Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Events/Meetings/Rideouts => Topic started by: Steve H on May 06, 2010, 12:28:05 PM
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From the 3th of September until the 5th of September it will be the 19th
time that The Monoconnection organizes its yearly international meeting.
Every year we have the privilege of welcoming many enthusiastic riders from
West Europe who share their one cylinder passion. Do you ride a SR, SRX,
MT-03, XBR, GB, DUKE, SATURNO, MUZ or any other big machine, grab your tent
for the weekend and come to the Weerribben on Friday or Saturdaymorning.
Our Meeting will be at the same place as last year: De Kluft Recreational
Centre . For three days long Ossenzijl, situated in the beautiful scenic
area "de Weerribben", will be the Walhalla for the roaring one cylinder
street machines.
The programme can be called special as well. Besides the usual tour rides on
Saturday at 10.30 a.m, there is also the possibility to visit the Basser TT.
These Classic Street Motor Races take place close by the camping site.
Details of last years event can be found HERE (http://www.monoconnection.nl/treffen2009/eng.html)
Details of the campsite can be found HERE (http://www.dekluft.nl/)
And the campsite location is HERE (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=N+52.80785+E+5.93188&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=18.755894,39.506836&ie=UTF8&ll=52.591369,5.537109&spn=1.201362,2.469177&z=9)
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With all the fancy SRXs appearing out of the woodwork I think it would be a good idea to drag some of them over to the MonoConnection Rally in the Netherlands (see events page for details). I'm probably going over Sun. 29 August, return Sun. 5 Sept - Hull to Rotterdam (overnight ferry). If anyone else is thinking of going the same time/route drop me a message. There is always an excellent collection of standard and exotic SRXs on show, plus the site they are using this year is very good (as always), it's not far to get to from Rotterdam/H-of-H, and there is free vintage road racing on the Saturday. Also if you've never ventured abroad on your bike before this is a very gentle introduction. What reason is there not to go?
Boyd
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Boyd, assumming my SRX stays in one piece I'm probabaly going overnight Thursday Harwich -> Hook returning Sunday night. May well see you there.
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I need to see if I can get a pass for this one, although a full week away may be a bit optimistic. I'd rather not travel on my own, as I've not been abroad on the SRX before, only on the other bike with the wife.
Harwich is more than 200 miles away from me, so Hull definitely looks favourite.
I'll have to sweet-talk the missus. Wish me luck!
Trevor
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Trevor
Just booked my Hull - Rotterdam ferry (out: 29/8 back: 05/9); sharing a four berth cabin it worked out at £170. A bit steep I know but it will save both time and money on going from Harwich and even more so over the Dover crossing .
Derby to Hull = 90 miles (+ 120 miles on the other side) Total: 420 miles
Derby - Harwich = 180 miles (+ 120 miles) Total: 600 miles
Derby - Dover = 215 miles (+ 270 miles) Total: 970 miles
As I said before if you haven't ventured abroad on a bike before this is a good introduction to European touring.
Steve
Hull is 25 miles nearer to you than Harwich so it may only be the ferry cost that makes a difference to going over with Trevor. Just a thought!
Boyd
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Your ferry might be a bit steep, Boyd, but I had a look and if I go on my own using the same route and a cabin to myself, it's £297!
Amazingly, SWMBO says yes to the full week away. My ghast has never been so flabbered ;D
The price you've got Boyd, is not too bad if you think of it as two nights in an hotel together with a boat ride. It cost us £115 to take the two of us and the Fazer across the Channel last year.
Trevor
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Trevor
If you contact P&O direct (08716 645645) and say you want to share, assuming that you do, a Four-Berth cabin you can probably get the same price as I was quoted. If you're lucky you may even get the cabin to yourself!
Boyd
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Boyd,
Must admit I would not have thought Hull was closer. I'll give it some thought, it might make a nice change from the M4->M25->Harwich route.
Steve
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I don't believe it!
The missus says yes but work says it's most likely a "no". I have time-sensitive work to do at the end of each month, so it's going to be very awkward to do the full week.
I'm working on it - they do have Wi-fi at the campsite ;). Must admit, it would be the first time I've worked on the laptop in the middle of a field in the Netherlands, but it may just be possible.
If not, I'll still do the weekend.
Trevor
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do have Wi-fi at the campsite
Just spoke to the camsite and yes they do! No excuses now Trevor.
