I couldn't see the point of booking everyone in for the record attempt days in advance, it didn't guarantee the person would show up with there bike on the day and other people just turned up as they were on a different campsite and didn't know about registering. After all that, the thing that actually counted was the video of the bikes at the 2 miles record finish point. Watching it again and again counting the bikes. A quick chat with the riders before the ride started would have put everyone in the picture with the rules that were needed to make the record count. This was again made difficult as we couldn't get everyone in one place at Etreham campsite, and as I said, some people joined us from other places and met us at the side of the road. Maybe a couple of Marshals could walk down the line shouting the rules.
We also had to check what bikes had turned up at the side of the road, as there were some persistent people with non-military bikes that wouldn't take "No you can't join us" for an answer" This would have invalidated the record.
Another problem were cars overtaking the bikes and pulling in, breaking the line of bikes and disqualifying all the bikes after the car. I think it needs a van at the back of the bikes with a sign on saying "Record attempt DO NOT PASS" in French and English. Just an idea 
email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk
Another problem were cars overtaking the bikes and pulling in, breaking the line of bikes and disqualifying all the bikes after the car. I think it needs a van at the back of the bikes with a sign on saying "Record attempt DO NOT PASS" in French and English. Just an idea
Ron, could your 2-pdr be fitted to fire portee ?
I actually thought the drivers were pretty good at not overtaking the bikes but a few riders at the back were seriously pratting about and of course once bikes stopped, it was a foregone conclusion.
A couple of decent sweepers on bikes at the back could stop anyone but a determined nutter starting an overtake but at some point, if someone is faffing then a decision has to be taken to pass them rather than let the group be broken up and risk parked cars pulling into gaps.
So come on Chaps, you have two years to turn those old clunkers into reliable first kick starters. At the very least, anyone who DNFs should be made to get a round in at the campsite
One reason for having people 'booked on' in advance is to assess the numbers for a possible record attempt.....
Also you have a list of people to send relevant communications to...
The assembly point at Asnelles on the 65th. had sufficient space to assemble all the riders for a pre run 'chat' and to fill in the necessary paperwork...
Also there was space to assemble them at the roadside without interfering too much with the traffic prior to setting off...
Beyond that point it wasn't practical for cars to overtake as the column was too long...
Is there an actual 'tour' being organised (apart from the 'NOBS' camp) or will it just be the record attempt in 2019?...Ian
email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com
Some very valid points made by Horror and Rik. Especially the one about pre booking. It is good to have an up front over view of participants. But 'Guinness World Records' were only really interested in the final number who started and completed the distance, backed up by the video footage and the statements submitted by the officially recognised marshals at the start and finish. On the 65th and 70th runs each participant signed a form before the start of the run to confirm year/make/model of his bike. GWR also agreed with me that they didn't require registration numbers after I pointed out that they were from all different countries and didn't have any significance to the event.
Whilst on the subject of the previous runs. The 65th route was ideal and Ian was able to publish it before hand which was really helpful. That route was closed to us for the 70th because the town of Arrowmanches was closed off, so I had to find another route. Which I think most will agree was still quite ideal, but unfortunately for various reasons I couldn't publish it. Coupled with trying to communicate with about 250 people on the day, milling about and spread out over large areas led to some failure in communication.
I don't think I ever thanked Horror and Wendy properly for becoming my unquestioning gofers.
Ron
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
We were typing together there Ian. I'm not aware of any tour being organised. But I'm kind of helping the owners at the campsite to organise the bookings for camping. In that respect we could all be together at least......Without a leader until someone volunteers Ron
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
['That route was closed to us for the 70th because the town of Arromanches was closed off...']...
A good reason to contact the mayors office in Arromanches to gain permission to access the town on D Day, as that would open up the possibility of rerunning the 65th route..They were very helpful on the 65th.
I've heard an as yet unsubstantiated rumour that Arromanches will be closed off on the 75th. unless prior arrangements are made for entry, due to the terror threat...Ian
email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com
The problem is, as I was informed by Adrian Cox. On these big years when Royals and very high ranking dignitaries are present, security is at its highest and the Mayor is sort of relieved of his duties and Paris takes over. Personally I would not want to risk organising an event that might rely on the say so of an uninformed Gendarme with a machine gun......We have met them and there's no arguing!! Ron
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
I don't think I ever thanked Horror and Wendy properly for becoming my unquestioning gofers.
Ron
That's no problem Ron, you had enough on your plate and we're starting to get a bit ginger with people
I was at the back of the pack to start with and watched cars overtake on the long straight without looking for a gap in the bikes, they just forced there way in. Difficult to stop them on a fast road maybe a twisty road would stop them overtaking. I wasn't on the 65th run but seeing how security minded the police were about getting to the D-Day events in the town on the 70th I'd be suprised if 200 plus bike would be allowed to ride anywhere near.
email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk
['We have the support of an organisation to help us achieve this & once we outline what we need to them to make it happen we can put this in place & online'..]
Who might that be John?...
Will there be a 'tour' based at one site (Etreham?) as previously or will it just be the record run this time?...Ian
email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com
Hopefully nothing to do with 'Liberation Task Force' I refuse to comply with or have anything to do his antics
Ron
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
RonAre you meaning Dave King, Ron? If so I think you will find that all ties between him and LTF have been cut, or so I am led to believe. So in my mind LTF as an event organiser have a better bill of health and credibility than when he was with them
I agree with Ron...LTF are a waste of space and have an ulterior agenda IMO...I'll have nothing to do with them...Ian
email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com
Yeh, right on, no need to make it easy and go along with wishes of the people who are taking the trouble to organise it all... ...Ian
email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com
There is a large amount of data that HAS to be recorded both for the requirements of the Guiness organisation to enable and verify the record run and also for any 'tour' that may take place...
Unsurprisingly a spread sheet or similar is the best way to collate and organise that....A computer is also the only practical way to distribute relevant information and coordinate the activities of participants who are based in many countries...
When I did the 65th. I realised that I would have to get a computer, which I previously didn't have, just to make the whole thing feasible...
Nobody likes complication..particularly if they are the organisers of such an event and I'm sure the process will be no more involved than is necessary for the task...
From personal experience I can tell you that one complication that isn't welcome is people turning up unannounced 'on the day' and adding to the workload when there are already many other things to deal with....
If you want to help the organisers and make it 'simple' for them then offer to help in some capacity...don't hinder them by not bothering to comply with the stated requirements yet still turn up expecting to be included...
Shame it's so easy to be critical but so difficult to actually contribute something meaningful...Ian
email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com