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Bikestore
18th November 2007, 23:13
Hi guys and girls,

As is becoming a tradition - well, it's happened three times - BikeStore were out and about on the track on Sunday and we've got some great photos of the action from Round One of the AMCC at Pukekohe.

A paltry 767 photos to choose from this time, but the new camera gear's paying off. Some fantastic shots from throughout the day; high speed corners, lots of scraping sliders and a couple of pretty decent wheelies too. Due to a small screw-up whilst renaming all the files, they're no longer in race order, so you might have to search through them to find the ones you're looking for. Sorry...

To view, simply go to www.bikestore.co.nz (http://www.bikestore.co.nz), click on the Gallery link, and go from there. To save on disk space (each image is over 4MB in size) we're only uploaded a reduced size picture this time. At 1944 x 1296 pixels, the images are plenty big enough to use as a desktop background or to email to friends and admirers. However, the full size, watermark-free, 3888 x 2592 pixel image is available on request free of charge; these files you can blow up to A3 size without any problems. Simple register on BikeStore, and drop us a message using the Contact Us link and we'll email through the files you're after.

Enjoy, and see you at the track soon.

My personal favourites:

Drew Mair, indulging in some disgraceful behaviour (http://www.bikestore.co.nz/pics/gallery/Pukekohe%20-%20AMCC%20Round%201/AMCC_174.jpg) :cool:
Battle of the Ninjas: Chris Sucich and Nick Cole (http://www.bikestore.co.nz/pics/gallery/Pukekohe%20-%20AMCC%20Round%201/AMCC_280.jpg)
Big bloke, tiny bike (http://www.bikestore.co.nz/pics/gallery/Pukekohe%20-%20AMCC%20Round%201/AMCC_425.jpg)


Oh, and if Mr Stroud's agents want a new promo shot (http://www.bikestore.co.nz/pics/gallery/Pukekohe%20-%20AMCC%20Round%201/AMCC_466.jpg)...

GIXser
19th November 2007, 09:04
Well done Dan, mate how good is that pic of Andrew S, awesome shot dude, id say they can have that shot as long as they keep the bikestore logo on there,, hehehehe

crashe
19th November 2007, 09:15
Battle of the Ninjas: Chris Sucich and Nick Cole

This is what we get when we click on the above link:

Ooops! File not found.

Sorry, but the page you've selected cannot be found. Click here to go to our homepage.

Bikestore
19th November 2007, 09:30
Ooops. Forgot the dot in the filename. Link now updated.

Toast
19th November 2007, 09:45
Damn you were a busy boy out there, Dan. 37 pages of pictures!!

Next time please use a lower resolution so that you can't tell I was braking in to Jennian :p

CHOPPA
19th November 2007, 09:47
Theres some excellent pics there! great work! You got them on the net fash cheers

crashe
19th November 2007, 09:49
Ooops. Forgot the dot in the filename. Link now updated.

cheers.

Hey they are awesome pics.........
Well done.:2thumbsup

Riff Raff
19th November 2007, 10:45
Well done Dan, there's some great shots there, particularly of my dearly beloved.

Sanx
19th November 2007, 11:15
Well done Dan, there's some great shots there, particularly of my dearly beloved.

I thought I'd only got one of Mr Poos ... :chase:

HDTboy
19th November 2007, 11:32
Good Work Dan, Chris'll probably get a few of those.

gpercivl
19th November 2007, 12:43
10 years of racing and you got the 1st picture of me with my knee on the road :clap:

Great photos...thank you!!!

owner
19th November 2007, 15:22
Did Sam pip Stroud at the line in that formula Auckland race?about 3.30pm. I couldnt see from the road was awesome to see his comittment up the mountain. They both have big brass balls

White trash
19th November 2007, 15:28
Did Sam pip Stroud at the line in that formula Auckland race?about 3.30pm. I couldnt see from the road was awesome to see his comittment up the mountain. They both have big brass balls
Be cool if you forked out the ten bucks to get in and then you'd know :Pokey:

Sanx
19th November 2007, 16:21
Be cool if you forked out the ten bucks to get in and then you'd know :Pokey:

Yep, it was great racing, but considering there was an entrance fee, you'd have thought AMCC would have at least arranged for someone to be down there with food other something deep-fried and a coffee stand that actually made coffee, rather than the cup of unidentified brown I paid $4.50 for. PMCC didn't charge entrance fees for spectators, yet the facilities provided by the track and the club (in terms of food / drink / etc) were massively superior.