Boyd
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I'll speak to the boss when she gets back from Tunisia next week, but it's looking very difficult. I was hoping to do half of the job before leaving, but I won't be able to, as work will be shut down on the Friday and I need info from other people to get it done. :(
I'll look at leaving on the 1st September, returning on 5th. At least the ferry should be cheaper mid-week.
Trevor
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Boyd
Did you get either of my messages about booking? I'm going out on 1st, returning 5th. Will probably book later today.
Give me a call if you want to discuss it.
07 nine 29 zero 97 two 75
Trevor
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Ferry booked, going out overnight thursday, back overnight sunday. See you there
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Is it best to make a reservation for the campsite, or can we just turn up?
Trevor
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Trevor
The campsite is large so there is no need to book. The compound we were allocated last year was only 50% occupied and I can't see many more people coming, and even if they did there is plenty of overspill area.
Boyd
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Are any other Thumpers coming along to this? There's only 3 of us so far!
Trevor
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Hello Trevor,
There is no need to make reservations at the Campsite. Some of us will be there already on Thusday.
Because you don't have to sign in for the Meeting, we don't know how many Thumpers there will be, depends on the weather for some...
The ride-out will end at the Basser TT (classic demo-races) and in the evening there will be playing a band Big Red "n Blue.
Hope to see you at Ossenzijl.
regards
Sjak
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Latest news from the Monoconnection Meeting Holland 2010:
On Saturday there will be a tour from about 125 km, there will be 2 groups:
the first will drive the normal tour, the second "somewhat faster", and both
depart at about 10.30 hours.
At the end both groups will visit the Basser TT, with historic demoraces
where you can smell the Castrol racing oil.
At 17.30 hours Huub Hendrix will give a powerpoint presentation of his trip
on a motorcycle to Russia and Japan.
He did this on a Kawasaki W650 but Huub is also the owner of the beautiful
self build YAENX SRX: http://www.w650.nl/de%20story.htm
In the evening the Band: Big Red 'n Blue will play for us.
This will be a great Meeting, don't miss it
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Sjak,
Looking forward to it, I remember Big Red 'n' Blue from Schoorl. I will see you on the Friday.
Steve
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... and some more information about the weekend:
On friday at arrival you can choose between camping (cheapest of course), hotelrooms (double room including breakfast at €75,40 per night) or a room with shared bathroom facilities (€61,50 for a double room including breakfast)
At arrival you can buy vouchers for breakfast (€7,75 per day) and the buffet on saturday (22,00 euros). You also get a sep-key for showering which takes a €25,00 deposit and a standard €5,00 showering time on it. When returned, you get the unused part back and also the deposit of course!
Breakfast is from 8-9.30 AM. and at 10.30 we start our tour. It is a very nice tour (I live approx. 2 miles from the campsite), as it has been elected the most beautiful part of Holland a few years ago. It is the biggest national park of Holland, so something to tell about when you get home!
On friday you can either dine in the hotel or in the snackbar which are both located at walking distance from the place where we camp. Again we arranged that we could use the big recreation hall with our own bar, which means that beer is cheap (€1,00) both bottles and glasses available.
On saturday we tour to the Basser TT, which is a very nice demo race in a very, very tiny place in the neighbourhood. You can walk in the pitts, visit the races, and it is absolutely free of charge. As it is quite easy to get back to the campsite, you can leave at any time you like to go back to your tent.
Dinner on saturday is served at 19.00 hours, and it is indeed very very good! the cook is one of my teachers (I work at a vocational college) and is indeed a very fine chef who will again do his best to impress me, i think he wants a salary raise!
Satuday night live music and this should keep us occupied. Last year Bert was busy with Carbid, Martyn told me he was bringing potatoe-guns this year (the campsite complained that we were the most quiet group ever)...
On sunday after breakfast you could visit the Nuttert van der Heide Rally, which is a time-tour for bikes pre-great-war, this takes place in Boyl, which is located near Noordwolde, approxx. 20 minutes from Ossenzijl) or you could rent a canoe or a boat on the campsite. If you plan to stay longer: the restaurant is still open every day and breakfast is also served every day. If you have any questions (do they have WIFI? Yes they do, € 5,00 for the weekend), please let me know
Hope to see you in Ossenzijl!
Lambert
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Hello Lambert, I have a question. Will the pool be available for the Anglo Dutch synchronised sinking contest? I hope so, my speedos are already packed. I am going via Germany, Czech Republic and Poland so am sailing tommorrow night with Daniel [my little boy]. I look forward to seeing you and all the gang. MTF
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Lambert,
Very useful information, thank you. One question who will be selling the breakfast/buffet vouchers the campsite or yourself ?
