help the heroes ride at wootton basset

First topic message reminder :

guys & gals just picked this thread up from the 2 wheels site
on the 14th march there is going to be a bike ride for help the heroes though wooden basset to the RAF station at lyneham with all funds going to the help the heroes it will cost £5 for the wristband which will allow entry to the RAF station the meeting place for the start of the ride is jun17 M4 eastbound at leigh delamere for anyone wanting to go i will be going its a sunday
pete

OK guys & gals big change for me I'm NOT working Saturday so we will be riding down earlier than 1st planned
& now can join up with any other going down Saturday ie Suzie etc
i suggest we have a little chat in here Friday night say 8 30 pm just checked with the boss what time eastenders finish lol if that's ok with anyone
Pete

Doubt I'll be home by then Pete - sorry.

Wondering if the local knowledge can advise on my (non direct) route I am looking at taking there.

Get off the M4 at Theale go through Thatcham, Newbury, take the A4 through Marlborough to Beckhampton. Will decide here if I continue to the destination on the A4 or take the A361 to Devizes, A365 to Melksham (for a splash and dash), A350 to Chippenham and then onto the Travelodge. (I specialise in going the wrong direction to an event )

These roads worth it, or should I just stick to the M4 - which I'll be doing on my return trip (no doubt tired and it'll be late)?

SteveCat wrote:Wondering if the local knowledge can advise on my (non direct) route I am looking at taking there.

Get off the M4 at Theale go through Thatcham, Newbury, take the A4 through Marlborough to Beckhampton. Will decide here if I continue to the destination on the A4 or take the A361 to Devizes, A365 to Melksham (for a splash and dash), A350 to Chippenham and then onto the Travelodge. (I specialise in going the wrong direction to an event )

These roads worth it, or should I just stick to the M4 - which I'll be doing on my return trip (no doubt tired and it'll be late)?

personally, yeah sounds about right. not sure about heading all the way down to Devizes if you don't have to, nothing wrong with that stretch of the A4 that I can think of. If you're after a nearby splash of fuel there's a decent sized petrol station near the little chef at the top of Chippenham (A350 Malmesbury Rd, postcode SN14 6‎ for those satnav types).

On the subject of fuel, avoid Deans in Marlborough like the plague. Goodness knows how many times he's been shut down or investigated by trading standards/police for fiddling with the pumps, watering down fuel, tax evasion, bigamy (i kid you not) and all sorts else. Currently only takes cash too, 'cause no bugger will give him a card machine any mre.

Chris

Thanks Chris, looks like the weather could be nasty (depends on who you believe) so will cut out Devizes this time.

Ta for the info on Deans - did notice a garage when plotting the route, but the town looked a bit small so ignored it, just as well!
When I plan a route, I usually have no idea what to expect, so tend to stick with the larger supermarket stations, just to make sure it isn't one of the convenience types I take a look on Google Earth.
Will try and get the route into the SatNav.

The A4 up to Newbury is wide but dull. After Newbury it perks up and is actually quite nice. You're going to be virtually riding past my house! I would offer a cuppa but may have to be out doing Mother's Day stuff, sorry!

Thanks Paul, looking forward to the perked up parts. Doubt there will much fun for me on Sunday.

Listen out for your bikes' twin Saturday afternoon

Hurrah!

I got lucky with the reserves list so I'll be joining you all on the 8:00-9:00 slot

Roll on Sunday!

Chris

Well done Chris...I hope you all have a great time, hope the queues arent too lengthy..Forecast looks OK...Fingers crossed!!

R2D2 wrote:
I got lucky with the reserves list so I'll be joining you all on the 8:00-9:00 slot

That's fantastic news. Was looking at the registration stats yesterday, looks like an allowance has been made for 16 000 - that might have just been the way the graph was setup. 8-9 had some spares but 9-11 full up, afternoon looking quiet, but thats on arrivals, there'll be a buzz inside for a long time.

You are still going to pop down and see us at our spot next to the motorway? Might be able to pass on some last minute info (could be worth me hooking my phone up to the grapevine - umm)

I hope I haven't bullied you into joining in..

ellie wrote:Forecast looks OK...Fingers crossed!!

I like your weather forecaster Ellie, one I checked had it raining around kick off

SteveCat wrote:You are still going to pop down and see us at our spot next to the motorway? Might be able to pass on some last minute info (could be worth me hooking my phone up to the grapevine - umm)

I hope I haven't bullied you into joining in..

Oh yes will still be popping out for a quick hello on Saturday night. Will have to be not too late though, early start in the morning!

Chris

R2D2 wrote:Will have to be not too late though, early start in the morning!

Spoil sport we ride and play hard (don't believe a word of it )

R2D2 wrote:Hurrah!

I got lucky with the reserves list so I'll be joining you all on the 8:00-9:00 slot

Roll on Sunday!

Chris

fantastic chris really hope it doesn't rain steve - my waterproofs are ...... er ........ snug when first put on - as testified by me having to do a cross between a sumo wrestler and the all blacks Haka when i put them on in an effort to release the knees otherwise i can't get my feet on the pegs, and having got them on i can't get them off!!

Ezzy's Mum! wrote: really hope it doesn't rain steve - my waterproofs are ...... er ........ snug when first put on -

Is that why you have the PVC Picture Avatar??

Well hope you all have good ride, hope weather stay's good and all enjoy a safe weekend!

[quote="JDM"]

Ezzy's Mum! wrote: really hope it doesn't rain steve - my waterproofs are ...... er ........ snug when first put on -

Is that why you have the PVC Picture Avatar??

quote]

lol yeah ....... and my wishful thinking... i'd look more like one of the roly polys

ready to go - meant to sort the scottoiler out and replace her old bolts with nice new ones but it was dark when i got back so i'll have to do the oiler in the morning and maybe leave the bolts.

We're going to leave in the morning not sure what time ... we're going peterborough - northampton way and down from there which i guess is not the way you're going Pete