How long should we spend in each location?

[stefrrr]

Please choose. Vote 4 times.

[garry]

I voted 7 days. That lets you travel on Sat, ride Sun-Sat, then travel home on Sun. Couldn't blow more than a week of vacation time for a bike event.

[bizarro]

I voted 7 days. That lets you travel on Sat, ride Sun-Sat, then travel home on Sun. Couldn't blow more than a week of vacation time for a bike event.

With.

[stefrrr]

I voted 8-12 but I think that I could be ok with 7. Unfortunately I forgot to make it ok to change votes, so I can't fix it. Oops.

[greench440]

I would take two weeks off work, so 16 days off total.  As much as I like you all, I'm not planning on riding in a group (like a group tour) the entire time, kind of like the STN National.

We should settle on a date and location then let everyone figure out how to get there and back.  Say the 1st STN International Meet is June 23,24,25 (tue, wed, thru) in Andermatt Switzerland.  Everyone arrives on the 23, group riding and dinner on the 24th, departures on the 25.

People can arrive in the city of their choosing, get to Andermatt for the meetup then head south to France/Pyrenees, east to the Dolomites, etc.

[Ant]

Wow Stefrr, too many different threads But I see where you're going!

I get a bit restless spending too long in one place, as I suggested in one of your other threads a "wandering" group could be good. However Greench's suggestion is good as well, everyone makes sure they're in place X at date Y and we do the group thing. We all make our own ways down to X however we make our plans public so others can join in if they like.

I know I'll be taking probably an extra week on one side of the event to travel through France and visit some of the places I went as a kid on holiday and I'd be more than happy to have other people join me on the trip, either meeting me in the UK and getting the tunnel across or meeting up on the continent somewhere.
I think the main task should be deciding on the "location" where the primary meet will take place, who knows - I could hate you all and not want to spend 2 weeks with any of you  

[dm_gsxr]

Wow Stefrr, too many different threads But I see where you're going!

I get a bit restless spending too long in one place, as I suggested in one of your other threads a "wandering" group could be good. However Greench's suggestion is good as well, everyone makes sure they're in place X at date Y and we do the group thing. We all make our own ways down to X however we make our plans public so others can join in if they like.

I know I'll be taking probably an extra week on one side of the event to travel through France and visit some of the places I went as a kid on holiday and I'd be more than happy to have other people join me on the trip, either meeting me in the UK and getting the tunnel across or meeting up on the continent somewhere.
I think the main task should be deciding on the "location" where the primary meet will take place, who knows - I could hate you all and not want to spend 2 weeks with any of you  

Hate us? Fellow STNers? Not likely. We're all a pretty friendly bunch Besides, at least you're close to home.

Carl

[Ant]

Hate us? Fellow STNers? Not likely. We're all a pretty friendly bunch Besides, at least you're close to home.

Carl

Hehe, true true - I can always escape the asylum  

[MisterSmooth]

I would take two weeks off work, so 16 days off total.  As much as I like you all, I'm not planning on riding in a group (like a group tour) the entire time, kind of like the STN National.

We should settle on a date and location then let everyone figure out how to get there and back.  Say the 1st STN International Meet is June 23,24,25 (tue, wed, thru) in Andermatt Switzerland.  Everyone arrives on the 23, group riding and dinner on the 24th, departures on the 25.

People can arrive in the city of their choosing, get to Andermatt for the meetup then head south to France/Pyrenees, east to the Dolomites, etc.

Yep, that's the way to go.  No way I can take two weeks off.  But if I knew I needed to be in Andermatt from June 23 to 25, say, then I could work around those dates.

[Ant]

Yep, that's the way to go.  No way I can take two weeks off.  But if I knew I needed to be in Andermatt from June 23 to 25, say, then I could work around those dates.

Switzerland could be good... a nice neutral country  
Ahem, I do apologise  

[jwhite518]

OK, so we go to Lovelyriding, Switzerland. Where do we get the bikes?

[stefrrr]

I think that depends on how much you want to pay.

I won't be absolutely sure if I can make it till after September. I also want to take summer courses next year, so if it's during June I probably won't be able to make it.    Unless it's in Spain, and then I could convince my professor that it would be a valuable learning experience...  

[fungirl]

7 days of riding, 7 days of walking  

[uvakat]

A week would sound like a great idea. It should be easy enough to get that much off.

[RBEmerson]

Er, no time for Switzerland, Austria, or Germany???  Was ist??? 

[Ant]

Er, no time for Switzerland, Austria, or Germany???  Was ist??? 

Don't think many people can set aside the time to come over for that long   Or at the very least no one can agree where they want to go
You try organising this rabble, like herding sheep  

[stefrrr]

Don't you mean like herding cats?  

Banned!

[Ant]

Don't you mean like herding cats?  

Banned!