Cheers
Steve
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Good morning bikers,
@ Martyn, The Thumperclub Synchronised Swimming team definately has to make its final appearance at the weekend, I hope you can also have MR Dalby present. Looking forward to meeting you and to hear how your Dutch has approved!
@ Steve: all meals will be provided for by the restaurant. It is also possible to buy fresh bread at the shop at the campsite if you would like to organise your own breakfast. Last year we did, but buying coffee all the time proved to be more expensive than going for a full and decent breakfast.
The campsite has a small shop, nearest supermarket (Oldemarkt) is approxx. 4 miles from the campsite. Ossenzijl itself also has some restaurants if you would like to go there. If you would like any other recommendations, please let me know.
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Lambert
One more question, have you booked good weather ?
Steve
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Good questioon Steve, as a rule we have bad weather at the monoconnection weekend, but we would like to try something different this weekend: bright weather, sunny and nice cold beers!!!
Next question please???
Another rideout? What about the museum of Tony Leenes, he restores Indian bikes and is (especially in America) quite famous for this (www.tonyleenes.nl). Or a tour at the steam-operated waterpumps, which I recently visited with Robert Pfeffer, on his site you can some pictures (www.pfeffer.ch) or www.woudagemaal.nl
The area around Giethoorn is quite famous for its canals and is called "Dutch Venice". you can rent a boat there and see for yourself. Just have a look at www.zwaantje.nl for a short impression.
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Mr Lambert, I thought that I had made it very clear that I would not be in attendance this year as it's a very long way to walk! ::)
Believe me I was planning to come but someone else had other ideas! :o
PS anyone got a bike to fit my 17" TKC 80 >:(
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Mr Dalby your absence will be seen as a great loss to the community. How will we survive without our 'last man standing'... You have always acted as a rolemodel for many of us, even Sjak is trying to look like you now...
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Mr Dalby your absence will be seen as a great loss to the community. How will we survive without our 'last man standing'... You have always acted as a rolemodel for many of us, even Sjak is trying to look like you now...
As long as he doesn't try to talk like him. ;D
Mark
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Huh? when did he learn that skill? Any more skills learned by him recently???
@Steve H: just looked at the weather forecast: High chance that the weather is dry and quiet from thursday on with temperatures slightly above average for the time of year!
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Hi Lambert, Sjak, Henk & Bert
Just started packing hopefully completed before departure on Wednesday evening. Crossing Hull - Rotterdam so should be at the campsite by afternoon on Thursday.
Boyd
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Great looking forward to seeing you! We will also arrive on thursday afternoon so see you then!
Have a good trip,
Lambert
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Big THANKS to Lambert, Sjak, Henk and Bert for another excellent MonoConnection Rally.
Brilliant weather, superb campsite, plenty of beer, no breakdowns or crashes, and amiable company made for a very good weekend. Martyn, Dan, Trevor, SteveH and myself made a very creditable showing from the Thumper Club. Roll on next year!
Saturdays ride out.......
Cheers
Boyd
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Well, the pleasure was all ours! Very nice of you to show up with so many enthousiastic thumper-minded men! And decent of you to help us with all that beer...
Regards, Lambert
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Yep I would second that an excellent weekend.
Cheers
Steve
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The 19th Mono Connection, but my first. Had a great time and hope to be back again. Thanks again for making me feel so welcome.
British campsites could learn a thing or two from De Kluft - as Boyd said, it is excellent.
I wouldn't say we got through much beer, but Lambert couldn't close the boot on his car when taking the empties away!
Trevor
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I have posted a number of pictures HERE (http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/101827299654696880241/MonoConnection2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzSgY_BlrnKQQ&feat=email#)
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Nice photo's Steve, it reminds me of last year, but with a better turnout. Hopefully we can make next year.....we had problems this year with our daughter going back to working full time and Pat looking after our grandson, because in the past we sail out on Thursday evening and arrive home Monday morning.
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Dave,
Thanks for that, it was an excellent weekend. I decided I had had enough of travelling back along the M4 at midnight so used the overnight both ways, it uses up a couple of days leave but makes for a better weekend.
Steve
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As you might have already noticed, Robert put some pictures on his site as well. You might be interested in the pictures of the short sunday-morning ride-out to the "Nuttert van der Heide Rally" which took place in Boijl. This pre-war event had about 100(!) bikes, which took off in about 30 minutes for a ride-out.
www.pfeffer.ch