Henry_C said:

I have registered to go, along with my son and daughter-in-law on their Kawasaki. It struck me that it is relatively close to most of the BurgmanRiders of GB and thus could be an ideal first meet and ride-out (IF we can find each other among the potential 7000 bikes so far registered!!!). Leigh Delamare services is around 100 miles west of London and about the same distance from Gosport, while a mere 60 miles from Yeovil! Just the job for an early spring ride?

See you there Henry_C.

Suggestion — if you would let us have your mobile phone number (using `Personal Message` for your privacy and security) we could give you a ring on arrival at Leigh Delamare and meet up.

Regards,

banana

I've just signed up for it – what a fantastic day that will be! Nearly 8000 bikes, maybe more, rolling through Wiltshire in support of our heroes. I just had to be a part of that! It would be great if we could all meet up somewhere. I'm hoping to persuade a few bikers from work and a mate of mine to come too, maybe form a posse from Yeovil. Maybe meeting up in front of the Westlands factory. Maybe getting additional sponsorship from work. Maybe get the local paper to promote it too and take some piccies. Wow! I'm really quite excited about this!

It would be very cool to meet all you guys too. If we can't make it happen before the ride through WB then maybe we could all meet up on the runway somehow.

I think this needs a new thread specifically to promote this fantastic event!

Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Bouncer said: …….. Do you suppose I'll be able to pick the ride up at Swindon – will they close the roads to let the 'official' ride go through? I'll have to check it out with the organisers.

its tempting …

Great to see you seriously considering it, Jan. I think your idea of contacting the organisers is a good one. I expect the ride to cruise east to J16 and then pick up the Wootton Bassett road which runs off directly from the junction's roundabout. There are two more roundabouts before turning down the High Street of WB and either of those would be suitable for joining up, not to mention a layby just on the WB side of J16 but as you suggest there are likely to be road closures – except that if you are in position early enough (by 12:00?) they won't necessarily affect you.

You will need to get the organisers to allow you to donate your £5 beforehand and get your registration sorted out so you can come on base at Lyneham though – security and all that!

Let us know how you get on and we can make arrangements for recognition!

Alan, your points are well made but reading through the "gumpf" on the website and on their Facebook page I think they have it well arranged – for instance someone raised the fact that taking £5 off 7000 (or actually 9000+ including pillions) is an admin nightmare but they have worked out how many stewards and how many lines of people are required – all sorted, collecting money from 10am until noon when the convoy leaves LD Services. Additionally RAF Lyneham would have NOTHING to do with it if they weren't satisfied with security etc – no chance of aggro as far as I can see.

I asked on Facebook if anyone was heading my way on Saturday (going down to my son's in Swindon) and as a result I am invited to ride with four bikes (8 people) from Marks Tey (A12) stopping at South Mimms and Reading Services en route to Swindon, my nightstop with No1 son! Aren't bikers a goodly bunch?

Jan, if you reckon you're up for it you COULD travel the A4 from London to Hungerford and cut up to Swindon from there, meeting the main group at the M4, J16 from where it is about 3 miles to Wootton Bassett then another 5 to RAF Lyneham. The A4 is a joy to ride west of Reading incidentally but make no mistake it's a fair ride on a 125. Timing at J16 would be about 1215 on Sunday.

Thanks for bringing that event to our notice, Peter. I hadn't heard of it, prior to now.

I've never been one for these organized rallies, as they seem to end up causing a lot of aggravation, more than anything else.

                             Even if the cause is justified.

However, If anything can stir our nation to rise up and stand together,  support for the loss of our forces personel, is IT.

The main problem that I can foresee is, that, that estimate of 7,000, is going to be very much exceded.

There is no way, any of us from BurgmanRiders (UK), will ever find each other, with that amount of support.  Unless we decide to meet up at a pre-determined location elsewere, first, and then ride on to our destination, together.

I'm inclined to either register, to donate, but not actually go to RAF Lynam itself, as there will be too many there, or donate some money, through my bank, (after all, thats what it's all about).

                             Support, WON'T be lacking.

Either way, I could still turn up, at that pre-determined location, and meet up with, whoever of us decides to go.

  If anyone else has a suggestion, I for one, would be glad to hear it.

(8 pm. GMT.)

Alan.

Might try to get across to this – Lyneham is where I used to be based and I had a house in WB for a few years.

http://blog.afghanheroes.org.u…..thers-day/

bigkoala said:

Most shops here in SoCal have been warning customers to scrub in new tyres for about 50 mi. before doing anything too exciting, for the last 20 yrs. or so.  Sounds like the UK is, as usual, a bit behind the tymes.

Not much to do about the clutch kicking in when turning a corner, except to keep the revs up a bit, to keep it engaged.

Sometimes it's nice to have a real clutch.

Sometimes it's great to have a real neutral.

bigkoala@verizon.net

                    Thanks for the tip, Koala. I'll keep it in mind.

Oh!, by the way, I've been riding bikes, and driving cars for the last 50 years.

When I first started, pre-motorways, we never had straight roads, stretching in the distance, as far as the eye can see, like you have in America. We have bends, in our roads. And so, by necessity, we have always " SCRUBBED " our tyres in, before we've let her rip.

It was the adverse camber, more than anything else. As I was doing no more than 1 or 2 MPH, turning from a standstill, and had only moved about 5 feet.

Maybe, in hind sight, keeping the rev's up, and feeding in the drive, using the brakes, would have been the better option….next time.

Thanks for your support, BurgieKing. It was much appreciated, and made me laugh.

Alan….whatever…..

Oooh, BK! You are the punchy one tonight!! LOL! Are you trying to re-establish that "special relationship" that seemed to have disappeared with the changes in administrations!? Just a word of advice: don't apply for a job in the Diplomatic Service!!

Most shops here in SoCal have been warning customers to scrub in new tyres for about 50 mi. before doing anything too exciting, for the last 20 yrs. or so.  Sounds like the UK is, as usual, a bit behind the tymes.

Not much to do about the clutch kicking in when turning a corner, except to keep the revs up a bit, to keep it engaged.

Sometimes it's nice to have a real clutch.

Sometimes it's great to have a real neutral.

bigkoala@verizon.net

OK Alto-Burger – as if I would ….

funny you should mention about your password it wouldnt accept mine a few days ago and I couldnt work it out – then it was ok.

You're having some luck with your ailments!  Hope things level out.

Took a long way round drive home down chelsea direction, over Albert Bridge and round the back of Battersea and over Tower Bridge.  Seriously spooky full moon, low in the sky when it was still daylight … lovely but damn cold.

jan