Never tried herding cats before but sheep are pretty damn difficult... I guess cats would also be quite a pain! Cows are easy so long as you're on a quad  
Stop being pedantic or I won't tell you what the guy from the bike hire place said

Go on, because I'm nice I'll tell you. Basically they have "lots" of bikes (over 15) and their fleet changes each season but the prices on their website reflect the core so you can pretty much guarantee that they'll have those bikes. If there is something specific you want then you can request it and they'll see if they can get one as well... only bikes they don't do are BMW and Harleys apparently.
I've been trying to beat him down on a price but I've not heard back from him on that yet, had a quick chat on the phone and they seem like a reasonable outfit... just one that doesn't check their e-mail very often!

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about I've just been checking out these guys for bike hire for anyone who wants to start this little jaunt in the UK... http://www.superbikehire.co.uk

[jwhite518]

... for anyone who wants to start this little jaunt in the UK...

Nah. It's fun to dream about it, but basically it's a big wank for me. I'm not going to Europe and renting a motorbike any time soon. Gotta face facts...if I go to England it's with my wife and daughter. We're taking the tube. But you guys, please make this happen and then post lots of stories about it!

[Orson]

I think it's too much like herding cats.

I'd say just plan on a 3 day meeting in the Dolomites or Andermatt.

Then everyone could split off and do their own thang

[servicerifle]

Obviously 3 days isn't enough, but what you COULD do is have TWO or THREE 3 day meets, a week apart, in somewhat geographically separate areas.  That way, the "meet" could last up to 9 days or so for some, 3 days for others.  

Something like: (damn this is a good cigar, oops, did I say that out loud?)

June 13, 14, 15, Nice (Route Napoleon?).  (This allows for the PREVIOUS WEEKEND to be used for those who would like to spend D-Day at Normandy!)  http://www.openroadjourney.com/loadroute.asp?rid=346

Then, for June 16-19 those staying in Europe could travel at their leisure, toward Bologna, or another destination (this is an example).

June 20-22, Bologna region.

Then, June 23-27, travel at leisure to say, Maastricht and take in this ride: http://www.openroadjourney.com/loadroute.asp?rid=377

This way, it's open to STNers for several weekends.  Those of you who can spend 9 days there can get LOTS of riding in, and it would be somewhat circuitous so you would be back near France for a flight MC/return by the end of it.  

For those who have not been to Europe this would give them the France/Paris thing, some varied terrain from there over to Switzerland and up to The Netherlands, and then back over toward Paris.  

FYI I have been keeping up with ride data in Bike and TWO magazines, and lately they have complained a GREAT DEAL about speed enforcement in France and suggested that this will not lighten up anytime soon.  Many of their riders have picked up performance awards while testing bikes in the last few month's magazines.

OR do this, with the same "meet before and after" idea: http://www.openroadjourney.com/loadroute.asp?rid=391

One 2-3 day "ride and meet" prior to this 5-6 day ride, and then a 2-3 day event AFTER this ride...how would that work for you guys?

[greench440]

Think about how we to the STN National - the meet is in xxx location for three days and everyone figures out how to get there and what they want to do on the way there and back.

June 23,24,25 2009 in Andermatt allows people to come for a week and be able to ride any of the main riding areas - French Alps, Switzerland, Dolomites

[throttlemeister]

FYI I have been keeping up with ride data in Bike and TWO magazines, and lately they have complained a GREAT DEAL about speed enforcement in France and suggested that this will not lighten up anytime soon.  Many of their riders have picked up performance awards while testing bikes in the last few month's magazines.

If you stay off the highways and in the mountains, you have nothing to worry about. For starters, you won't be going much faster than the limit due to all the twisties, and second the LEO's don't keep a high level of presence on the mountain passes.

However, if you go stupid on the highways or major roads near cities, you will earn yourself a hefty souvenir. And this holds true to most European countries. And given there is no need to go stupid, as you can go to the German autobahn to get it out of your system legally, there is also no need for you foreigners to increase the heat on bikers for the locals.

And Maastricht is Netherlands.

[Mr Sunshine]

I like those dates as Aplejax was able to find tickets rom Seattle to Zurick for $900 round trip leaving something like the 15th of June and returning the 30th of June.

[Mr Sunshine]

Well screw it...Aplejax and I are coming over...leave Seattle on the 14th on US Airways arrive in Zurick on the morning of the 15th.  Return the morning of the 29th (my birthday  ) and arrive the evening of the 29th.

We'll be looking at renting a bike for a period of our time there if not all of it.  Can't wait...better bone up on my Deutsch again so I'm not completely screwed......ah face it...I'm screwed.  

[MisterSmooth]

OK, so we go to Lovelyriding, Switzerland. Where do we get the bikes?

We get the bikes from Alis Agostini, who owns Diulio Agostini in Mandello del Lario, Italia.  

'bout a hundred euro per day including insurance.

[Mr Sunshine]

We get the bikes from Alis Agostini, who owns Diulio Agostini in Mandello del Lario, Italia.  

'bout a hundred euro per day including insurance.

100 Euro a day? DAMNUM...There is another place in Switzerland that is $165 a day unlimited milage.

[Mr Sunshine]

Nevermind on the unlimited milage place...their prices weren't updated since April.

But we can at least do this place.

http://www.rental-motorcycle.com/europe/switzerland/oberentfelden_rental.html