A Bandit Forum Get Together - Stage 1

[Ewok1958]

First topic message reminder :

Folks,
I notice that it is about 2,000 - 2,100 kms from Adelaide to Brisbane (or Brisbane to Adelaide - take your pick). So what you might ask? Well, it offers an opportunity for many of us forum members to meet up somewhere roughly in the middle (don't ask me exactly where - I'm making this up as I go) - but it would have to be roughly half way. I know any kind of ride like this wouldn't suit the sandgropers, NT, NZ, USA, Italy, Greece, Sweden, etc members but that's just a fact of life with a country the size of Europe. I'm not talking about this year but what if we decided to have a big Bandit forum get together somewhere in the Spring/Summer of 2013? That should give enough advance notice for the wheels to be put in motion, surely. I'm quite happy to organise it.

Update (7Mar13):
Details are:
Date: 1 - 3 November 2013 (ie Friday nigtht & Saturday night for those wanting a two night stay)
Place: Cowra
Accommodation options: Option 1 - The Imperial Hotel (02 634102588) (prices start at $65 for a single room but are as low as $115 for an ensuite room with 1 dbl and 2 sgl beds). There are also ensuite rooms for two at $100 per room (1 dble, 1 sgl). Option 2 the Sovereign Inn (02 6342 1055) (price is $69 per person twin share or $127 for a single). It is directly opposite the Imperial across Kendal St - both look good. Book individually. Special group price will apply to all, irrespective of individual bookings.
Plans: Individuals organise their own rides to and from (with other members or solo, as preferred). Groups meet up at accommodation. Day trip to Bathurst for those interested on Saturday for a few laps of the circuit. Counter lunch in Bathurst. Pub meal in Cowra Sat night. Departure Sunday AM.

[Kiwisteve]

Very interested in this idea. Doing the google maps thing it appears as if the Coba/Bourke region is about the midpoint between Adelaide and Brisbane. I don't want to insult anyone but from the satellite pics the Bourke camping site doesn't look too appealing. Anyway and Reardo I know will agree with me that the roads in that part of the world are so straight that they only appeal to the most dedicated long rider. Ok it isn't that far from Sydney but Bathurst is more romantic to the Australian Motörhead. And it's closer to the great dividing range which should be more attractive than the hay plains.
Just thinking.

A big NO to bourke.

Are you guys forgetting Kidman camp North Bourke! We stayed there sept 2010 onour way out to cameron cnr on a 4x4 adventure. I can understand why you'd givea resounding NO to Bourke itself, with the razor wire around the caravan park
Also, as you said, too straight & flat

[Grover]

I am in big time, almost regardless of where or when. If it is close to Canberra, I am going for a ride the very, very long way to make it seem far. It wouldn't feel right otherwise.

Ewok, you are fast becoming our official trip planner. We'll have to get you a badge mate.

Perhaps we aim for a national long weekend, although that usually means fkn double demerits and load of cops.

[Hammy]

I would vote for Bathurst . Never been there, and looks like there are some really nice roads that you can take to get there from Brissy. A long weekend would be great. Give everyone a fare amount of time till the event also, to allow planning. Lets make this happen !

[Ewok1958]

Did a reccy up to Cowra and Forbes today. Knowing that these sort of get togethers (ie with lager numbers) can be made or broeken on the accommodation, I thought I'd check things out. Forbes didn't seem to offer much, although the hotel in the main street looked ok with an elevate dbalcony. Maybe I should have gobe inside but there didn't seem to be much else in the whole town so I was already starting to reject it.

Cowra though looked good. There are two hotels right across the road from each other, both with cheap rooms. The second is a hotel/motel with 36 rooms and better parking arrangements. Both have good areas where a group could drink and socialise. Both have bistro meals. There is another motel around the corner ~ 250m away. I thought we might even consider a two night stay - the day in the middle could just be sleep and R&R for those that have had a long trip or a ride to Bathurst and back to visit the track - it's only about 100kms down the road from Cowra.

Here's some photos:
Hotel #1 - parking is out the bac, through that tunnel.


Hotel #1 - Outdoor area


Hotel #1 - Parking (open area bluemetal directly through the tunnel).


Hotel #2 - directly opposite


Hotel #2 - Outdoor area and motel units below (with pool)


Hotel #2 - Parking (behid units - quite away off the street and not visible)


Motel - roughly 250m from the hotels. Undercover parking for about 8 bikes.

[Hammy]

Good work Ewok. Two nights sounds good to me. # 2 is probably my choice. Have you given any thought to when this Big Bandit Bash will take place ?

