redwards

iTrader: (6)

The traditional meeting point was McDonalds in Merthyr Retail park. Fairly easy for most to get to, big car park, coffee / breakfast and a good starting point for the Brecon Beacons.

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

As said above is the usual deal since its quite central. As for a route, i never really know what route we are taking. I just get in the car and follow the guy in front until i am ready ti call it a day. as long as one person knows where they are going all i need to do is keep up!!

The Sheep Worrier

iTrader: (2)

Guys there's no reason to go all 007 about this.

In previous runs, as has been said, McDonalds Merthyr is a good a start point as any. From that point there are many options of fantastic roads to take in. As with previous, I would suggest getting the following roads involved B4560,(my doorstep), crickhowell, pengenffordd,Talgarth, Brecon,upper chapel road to Builth, epynt ranges and a whole lot of other roads. I've done this route and others in many times, finishing over theA4069 and pontardawe for fuel. Usually not consisting of more than 200 mile from the start point. Usually everyone will have a full tank of fuel to start so there's not much of a worry with fuel, if in doubt I suppose pop a couple of fuel cans in.

My subaru is in hibernation over the winter, however I'll have a word with max and see if he wants to take the Leon, and if that's the case and we can both make it then I'm happy enough to lead the run.

Meeting time is usually 9am, to leave at 9.30. Pubs are usually avoided, but plenty of photo stops and chance for a chin wag are scheduled in , possibly a Burger King in Builth dinner time or a coffee stop somwhere.

It's up to you guys what you want to do, I'm just suggesting what we've done many times and what works well and makes for a god day out.

R

Dave uk blue mica

I'm up for a run if it happens, the ones I've been on have been over the epynt ranges, stopping at Llandovery for food then a run over the black mountains to finish off when I went on the runs back about 10 years ago when Chris Garner used to organise them

gregwill

iTrader: (1)

Hi all providing im not town Tenby this date ill be up for a run!! never been on one so will be a 1st for me. Will be good for me to meet a few fellow sneters!

johnny2007

iTrader: (1)

I have to be fair the runs ive been on have been really well organised and the routes well thought of. Your not racing around the hills like idiot's more like a spirited drive within in the speed limits and the law. If people haven't been on one before I would definitely recommend them to go on one and see what its all about. Then if they think they can tweak the idea and make it a bit better then they can have a go at organising a run. If it aint broke dont fix it.

The Sheep Worrier

iTrader: (2)

Well said Johnny. Seems like my suggestion has been ignored going on the new thread thats been put up. I tried to help out and inform
Some of the general way of the runs, and it gets ignored.
Hey ho.
Anyhow once ive confirmed i have a driver/half descrnt car for the 29th i'll get a run thread on the go.
Hope all is well with you, charl and the family mate

Atb

johnny2007

iTrader: (1)

Just had to say it how it is buddy, I know one minute asking for ideas off people to make a " group decision " then the next minute a solo decision, that to me sounds like a day out to watch rallying not a drive through awesome scenery and stopping and having a a laugh and catch up on the way. ummm things are getting better now mate, im guessing julie has told you about the close shave we had with charls operation the other week? We wont be able to make the run as its my weekend on call and our clutch isn't too clever, so while car will be going up the garage after xmas iv taken advantage of situation and bought sti gearbox and rear diff and lots of other goodies to go on just need bigger injectors and ecu to go mafless now lol hope all is good with you and that the run goes ahead mate.

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

The Pembrey thing sounds like a good day out but a run up that way is not really my cup of tea, there is no interesting way to get to Pembrey. Still its good that someone other than the usual faces has bothered to organise something even if it isnt exactly what we initially talked about. I can only do a half day so Pembrey is not a go for me.

Robbie, im up for a run on the 29th if you are able to get a ride and up for leading something? I would offer to lead myself but i have been lost enough times in mid Wales to know i have no clue where i am going!!

Would you be up for a short one Lee?

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

Short run that is

bry with a y

I think a lot of 'talk' went on about a run so Dave grabbed the bull by the horns and put something in place,the run to pembrey can have Brecon roads and heads route depending on where your situated from.. People saying oh might come depends if I can get a car or even having input when they ain't even going should just not even comment!!

johnny2007

iTrader: (1)

I think some people are just trying to be helpfull bry mate saying what solutions have been found to work from past runs with meeting points and routes etc, I think some guy said on here he went on a scooby run over ten years ago, so think they are just trying to share the knowledge that has been built over the years. Im just gutted as per normal im on call the weekend of the run. Hopefully there will be another sometime soon.

dave_t

iTrader: (1)

As mentioned above, lots of advice from punters that are not coming etc, some saying love to 'but' to far. Some worried about not knowing roads, it goes on...