So, if anyone from AMCC is reading this, please ensure that at the next round, can we get someone who has a clue about making coffee to be there?

Cheers.

GIXser
19th November 2007, 20:02
yep i second the above, great meeting apart from the services or lack thereof, come on guys (organisers of amcc) sort it out will ya also i reckon charging ten bucks is a have" !
maybe charge if you have some proper facilities there, !!

HDTboy
19th November 2007, 21:09
Commitment: (http://www.bikestore.co.nz/pics/gallery/Pukekohe%20-%20AMCC%20Round%201/AMCC_754.jpg)To her it means a ring on the finger. To him it means not shutting the throttle when pushing the front tyre through a corner

Drew
19th November 2007, 21:30
Choice shots there Dan, I'll tone down the baffoonery next round and get to the bizzo of chasin down the pointy end of the pack.

Kendog
19th November 2007, 21:33
Those are some great photos, well done.

Rick
19th November 2007, 21:46
Yeah, awesome photography. Good to see some high quality shots of the racing.

Keystone19
19th November 2007, 21:54
Great photos Dan.

Dan and Eddie, you guys should flick AMCC an email and let them know your thoughts on the catering.

Colleen Thompson: CThompson@paraserv.co.nz

flame
20th November 2007, 08:24
Awesome pic's Dan, you must have been out there for ages! cheers heaps:niceone:

Cant wait to ride there again now that Ive had a go on the track. It's awesome! though a bit daunting to be racing with some of NZ's finest! but I guess I just have to get used of being at the back of the pack.....for now LOL:msn-wink:.

GIXser
20th November 2007, 08:42
Great photos Dan.

Dan and Eddie, you guys should flick AMCC an email and let them know your thoughts on the catering.

Colleen Thompson: CThompson@paraserv.co.nz

thanks jill" will do!

PeteJ
20th November 2007, 10:16
Yep, it was great racing, but considering there was an entrance fee, you'd have thought AMCC would have at least arranged for someone to be down there with food other something deep-fried and a coffee stand that actually made coffee, rather than the cup of unidentified brown I paid $4.50 for. PMCC didn't charge entrance fees for spectators, yet the facilities provided by the track and the club (in terms of food / drink / etc) were massively superior.


So, if anyone from AMCC is reading this, please ensure that at the next round, can we get someone who has a clue about making coffee to be there?

Cheers.

None of the clubs has any control over the circuit owners' deals with caterers.

Sorry.

Sanx
20th November 2007, 10:32
None of the clubs has any control over the circuit owners' deals with caterers.

Sorry.


Maybe not, but they can at least raise it with the track owners...

cowpoos
20th November 2007, 11:03
None of the clubs has any control over the circuit owners' deals with caterers.

Sorry.
do you know why they charge spectators there??? no other club I know of in NZ charges???? what are they paying for?? disgusting toilets??

roogazza
20th November 2007, 12:28
do you know why they charge spectators there??? no other club I know of in NZ charges???? what are they paying for?? disgusting toilets??

Probably trying to kill off the last of the fans ! You'd think it was dying fast enough without charging people to watch a local club meeting, even if it is in auckland.
Then again maybe there was big prize money at stake ????????????
Come to Manfeild and watch the VMCC trying to restore roadracing to something like it was.They do a great job. Gaz.

smithy09
20th November 2007, 12:32
Nice Photos Dan. Thanks a lot. Lotta work there, and getting them on the web damn fast. Appreciated! Smithy GS 1000 #9.

twinshock750
20th November 2007, 14:21
do you know why they charge spectators there??? no other club I know of in NZ charges???? what are they paying for?? disgusting toilets??

