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

in all seriousness, I don't know if the organisers are allowing this or if Nick had anyone else in mind for his place, but I'll PM him the relevant info just in case. Would be great to get on the ride, especially with you lot

cards wrote:same here i would like to go between 8 am - 9 am then we can travel back together how the with you lot
pete

think we'd be aiming for that time so let us know if you change your mind as we'll all staying same place would be good

thats fine then not long now guys
pete

T-shirts came today steve - will you be bringing cake

Ezzy's Mum! wrote: steve - will you be bringing cake

You won't mind it a bit wind swept would you? Might stick it on top of the Givi, otherwise will have to stuff it under the seat [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Won't dare putting it in my new Bagster on its maiden voyage.
Hey what have I just done? Agreed to buying cake?

Did the emails arrive?

Ive had an email..!

Me too, shame I cant go now

SteveCat wrote:Did the emails arrive?

Yep - we've put down 8 - 9 am .... i'm so excited i could drop kick a sheep

I dont know RC, you and ur plastic surgery!!


Ive answered ur PM Cards, and done as you've asked!!!

Ezzy's Mum! wrote:
Yep - we've put down 8 - 9 am .... i'm so excited i could drop kick a sheep

I'm pleased my 'grapevine' was right. Looks like I'll have to wait until at least Sunday to find out my what, where and when's.

thanks ellie i managed to get this piece of junk to email as well also put down 8-- 9 am
9 days & counting
pete

right after how can i say it ripe words
ive downloaded & printed the rider info & enrty pass for 8-- 9 am sunday morning
how are you guys & gals getting on
pete

cards wrote:right after how can i say it ripe words

No better way of getting a computer and printer to work than giving it a stern taking to Pete [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

i think it was the tree branch that did the trick oh basil lol

cards wrote:right after how can i say it ripe words
ive downloaded & printed the rider info & enrty pass for 8-- 9 am sunday morning
how are you guys & gals getting on
pete

Done mine too pete - i've forgotten to download the info bit tho ..... neil has registered but didn't have a printer so we're hoping that he can still access his entry pass somewhere/somehow and print it off at mine.

We're going to see what the weather is like Saturday and if its nice we'll apparently be going the 'scenic' route (thats only coz he's going on the Tamil and wants to give it a good ride!) and if its pants think he said something about straight down no messing motorway. We booked the breakfast to go on the sunday morning so i'll have croissants stuffed in me ventura

debating whether its worth taking anything extra for the saturday night - think neil looked on the website and it said there's a BK and moto there ...... so we either sit in BK all night, go somewhere else (which i prob won't bother) or sit in one of our rooms in which cse we'll need either something to drink or extra milk pots!!!!!!!

we could always play 60 mins make over trash a room then fix it will take some thing down with us just in case there's a queue ie 5000 bikes @ bk pete

SteveCat wrote: Anyone mapped out how to get there? My mapping software wants to take me past the services (Westbound) and to the next offramp and then back again.

At the time of posting this, I had seen there are a couple of roads linking the two services. I have had confirmation that this is the case. The 'short cut' in Google, problem is the road left from the East bound services has a no entry sign - your call.

The biggest bottleneck identified will be at the end of the ride and everyone is expected to disperse at the roundabout. If anyone is planning on riding home in a group please bear in mind that there will be no stopping and waiting allowed at the end. Now's the time to identify a spot you can meet up away from the route, also the roads back to the base will be closed - so sorry no returning back to Hulla.

Initially groups of 500 will be leaving at 20 minute intervals, we'll be assessing this and if all runs well and we can clear the 500 within 10 minutes at the end, then more frequent trips will take place. Conversely if anything goes wrong on the road, the groups will be delayed.

from recollection, if you're heading through Bassett towards Swindon there are a couple of petrol stations and a few pubs at least on the way between the end of the "route" and the west swindon junction of the M4. I'm sure god and his dog will be doing the same but it might be worth picking one - perhaps the rather smirk-inducing "Sally Pussey's Inn"

Or if you can head off x-country towards junction 15 there's The Plough on the A346 about 500 yards south of the M4 junction, as well as options in Chiseldon, Hodson and Wroughton.

By the way, they're ready for you - on the M4 heading west the matrix signs are displaying a warning of delays at Wootten Bassett this weekend (I work in Swindon).

I'm not joining this ride but might see if I can get out to a local bridge over the M4 and see a few through.

Looks like R2D2 has already gone out and marked his sign (Yay)

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Thanks for the local knowledge heads up.

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 :o )

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 :o )

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!