Shitefest 2013 including Autoshite OVROAD Mongfest 13-15 September

[red5]

Well, surely we could take at least one passenger?

 

Here's mine.  I have found one panel without a dent.  This cannot be allowed to continue. 

Sorry, thought I'd done them all.

[Guest Breadvan72]

I have managed to chod-up the back bumper a bit since you last saw the mo-sheen.  Mainly by reversing at full Ben Hur Battle Speed into a lamp post.  

[Mike D]

I'd be well up for this if I can get the engine swapped in the jagozuki and it tested in time

 

[philibusmo]

  It does sound extremely appealing (says the owner of a big lumbering 4x4) but finances dictate otherwise.  However!  There's no reason the lumberer couldn't go if some Shiter was prepared to invest* in it, purely for comedy value on the day.  I, of course, could take precisely no responsibility for any vehicular abuse that may occur once I let go of the key....

 

That is a distinct possibility. Motoring around in a Chevrolet Blazer/Tahoe/Suburban/Captiva or what ever it is you have seems like it would be good fun for a few days. The only possible issue I may come across is insurance. At 21 insurance is a bit of a mine-field with a seemingly random selection of cars being stupidly expensive, while others are remarkably cheap.

 

Current  options in the £0-£400 with a smattering of MOT range include such off roading greats as the Ssangyong Musso, Ford Maverick, Subaru Justy, Fiat Panda 4x4, Mazda Tribute or Daihatsu Sportrak. Any of these could be fun to buy and get from Devon to Wales/Yorkshire and then throw round some dirt tracks.

[dollywobbler]

KrueJoe's Shitefest with Shitelaning sounds like a great idea!

[eddyramrod]

Suburban, I wish!  I might not be so willing to get shot of it.... errrrrrr let someone else have the pleasure, were it a Suburban.  I had a rental one for two weeks in Las Vegas and California, and loved it.  I'd been driving it three days before I realised the third row of seats was up!    That's how big a Suburban is.

Mine is a Blazer.  Not a proper V8 monster but a modern Euro-sized bin that does nothing a Toyota wouldn't do, except drink.  I've only had it a couple of months and I'm proper disappointed in it.  I'm even more disappointed because, assuming I was going to keep it a long time, I put two brand new tyres on the front.  And bought a load of service parts, some of which are even in place now.

[KruJoe]

Actually JohnF's idea, and possibly to be held near Chez KruJoe. Watch this space...

(I wish I wasn't so exhausted working unsociable hours this week.) I will be making enquiries locally about a venue in the next day or two.

 

 

[gdhaydock]

That is a distinct possibility. Motoring around in a Chevrolet Blazer/Tahoe/Suburban/Captiva or what ever it is you have seems like it would be good fun for a few days. The only possible issue I may come across is insurance. At 21 insurance is a bit of a mine-field with a seemingly random selection of cars being stupidly expensive, while others are remarkably cheap.

 

Current  options in the £0-£400 with a smattering of MOT range include such off roading greats as the Ssangyong Musso, Ford Maverick, Subaru Justy, Fiat Panda 4x4, Mazda Tribute or Daihatsu Sportrak. Any of these could be fun to buy and get from Devon to Wales/Yorkshire and then throw round some dirt tracks.

 

Might have to watch the width of a suburban on the lanes in the dales ....... and there certainly aren't enough fuel stations to be able to get from one to another.

 

If buying a vehicle for the event, look for one in Yorkshire, then it could be combined into an epic collection / shitefest / shitelaning in an unseen vehicle - what could possibly go wrong?

 

In terms of the shitelaning, it may be worth the 4x4 owners letting people know if they have spare seats available to the non-owners.

[dollywobbler]

Indeed. Plenty of passengers to help push if we get stuck! Not sure about folk wanting to damage their cars though. I try and avoid that personally. The Maverick had more battle scars from where I'd kicked it (I got seriously annoyed with the rear brakes!) than from laning.