The revenue off the gate helps pay the bills so your entries fees are lower at one of the most expensive tracks in the country to rent.

People bitch about how much it costs already. You sure you want to push it up even further? Riders don't pay to get in and the gate staff are not on from dawn either.

Funnily enough, there are other clubs THAT DO CHARGE for both road racing and motorcross. You wanna go to the feb Classic festival to see some old chaff cutters - $25.

$10 for a days entertainment is pretty cheap - people spend more than that in parking a day, or fags, or getting to work. You even pay for for 110 minutes of bullshit at a movie theatre.

Re the toilet cleaning: Maybe if riders had better aim it wouldn't be a problem!

Food: yep and it's better than it used to be. BUT the fact of the matter is, that a) you don't have to buy it b) the turn over is not there, nor is the return there to provide high quality short shelf life food for the few hundred people on the day at a club meeting, plus it is a closed environment with a contracted exclusive term (the club cannnot run a sausage sizzle and sell sausages without getting in trouble, they can only give food away). c) BYO! d) go flag marshalling or help out elsewhere - the lunches are great!

:zzzz:

PeteJ
20th November 2007, 14:35
The revenue off the gate helps pay the bills so your entries fees are lower at one of the most expensive tracks in the country to rent.

People bitch about how much it costs already. You sure you want to push it up even further? Riders don't pay to get in and the gate staff are not on from dawn either.

Funnily enough, there are other clubs THAT DO CHARGE for both road racing and motorcross. You wanna go to the feb Classic festival to see some old chaff cutters - $25.

$10 for a days entertainment is pretty cheap - people spend more than that in parking a day, or fags, or getting to work. You even pay for for 110 minutes of bullshit at a movie theatre.

Re the toilet cleaning: Maybe if riders had better aim it wouldn't be a problem!

Food: yep and it's better than it used to be. BUT the fact of the matter is, that a) you don't have to buy it b) the turn over is not there, nor is the return there to provide high quality short shelf life food for the few hundred people on the day at a club meeting, plus it is a closed environment with a contracted exclusive term (the club cannnot run a sausage sizzle and sell sausages without getting in trouble, they can only give food away). c) BYO! d) go flag marshalling or help out elsewhere - the lunches are great!

:zzzz:

Yes, Al, you've answered bloody well.

It must be bloody hard for you not to rant, but instead just provide a full and reasoned answer, when people just come up with this stuff. Maybe they need to find what track hireage at Pukekohe costs...

twinshock750
20th November 2007, 15:48
PeteJ

Better food would be nice....but there is no flex that I am aware of as Counties catering have got it "locked up" The AMCC can't dictate who is there, what they supply or even if they are open.

Ultimately the punters vote with their feet by not buying the food. I know I don't.

Taupo's set up is probably more due to the fact that the contracted (assuming they are contracted) supplier supplies quality by choice and I think is also mobile - ie makes his money by selling food elsewhere during the week, around Taupo, so is a bit more regular.

rant, me, never. Wouldn't know how to get angry!:calm:

cowpoos
20th November 2007, 16:07
The revenue off the gate helps pay the bills so your entries fees are lower at one of the most expensive tracks in the country to rent.

People bitch about how much it costs already. You sure you want to push it up even further? Riders don't pay to get in and the gate staff are not on from dawn either.

Funnily enough, there are other clubs THAT DO CHARGE for both road racing and motorcross. You wanna go to the feb Classic festival to see some old chaff cutters - $25.

$10 for a days entertainment is pretty cheap - people spend more than that in parking a day, or fags, or getting to work. You even pay for for 110 minutes of bullshit at a movie theatre.

Re the toilet cleaning: Maybe if riders had better aim it wouldn't be a problem!

Food: yep and it's better than it used to be. BUT the fact of the matter is, that a) you don't have to buy it b) the turn over is not there, nor is the return there to provide high quality short shelf life food for the few hundred people on the day at a club meeting, plus it is a closed environment with a contracted exclusive term (the club cannnot run a sausage sizzle and sell sausages without getting in trouble, they can only give food away). c) BYO! d) go flag marshalling or help out elsewhere - the lunches are great!

