Hi All

Lots of posts & discussions of late on the 2019 DDay 75th Anniversary - so I have started a separate post to allow a new line of thread

Having participated in and enjoyed 2 x GWR events and subsequent ride outs in 2009 and 2014 We would like to advise as follows

GWR A (Guinness World Record Attempt) 2019
After discussion with John Tinley - we have both agreed that with approval from Forum members, we would be prepared to arrange such an event in France in 2019 subject to the following
Suitable location identified & located
Assurance that French red tape does not preclude or make such a gathering difficult or make us personally liable for such an event

lots has changed in society and rules on gatherings in France in the intervening years since 2014 & we have to consider such before

we will be in France during Next month with this as a matter of priority to sort & fix and obtain local knowledge required

We have help available to us with the administration on this, booking form creation, bookings etc, but we will need some volunteer help closer to time and at the event with other tasks so we would ask if you are prepared to allocate some modest portion of your time to this - it would be most welcome

Henk has kindly agreed to place place forms required on the forum where they can be downloaded easily by all

Again, this is down to you the Forum members - if you want this to happen - we will work to deliver such an event that we can all look back on again with good memories of

Pleas let us know your views - our direction will be dictated by this

DR Ride outs
The ride outs in previous years have proven to be some of the real memorable times of the trips to Normandy - normally a day ride out to the
American sector - Utah & Omaha beaches and other stop offs
British/Canadian sector - normally a trip to Sword Beach area, Pegasus bridge, merville battery & Ranville cemetery

There is considerable work Involved in the lead up to this, the bookings & admin taking a lot of effort and personal time - I have a full time job like most of you

Bookings for campsites are not an option or within ability to organise - these need to be arranged individually

However today I am volunteering to organise such
I will look after bookings & required admin and during time in France this summer will map and confirm 2 x ride outs to cover both sectors mentioned to include some historical stop offs

Many of you will have done this before and do every year as part of your annual Normandy holiday - but many on the forum have not due to commitments on other years or suitable WD bikes not being available

If anyone is prepared to help / volunteer some of their time to help in the organisation of these 2 ride outs - please contact me - it can't be done by one person

Again it's down to the forum members to decide if they want such ride outs to take place

If you are Willing and able to help, please contact me directly to discuss

I will wait to hear the feedback from the forum and if there is a wish to make this happen

Best regards

John O'Brien

email (option): Jonnyob1@googlemail.com

Well done John & John for taking on the task of organising a GWR attempt and a couple of ride outs. It's like herding cats so there's no way you can arrange people's holiday for them. I'm sure people will have their own plans and things they want to do over the week, but it would be great to have some definite plans on a few days. I've already spoken to you with some suggestions about the GWR attempt. :+1:

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Well done hope it works out well and will be there on the run god willing

Very disappointing response to our offer to take on the Guinness World Record attempt for 75X75 next year. Clearly not a lot of interest in this. JT

John from my own part, as can be read in the other long thread, I am doing my best to encourage riders to assemble in one main area, and as I've already said, I'll be there and willing to help with planning ride outs etc.(God willing). Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

With regard to next years Normandy event, both myself, and my old mate Arnie, had already decided to take motorcycles to France. We've both been before with Jeeps but,having witnessed 2014s motorcycle events thought, that looks fun. So hopefully we'll both be there to enjoy whatever has been arranged, the atmosphere and the sense of occasion.

email (option): petethejeep@hotmail.co.uk

I'm definitely going to be there next year, I've been booked at the campsite for over 2 years and can't wait.
I spent three days in Normandy last year for the first time, and although I enjoyed it immensely, I was a bit like a rabbit in the headlights, I didn't know where to go first mainly because there were so many attractions. The idea of going with an experienced group of people means I should come away with some great memories of the 75th and my 60th birthday because it's my birthday on the 6th.
Put my name on the list and if I can do anything to help get in touch.

email (option): alwyndart@gmail.com

I have booked in to Etreham and intend taking the M20. If its a matter of gauging numbers, is there a place or website to register interest ?
Why not start a facebook group/event which will be international coverage. I would quite happily set that up as a starter ?
Richard

email (option): RICHARDPURKISS@HOTMAIL.COM

Hi John and John
Sorry, been away so have only just seen this thread. My son and I will be there as we were in 2014 and most years since including this one' We have been booked in at Etreham for this year and next since last year! If I can help in some way please contact me.
Regards
Paul

email (option): paul@holmesfamily.ws

Hi John and John

Don’t get downhearted by the lack of response so far. I think there will be a lot of people like me who only pop onto the forum every now and then.

As a result, I have only just spotted your post and would like to express my thanks for offering to organise next year’s event. Although I’m not a regular at Normandy I was on both the 2009 and 2014 tours and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

The sight of a line of WW2 motorbikes stretching for as far as the eye can see is something special so I would definably welcome any organised runs.

Following Ron’s advice my son and I booked ourselves in early at the Etreham site so we will definitely be there and happy to help in any way we can.

Hi John and John,
My mate Mike has just booked me into the campsite for next year so I will be happy to help any way I can.
Cheers, Mick.

email (option): mick@motorbikemike.org.uk

Will be there for ride outs and GWR, sorry can't help organise simply have too much on my plate to assist.

My 2p...if someone breaks down in front of you on the GWR 2019....keep going & don't let any cars in which should be made very clear to everyone ;)

John OB - MVT membership now covers my vehicle and/or me for events insurance so if 'Little Johnny' climbs in to my truck and then falls out cracking his face I'm covered .. might be worth checking out re personally liable, may mean GWR might have to become an MVT event..no idea about such things..

email (option): kit247@hotmail.com

Hi John & John
I'll be at Etreham campsite with my "modern" Royal Enfield Classic 500 despatch motorbike. So as not participating to the GWR (WW2 motorbikes only), I'll be happy liaising with Gendarmerie (I'm french) or for any GWR convoy security task you wish
Jean-Marc

Wow Guys,

Excellent news for the GWR and runs.
The three of us will be there as a family ,with my m20 and sharing a friends Harley.

We're really looking forward to going.

We appreciate all the hard work that is and will be put into organising such a memorable tribute to those DR's back then with Pride.

Thank you!
Paul

email (option): eastwood007@ntlworld.com

Has anyone else who applied to the campsite at Etreham quite some months back heard anything concrete back from Issabelle yet? OK it is still almost a year to go, but me and another group of riders are worried at the lack of a response to recent emails. Anyone had a definite offer of a booking yet?

Isabelle assures me that we are all safe, and was intending to go through the list of names during the period after D Day this year. Don't forget that the French do things at a different pace with lots of brakes with lots of wine. But I'll give her a nudge in the near future.

Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

thanks for the update Ron.

Hi All

My son and I are provisionally booked in at the Etreham site for next year and I am just about to book our ferry crossing.

What duration/dates are most people booking? I'm assuming the main celebrations will be over the weekend 8/9 June so was thinking out 3rd and return 10th.

Any advice welcomed

Regards Roy

Most things happen before D-Day in previous years so I would be looking to get there the weekend before.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Me and some of my mates have booked our ferry for Fri 31st may to Fri 7th June. I think the MVT tour is the 1st to 8th and we are trying to avoid those dates with heavy convoys. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Thanks Horror/Ron

Just as well I checked as I would have booked the wrong dates.

Hello John & John,

Is there already a update for next year? And is it possible to make a ride out from battery Longes Sur Mer just as in 2009 ?

Regards. Bram

hi john I will ride the GWR have booked camping and will help cheers

Hello,

also reserved pitch @ Etreham. Although going to Normandy since the 50th, this will be the fist time more "motorcycle related". So looking forward to meet you all and to some nice ride outs and tours.
Piet

email (option): carawagon@telenet.be

Hello all,

It has been quite some time since I have posted despite visiting this great website daily. With all of the wisdom and information here, it is difficult for me to add any more advice. The Mrs. and I have booked our trip to France to attend the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Unfortunately, I am not able to ship my motorcycle to France so that I can participate in all activities that are planned with all of you guys attending. I would however, love to meet up with all of you, perhaps in Etreham so that I can finally meet the "cast of characters" that have been so helpful with the restoration of my M20. I would ask that when information becomes available, someone could send me the information on where and when you guys will be. One of my absolutely must do's is to visit the shrine at Fresney le Puceux where Donald Fife's picture was taken. I had the privilege of presenting the plaque along with Sam Cormier to the Fife family in Nova Scotia seven years ago. I also plan to visit Juno Beach to see his plaque that was placed there thanks to the generous donations made by many of you.

