Wales 2015
 

For the past few years we have had the XT660.com meeting in the Lake District. This year I propose that we move down to Wales and meet up at Llanfairfechan (Conwy)
GULGO has in the past put a lot of time and effort into organising the previous meets but I personally think that the Lakes area has been used enough. We need somewhere a bit different and so I am prepared to organise the 2015 meet at Platts Farm Campsite and bunkhouse. ( www.plattsfarm.com)
Why you may ask?
The original format was excellent but the last couple of meets have not been as well thought out. The site is great when the weather is good, but if not then it has it's limitations. The same old roads time and time again are frankly boring. I am not prepared to take my van time and time again as this costs me a lot of money and after my 'injury' this is money I can ill afford.
We are limited to good sites that will take motorbikes and an area that is good to 'explore'
I have used Platts Farm in the past and will again be there for the night before the Dragon 2015.
I have been in touch with Sam who runs the place and have asked her if this meet were to go ahead if we would be welcome, the answer was YES.
Platts farm has good accommodation for those not wanting to camp. The village has good facilities ie shops and pubs. We are close to the Snowdonia National Park with which I am quite familiar.
The intention would be to hold the event on the 7th, 8th, 9th May 2015. Again I have checked with Sam and these dates are avilable for the campsite and the Bunkhouse. Rates are �8 for camping and �12.50 for the bunkhouse, per person per night.
If you care to check out the Platts farm site you will notice that the outside facilities are very good and we can have an open brazier under cover. Showers for the campers are good and we could hire a proper barbe-que unit. I am quite sure that I could put together a good rideout into the Snowdonia National Park, but with it being a National Park I will not expect any trails to be available, this is to be ascertained.
With this location at the top end of Wales it should give most a good ride to get there. Pubs are good (I've checked) bunkhouse is good, done it!
If anyone is interested I plan to meet up with Stumpy sometime between now and then to 'make a plan'
If we go ahead with this than I will need numbers pretty soon so that I can call Sam and make arrangements to book things as the dates outlined are currently free , we may need to move fast.
I am aware that others are having discussions off forum about this but I am prepared to get this meet organised if the consensus is a Yes.

If this is acceptable then I will organise another meet later in the year, October time which will be at Dent. There will be a marquee and I will organise some serious trail riding with my brother and some of his colleagues. But that will be camping and the showers are not for the faint hearted. Hard core only need apply!

I will monitor this thread quite closely and do not want to see lots of 'views' without a comment. If only you say that the idea is good / bad then at least comment, even if you do not intend to attend

Cheers fellow XTeeers and have a good Christmas..

Steve
pp Stumpy

So come on folks, role up role up, Steved and myself will be there come what may, many folks have been asking if something is being organised this year or not so here's your chance, shout up.

Im in. North Wales and those may dates are grand by me.

Keep me informed about any dates for a recce run and ill see if i can make it down. Im up for helping out as much as possible. Ive done a bit around wales on a bike and also hiking.

Good on ya Mr numbers that's the spirit!
Will keep in touch as things progress.

That sounds grand Max. Lets see how the post fares and then we can plan!:bigwink:

Excellent idea, and a big well done you guys for setting the wheels in motion.

Pity the dates aren�t great for me due to my pesky job - don't get enough holidays ;) . May be a late night arrival on Friday night, then pack up and turn round again on the Saturday. But hey, that doesn�t matter, it�ll be worth it just for one night of banter and a decent excuse for a coast to coast ride if nothing else! Count me in.

I�m up for contributing help/support if needed too. Just let me know...

Yeah, sorry for that Pete, but it will be great to see you. Why not get a bunk then you can travel light and set off back early Sunday morning?

Steve

It's my daughter's 9th birthday on the Sunday, and she'd kill me (well her and the wife actually) if I wasn't there! So I'd have to shoot off on Saturday evening anyway.

Definitely be requiring the bunkhouse. I ain't putting my tent up in the pitch black only to clear it all up the next day - getting too old for that sort of shenanigans!

Hi Keith. No I haven't had your pleasure at this place:104:

It' not far from Betwys Coed or Llanberis where we did stay, yeah that place!
......when you came to the Dragon. Beats the lot into a cocked hat. You'll really like it. It would be a really good place for you and the misses to go to as they aslo have a flat above the bunkhouse that they can rent out and it's in a really good location. 5 mins and you can be on Anglesey. I will look at a rideout over there as there are some real pretty small villages down on the coast. We shall see. Glad your in.

Cheers Steve.

PS This is what I meant when I originally posted, see how many 'views' against the comments!:072:

Hi all
I don't do any off road riding but is the invite still open if I just fancy the camping,ride outs and obviously meeting you all
I've ridden round north wales for the last 30 years so could possibly help out if it's needed
All the best
Geoffd

Hey Geoff, sounds good. I'll put your name on the list, we will be pleased to meet you. I will be arranging an impromptu meet over there to get ideas and format a good rideout before the event, any input more than welcome.

Cheers and welcome.

Steve

Thanks Steve
Looking forward to it

Nice one Steve!
All sounds good to me. Unfortunately I can't commit at the moment due to work. If I am available you can count me in for camping. As soon as I find out I will let you know for sure.
Cheers Scott.

Is it bad I spent 2hrs last night looking at google maps making 2 possible routes!!! withdrawal symptoms are bad!!

