

[Albie]

What sort of time are you planning on getting there?

I quite fancy a ride in the 'old country'...

Jx

It will be nice to see you Jen. I reckon to be getting there around 11:00-11:30. I guess we will be meeting up in our neck of woods to do a ride in as much as possible. Us kenties may as well meet either at Oakdene or at Orpington turn off on m25

[alan c]

Jimbo696
Paivi
Albie and Caroline
Scrapps and Heather
Pomp
Rossifumi
mrbryan (maybe)
Nattyboy
Shuffy
Number24
GT
Banditloon
alan c ( not 100% yet )

[jimbo696]

Is the Oakdene ok for a meet, it worked ok last year?? Cup of tea, bacon sarnie etc??

[Albie]

Is the Oakdene ok for a meet, it worked ok last year?? Cup of tea, bacon sarnie etc??

Its a possibility of a good idea. The trouble is that it can take an age to get served and then the wait for it. If I go for brekkie then it will be at 9.30 leaving around 10:15 if we want to get to groombridge for say 11.00 .Its about 30 mins at least depending on roads we take

The alternative is Mickeys diner but further away to our route and up and down bluebell hill twice to get there and back on the route.

[gary tompkins]

Oakdene get a big thumbs down from me too

It's crap.. end of story :thumbsdown:

[JMo]

Oakdene get a big thumbs down from me too

It's crap.. end of story :thumbsdown:

Oh how the mighty have fallen...?!

Next you'll be saying Box Hill is overpriced and over-policed...

Or that Bury Hill is full of nobbers on crotch-rockets...

Good job we still have Fox's Diner in Berinsfield... oh.

Jx

[gary tompkins]

All of the above is possibly true but I don't use them regularly enough to give a toss.

Oakdene was always a second rate venue. God awful carpark, slow service and overcrowded, but we locals couldn't be arsed to find an alternative. Now we we've found better cafes to use (Mickey's Diner for example) there's no going back for me. Try to get down sometime and I'm sure you'll be impressed.

[jimbo696]

I agree the Oakdene is crap, but it is convenient for most people. We dont need to be at the event until 1ocl to 1.30 ish, so we will miss the early b/fast crowd. But, i am happy to meet wherever, personally, Mickeys is just as easy for me....

[JMo]

All of the above is possibly true but I don't use them regularly enough to give a toss.

Oakdene was always a second rate venue. God awful carpark, slow service and overcrowded, but we locals couldn't be arsed to find an alternative. Now we we've found better cafes to use (Mickey's Diner for example) there's no going back for me. Try to get down sometime and I'm sure you'll be impressed.

Hee hee - that was my point - all the old haunts ain't what they used to be (or were never much cop in the first place like you say...)

The Monster is all MOT'd and ready to roll again - infact I had a nice ride out to Oxfordshire and a visit to Ducati Aylesbury the other week, just like old times!

I really do hope to be able to get down and see the Kentities again soon... I'm a lot closer than I was in Wales for sure!

Jx

[gary tompkins]

Spotted some pictures of you on Facebook

Good to see you back on two solid legs and the bike again

I agree the Oakdene is crap, but it is convenient for most people. We dont need to be at the event until 1ocl to 1.30 ish, so we will miss the early b/fast crowd. But, i am happy to meet wherever, personally, Mickeys is just as easy for me....


I may well ride straight to Groombridge - not fussed about breakfast

[jimbo696]

Have we decided where to meet yet?
Cheers,

[scrapps]

I would opt for Mickey's diner. good food proper car park and easy to pick up most routes from.

[jimbo696]

Mickey's is OK for me too.

[gary tompkins]

What time are we planning to meet at Mikey's diner for run to Groombridge?

Has anyone got directions or postcode for Groombridge park so I can log it on my sat nav?

[alan c]

not going as sulking ;)

Got mate's 50th party tonight and will not be fit to ride tomorrow, have a great time, weather looking good :thumbsup:

[steeevvvooo]

was considering, but was out al morning with Pegboy today so probably best not. Off to get drunk in the sun now anyway :booze:

[scrapps]

So folks what time are we meeting ?
Also what time do we need to be at Groombridge ?

[jimbo696]

We need to be at Groombridge between 1.30- 2pm....I would think it takes 45 mins at the most from Maidstone..

Gary,
See www.groombridge.co.uk

[gary tompkins]

So we can meet at diner around 10am and still have time in hand for run to Groombridge

See you at Mickys for breakfast folks - thanks for link Jim

[Paivi]

I've caught man flu, so probably not going to make it. My next desk colleague's just back from Kenya, so maybe it's not just a man flu but a Masai warrior flu.

[Diego]

sry peeps. my knee is still buggered so not gonna make this one....

[JMo]

Sun is out... bacon bap around 10am GT?

See you at Micky's!

Jx

[scrapps]

Yaaaaaah stunning day outside got a cuppa and will see you at Mickeys at 10

[Pomp1]

Sorry guys nursing a massive hangover, I probably won't make it.Have fun:(

[jimbo696]

I will see you at Groombridge....

[Albie]

We had a nice day. Thanks for the company too. Tired now as sun shone all day.

Glad you bought little Robert's bike Shuffy:mand:

[gary tompkins]

Grand day out

Nice breakfast at Micky's diner, quick pootle down to Groombridge, chill out in sun with free grub (thanks Jim) and a nice blast back with Shuffy. What more could you ask for? Nice to see everyone today including Jmo who rode in from Wiltshire. Glad the legs on the mend now Jenny and Smeegal is still looking as cool as ever.

Hope you get the S2R's charging/battery issue sorted ASAP Chris

What happened to Oz today..change of plans mate?

[NattyBoy]

Nice day out that..but I only found Jim..where were the rest of you hiding ?! Had the family in tow so it was difficult anyway to be honest.

Was it me or were the security people a bit power crazy? The miserable old man on the gate was on obsolete tosser and the hi viz health & safety wombles were hilarious - "follow me to a parking position and do not overtake me and watch out for people, keep your engine quiet, oh - watch that car which is 50 metres way....blah blah " lol!

Jen - sorry didn't realise you were riding from wilts when you pm'd me !!

[JMo]

Yes, what a great day out! Cafe breakfast, lovely roads, sunshine, ice cream! Oh and you lot were ok too xx

Lovely to see you guys again, and great to be back on the Monster riding halfway across the south of England, just for the hell of it!

Roll on the rest of the summer!

See you again soon,

Jenny xx

PS. Didge wasn't home when I popped round, but hope to see him again soon too x

[JMo]

Ah, funny that - so was that your 888 with the number 1 number boards on the seat? Having the family in tow explains the paddock stand (we were wondering!)...

I thought I saw you in the distance by the Italian food stand - black Ducati Jacket? But when I went to go over you'd disappeared!

Next time fella!

Jx

[J.P]

Sorry to have missed the day as I was busy. Always a nice do.

[gary tompkins]

Natty!!!

Were your ears burning?

Mine is quite easy to spot mate... it's the blue one with 3 wheels ;)

[jimbo696]

Thanks to all for coming. I hope you had a good day.
We have been invited back for next year...

[Shuffy]

What a top day that was! Fantastic weather, great company, lovely venue, posh cars and a free lunch too!! Can't say fairer than that really. Thanks to Jimbo for organising and sorting lunch, Albie for leading down and everyone else who made it a brilliant day. Great to finally meet the legendary JMo in person, glad to hear the leg's healing nicely Jen. Oh and a final thank you to my one year old who lent me his 750ss at short notice when my bike spat it's dummy in the morning, thanks son!

Anyway here are a few snaps

http://www.flickr.com//photos/speedtriple52/sets/72157627329918266/show/

[scrapps]

Great day out. Its always a nice relaxed day at Groombridge. Maybe next year we could have a ukmoc run to the show and also a stand with some where to keep our kit and sit in the shade ? The stand at Brandshatch and at Calne bike show were fantastic and a great way to promote the club.

[banditloon]

Was it me or were the security people a bit power crazy? The miserable old man on the gate was on obsolete tosser and the hi viz health & safety wombles were hilarious - "follow me to a parking position and do not overtake me and watch out for people, keep your engine quiet, oh - watch that car which is 50 metres way....blah blah " lol!

I had to answer 50 questions to the bloke at the gate. Teach me to turn up at 430pm.

That'll teach me to lose all sense of direction! The woman who chatted to me in Stockbridge in the morning gave me a quizicle look!

"Have you far to go?"
Off to Groombridge near Tunbridge Wells
"Oh, nice, where did you leave from?"
Heathrow
"Erm...... "

Some people just don't understand the whole sunshine and open roads routine!

Next year I'll try and turn up on time, instead of playing the shouting game in a tunnel on the A3..... ;)

[NattyBoy]

Spotted the wheels GT - just not the reprobates riding them - ha ha ! ! Yes - my bike Jen..glad wifey bought the stand as it was well unstable ! Not me in the black ducati jacket though - i was in a white ducati polo and cap !

BTW - who won best bike ?

[JMo]

Great day out. Its always a nice relaxed day at Groombridge. Maybe next year we could have a ukmoc run to the show and also a stand with some where to keep our kit and sit in the shade ? The stand at Brandshatch and at Calne bike show were fantastic and a great way to promote the club.

Nice idea - it's an ideal ride in for the southern counties & London... and be nice to have some shade like you say!

Jx

[JMo]

Spotted the wheels GT - just not the reprobates riding them - ha ha ! ! Yes - my bike Jen..glad wifey bought the stand as it was well unstable ! Not me in the black ducati jacket though - i was in a white ducati polo and cap !

BTW - who won best bike ?

Don't know... I hung around until five (hoping x)... but the announcer only mentioned there would be a 'best Ferrari' prize, which was to be awarded at 5.45pm...

Would like to have stayed and seen the balloons take off, but that wasn't scheduled 'til after 6.30pm, and as you know, it was a way to ride home!

Jx

[gary tompkins]

Never mind Natty.. at least you made it to Groombridge

Great pictures Chris :thumbsup:

[jimbo696]

The idea of a marquee is a great one..next year hopefully we can make the event better. We need to make sure that the security and health and safety people are kept under control next year...

The organisers have contatced me and said thanks to everyone that came along and asked us to come back next year.

I am embarrassed to say that my bike won the award for best bike....I think this could be a case of mistaken identity!!!

Here is a snippet of the email from Groombridge..

"Hope you had a good day yesterday, I thought your bikes looked great, just a shame there wasn’t as many as you thought would turn up.
However, your bike won the award ‘Bike of the day 2011’ – well done!"

[Ronin]

Will there be a meet this year at groombridge?

[3364stevec]

I am planning to go + pillion

[jimbo696]

The date is Sun 19th Aug. I will post properly about the event closer to the time.
Steve, would you be interested in having some sort of display at the event? pm me to discuss..