Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Events/Meetings/Rideouts => Topic started by: bth2bth2 on September 27, 2016, 05:44:20 AM
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tim,
do you have firm dates for the 2017 shepards rest meet yet.
cheers
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The dates for the Shepherds Rest are 14 - 16 April and there is a small MZ meet in Cwmdu the weekend after ie 21-23, so if anyone fancies a week away could suggest Holyhead to Dublin for the TC meet travel down East coast stopping at Moat Farm Campsite, Donard in the Wicklow mountains(Irish MT meet was there), also Kilkenny is an option as there is a nice campsite there too, then return via Rosslare to Fishguard ferry on way to Cwmdu.
Mark
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sounds good. ill book the week off.
brian
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done :)
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done :)
Great, that's two of us, hope you don't snore.
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Yes folks, apologies, as I've been offline for a while lately. This will be the last Shepherds Rest Thumper do, so if you've never been over to NI, this may well be a good excuse to do so. It will be over the Easter wknd in April, which is around the 14th, and will be a joint do with the Irish Sidecar Owners Club, and the REOC :)
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So, it sounds like there's a right crowd coming over for this great wee do. You're all very welcome. The more the merrier, don't forget your Easter eggs though ;)
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So Mark is arriving at Belfast on the Friday morning at 6.30 with a group of around ten. So I plan to meet them off the ferry, and take them all to a greasy spoon down the docks for breakfast, or we'll all ride up to Slims in Draperstown for breakfast, which might he a better plan, as he'll give us bikers discount ;)
They will probably all stay at the Shepherds Rest on the Sunday night, and then we're all heading down to the Wicklow Mountains for a couple of nights on the Monday. So, there may well be a rideout on the Friday, as well as the Saturday, plus a visit to a couple of bike collections on the Sunday. I'm always open to suggestions, plus a lot can depend on the weather at that time of year :-\
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Here's a few more details of this event. The Shepherds Rest is a pub with a proper campsite, and underfloor heating in the showers/toilets. We also have use of a small one room cottage with peat fire and tea and coffee facilities. It is six miles west of Draperstown. Camping is £5 per night, and you don't need to book, unless you need electric hook up, or caravan/campervan pitch. On Friday evening they lay on simple bar snacks at £3, then on Saturday evening we sit down to a two course set buffet at £10 each. If you need to contact Shepherds Rest, its 02879628517, and the owner is Colin Doyle. Mention my name, he is very amenable, which is why we keep using this venue. For food the rest of the time, such as breakfasts, we use a very biker friendly cafe in Draperstown, called Slims, where Owen always gives us discount. For ferries, you will get the best price from Nutt Travel on 02870351199. Lastly, we're all very laid back, so you can turn up on anything you fancy, don't worry if its not a thumper :)
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Rick is also coming along with including Cwmdu, haven't heard from Steve D but given him all the details. ;D
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Still working in Kielder forest.
Spoke to Rick last night. He has booked. I will be home this weekend and have better comms.
Will get booked.
I will do the Liverpool and then Rosslare
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Still working in Kielder forest.
Spoke to Rick last night. He has booked. I will be home this weekend and have better comms.
Will get booked.
I will do the Liverpool and then Rosslare
Great, have booked an extra couple of beds(just need to hear back) in a hostel not too far from Rosslare for the Wed night prior to return ferry.
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Cheers Mark. Got that.
Steve
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Cheers Mark. Got that.
Steve
pm'd you Steve.
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Tim...Thursday daytime ferry booked for Pat & I,
I'll contact Colin for a pitch.
See you there.
Dave.
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Excellent Dave :)
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Tim, just phoned Colin and booked a pitch...I did try to book online, but his site is down....he said that it had been attacked with a 'Vote for Trump' virus and was now down for maintenance...poor man.
Dave.
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That's great :)
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Cheers Mark. Got that.
Steve
pm'd you Steve.
Booked today
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Hi Tim, I was out today with Martin who uses his Berkeley for the Dragon and also came over to NI with the Wobblers and Cwmdu, he may be coming over as well.
We went on a charity run wearing our NI challenge Hi Viz bibs...then Bill Smith came over asking questions and said that he visited a private collector in NI (you know who) who had three of his ex race bikes and pleaded with him to sell one, but he wouldn't.
Then Charlie Williams spotted us talking to Bill and he came over for a chat as well.
Martin was made up, talking to his idols.
Dave.
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Sounds like a good day out. I will look out for Martin at the Dragon in February. Talking of 'that bike collection', a certain Sammy Miller, offered to take two of his bikes away and restore them to his own exacting standards, then return one, and display the other in his world famous museum in Hampshire. Said person said a definite 'No'.
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Are we looking at the overnight ferry from Rosslare or daytime and which day? I have scoured this thread and been unable to find these details but it may just be because i am old and feeble. I'm booked on the overnight liverpool to Belfast arriving 0630 Friday; does that mean I have to share a ferry with Mark?. Its a good job I checked my ticket as I originally booked it in the other direction oops; too much cooking with aluminium camping utensils. Anyway.