Practice my good friend, Practice :025:

(17 repies, 188 views I would prefer to see some opinions good or bad and whether you can come or not, pretty please!)

I'm one of the viewers ;-) Planning a trip to the UK for next year but no idea when... If it coincided with this then I would definitely turn up! That's about as close as I can get to saying yes!!

I'm a bit busy that weekend but may turn up for a visit. It's only half an hour away.

Cheers Keith. :thumbsup: I need to get some good idea of numbers to book the site. I'll talk to the owner (Sam) early next year and make the necessary arrangements.

Cheers and a Happy Christmas Steve:wav:

Well done for getting the ball rolling. :nod:

It's looking like I'll be there.
The location should be quite accessible for many people wishing to join in.
Even though I'm based in Wales it's still a 4 hr ride.
Looking forward to seeing the Menai Strait and Anglesey.
Driven around Snowdonia and through Lanberis but that was in a metal box not the proper way to see the world.
Gonna check the work commitments ASAP!

Some footage of riding around the Snowdonia area including Lanberis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtQgY8JWEq0&sns=em


Some stunning scenery three quarters through.

Beautiful, great video.... if only the weather was guaranteed like that!

wales 2015
 

Hi i am interested and would love to meet up with you guys, the lack of off road ride outs is a bit of a downer as off road riding with experienced folks is a major draw for me. However i will try my best to get down there for the meet.

This is one of the reasons this post has been put up so anyone with local knowledge can contribute. We will do our best to locate and put together some trial routes if at all possible but initial enquiries indicate there aren't many because of the location in a national park. We're working on it and will continue to do so as we know it's something many people want and enjoy.
Any suggestions are always welcome and we will endeavour to check all possible routes out.

That's a 300 mile round trip! ;)

Maybe eight hours in the saddle. Potentially a nice route though.

Brillaint plan, best of luck but I'll be in the States

Sounds like fun :)
I've got some good routes round Betsy coed .... I'll check me dairy.
Merry Christmas :)

That would make a superb ride out Keith through some stunning countryside but as Pete's pointed out its a fair old run. I can't see there being many up for it but hey come on folks prove me wrong?

Is anyone interested in a short trip up a mountain on a railway as part of a day out?

Does anybody want to visit any museums as part of a day out?

Or is it green lanes that most people want?

I've created a new sticky thread in the Wales 2015 forum for signing up/declaring and interest in attending to separate potential numbers from general discussions and information.

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=23276

If you are interested in attending (no firm commitment at this stage, we just need to get a good idea of potential numbers) then sign up now!

Would love to but we have a baby due that week so I think my wife would take a dim view of me not being there! :) Hope it goes well and hopefully will get to the next one if I am good enough to get a leave pass off the wife!

Jim

his
 

I'm up for the touratech run on the fri, then a shorter run on the sat where by it may be a later wake up after fri nights ehhhh emmmm liquid refreshment!!!

Be a shame not to see you jim but we understand, good luck n best wishes to Mrs Jim n fingers crossed for next year.

Maxwell, liquid refreshment???? Your irish, what are you worried about???

Keith a trip up the orme is possible yes.

badge ready for the ones who will take place.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps6e59721f.png

Hi all!

I've just put my name down.

I'm a relatively new member so looking forward to meeting some of you face to face for the first time and having a good long ride out.

Nice one Fran it looks the part does that.
And yes Arn its always nice to meet new faces, we are a welcoming bunch.

Im seriosly considering attending this fine meeting. Would be really nice adventure. Long ways from Finland :D

When is the deadline to sing up? i still have some issues to resolve with employer about vacation days :D

Hi SiKa, there is no deadline for signing up. If you can make it that would be great.

Happy New Year.

Steve

Thanks for the info Steve.

Well over a thousand views but not many takers so far. I will soon be contacting the Farm to confirm bookings and will need a good idea of numbers. We don't appear to be very enthusiastic at the moment:sad11:

There is still time to move the location or date but we are competing against other clubs and a bike friendly location is hard to find in a good lacation.

C'mon guys more replies appreciated or better still get your name down.

We've got someone considering coming from Finland and another coming, just for a night from deepest darkest Norfolk!:icon_cheers:

Good point, and worth stressing... There is no obligation to sign up for all four/five days. If you can only make a couple of them, or just the weekend, or maybe just fancy a day out on the Saturday, then get your name down.

Well, what can I say:confused5:

Is it really worth having an XT660 meet this year?

1200 views and not many takers!

I have been in touch again with Sam at the site and the bunkhouse has now been booked and a group called Pinkertons* (from Swindon area) have booked for camping.

There is still space available for camping but I'm not in a position to give her numbers to firmly make a booking.

If this is still to go ahead then I will make arrangements as I will be in the area to suss out rideouts etc. I've already have bought a good selection of large scale maps, but I'm not spending any more. Other years have cost me a great deal!

As I didn't get much biking in last year, as a consequence of breaking my knees, this year I have already booked other meets etc, off the mainland, so this is of no concern to me if it doesn't go ahead.

PS Pete if this goes ahead I will personally make sure that there is a tent and clean sleeping bag for you. Don't worry!

If someone else has a better idea or location then lets have some dialogue, we still have time to plan something.

*Have a look at the PInkertons motorcycle club site!:icon_redface: