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.
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.
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
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
....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
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!!
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!!!
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
HelloGents
Very interesting reading the forum. I will be taking my M20 this year was thinking about riding it from York !
Would like to be included in any of the runs you go on and would be able to orginize one if you want.
Regards
Paul
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