National Meetup... Jan 2014.

[Deleted]

Ok I figure I'll put this out there.

National Meetup for all states.

Jan 2014
Ayers rock
Jan 25-27th


Just imagine us all the in the foreground standing with our bikes.
In the background is our greatest national landmark, the gigantic Ayers Rock.
With our picture taken on Australia day.

Well I figure it'd be awesome, and a somewhat distant ride for all with a relatively central location..

What do you think?

[nobby]

HI mate the thought is good, and not trying to put a dampener on things, but January in the NT is wet, I have driven through that way a few times and wouldn't fancy January without aircon and windscreen wipers..

but hey I'm only one voice ... and I do like the idea of a national giddy-up

[Deleted]

To be honest nobby,
I don't care where it is. Just wanted to get the discussion underway, if its not talked about it will never happen.

[angel]

Rather a good idea actually, place is good as well. As a point of interest, Ulysses club AGM is at the Alice in march of that year and the whole place will be geared up for bikers.
Maybe we could meet up 1 or 2 days beforehand, or for those of us who are going anyway make arrangements to meet up there and ride out together, or just chill for a couple of days. Personally after riding for 4 or 5 days I would probably prefer to just hang out and get to know everyone properly. We all know theres nothing there except a big old rock and some red dirt.

[Steve]

I remember going through this a couple years ago or so. Tim put your thoughts through the national ride coord and get a draft plan togethter, I like Angels idea, and yes trying to get from East to West that time of the year is a bit of a Dampener, ie Cooper Basin system.

[Deleted]

Great idea. Have been at the rock before, ( worlds second biggest by the way ). Being in the center it is very hot and dry ( no rain ). Also they have a great camping grounds, hotel accommodation, resort plus pools, casino ( i think ) and night clubs and pubs. So lots to do besides look at a rock, ( which is also impressive ).

louie
.

[Deleted]

Sounds good guys. Be good to spend a few days there just to kick back and relax with everyone.

[Deleted]

I haven't been there myself, but I think it'd be great.

The only problem could be inland flooding for the QLD & NSW riders.
But what if we made it mid year.. would also drop the 40 + temps to 30+ temps..

So far it seems like a positive response..

Now to make some in roads with our national ride coordinator..

But with 2 years notice it gives people plenty of time to organize...

[WolfishGrin]

I LOVE THE IDEA...and LOCATION choice...and it will take at least 2 years for me to plan and get ready, so timeframe works for me too! Now just got to convince the Mrs to get her bike licence, buy a Shadow, and then get a good babysitter for the little'un!

[DocFeather]

Sounds like a GR8 trip to me , But remenber no babies , the bloody dingoes will eat em ? LOL

[Deleted]

I was intending to fly my missus and liluns there.
They can join in on the relaxing part. And that way i will be allowed to attend..

[angel]

hey sed i like your thinking. have checked out the ulysses NT AGM website and theres a few good rides, the longest of which is about 300km round trip ( only for cool days) also thje AGM is may not march so obviously organised for the best weather conditions.
I will work with Scrap to get this sorted. Remember that once we make a decision there is anticipated to be around 4,000 bikes in attendance so hard accomodation will be non existent for the duration.
I will get my arse ito gear and find a link for you guys to look at. Why not make our first national meetup easy to organise by hanging onto Ulysses coattails and get them to do the real hard work !

[Deleted]

Sounds good angel,
but hanging onto another group doesn't give us a name of our own..
However attending the week after them and copying what they did, allows us to do both
Also giving us more accommodation options

[nobby]

Please don't take this as a criticism, I'm just putting forward another view.

I personally believe the rock is over-rated and over priced. It caters for the overseas tourists and sets its prices accordingly.

Other than the rock (which I do believe everybody should see at sunset at least once in their lives) there is nothing there, and after paying for fuel @ $1.84 per litre and $70 a night for a camp site, you still need to pay $25 per person to enter the Uluru National Park, and bring your own beer because a stubby will cost you $6.50.

So bear in mind this will not be a cheap trip, especially a few weeks after Christmas.

January is not the best of travel times and it's also school holidays so may prove difficult for those who plan family stuff when all the kids/grandkids can be around. (yeah that's me)


And contrary to public opinion, Uluru it's not central, Broken Hill is,
Perth to Uluru 3500km
Perth to Broken Hill 2800km

Brisbane to Uluru 3200km
Brisbane to Broken Hill 1550km

Adelaide to Uluru 1600km
Adelaide to Broken Hill 516km

Sydney to Uluru 2850km
Sydney to Broken Hill 1145km

Melb to Uluru 2320km
Melb to Broken Hill 840km

As I said earlier, it just another point of view not bagging the idea.

[Deleted]

Nothing taken as negative nobby, like I said much earlier.
If anything this got the topic underway.
If another place is chosen that's fine, but we are beginning to plan something at least.

Also I think the middle of the year is winning the consensus atm