:zzzz:
what is the track hirage??? tell us the costs???


and if people don't whinge!!! and complain about meetings...they will never ever improve!! as with getting all defensive...it may feel like we are attacking you directly...sure...take people coments as a optimist and improve you clubs race series and you may start gettting better turn outs of riders and more entry's...more spectators!!

I asked a good handful of people to ride to pukie on sunday...and they all pretty much said fuck that...not paying $10 to what club racing at that track...[well not all of them...one of them had a hangover...and he's a soft prick..especially his belly's paticularly soft]...

and don't spin it around and say maybe I should join the club...be proactive,etc etc...it don't work like that...most of the motorcycle clubs in NZ have old existing members that are afront to change and progress in our sport...otherwise we would have or club rouns on teli..sponsers getting air time...hundreds and hundreds of spectators...fricken handfull of hillbilly's in 4X4's are getting teli air time playing in mud!! I'm sure we can get some if our desicion makers and leaders in our sport tried to step out of there comfort circle!!

Riff Raff
20th November 2007, 16:17
The revenue off the gate helps pay the bills so your entries fees are lower at one of the most expensive tracks in the country to rent. :
It's not just the track hire. AMCC also go the extra mile to ensure the safety of competitors and spectators by having higher qualified ambulance crews there who's skill level will ensure the best outcome should the worst happen (unlike some other club rounds). That doesn't come cheap.

I really don't know why people have such a problem paying out a paltry $10 for a whole day's worth of entertainment.

Burrt Badger
20th November 2007, 16:40
Guys and Gals.
Catering. Counties Racing Club (Horses that is) have a contract with the caterers. The Caterers are not answerable to any one but the Counties Racing Club, and provide the food they want to. They are not generally receptive to food suggestions. Take your own food if you want good quality food and coffee.
Charging at the gate. At Pukekohe, you are allowed to charge spectators, to allow entry fees to be reduced. At Manfeild, they charge a MUCH increased track hire fee if you charge spectators.
If you think that Pukekohe is expernsive now, wait until you find out what the charges will be for Hampton Downs. I can see an entry fee of around $200 for a club round.

Ambulance: The Auckland Club provide a full Paramedic St John Unit. This means that the Ambo's are the best you can get and are able to give the BEST possible ambulance care, and these guys are generally better than most Doctors because they are trained for Trauma treatment.
The Organizing Committee for the Auckland Club work pretty bloody hard and provide good race meetings at the best price they can for competitors.

Some of us can remember the days when Auckland was known as the Auckland Money Collecting Club. Those days are long gone.

One other thing. The Auckland Club has made all of those Crash Bags. They made them and they own them. They also pay for them to be put out and collected for you guys to race.

Teambwr47
20th November 2007, 16:40
$10 to get in for the days racing is the cheapest i've ever seen but then i've only just got here.......... and as for spectators getting in for free, WOW is that for real?

Spectators in the UK would expect to pay £8-10 ($21-27) to get into a club meeting for the day if you were going to the likes of Brands Indy. While the wages are higher there, i can tell you for certain in real terms its massively cheaper to race and watch racing here.

As far as entry fees go you all have it very cheap for a full day racing.....and so will i once i get sorted.

Entry for one class, one days racing typically costs between £75-110 for a practice session and two races. To get 4 races in a day by doing 600cc and Open class i would often pay in the region of £130-£170 per day ($350-460).

All that said its also cheaper for the hire of a circuit here in NZ so the clubs pay less meaning you pay less i guess. When a regularly used track like Brands Hatch can be £15000 (over $40K) a day to hire the costs of racing have to be higher.

I thought the AMCC meeting was superb and reminded me in ALL GOOD ways of how club racing used to be in the UK when i started. I can't wait to get out there and enjoy the racing as well as the fantastic paddock.

So far as the coffee went, i had one early in the day and i thought it was fine but i think the person making it changed later in the day......?