'Same old' really, lots from the old school 'thats what we always do' etc (which is all cool for the group). All i can say is how the ferk do i know "what you do"?, plenty of opinions while none of you will actually step up and assist.

Of course I wont mention "if we'd of had a chat at last Wednesday's meet" as I heard at least 6 people talking about it. 10 minutes chat could of gauged interest, sorted a start point & a basic 'area'. But hey ho, "we dont operate like that do we"...hey ho I guess the usual 6 or so will be out again trolling the same roads.

Yep a change in plan, i'll be travelling the furthest and no I wont be complaining about it.

johnny2007

iTrader: (1)

I am a little suprised at the lack of names going down for this. Maybe its the wrong time of year for people. That was my whole point you say you dont know what goes on so that is why I said people should go on a run get some experience of what goes on then you will have a better idea of expectations on a run so can be more successful and less stressful. Not a personal attack.

bry with a y

Knowledge is a great thing but if nothing is set because of 'i might' or even worse I can't make the run has really no imput into a run out.. I'm sure if Robbie said I can 100% do a run for you guys at the beginning we would not be talking bollocks! everything he said has made perfect sense but look back at how people didn't want stops etc.. You gotta have stops just in case people get caught in traffic etc.. Plus it's nice to stop for food and chat before moving on.. Just wish it was done days ago as I'm sure everyone would of been happy with Robbie's idea.. Or just stayed home..simples

dave_t

iTrader: (1)

+1
ps no personal attacks at all.
running out of time, going around in circles, no one stepping up, thought sideways, people can choose their own routes but include a meet etc.
we will be doing some nice detours off the heads road

big forum, small group.

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

Gents there seems to be a bit of bad blood brewing here and it doesnt need to ne that way. This time of year there is always a lack of interest in anything organised mainly due to other commitments. You will also always find that people will show interest but dont always turn up. Every Christmas run i have been on has had a list of maybe 15 people who are interested in coming along but its normally only the usual 6-8 that show up. Its not a big deal and no one gets their back up about it as its always been this way as far as i know.

What i am saying is, there is no need for anyone to get annoyed, the advice given was simply based on the knowledge that few people commit to anything this time of year.

Personnally i think it would be great if we could all get together for a simple and short run through the Beacons but im in no
position to organise or lead one as i dont know where i am going and have other commitments in the afternoon.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

I've not posted up because I can't attend for two reasons:

1. I'm on call on that date so I definitely can't attend.
2. My car is away over the winter for work and I don't think my Mini Cooper D or works van will keep up very well.

I know some other members of SWS have either have their cars off the road at present, haven't picked up their new steeds yet or may have previous arrangements already in place.

I've organised numerous runs previously and those in the winter months will always be less well supported than those at more clement times of the year.

There are plans for a run to the Haynes Museum plus later in the year a long run up to North Wales possibly over a weekend.

dave_t

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys. Trust me there is nothing brewing as far as i'm aware?

I understand that there have been other events over the years. I appreciate that people have posted a few pointers. However nothing was what I'd class as 'coming together' in any shape or form. I was keen to arrange something, but as a newbie, not knowing previous protocol & not from the Brecon neck of the woods, my options were....erm limited to say the least!

It was a case of forget it, or continue talking to a few guys that remained keen and were not of the 'too far away', 'prefer this area', 'the dates wrong' etc etc .

I and a few others got together to hatch a run out plan that we would enjoy and anyone else could tag along to if they wish. Best of both worlds we thought, as if you want to meet with your local buddies and hatch your perfect run etc...but then finish with a social meet as well that could also include some of our more westerly friends that are a little too far away for usual monthly meets.

Basically something is now planned, not 2 weeks of people making suggestions and nothing coming together. As far as i'm concerned its always going to be a case of "we cant please them all". I tried to do it as an open discussion that was quite frankly going nowhere, just like my suggestion on having an agenda to discuss at Dec meet which was met with mostly 'we dont do that'.

I'm not knocking anyone personally nor the 'clubs' methods, even if i am brave enough to say I'm slightly surprised about a few ways it operates. In return guys please do not knock a few people for doing 'something' even if it is not the norm.

Peace & Love

KJD Mk1

iTrader: (3)

The club has successfully operated in this way for many many years and a lot longer than many other clubs.


What we do has generally worked very well so try not to get to hung up on the method it operates.