[madmax]

#2 looks the better of the two. Did you find out the tarriffs from them?

[Ross.]

I like the one with the tunnel.

[Ewok1958]

Good work Ewok. Two nights sounds good to me. # 2 is probably my choice. Have you given any thought to when this Big Bandit Bash will take place ?

Probably the October long weekend in 2013 - that might sound along way off but that motel (in the photo) is already nearly booked out for Nov12. However, our Department has just announced redundancies - if I'm out of a job before this summer I'll consider making it the long weekend Oct 2012 (if there is any accommodation!) - won't know the employment situation for 2 months.

[Ewok1958]

I like the one with the tunnel.

If this bash is successful, we might need both! But seriously, it really wouldn't matter who booked into which hotel given they are across the road from eac other and bookings will be done by individuals (ie not me ).

[Ewok1958]

Good work Ewok. Two nights sounds good to me. # 2 is probably my choice. Have you given any thought to when this Big Bandit Bash will take place ?

Yeh, I like the 2 night thing even if there are people who can only make one night. We'll still have a great meet. The day off might really suit those doing the long kms, or as I said, those wanting to check out the mountain at racing mecca down the road (you can get through a lot of petrol at 6kms a lap in first gear ).

[Ross.]

Good work Ewok. Two nights sounds good to me. # 2 is probably my choice. Have you given any thought to when this Big Bandit Bash will take place ?

Probably the October long weekend in 2013 - that might sound along way off but that motel (in the photo) is already nearly booked out for Nov12. However, our Department has just announced redundancies - if I'm out of a job before this summer I'll consider making it the long weekend Oct 2012 (if there is any accommodation!) - won't know the employment situation for 2 months.

For me to get time off for that weekend from work I would need to book those dates next week. I kid you not.

[Ewok1958]

#2 looks the better of the two. Did you find out the tarriffs from them?

Rates for Hotel #1 are here:

http://www.wotif.com/hotel/View?hotel=W253596&page=4&adults=0&child1Age=1&child2Age=1&child3Age=1&child4Age=1&child5Age=1&child6Age=1&child7Age=1&child8Age=1&child9Age=1&startDay=2012-04-28

That's as little as $30 per person per night twin share (separate beds of course). The other one is likely to be competitive, probably slightly more in my experience - I'll get the rates when we get closer to a final arrangement.

[mustang sally]

Which would be a better location? Forbes or parkes? Well done Ewok.

[Hammy]

What is the October long weekend thing? Is that a NSW only holiday or something ?

[Jimcoleman]

4 stars and above please

[madmax]

What is the October long weekend thing? Is that a NSW only holiday or something ?

Looks like its Labor Day for ACT and NSW

1 Oct, and right in the middle of the Victorian School Holidays

[Reardo]

I'm not a fan of riding on Double demerit points weekends. More boy's in blue on the road, More points, Bigger chance of getting done .

[Hammy]

I'm not a fan of riding on Double demerit points weekends. More boy's in blue on the road, More points, Bigger chance of getting done .

Good point. And the school holis is not the best time either. I think given the looooong time we have to organise such an event, participants would have ample time to organise a long weekend from work or other commitments. I personally would organise the friday and monday around ANY weekend, and I'm pretty certain that most people could too. Ewok ?

[madmax]

I'm not a fan of riding on Double demerit points weekends. More boy's in blue on the road, More points, Bigger chance of getting done .

Good point. And the school holis is not the best time either. I think given the looooong time we have to organise such an event, participants would have ample time to organise a long weekend from work or other commitments. I personally would organise the friday and monday around ANY weekend, and I'm pretty certain that most people could too. Ewok ?

+1

[Big Al]

Im starting to like the sound of this!

[Ewok1958]

Well there you go - here I was thinking a long weekend would be more popular because it would be one day less to try and get off work. Not to worry, plenty of time to set a date.

[Hammy]

Been a while Ewok, since this topic was brought up. I hope that it hasn't fallen by the wayside.

[Ewok1958]

It's definitely still on - I was just waiting to see what happened with work to get the dates sorted. It looks like it will be in November next year.

[Re-Cycled]

It's definitely still on - I was just waiting to see what happened with work to get the dates sorted. It looks like it will be in November next year.

I don't know if my Bandit will last that long!

[Hammy]

It's definitely still on - I was just waiting to see what happened with work to get the dates sorted. It looks like it will be in November next year.

I don't know if my Bandit will last that long!

Get a new one !!!

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