 

I may sound a bit snooty a killjoy, but we just can't afford to play 'twats hoon around the countryside' when laning. That's what Pay and Play sites are for. Sadly I can see it being not too long before we get booted off the lanes for good because too many people really do come out to get stuck and smash their vehicles up. Around here, we fenced off one section of 'off-piste' to try and get people to stay on the lane. The response? People drove their 4x4s into the fences and smashed them (and their cars) up. What can do you against that sort of idiocy?

[gdhaydock]

 

 

I may sound a bit snooty a killjoy, but we just can't afford to play 'twats hoon around the countryside' when laning. That's what Pay and Play sites are for. Sadly I can see it being not too long before we get booted off the lanes for good because too many people really do come out to get stuck and smash their vehicles up. Around here, we fenced off one section of 'off-piste' to try and get people to stay on the lane. The response? People drove their 4x4s into the fences and smashed them (and their cars) up. What can do you against that sort of idiocy?

 

Yep - totally agree - that's what I was trying to explain above, i'll only drive lanes which show as legal on trailwise (Glass's database) and stick generally to the LARA voluntary code of conduct. I am a member of GLASS (green lane association)

 

The video which was posted yesterday which was not of us, just something found on youtube showed a group of vehicles taking an off-piste shortcut for no reason other than 'thrills' - that's why I asked John to remove the link in case anyone thought it was us in the videos. One of the off-piste sections in that video has now had BFO boulders put around it by the farmer.

 

I see laning as a day out in the countryside rather than a macho 'look at what my vehicle can do'

 

I'm perfectly happy on a gravel track over the moors, which are the type of lanes i'll select for this event if it goes ahead and will be totally suitable for any 'stock' 4x4. As said above, the most damage is likely to be the odd scratch from foliage etc.

 

I've no wish to trash my vehicle, as I've done plently of that in mud holes / pay 'n play sites when I was younger.

 

I will not lead a group any larger than 6 vehicles, but prefer a maximum of 4. We can accommodate double the number of vehicles simply by half going clockwise and the other half going anti clockwise.

[skattrd]

This sounds like a top idea chaps. Shitefest/shitelaning combined, those without 4x4's can be passengers in those with.

I am currently 4x4 less (not counting tiny Daihatsu's) but may have to search out a suitable shed if this does happen.

[catsinthewelder]

These lanes sound nice and gentle,  are we allowed to bring semi suitable 2wd vehicles?  Theres loads of ground clearance on my VW and I'd really like to take it down a lane,  just not on my own in case I get stuck.

[John F]

These lanes sound nice and gentle,  are we allowed to bring semi suitable 2wd vehicles?  Theres loads of ground clearance on my VW and I'd really like to take it down a lane,  just not on my own in case I get stuck.

 

The lanes I suspect GDH has in mind are fairly gentle in the sense that they're fine for comparative novices and shouldn't cause damage to a reasonably 'proper' 4x4, but a 2wd VW bus will definitely not cope with them unless it is permanently shackled to a Land Rover...!

 

However, there is an unadopted road over Ilkley Moor to Keighley Gate that is a bit lumpy in places and 'feels' like a lane, you'll probably manage that and it's not too far away from Chez Joe (heading south out of the Dales back towards Leeds/Bradford). 

 

Here's a random youtube video of someone driving a Disco across it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1y8NONIFxU

 

I'd be happy to do that with you on the way home after the event if you want.

[KruJoe]

The only time I've ever driven a Disco was over that lane!

[explosive-cabbage]

I'm deffo up for this.

 

WACKKO IDEAS GUYS!

 

I have not yet properly tested the Lada out on any serious green lanes, so I promise* to get OLGA running in time for OVROAD fest.

 

Be it with a 1.7 injection, 1.7 carb or 1.6 carb engine, you can count me in.

 

Just need to re-build...

 

[catsinthewelder]

That's a very kind offer John.   Now I just need to fix the wretched thing and hope that this all happens on a weekend that I'm allowed out to play

[Guest Breadvan72]

I have changed the thread title to reflect the fact that this looks to be turning into a general shite-a-rama, and yay that.

[Pete-M]

The last Shitefest was in Wiltshire, this one needs to me more north.

[John F]

More north than North Yorkshire??

[gdhaydock]

More north than North Yorkshire??

 

How about Sutherland?

[KruJoe]

Right, I have been making inquiries.