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Yes Mart, that's the one Mark and a good few others are on. Look forward to seeing you all :)
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Sounds like a good day out. I will look out for Martin at the Dragon in February. Talking of 'that bike collection', a certain Sammy Miller, offered to take two of his bikes away and restore them to his own exacting standards, then return one, and display the other in his world famous museum in Hampshire. Said person said a definite 'No'.
That is just nuts! Very sad really as well :'(
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hi tim is a stop at donard still going ahead if so any date for that, ta tommy
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Hi Tommy. Easter Monday and Tuesday a crowd of us will be staying there :)
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great see ya there so :) :
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Hi Tim, Return Rosslare to Pembroke. Which day what time? Apologies if you've already told us but I am an old persoon. Mart
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Hi Mart. We're staying at Shepherds Rest Fri, Sat, Sun, then Donard campsite in the Wicklow Mountains Mon, Tues. Wed night near Rosslare, then ferry across to Fishguard Thursday morning. I haven't booked my crossing yet. Then I think its off to Cwmdu for the MZ rally :)
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Can't manage this one :-[
Hopefully will be going to Cwmdu ;D
Jethro
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Cool as f@@@ mate :)
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Just an update, as the Shep's Rest is only a week away. Basically I have got absolutely f### all squared organised :-\
But don't worry, cause it will all be marvellous :)
I'll be there from Thursday, as will Dave and Pat, in the camper, with another Wirral Wobbler, Martin, on his Sunbeam, ( OK, so its two thumpers in one engine ;) ). Also Robin will be there all the way from deepest Dorset.
The 'rabble' arrive off the boat into Belfast at 6.30 on the Friday morning. By the time they get off the ferry and on the road, itll be about 7, so I will meet them all for breakfast in Slims Cafe in Draperstown short of 8 ish :)
Once everyone is set up and happy at the Shepherds Rest, we will have a Friday ride out for those that fancy it. Cheap bar snacks in the pub Friday night.
Saturday, breakfast at Slims, then rideout will leave there at 11 ish. I promise it won't all be C and D class roads this year :-\
The sidecar fellas will have their own rideout, and I believe there is also a fast rideout planned by my mate Gerry, for those that want a blast on their big boys toys ;)
Saturday night we all have our sit down two course dinner together in the pub, and lashings of ginger ale.
Sunday, most will head home, but I also have another ride out to a couple of big local bike collections for those that fancy. Then back to Shepherds Rest for Sunday evening.
Monday, and what's left of our bedraggled Thumpeteers, will head south for the Wicklow Mountains and Donard campsite. I will hopefully have an interesting visit/tour planned on the way down.
Phew, I better get my finger pulled out, as reading this has just scared the s#### out of me, as I've nothing organised :-\
Oh, and for those not coming, its not too late to book the Ferry. Use Nutt Travel for best price.
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Hi Tim,
I booked my return a couple of months ago, Rosslare to Pembroke Dock, so we will part company at Rosslare and meet up again at Cwmdu. I thought that I had booked an overnight ferry but I checked my ticket and the ferry docks at 0046. Doh. I have now booked a room in P.D. so I can catch up on my beauty sleep, and have some breakfast, before setting of to join you at Cwmdu. The senior moments are arriving thick and fast these days. Looking forward to a great week.
If you haven't booked your ferry yet you could always have an extra week in England and come on the " Bike 4 Life " Festival the following Sunday 30th April, With Dan and me and 3,498 others [if there are any tickets left]. And off course we could take a few interesting trips in the intervening week.
Mart
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Hi Tim,
Howzitgoin'! Hope to be there Friday. Will take my time travelling up from Westmeath as I will have to use C and D roads, seeing that they will be missing from the rideout on Saturday ;D
Looking forward to seeing you fellow Thumpeteers and safe travels to all,
Rene
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Nice one Rene :)
And thanks for your kind offer Mart, but I'm already going to be away a while, and have a few other trips in the pipeline, so I reckon that would be stretching it for me :)
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OK folks. So, the rally stickers and Thumper Club stickers are ordered, and after a few phone calls earlier, I've managed to organise the following.
Friday: a nice thirty mile ride out along the Glenelly Valley, and Gortin Lakes to the Abingdon Collection near Omagh. We're booked in as a group for 13:00. I've never been to this recently opened up private collection, but believe it is excellent. Friday evening there will be light bar snacks at £3 per head.
Saturday: Ride out will leave Slims Cafe in Draperstown at 11:00, and will be a leisurely ride around the Sperrins, with a visit to Wellbrook Beetling Mill along the way. Grub on Saturday night will be a sit down two course buffet at £10 per head. I will need numbers for this by Saturday morning please.
Sunday: I've made a block booking for breakfast/brunch at Randall's Cafe for 11:00, as its just round the corner from a large private collection we are booked in to visit near Antrim. Then we will make the short journey to Patterson's Spade Mill, (its better than it sounds!), for a tour. Sunday night I was thinking we could maybe have a bar b que for ourselves in the Shepherds Rests beer garden/patio.