While everyone is all ears for suggestions and fresh ideas you can't steamroller people into doing what they don't want to.

We had some guy a few years that's tried to be a revolutionary and tried telling everyone what they could or could not do....
He did not last very long!

As I have said before, if you like what you see join in, if you don't pass on.

Perhaps Dave getting to know a few of the group would be a good idea before passing too much judgement.

The club is always a little quiet at this time of year so its quite normal for anyone new to think its in decline.

dave_t

iTrader: (1)

Look chaps I really dont want to get into any sort of argument as its a waste of everyones efforts.

In the last two threads (which I will admit have been mostly received like Marmite) I asked
a) whether this was a club (SWS) or a forum (SN Wales) where occasionally pockets of buddies get together. Since then I have a better understanding.
b) suggested that maybe at monthly meets we do spend a short time to talk 'any club ideas' and introduce newbies etc
c) Attempted to gauge interest in a Xmas meet/run, which didn't go anywhere that I could of assisted with. No one else was stepping in so I subsequently posted that a few of us are having a meet in Pembrey.

Whether people see the above as a "suggestion or fresh idea" or as "revolutionary or steam rolling" is the Marmite moment I guess.

bry with a y

Can't see Dave t as a bit of a steamroller personality to be honest, more like a guy who wants to do things now and not talk about things done in the 80's when you guys had more hair to worry about than to worry about Christmas runs

KJD Mk1

iTrader: (3)

Yes I'm sure his intentions are all good I'm just trying to fill in a few blanks as to why things are as they are.


As for hair its very overrated

80's was fun time with or without it

dave_t

iTrader: (1)

Now now you two....
Cool head Bry & KJD Mk1, well ermm "keep your hair on" mate!

Bry, I will say never ever knock the 80's nor its fabulous hair styles.

It was a time when image was King (or Queen in a few cases).
Personally I think my really long Mullet was a classic that will come back to haunt us all. As it happens the wife thinks i'm in regression at the moment!

The fact that KJD Mk1 may have been modelling himself on Sinead O'Conner is of course his own business....

Subaru "nothing compares"

LuckyWelshchap

First comment - this must be the first thread I've seen on SN where there's a difference of opinion and no-one's sworn, hurled abuse, played the race card or taken The Almighty's name in vain. : thumb:

Next, this seems to be a bit of a chicken and egg situation.

Someone suggested a run - but without a good idea of what it would entail people are naturally going to be non-committal.

Previous runs have clearly been successful, well-organised and presumably well-attended - yet no-one really came forward at the first opportunity and said "this is a good and proven template for a run".
I presume that's because no-one likes to appear to 'push in'.

Personally I'm looking for a run in order to socialise.
The meets are great and the show at Tredegar Park was great for that as well.

There's two camps here - those who wanted a run, and those who've done them before.
Imo they are complimentary - without starting one those who have enjoyed them wouldn't er... have one to go on, and if you want to have one, then there's nothing like a tried and trusted approach.

So - are we (all) up for Merthyr, 09:30 departure Sunday 29th Dec, route up around Brecon ways ?
If so, we can then sort out a bellwether.

LuckyWelshchap

Sorry Bry for appearing to take over but as Dave says someone has to take the bull by the horns here.

I suggest a minimum of 8 and max of 12 (re Trooper's comments earlier).

1. LuckyWelshchap (will forego and meet up somewhere if numbers get too large)
2.

Peter Pan

iTrader: (6)

I Agree Dai, I suggested a run and really didn't mind organising as was also suggested then I read Robbie's post, as he's knows the in's and out's of what works here and me relatively new to meets I took a back seat as he knows of a tried and tested route, probably better than the one I came up with, also not sure about what pace these things run at either??
I also agree that someone had to take the bull by the horns and sort something out for those who are keen to do something over the Xmas break, as yet I'm really not sure what I'm going to do on the 29th, the Mrs suffers with her knee and standing around in the cold and wet only adds to her problems. We'll see what happens but I'm sure everything will pan out, not been out on the mountain bike since the Brecon Beast so I may even feel the need to dress up in lycra and go for a tootle on that instead to burn off all the overindulgence

dave_t

iTrader: (1)

"the Mrs suffers with her knee and standing around in the cold and wet only adds to her problems", sorry to hear that jayp51.
I've one to (that is a wife with an ongoing knee problem).

The Stitcher

iTrader: (12)

There is no standing around on passed runs just a stop here and there for five mins and check all are ok then back to the driving

Dave uk blue mica

I'm up for a run on the 29th if it's happening