Drew
20th November 2007, 19:14
Good photos though:girlfight:

Sanx
20th November 2007, 19:19
Good photos though:girlfight:

:Offtopic: We're ranting here, thank you. Don't change the subject...

Drew
20th November 2007, 19:23
:Offtopic: We're ranting here, thank you. Don't change the subject...


Info symilated, attitude adjusted.


I hate the fact that the whole track is not under an enormous dome to and airconditioned to the perfect temperature. Why are there bumps too??? There should be 50 meters of run off right round the place!!!
Infact, why are our bikes not magnetised at the top half on opposite pole to the track so we cant fall over too???

Sanx
20th November 2007, 21:25
Info symilated, attitude adjusted.


I hate the fact that the whole track is not under an enormous dome to and airconditioned to the perfect temperature. Why are there bumps too??? There should be 50 meters of run off right round the place!!!
Infact, why are our bikes not magnetised at the top half on opposite pole to the track so we cant fall over too???

Hey - all I was after was someone who could make coffee.

twinshock750
20th November 2007, 22:14
what is the track hirage??? tell us the costs???

and if people don't whinge!!! and complain about meetings...they will never ever improve!! as with getting all defensive...it may feel like we are attacking you directly...sure...take people coments as a optimist and improve you clubs race series and you may start gettting better turn outs of riders and more entry's...more spectators!!

I asked a good handful of people to ride to pukie on sunday...and they all pretty much said fuck that...not paying $10 to what club racing at that track...[well not all of them...one of them had a hangover...and he's a soft prick..especially his belly's paticularly soft]...

and don't spin it around and say maybe I should join the club...be proactive,etc etc...it don't work like that...most of the motorcycle clubs in NZ have old existing members that are afront to change and progress in our sport...otherwise we would have or club rouns on teli..sponsers getting air time...hundreds and hundreds of spectators...fricken handfull of hillbilly's in 4X4's are getting teli air time playing in mud!! I'm sure we can get some if our desicion makers and leaders in our sport tried to step out of there comfort circle!!

"Defensive", gave me the best laugh in weeks (thanks I really did need the laugh). I'm usually called an offensive prick and the 2 threats of defamation in the last 5-6 years probably explains, it. Frankly I just tell the fact as as they are and if people don't like it, not my problem.

I will spin it around and point it back to you as a rider who is getting his jollies as a result of someone elses effort - all the people there on Sunday bar the lap scorers and Ambo's (who deserve 10 times what they get) do not get paid for ANY of the work they do. General bitching about them is just a general lack of respect as far as I'm concerned. They are volunteers working their tits off so you can get your jollies. This work is not just on the day but before, during and after the event in their own time, before and after the full time jobs they have, families, other interests etc. You obviously think they can give a bit more yet!

And yes, there are things that could be done better, longer, harder, faster everywhere. But the old wives tale you have bought about old club members shows how far removed you are. In the real world, the guys running the meetings in many clubs around the country are dead keen for new ideas and people to be brought in - if you bothered to attend an AGM at most clubs involved in road racing thye are scratching to find people to fill seats on committees. Just every rider or recently ex rider wants some other bastard to do the work - ie the proverbial "they" can do it (and not the "me" or "we" for a change).

Why are these organisers dead keen for new ideas and people? - It means they can escape and have a rest, see their children, wives, husbands etc after doing it for 10 years or more and some other bastard can get the abuse, the stress of running an event in a high risk sport, will it run okay type doubts each time. Are we going to lose squillions because we have screwed up somewhere or one of our supplies does not do something critical despite every assurance? What, you think some of these organisers actaully really enjoy it and don't want to let go! Yeah right.

Complain and whinge all you want if you glass is half empty. If your glass is half full you'd offer constructive criticism and useful solutions to problems you see. You like many others over the years use the word "they should" that people have the resources (human, financial or time) to do everything YOU want them to do. Remember these are volunteers. How many riders actually do anything to help their respective club (whichever it is) with ANY event they run.