Monday: not sure about breakfast, as Slims is closed, and in the wrong direction anyway. But I have it arranged for us to visit a fantastic private collection near Omagh for 11ish. This place is invitation only, and we are tagging on to a visit by the Morris Minor Owners Club. Then, on our way south, we are booked on a group tour of the Battle of the Boyne heritage sight near Drogheda, for 14:30. We then finish up at Donard campsite in the Wicklow Mountains for Monday and Tuesday night, where Nuala is awaiting our arrival :)
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Hi Tim, Return Rosslare to Pembroke. Which day what time? Apologies if you've already told us but I am an old persoon. Mart
Mart, returning Rosslare to Fishguard on the 9am crossing Thurs 20th.
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Tim, you seem to have it all in hand, the whole itinerary looks perfect, see you Friday.
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Tim...I hope you've booked decent weather, not like last year when we came over on the mopeds and it snowed...in April.
Dave.
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Thanks Tim for your hard work organising this, it's much appreciated.
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I'm allergic to hard work! Its a pleasure, and sure it gives us all an excuse to meet up, plus I get to visit places I'm interested in too :)
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Hi Tim, will petrol stations be open on Friday & Monday?...especially the one in Draperstown.
Dave.
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I would think so, though I'll check on my way up tomorrow. I've even arranged for us to go and look at a few bikes on Thursday evening, just down the road, and these ones are all for sale. See you tomorrow :)
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I'll bring my chequebook....
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The petrol station in Straw village (which used to be just an old pump outside a shop) has been done up now to a proper service station and is closer to the Shepherd's Rest.
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Thanks Steve. I wonder has the chippy in Straw improved any :-\
Well, the bikes packed, and I'm ready for the off. Weather looks to be cold but dry. A safe and pleasant ride to all :)
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Great weekend. Hope you boys make it down to Wales OK and the craic is as good there.
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Hi all...cracking long weekend Tim. After we split at Omagh, we three went over to Donegal, fish & chips at Killybegs, then over to Slieve League...couldn't see America...then back over the hills to Ardara, Ballybofey then got back to the Shepherds Rest at 7:45pm.
Dave.
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Yes, a very enjoyable weekend and good to catch up. Between the Thumper Club and the Sidecar Club I think we had around 54 eating on the Saturday night - a big thanks to Colin and all the staff at the Shepherd's Rest pub and campsite for the hospitality and Tim for organising the event. Even the weather wasn't bad apart from the Sunday morning.
Great to see so many over for it. An interesting mix of bikes too.
All the best
Tony
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Enjoyed the rally. Thanks to Tim for planning everything, much appreciated. Great run on Saturday. Bit moist on Sunday. Good to meet up again.
Ron.
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Great weekend, really enjoyed it! Thanks Tim, I have to admit it wasn't a farce ;D
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big up for tim who,once again, organised a great weekend.
the whole tour was brill.
brian
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photo's and vids of our ireland tour
photos here
http://s326.photobucket.com/user/bth2bth2/slideshow/ireland%20tour%202017
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Ive finally got round to posting on the site again. After such a great trip, its took me nearly a week to readjust to normal life :)
A few of the many highlights include; the hospitality we received from Colin, and all his family and staff at the Shepherds Rest. When the group of thirteen of us were leaving on the Monday morning, he gave me a bottle of Jamison's Caskmate Whiskey for our trip south. How many landlords do something like that? Not many in my experience :)
The three visits to private collections, especially to one place where he said he wasn't even into bikes!
The visits to the two NT water mills in NI, the lads calling out from Dublin, Willie from Carlow calling out to take us on a tour of the Wicklow Mtns. Sean turning up from Newry on his SZR690 with a snapped chain, and Simon and SteveD fixing it whilst he had a cup of tea. Replacing SteveDs rear wheel bearing in a campsite, using a gas stove, and thanks to Simon having a brand new wheel bearing for a Tenere in his sidecar!
Ifors 1955 Ariel Fieldmaster. Cwmdu, one of my favourite places. Mark leading us on an amazing rideout on his MZ. Brian leading me across the Yorkshire Dales from Blackpool. The list of outstanding moments is endless. But the main thing was the people, what a fantastic bunch of people :)
Watch this space for next year.
Oh, and my first ever ride on an outfit. I reckon I kept everyone entertained in the field at Cwmdu, as I headed straight for the fence, and then seemed to be magnetically attracted to it for the next half hour! I finally managed a few circuits of the field, and then a few figure of eights, but how folks ride these on the roads. God only knows!
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Thanks so much Brian for posting nearly 200 pics! Absolutely fantastic memories of a great trip. Just spent a bit of time going through them, and they are such an archive, and capture the whole thing spot on. Even more so, as you've taken most of them when nobody was even aware :)
Unfortunately I could only get the last few videos to play, but they were great.
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Looks like a fine time was had by all, unfortunately you'd have to to do it all in Suffolk or Norfolk before I could join in but nice to see. More power to you all.
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One of my favourite things about the Shep's Rest do, is just everyone sitting about talking sh!te about bikes. The only problem is that we could do that all night, and they don't seem that keen on closing the bar ;)
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try the vids again. i think the issue was ,i hadnt published them ::)
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Cheers Brian. Great stuff, I will have to figure out this photo bucket thingy ;)