Is there an appetite for a European meet ?
 

Open question really,

We have the Lakes in spring here in the UK, but,,,, what about a meet in mainland Europe somewhere ?

Would the UK riders leave the safety of the left side of the road? Would rider from Greece travel to somewhere more central ??

Is there anyone who would have the time and commitment to organise some rides ??

I'm thinking more for 2013, something to look forward to, plan some longer trips with like minded folk, that sort of thing?


So, is there an interest? would you 'be up for it' ??

wadayasay ?

I'd definitely be up for it.
Will mainly depend on the timing and work. But if I can get the time off I'd be interested.

What region are you thinking? French/Italian Alps? Southern Germany?

UP FOR IT big time.:luv[1]:

I'll calm down now.....if work allows.

I've not really had any thoughts of where, when or how. Just like the idea of a group of us rocking up to a site, where they don't speak English, from all corners and having some beers, ride-outs, whatever really.

If there is a bit of interest, then we can get something started....

Definately up for it! Would be fantastic to taste what our european members have to offer! :p

Me and my mates went to Spa on the bikes a couple of summers back was good fun

Moto Club De Faro Portugal Awsome Bike Rally .with Top 3 Day Ride Across Spain From Bilbo .beer Bands.! Just A Idea

i like the sound of that, would be interested.

I'd definitely be up for it, a fantastic idea. However, like the Lakes meet (which I would love to get to one day) timing would be the main issue for me. Keeping livestock is proving to be a bit of a handicap when it comes to the lure of an adventure!

I�d be interested in something closer to home for 2013. Afraid this year is already pretty much booked up with my Americas overland trip.

Pat

hi, i too would be up for it.

the xt portugal run was certainly a good start, though more a trip than meet. unfortunately i have been tagging along with other groups to get my foreign offroad kicks

is their a plan making shape?

I would like to go further afield in the near future and explore pastures new over the water.

I'd be up for the Picos or the pyrenees where we could ride a mixture of trails and roads.
I think a lot of the picos trails are closed now but either would be good to get a local guide to mark a few maps and the rest would be up to us.
:nike:

The Tiger Two would be up for a perambulate over to that there foreign land for sure.

Nice ideas,
Combining a ride with a holiday ;) ...Abroad.

My only problem would be fitting pillion and tent and gear on bike.
I've done both, but not both together.
I was pretty loaded on the lakes trip, don't thinks I could've fit the mrs on me XTX too. Might have to take the lowering links out lol.

Was contemplating the HUMM 2013, but this way more of us 'xt660.com folk' could ride together.

My spain trip was awsome, I'd like to go there again, but am easy.

anyone else be taking passenger?
(or a spare girlie driving licence and a bike, I could give mrs a 'crash' course lol.

a thought?
 

The original HUMM used a hotel in the pyrenees, maybe this would work? I seam to remember it had pool.... and camping? I wasn't there so maybe someone can add?

Just a thought,

I THINK all the organised rides or meets go to the Sort-Lavorossi region. Hotels, camping and lots of rideable trails. You can nip into Andorra for a coffee from there.
I,ve ridden there a few times and always had a great time.

I have some marked maps and GPS routes but the best part of the adventure is to ride blind and see where the trails take you.

Interesting to see how this develops, hope it leads to a trip.

If this is of help.

We have used 5 sites over the last 6 years .Only once did we stay in a Hotel, the rest of the time our group used camp sites close to the hotels used on the pyrenees up .

We thought that the price of the hotel's were to high for our budget { other's may think there cheap }

I would also add that most of the Hotels very close to the hotels used on these events were about 20e per night cheaper.

The area around Sort and Llavors� have very good access to the trails but this area is more expensive for camping and hotel's. { we paid 10e a night more to camp in Llavors� than we did in Ripoll and the camp site in Ripoll had lot better facilities and pool. }

The area of the pyrenees between Baga and Ripoll offers excellent camp sites and hotels. also the trails in this area are excellent and can be ridden 2 up on big trail bike.

Both towns of Baga and Ripoll have everything you need, Baga being the bigger of the two, But Pipoll to me is the best with its cobbled market square and cafe bars. Sort is Nice but the main road goes right through the main street, Llavors� is the quieter of these with white water rafting. Its sadly spoiled by the Energy power plant.

