Hi All. I hope you all had a restful Yuletide, and that your 2012 is all that you would wish it to be for yourselves.
It's that time again! The event and the date is in the subject heading, and my next meeting with Wiltshire Constabulary is on the 17th January.
At this meeting I would like to be in a position to tell them how many USRs we're likely to be able to provide.
Since Lady Penelope has stepped down, and I don't have everyone's e-mail address, I'll start by using this forum to make contact with you all. But as I'm aware that not all USRs use this forum, if you can, could you please inform those that don't of this posting, and try and persuade them to start using it.
Working on the principle that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", the format and task will be similar to last year's Ride, except that it might be AA staff on point duty instead of the Constabulary. More after the forthcoming meeting.
So post here asap if you can help with this ride, and get your USR friends to do the same.
I thank you for your kind attention, and keep checking this forum for updates.
John T (Top Cat).
Put me on the list please John
Bob
Put me down for this please.
JJ
Jt
I'll draft an email and send it to all, I think that Penn has everyones email address. Also if they dont reply we will give them phone call.
Do you have a list of all USR's that attended last year. It will be great starting point.
Stem
I have still got a list of last years USRs that attended. If its needed just shout.
Bob
I should be able to make it this time.
Bob could you please post the list up here.
I shall be there ...
Bob I copied the info then deleted it as I am not sure how secure this section is.
Thanks
Steml
Put me on the list again for this year!
Brian T
Hopefully I'll be there
I think this is more or less the complete list from last year:
Christine Botley
Jeffrey Bowers
Johny Brett
Ian Campbell
Pen Ells
Steve Ells
Paul Hilton
John Jacques
Graham Lloyd
Steve Marsh
Steve Mason
Anne Merrett
Paul Merrett
Dennis Murphy
Steve Phillips
Chris Pine
Wynne Pritchard
Tim Routen
Graham Smith
Bob Stammers
Ken Sutherland
Stephen Tanner
John Thomson
Bob Tobias
Brian Truscott
Andrew West
Tony & Diana West
David Whitelegg
there may be an odd one not on the list who was there of whom I had no details when I typed it and I think there may also have been a drop out, but it is pretty accurate
8) To confirm I am 'up' for this again.
Currently I need to update my FBOS,there were plans for a course I beleive ?
JohnyBrett
07885-788668
Hi guys,
You'll have a job to keep Anne and I away from this one. However, ours, and I imagine quite a few others, FBOS needs updating. Stem, are you looking at this?
Regards
Paul Merrett ;D
Hi All.
The more USRs, the merrier! Just got back from a meeting at Hullavington. It's all go for the Ride of Respect. Pretty much the same format as last year, with the odd tweek here and there, and an important change to the return route to Hullavington for Escort riders - details to follow.
I'm told that registrations for the RoR open next week. Up until now, people could only "register an interest" on the RoR web-site, and bearing in mind that the cap on participant bikes is to be set at 10000 again this year, you might like to know that upwards of 65000 have declared an interest.
I can't say too much publicly yet as to the RoR's future, but this will be Anne Cole's and Julia Stevenson's last one as the official RoR event organisers, so let's make sure this one also goes without a hitch. I shall be posting USR briefing notes on this forum soon, so watch this space.
Last year we had a pre-event meeting to go through everything. IF you feel it's necessary before this one, I would suggest that we get together sometime on the weekend of 18th/19th February. Personally, I think that we can dispense with it, if you make sure that you're fully familiar with the USR briefing note that I shall post. We'll have a ride round the route on the day at 07.15 hrs, including the return route and new airfield access, and we'll get back in time for a coffee before the first group go out..... this year at 09.00 hrs.
More soon, kind regards, John T (Top Cat).
Can I just say if there is to be a meeting please any other date than that - RO and I absolutely cannot do that one! Sorry!
Can we maybe merge it with teh USR/FBOS training day?
Thanks TC for your hard work yet again :)
Well done TC.
I shall probably miss the pre-event meeting if you have one as i have now got my moving date which is 02/02/12.
I will be attending the ride, i propose to stay at the travel lodge for 2 nights.