Re: "and don't spin it around and say maybe I should join the club...be proactive,etc etc...it don't work like that" What a cop out. Well, actually it does happen like that. Where do you think the guys that are organisig meetings now came from? The fact is that this year that the AMCC have got some good new guys on the r/race comm and they have done a great job, finding sponsors, introducing new ideas.

And again, pointing it back to you - All the stuff you have mentioned above "possible", so when are you going to help make it happen if it is so easy? Why should you expect someone else to do a job you wouldn't - if it's that easy join in at the pointy end and show how good it can be done, I wouldn't mind being on the tellie. It's been two years.

I'm all for the making things bigger and better, but this is club racing by volunteers who have real jobs, lives and limited resources More resources is more volunteers. Over to you.

Kindest Regards

TS750

Ps - do your own home work! I did mine. Here's some of the bigger cost lines you might want to investigate:

Track Hire
Ambo (which is hired from Base to return to base)
Lunches for 40 + officials (ie sign on, grid marshalls, CoC, flaggies) - you need a lot of people to run Puke.
radios
P/a
lap timing team
petrol vouchers for the flaggies
truck for the bales and the team putting them out and in again


I've seen the budgets over the years and it has got worse since I last saw one a few years ago. No clubs make much money from racing.

PPs, who thanked any of the team running the meeting? :devil2:

twinshock750
20th November 2007, 22:19
Sorry, forgot to say I didn't try the coffee,

and good on the guys taking photos and maing them available for people to see.!:woohoo:

Sanx
20th November 2007, 23:22
and good on the guys taking photos and making them available for people to see.!:woohoo:

You're welcome. I enjoy taking them and making them available is not only easy, but it's a good promo too for BikeStore too. And I have to justify my expensive camera to the other half somehow.

PeteJ
21st November 2007, 09:22
And for the naive folk who think is a new idea to get on TV and generate publicity: two words - try it.

1. Mudplug 4x4 stuff is easy and cheap for a small camera crew to cover - a road race meeting at a full circuit ain't.

2. TV and other media coverage costs heaps and heaps - if you have a spare $60K this year, spend it to promote an event and see how little coverage it gets you. Sure, you can get some paid time on a low-reach channel, but that will not get you spectator feet through the gates.

3. The AMCC and other club officials some on this thread have denigrated for being tired old people with tired old ideas are constantly grappling with all the issues around the things you seem to think are new and bright ideas.

4. The clubs are desperately keen for some genuine new ideas and genuine new promotion. Come up with some, instead of this tired old lazy bullshit "They don't organise", "They don't provide", "I think $10 is expensive" stuff.

Those who can, do; those who can't, whinge.

NB the one avowed English person on this thread did not whinge. Well done, that man.

Sanx
21st November 2007, 09:31
NB the one avowed English person on this thread did not whinge. Well done, that man.

Who's that then? I'm English and I happily whinged...

Teambwr47
21st November 2007, 11:35
I think he meant me and for you future information I'm WELSH not English.:nono: :wavey:

I'm amazed that people here seem so pissed off with having to pay what's basically sod all to watch a days racing as a spectator. Obviously the guys who didn't go to watch, as they had to pay a whole $10 to get in, must be true bike racing fans eh........?

What did they then go and do for the day for less than $10.........

Club racing is mainly organised and staffed by volunteers in the UK although there are full time staff with some clubs and here like there none of us would be able to race if it were not for people giving up their own time. There will always be things an individual wants changed and the best way to change it, if that change is justified, is to get involved. Shouting from the sidelines will change sod all...........

I've not been here long enough to comment yet on how its all run but having got involved with organisation in the UK race scene while i was prevented from riding by injury......i realised just how much goes on behind the scenes of a race day and even more in the build up to a race weekend.

Congratulations to the AMCC i thought it was a great day even if the coffee was not so good.....apparently?

Sanx
21st November 2007, 12:43
I think he meant me and for you future information I'm WELSH not English.:nono: :wavey:


Nevermind. We won't hold that against you. Much.

I personally didn't mind paying ten bucks to get in. I had a great day watching some fantastic racing, and gas-bagging with some very cool people. I was just bitching about the coffee, which is almost as important to me as oxygen and nicotine.