All the book shops sell very detailed maps of the area which include all the trails clearly marked on them. you cant get lost. Just pick a trail and it will come out at some point in a small village which will be marked on your map.




Dazzer

Colin, Daz - well you've convinced me. Anyone else think norther Spain is a good place to consider?

Both the Sort and the Ripoll area offer really nice riding. But camping tends to be significantly more expensive on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees than on the French side.
I don't particulary mind because the riding and surroundings are worth it. But it is something to consider.

I can recommend Spain, but bear in mind the ferry cost. This year (April/May) it's �746 return for two bikes and two riders sharing a cabin.

I personally dont mind either or as long as we have a good crack and fantastic roads! What about the potential for using the channel tunnel and riding accross to the french alps?

I was planning something along these line with my 4x4 off road club as it worked out so much cheaper. Last time i looked it was 70 quid return for a bike 2up. (not sure of that still stands!)

I'd be up for it in 2013, already got an XT expedition planned for this summer (three XTs from Northern Ireland to North Cape). Northern Spain or French Alps would be my suggestion... I've spent many happy weeks in both areas.
The Stella Alpina Rally happens the second Sunday in July every year, would be worth including if the French Alps was being considered.

http://www.stella-alpina.fsnet.co.uk/

It's not a rally in the true sense of the word but great fun on easy (for XT) trails.

Catchya

Hi guys

It sounds like you are talking about something like: http://www.adventurebikerider.com/fo...-1st-2012.html

Seems silly to reinvent the wheel. I know Simon (the Spansh Biker) well - top bloke to knows those them there hills - and I also know a number of the folks on ABR too - good bunch.

My Americas trip means I won�t be around for the bash in May/June this year - but I�ll certainly be involved in the 2013 bash.

Cheers
Pat

if anybody is thinking of the pyrennes book the ferry early, we booked in oct four bikes four riders sharing a cabin portsmouth to bilbao caen to portsmouth in july �280:sunny:

Hi, I would be up for a Pyrenees xt meet. i did the Llavorsi humm in '08, me and my mate Bob on his 80 PD may not have won but it was a awesome 2 days of competion!.

I have the checkpoints done up in gps and can vouch for some really interesting trails. The maps are easily purchased locally. I fancy leading a trail or two if your interested

abandoned village claramunt
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...vorsi023-1.jpg

awesome trails!
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...lavorsi052.jpg

watersplashes abound!
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...lavorsi012.jpg

perfect for XT's!
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...lavorsi050.jpg

I propose that we put together a planning team during the Lakes meet. If you are interest in being involved in this please let me, steved,stumpydave or keithblade know in the next couple of weeks,( if you aren't or can't make it.)

stoic's pics are awesome!

I think a trip to the pyreneese would go down well!

Just gotta get planning in nice and early to save pennies!

:bigwink:

Has this died a death?
If not, another option is to visit us in the lovely Mosel Valley of mid-west Germany. We have a piece of land that could be used for camping/bbq (no toilets but have a caravan on site we could use for a porta-loo). We also have a B&B for those not into camping (limited numbers).
I run bike tours anyway, so don't mind in the least organising some ride-outs and coordinating 'holiday things' (the Mosel is after-all, a fantastic holiday area in its own right). Can include some trails too (largely non technical but with great elevated views). We're 35 miles from the Nurburgring, 3 miles from Bernkastel Kues and handily-placed for visits to Luxembourg (35 miles), Belgium (40 miles) and France (59 miles). It's also not so far to go from the UK and has a range of ferry points to enter from (Calais/Dunkerque/Zeebrugge/Rotterdam/Amsterdam), so might some who have less time or don't want to haul to the Alps (mind, some could, then extending their stay before or after, heading for other places).
You can get an idea of the local terrain and stuff from the pictures on our websites www.moselbikes.com and www.river-valley-guest-house.com - including some pictures of me and my last Ten on the trails!
Just something to think about ....

sorry, that second website should be www.river-valley-guest-house.co.uk

Bookmarked... will be with you at some point :)