See you all soon
Bob
Penn is currently collating the replies to the mass email I sent out I will follow this early next week with a txt to everyone. We should know then how many USR's will be available to you on the day.
18/19 Feb I will be volunteering at an Olympic Test Event. (Weekends of 28 Jan/4 Feb/ 11 Feb not much better BTW!)
I have created a new screen sign to incorporate the RoR image. This can be used in conjunction with the USR roundel - if you have room.
I will happily make up some A4 laminated signs for the day. If you need one please send me a pm.
Good one Jeffrey,
in light of the cessation of the relationship between RoR and Afghan Heroes, I was going to point out that our old screen signs were out of date!
JJ
I have also ordered new USR bike and Helmet stickers. I will distribute these at the FBOS training day and also at the Royal Wootton Bassett ride.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallerni/5589211001/#lightbox/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallerni/5589211001/#lightbox/)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallerni/5589206991/#sizes/l/in/photostream/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallerni/5589206991/#sizes/l/in/photostream/)
Nice photos Stem. Here is one of Top Cat...
...in the background.
Jeffrey,
I'd like one of your signs please, thanks.
Hi All.
Just a quick note to let you know that there are still loads of places left on the Ride of Respect, so please let everyone you know that rides a bike, that there's still time to sign up. Registrations close at 5pm on Sunday the 11th March, so with the weather warming up a bit, I hope people will want to take part in what will definitely be the last RoR in its present form through Royal Wootton Bassett.
This year there have been a few problems, from the animosity of a few residents stirred up by outside influences, (placated I hope by the statement I gave to the local Council which addressed their concerns), to difficulties, now rectified I hope, with the RBL registration process.
I regret to say that registrations to date only number some 1700, but the word has gone out (apparently) that if registrations don't pick up a bit, participants will be allowed to turn up and register on the day. Rather than this scenario, I'm hoping for a last minute registration rush, so we know how many we're supposed to be dealing with before the day itself.
For USRs it will be business as usual, but potentially easier as we can make smaller each block of riders that we escort on the route, if lack of huge numbers of participants enables us to do so.
We might get to finish earlier too.
For those going down to RWB on the Saturday, you might like to know that Julia Stevenson and Anne Cole (informally) will be laying a wreath at the Memorial in RWB High Street on Saturday afternoon at 3pm on behalf of the Ride of Respect. If you're in the vicinity, they would be pleased to see you there.
I'll see most of you I hope on the 11th at the reservoir.
Kind regards, John T.
we will see you at the reservior no doubt we will be late like always....lol and so will ginger as hes here aswell
Hi All,
I was asked to create a portrait format sign for the RoR.
Here it is...
If you need a laminated copy, I shall have some in both landscape and portrait format at the airfield on Sunday.
What sort of time are people aiming to get there
Are many going to the wreath laying in the high st
Just working out what sort of time I want to aim for
Cheers
A meet up somewhere would be good. Not sure I want to be early enough for the wreath laying
The way my Saturday is shaping up, I don't think I'm going to be leaving home until @18:00 :(
Looks like a McDonalds on the way down and I'll meet you all in the car park of the hotel 06:30 Sunday.
John
John - might be an idea to ring the hotel to let them know the sort of time you expect to arrive, so your room doesn't get given away.
Good idea.
As soon as my list of jobs for Saturday reaches the halfway point .......I'll call the hotel with an ETA.
So everyone is making there own way down with no coordination? Or does anyone want to meet at Reading Services at 3.30 with a view of running the route in daylight before checking in?
We're in a totally different hotel and besides are going via my ma in laws so can't meet up. Cya Sunday folks ;D
I'm going to be heading down in the morning so an early start for me. Is there somewhere I can meet up with some of you for the last bit of the ride to the airfield?
Dave
Just to add to my earlier post. If there is somewhere to meet up my mobile is 07958 790578 and email is David.whitelegg@triquetra-ehs.co.uk.
Just got home after a week away working and checked the bike out ready for Sunday so looking forward to the day.
My bike developed a leak on Sunday and was meant to be fixed Thursday. I have now been told I should be able to collect it late tomorrow morning. If not I have a backup plan if it is still broke come noon tomorrow.