Paying to get into places usually is justified. However, that rule doesn't apply to all places. Wales, for instance ... I'd have happily paid to get out, but to get in was taking the piss, I thought. :cool:

Teambwr47
21st November 2007, 12:56
Nevermind. We won't hold that against you. Much.

I personally didn't mind paying ten bucks to get in. I had a great day watching some fantastic racing, and gas-bagging with some very cool people. I was just bitching about the coffee, which is almost as important to me as oxygen and nicotine.

Paying to get into places usually is justified. However, that rule doesn't apply to all places. Wales, for instance ... I'd have happily paid to get out, but to get in was taking the piss, I thought. :cool:


:lol::lol:


You used to have to pay to get in and get out at one time but it seemed so unfair to tax the people entering the shite hole on the other side of the water that it was changed to just paying to get into Wales.:Pokey::girlfight:

PeteJ
21st November 2007, 13:19
I think he meant me and for you future information I'm WELSH not English.:nono: :wavey:




Oops - maybe I just gave credit for a shared Welsh heritage....

Sanx
21st November 2007, 13:44
:lol::lol:


You used to have to pay to get in and get out at one time but it seemed so unfair to tax the people entering the shite hole on the other side of the water that it was changed to just paying to get into Wales.:Pokey::girlfight:


Well, just think how us civilised lot felt. Pay to get into the country, and get terrorised by packs of leek-eating men with their close-harmony singing.

Teambwr47
21st November 2007, 15:22
Well, just think how us civilised lot felt. Pay to get into the country, and get terrorised by packs of leek-eating men with their close-harmony singing.

Jeezzz there would be very little harmony in my singing........:lol:

In all seriousness those bloody bridge's were a right pain when we lived back in the UK as we lived in Chepstow (right by the old bridge) and with my wife working in London and the closest station and big shopping malls being on the outskirts of Bristol it used to get a tad expensive at over £5 (near 14$) every crossing. Must be the most expensive 1 mile of toll road anywhere.

There is no reduction for regular users or people living close to them.

Affects people on both sides and transport companies paying over £15 (40$) every time one of their trucks crosses it must go mad at the yearly cost.

To add insult to injury its not even owned by a British concern....the bloody French own it and make a packet from charging Welsh, English and whoever else uses it.

Still well past caring these days.....it can fall down for all i care:lol:

PeteJ
21st November 2007, 16:13
Heh heh heh - the second to last time I went over that bridge, I was on a shitbox MZ 250 that was worth less than the toll...

The last time, on a VFR750 hired from Fowlers, was much more betterer. (And I was staying in Bristol just down the road from their shop, too, which was also good.)

Teambwr47
21st November 2007, 18:11
I know talking about a bridge some 18000km away has taken this thread somewhat off topic but.....

The two bridges are estimated to carry up to 100,000 cars a day at peak times of the year and most days around 70000.

When the bridge toll pasted £5 (13.5$) there was quite a lot of protest locally including a group of ten or so motorists who decided to pay every couple of days in 1p and 2p coins. There is only two ways to pay for the bridge, cash or electronic tag, you can't use a card of any kind so when they stopped and presented a bag of up to 500 coins it caused something of a hold up.......:laugh::laugh::laugh:

At least on a bike its free......:scooter::clap:

White trash
21st November 2007, 18:55
I had a great day watching some fantastic racing, and gas-bagging with some very cool people.

Like me. You're welcome.

twinshock750
21st November 2007, 21:59
Regards the $10 gate fee....I see the drifters are running soon posisbly Sunday fater next and they want $25 entry fee....

But I suppose you might see some slappers get their saggy hooters out.

Sanx
21st November 2007, 23:09
Like me. You're welcome.

I did ask at the gate to see if you were there actually.

"Is Jimmy Mair going to be there?"
"I don't know. Why don't you pay your ten bucks and find out."
"OK. But I won't be happy if Jimmy isn't there. I mean, he's almost as cool as Shirrifs."