Mini Maidstone Meet

[vulgalour]

Suppose I ought to make some attempt to plan this.  Looking at coming down in what little is left of November or very early December.  I have no date secured at the present time but I'd like to try and pick a date that's suitable for the maximum number of people to attend.

 

My primary reason for travelling so far into The South is to deliver (Surrey) and collect (Maidstone) Princess parts in a Princess, organising some sort of impromptu meet at the same time is merely a happy coincidence.  I may also be able to help ferry items for any shiters that might be on route though I am only one man used to driving 150-200 miles a week so this 500ish mile round trip in a day is going to be not my usual thing.

 

Right... what else do people need to know?  I probably can't be there earlier than noon because I don't drive fast and The South is bloody miles away from Derbyshire.  Don't worry, I have AA cover.

 

ETA:  Noon-ish, probably.  Certainly no earlier.

[coalnotdole]

I might be about. It depends on the date / time and if I've got work on. I'm also probably going to be on the Isle of wight for a few days around the 4th of December.

[dugong]

Stop off in Stockport on your way back. Kettle will be on. 

You have my number from the last time I tried to deliver something to you. 

[vulgalour]

Maidstone to Staveley - approx. 3 hours

Maidstone to Staveley via Stockport - approx. 5 hours

 

I think our versions of 'on my way back' differ slightly.  If I planned to get the seats (on the assumption I win them) that Junkman and yourself offered to help with collection of I doubt even I could get a full set of seats, 5 bumpers and 3 bootlids in/on the Princess even if I was travelling solo.  I would be happy* to travel to Stockport anyway, but maybe on a different day.  

 

I'd be in Maidstone no earlier than noon I think, I doubt I'd be able to rouse my corpse any earlier in the day to get there sooner than that.

 

 

*not happy about going to Stockport, more the fact it has at least one decent person living there with a penchant for interesting motorised carriages.

[inconsistant]

'

 

 

 

500ish mile round trip in a day

 

 

 

Respect due!

 

 

 

 

 

But really... are you going to have time to do more than a 3 point turn at Maidstone? A drop off in Surrey takes you the long way around the M25. What and where is your Surrey drop? I'm close to J6 M25 on Surrey/Kent borders so if I can help as a collection depot or whatever to make your day easier let me know.

Cheers,

Richard

[vulgalour]

Surrey delivery is a dash binnacle complete with clocks and switches, a tool compartment cover board and a pair of wiper arms.  There might be a pair of horns too.  If it weren't for the guy's daily Princess - amazingly, I'm not the only nutjob - being recalcitrant lately he'd've collected on his way back from the NEC, but it's not exactly a bike friendly collection of parts.

 

I reckon I can get an hour or two in at Maidstone, I've got headlights so I can drive in the dark.

[RedSparrow]

I'll be back home (Hastings) for Christmas and if I can beat some life into the TR7 I'll try to come.

[Angrydicky]

I'd be up for this, depending on the date.

[barefoot]

I'm more than happy to wave from the bridge over M1 j23a as you pass.

[Alexg]

Of course being a Maidstoneion I'll be looking to be there. As long as work etc allow it.

[SambaS]

Ive a trip to London due by end of year, where is this meet likely to be AND WHO IS DUGONG?

[Angrydicky]

WHO IS DUGONG?

Jon/Watanabe.

[vulgalour]

My suspension gets sorted on Friday, so it'll be after that.  I should have cash for Road Tax so I shouldn't be restricted by the end of November as the deadline.  We could just all rock up to Alexg's house/place of work and he could provide us with tea and scones.  Might have to ask Alexg about that first, mind.

 

I do want to be doing this before tinsel season is in full swing.

 

If I'm to hazard a date selection, I'd say no earlier than Monday the 25th of November and no later than Monday the 16th of December.  I have no idea on location, but I'm thinking somewhere with warm and brew potential is best.

[alf892]

Well if the tour vehicle breaks anywhere in the Northant/Beds area give me a call - I offer a full 24 hour call out service...I endeavour to reach you within 24 hours.

[vulgalour]

Both worthy venues, and look fairly easy to get to.  Biker greasy spoon or traditionale olde worlde pub..e.

[hairnet]

+1 oakdene

 

oh and if foodz needed in surrey then boxhill near dorking (rykas) worth it

[vulgalour]

I think the earliest date I can do this that lines up with people is going to be the 30th of November, would this be unsuitable for anyone?

[purplebargeken]

South Mimms on the M25! I'll bring the Amazon.

[vulgalour]

South Mimms is surprisingly convenient for me on this run, especially since I prefer A1M to M1 even with the small amount of extra time and distance involved, just feels like a less hectic road to be on.

 

Presently I'm looking at running from Staveley, A1M, South Mimms and then the M25 anticlockwise to Surrey and then on to Oakdene.  I'll either reverse that to run back as I may be picking up a passenger in Surrey (waiting for confirmation on that) or I'll just rejoin M25 after the Oakdene stop and carry on anticlockwise until I find South Mimms and head North again.

[Angrydicky]

Don't forget your jetpack so you can skip the queues at the Dartford Bridge.

[inconsistant]

I can make the 30th. If I can get injector rings sorted this weekend and it sorts the lumpy running I'll be in the not a proper Porsche, otherwise I'll be in the not a proper Ovlov. As a shiteing noob it will be nice to meet some other shiters in real actual life.

 

+1 for greasy spoon.

[vulgalour]

Don't forget your jetpack so you can skip the queues at the Dartford Bridge.

 

There was no mention of this in my AA map book or on Google Maps.  How best do I avoid this phenomenon, it sounds likely to induce The Rage.

[hairnet]

hit it after 10 pm

[vulgalour]

Dad has advised me on what this phenomena is as he used to encounter it when driving lorries.  It can be avoided rather easily by just returning back the way I came where the only issue is likely to be Heathrow, where people seem to leave sense of all reason when it comes to taking exits as I experienced in the BX.

[Angrydicky]

It'll probably be alright, it's only appalling on weekdays*

 

I take no responsibility for any stress or rage induced as a result of the poor and unreliable advice above. But it'll probably be fine. Probably.

[Alexg]

Erm, sorry but the 30th is impossible for me. Working during the day, then up to London town immediately afterwards. 

[vulgalour]

Back to drawing board on the date then as meeting you is pretty important for the whole thing as it's the main reason I'm down there.  How are you fixed for the following Saturday?

[stuboy]

 im may wander up from ashford if off and say hi

[Joey spud]

I could possibly join the party too.work / rest day permitting ...

[Alexg]

All Saturdays are out due to work... unless it's after 5.30pm?