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