 

The field in question belongs to Malham Show Committee, they use it mainly for overflow parking on Malham Show day.

It may well be available for us to use over a weekend in September. I've spoken to the chairman if the committee, I'm now watching for an email from her because she'd like to check with the farmer who sometimes keeps stock on there, and the chap who takes care of the field for the local cricket and rounders teams. Of course, we'd be expected to respect the local environment and generally not to be an embarrassment to ourselves. More of that later, but you get the picture.

Toilets will be available, but they're a field-and-a-bit away in the visitors' centre. (JohnF knows more about this set-up than I do at this point.)

All told, it was a positive conversation.

Watch this space.

 

I've often thought that our place in Malhamdale might be suitable venue for Shitefest. Two factors have previously put me off offering it up:

1. Parking is limited on hard-standing, and although we have a choice of fields around the house, if the ground is anything but bone dry, we'd have fun* getting shite in and out of the fields, due to the gradients. (Those of you who have been up to Chez KruJoe will know what I'm on about.)

2. We're quite a way north from many of those Shiters who can't come past Milton Keynes due to lack of passport / fear of nosebleeds.

HOWEVER, John's show-field idea works well for many reasons, and look here you southern pansies:

 

 

If you know of a more central venue on mainland UK, name it now!

 

 

 

[SambaS]

Excellent glad we bought that Dacia Duster now bet you are!

 

Well I'm up for this obviously as its in the same county, but I have as yet not purchased a Ssangyong Musso, Asia Rocsta or anything else suitable, although I am sure the Samba Cabriolet would have made it across to Malham from Kilnsey like the the sat nav wanted many a time.

[SambaS]

I may just take the Jimp for a laugh but it isn't going to be road legal :/

[barrett]

'greenlaning' sounds like the least enjoyable form of motoring possible for me, but I will be driving the Woodie to Yorkshire on the 28th September if you guys are about for a quick beer and a natter or whatnot as I pass through

[John F]

Fantastic - thanks for doing the leg-work on sorting out the field, Joe. I can't imagine we'll have any trouble getting vehicles out of the field - it really isn't steep at all, we found it fairly flat when camping there for the Malham Safari in June, and in any case we'll have a selection of 4x4s on hand to deal with any stuck cars.

 

The National Trust toilet facilities are outstandingly clean, and are about 2 minutes' walk from the camping area. Showers are not available though, perhaps we can sort something out with the Youth Hostel? Any thoughts on that, Joe?

 

I can also add a few other things to the mix.

 

My usual target sports crew are happy* to provide archery, crossbow and air rifle shooting during the event, free of charge, although donations to an agreed charity are very welcome.

 

We can also provide catering and cask real ale (and OK, possibly lager / cider for the Southerners), subject to agreement by Malham village, so nobody needs to worry about having to cook over the weekend - e.g. a morning & evening food regime, with full English breakfast in the morning and evening meal based on a menu agreed in advance... dependent on numbers and dietary requirements. I suggest we use a ticket system for this to share the cost (and to circumvent licensing laws for the alcohol), we can work out the details closer the time.

 

OK, we need to sort out a firm date - Joe, could you check with Malham when would be OK with them? Early to mid-Sept would be best so we get the best of the weather / daylight.

[cms206]

This looks quite far north for us Volvo fanciers, having done Wilts and Cheshire... if it's turning into a shitefest gathering of sorts I'm up for it. Volvo won't go offroad sadly but fields aren't a problem.

[Wilko220]

I don't have a 4x4 but perhaps I could come along and recreate this in my LDV?

 

[M'coli]

This sounds ideal!  The green laning part - would they be do-able on a mountain bike?  I may just have to dust down the triple chainset for mine if that's the case...

[explosive-cabbage]

This sounds ideal! The green laning part - would they be do-able on a mountain bike? I may just have to dust down the triple chainset for mine if that's the case...

I'm sure you will be welcome bringing a bike. There'll be plenty of boot space spare in the vehicles so you could chuck it in there for the road sections...

[M'coli]

Just thinking about this - probably not such a good idea me bringing a bike, I'm having knee surgery at the end of August!