Thanks to all!
James

email (option): jamescusteau@yahoo.com

Hello all,

It has been quite some time since I have posted despite visiting this great website daily. With all of the wisdom and information here, it is difficult for me to add any more advice. The Mrs. and I have booked our trip to France to attend the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Unfortunately, I am not able to ship my motorcycle to France so that I can participate in all activities that are planned with all of you guys attending. I would however, love to meet up with all of you, perhaps in Etreham so that I can finally meet the "cast of characters" that have been so helpful with the restoration of my M20. I would ask that when information becomes available, someone could send me the information on where and when you guys will be. One of my absolutely must do's is to visit the shrine at Fresney le Puceux where Donald Fife's picture was taken. I had the privilege of presenting the plaque along with Sam Cormier to the Fife family in Nova Scotia seven years ago. I also plan to visit Juno Beach to see his plaque that was placed there thanks to the generous donations made by many of you.

Thanks to all!
James

email (option): jamescusteau@yahoo.com

James I think the best thing might be to visit the campsite at Etreham during an evening. So far I don't know of any actual plans for runs. Me and my group of friends go each year and we make the pilgrimage to Don's shrine about every other year. This year we met a local guy at the shrine who then rushed home to return on his BSA cafe racer and beer from his own mini brewery.....Great day!

The plaque that we helped Hans install inside the shrine some years ago, is still there but starting to fade a bit.....Hans will have to make another one.:ok_hand: Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

"....The plaque that we helped Hans install inside the shrine some years ago, is still there but starting to fade a bit.....Hans will have to make another one....."

Yes Ron, I'll take care of that ! Only, I won't be there to install it, so somebody else has to be there with tools :cry:

I'm sure we can manage that Hans:+1: It would at the very least give us something purposeful to do next year and maybe keep us away from the 'Madding Crowd' James could even meet us there to supervise the operation.

Here I am in 2010, sorry not on a Norton! Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Me and my family will be in Normandy from 1st to 8th June, with a BSA m20, two WLA and a Willys, so I'm waiting for details to partecipate at the gathering

THX!!!!

email (option): sansottera.rob@tiscali.it

Hans,

I will take care of installing the new plague for you. Let's stay in contact.



Regards,

Sven

email (option): snvosselman@gmail.com

....Unfortunately, I am not able to ship my motorcycle to France so that I can participate in all activities that are planned with all of you guys attending....

If I (and my friends...) can get her off the workbensh AND riding, you can use mine James! I still owe that to my friends at the other side of the Atlantic...
Hans

That's a plan then Sven. You can arrange the new plaque from Hans and I can organize the ride to the shrine, (call at the little Jerusalem war graves cemetery with beer/coffee and sandwich break at Tilly Sur Seulles ).... there will definitely be enough blokes in our group with the skills to install it properly and level. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Hans,

I am overwhelmed with your thoughtfulness and generosity. This would fulfill a dream that I've had for quite some time. I had originally planned to ship my bike over there for the 70th anniversary, however having back surgery 2 weeks prior to the 6th made it impossible to do at that time. Regardless whether or not your bike can be there, I am planning to attend the trip over to the shrine. WOW!!

Best regards,
James

email (option): jamescusteau@yahoo.com

James, Tell that Cormier chap to get his arse into gear as well ! :grinning:

Hi Rik,

You must be clairvoyant, I planted that seed in his head a couple of weeks ago.:smiling_imp:His response was "Mmmm". You see, we enable each other all the time! I think that we need to start an online petition demanding his attendance. How could he say no? I know that it's the time of the year that he's the busiest. I'll work on him and do my best. For those that don't know me, which is all of you, I live my life by two sayings.

1) "If not now, when?"
2) "It's what you haven't done that will torment you the most."

To which I say, Now's the time, and I won't be tormented!!!

Regards,
James

email (option): jamescusteau@yahoo.com

Mmmm.:wink:

email (option): sam-cormier@hotmail.com

email (option): pauleastwood61@gmail.com

Hello John and John,

Is there some news or more info abouth this?

Regards. Bram

Bram,

Have a look at the other recent posts about Normandy and you will see updates on what is happening. Unfortunately it has not been possible for us to arrange a GWR Record attempt this year because their rules now require the roads to be closed from all other traffic and we cannot do this. Instead we have been invited to have a gathering of motorcycles at the Pegasus Bridge Museum on 5th June at 1.15 pm and we will be parking in the area behind the museum on the grass area close to the original bridge. Please do not arrive before this time as they have a commemoration service before we arrive. The parachute drop is then at 4.30 pm which is close by. Cheers, John