National Meets, are they a thing of the past ...............

...... even if we had one somewhere where the QLD and NSW members don't have to travel too far

I didn't attend any before Parkes but by all accounts Drake and Cowra were great events, Parkes in 2015 was by all accounts the pinnacle, great turn out from 5 states

PI in 2016 was another great trip but we were segregated into 2 groups, had a ball, our accommodation was 1st rate as was the company and as far as number of states represented, I doubt it will ever be beaten, in our house alone, WA, SA, Vic, Tas, NSW and Qld

2017, we initial tried for somewhere near the Bylong Valley, Mudgee was mooted as a ideal spot, ended up settling on the Festival of speed at Eastern Creek, great event, great company from members from 3 states, only problem was, 1 from SA, 1 from Vic and one from the events home state of NSW and he lives nearly as close to Melbourne as Sydney.

This year madmax and I tried again to get something happening, a trip to Tasmania where 2 of our regulars now reside, it's gone from 3 definite and a fair bit of other interest to just Baz and I making the trip over and joining Gus for a day in his neck of the woods and for the last night we're there, a catch up with barry_mcki


I'd love to try something just after our Southern Summer or before November next year, Mudgee, close to our Qld and NSW members, weather should be a welcome break for us about to enter the winter freeze (or just come out of it if later in year)

Thoughts? Am I flogging a dead horse or is it worth another crack?

I'd like to go to any of the event's.
But it comes down to timing, which equates to money and work interference.
As I've stated from your tassie trip page, it was Phillip Island or Tassie, and it had to be Phillip this time around, due to my mates work time schedule. As it was I had to knock back a lucrative 9 week shutdown to go that as well.

I think it all comes down to the planets aligning.
Distance is a factor some of the time, but not all of the time.

I wish we all had crystal ball's. (no innuendo intended)

Chook wrote:
Am I flogging a dead horse or is it worth another crack?

I think you are, there just doesn't seem to be the interest any more.

I enjoyed Phillip island. Being bikeless was a bit crap, but it saved me a trip over the Nullarbor. Up to you if you continue with it @chook but interest seems to be lacking .

Dunno mate , a lot of the members from  back then have moved on , and two members  live in Tasmania and are participating in this one as well  . I suppose we all have our reasons for not attending , but disheartening for someone trying to organize one none the less .

reddog wrote:I enjoyed Phillip island. Being bikeless was a bit crap, but it saved me a trip over the Nullarbor. Up to you if you continue with it @chook but interest seems to be lacking .

It is actually cheaper to transport it across. Cost us $764 to deliver Kim's bike to Melbourne. Only took 2 weeks.
Even with the cost of airfares it is still cheaper than riding across, when you factor in Accommodation, Fuel and Meals.

paul wrote:Dunno mate , a lot of the members from  back then have moved on , and two members  live in Tasmania and are participating in this one as well  . I suppose we all have our reasons for not attending , but disheartening for someone trying to organize one none the less .

Apart from more pressing issues that came up that are preventing me from coming this year. I am not so keen to attend an event with such a lack lustre turn out. Parks was Awesome, Philip Island was good. And although the company in Sydney was great, the turn out of only 3 of us lost the atmosphere of the previous events. Got to say I was disappointed to see such a lack of interest in Tassie. I'm sure it will be a great trip.

I just can't get time off this close to Christmas, not to mention My long service leave that just took me out for 8 weeks.

Re-Cycled wrote:I just can't get time off this close to Christmas, not to mention My long service leave that just took me out for 8 weeks.

Do you think it is worthwhile trying to do something Northern NSW in April or September?

I quite like the idea of a National meet. Obviously there are a bunch of factors for each individual. This year we spent way more than we anticipated in NZ in March which, apart from anything else, would have stuffed my chances of getting to Tassie. I wouldn't rule out a meet next year, but probably not April.