Jeffery, can you bring a spare landscape laminated sign as the one you gave me on Sunday is currently with my bike?
David I think most of the others are meting at 6:30 in the car park of the hotel - I think it's the holiday inn but you'll have to check the thread - sorry I would do it but am very ill at the mo and need to go to bed
Noted Julian.
I will have a few of each available on the day.
But not this big...
(http://www.rideofrespect.co.uk/Aflag.png)
sorry can not make this due to ill heath.have PM top cat & text Lady Pen.
Andy west usr 19
Thanks Weaver, I'll check that out. Hope your feeling better soon.
Thankx David - might be in the car today :(
Sparky - hope you feel better soon. Sorry you can't join us
Hope everyone is home, warm and safe.
Thanks for a well organised, and well run day.
Some photos are in this gallery -
http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t109/julianbarker/Wooton%20Bassett%202012/ (http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t109/julianbarker/Wooton%20Bassett%202012/)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t109/julianbarker/Wooton%20Bassett%202012/USRs1.jpg)
Thanks for the photos Julian and to you and everyone else thanks for your help with the day - another ride well looked after by you all.
Many thansk to TC for his organisation with the police, council etc and to Stem for looking after us as usual.
Hope our two "rookies" had a good day and weren't to put off. Tony, hope Diana is feeling better.
Glad I went though it was touch and go for a while - I was in bed by 6:30 last night! ::) :D
BTW - forgot to tell you guys yesterday - you were riding with a torchbearer!!!!
well done everyone, another excellent and safe ride… and to TC for organising and Penny for managing us :D
TC could you email me the traffic plan when you have recovered, interested in learning whats involved in more detail.
USR ROCK..
"Penny" ??? ??? ??? ??? :o :o
BTW I e-mailed out the traffic plan last week! :)
great to meet up and see all again especially after standing on field for nearly an hour in morning wondering where everyone was .... that self doubtr and lots of message checking email re reading ensued to see if new meeting point ......
then orange vests appeared in a swarm ......
expecting the hullaballoo of last year to then be stood waiting ..... and waiting ...... then off we go ......
hopefully no incidents .... as none to report..
decided to forgo the stop on way home and head bedwards to rest up for my evening shift ( happy Jeffery ?:P )
Oh well lets see what happens
33 out
Another great day! Thanks to TC for his hard work and to Penn for the airfield management.
According to the Swindon advertiser, Julia estimates that 8000 bikers went through yesterday!?!?
http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/9598049.Thousands_of_motorcyclists_make_third_and_last_tribute_to_royal_town/?action=complain&cid=10199370 (http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/9598049.Thousands_of_motorcyclists_make_third_and_last_tribute_to_royal_town/?action=complain&cid=10199370)
2,500, maybe 3,000 is probably more like the number I would have thought.
Over coffee at Reading services, we estimated no more than 3500.
So even if every bike had a pillion that only makes 7000!
8000 my arse, must be Julia's blond hair interfering with the counting me thinks..
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story :(
Very disappointed in the exaggeration too - most unnecessary IMO
Very foolish. How long before the questions arise as to where all the money from 8000 riders has gone?
Hi All.
Just a quick note to say "Thank You" to all involved with the Ride of Respect - in particular Lady P, whose organisational skills were invaluable. It could not have gone ahead without you all.
Although reported numbers have still to be confirmed, one ITV local news report put participant numbers in the region of 4000, so hopefully the event raised a few bob.
I've had no feedback yet from Wiltshire Constabulary, but I suspect there will be a debriefing in the near future. I'll keep you posted.
Regards, John T. (Top Cat)
Indeed Julian - I suspect it's stupid ego which has given rise to the inflated figures, but as you say people will then be asking where is the money.
I spoke to Anne Cole today and she informed me that they took £10,000 in merchandising on the airfield and still have a lot more orders coming in.
A good day all in all thanks to Stem's initial work, JT's pre event organisation and of course SWMBO on the airfield. Was good to see and ride with everyone and thankfully our services were not needed for anything more than escorting the rides.