Summer Do Reflectons

Submitted by Howard on Sun, 21/06/2009 - 16:08

General Discussion

Looking back on what seemed to be one of the better Summer Do's in recent years and certainly one of the best attended, we are looking for your comments and reflections on the Do. What went well? Routes, Event Centre, Food,Photo Comp, Accommodation (indoors and out). What wasn't so good or could be improved on? We would especially like to hear from the first timers, how was it for you?

We would also like your thoughts on whether we should look at the same venue, but different routes next year? One option is to run from Saddleworth, re-staging our original point to point relays...

Lastly some thanks...

Tim for his organising of the Do and finding an excllent events centre
Tanya and Sharon for taking on the Team Captain role so enthusiastically
Colin and Jen for the Photo Comp and the Quiz
The 'Clean-Up' teams who blitzed Saturday nights' mayhem and those who cleaned up before we all left on Sunday.

Lastly to everyone who came along, mucked in and made a special weekend for us all.

Summer Do

Submitted by Suz on Tue, 23/06/2009 - 12:41.

hello

Sam and I had a brilliant time and want to say a special thanks to Sharon for allowing Sam to bike throught the pond on Friday night , for Tanya and her laid back approach when I lost the rubber ring in the bull field , to Pete for making the chariot race very hard work (15stone to pull?) and a massive thanks to all the organisers.
Apologies for not helping much in the tidy up

Suzanne and Sam

Midsummer Madness

Submitted by Ray on Mon, 22/06/2009 - 22:59.

I think we have a case for reducing the club subscriptions. We will start charging GP's to send all of their psychiatric patients to Saddleworth runners for a few weekends each year.......and so reducing the cost on drug use.

Great weekend. Should always be something for everyone, kids, partners, cyclists, drinkers and local things to do if you want to escape. The kids had a ball (and tyres, and a swing). As everyone else has said, thanks to Tim, Col, Howard, Jen who made the effort for the rest of us......cheers.

The star of the weekend for me though was Turbo.........not because he now thinks he's the best looking lad in Mossley with eight dots to his name, but he put us all to shame in the quiz and romped home almost single handed.

A few photo's.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondo46/sets/72157609781376961/

summer do

Submitted by TurboTom on Mon, 22/06/2009 - 19:53.

All in all a good weekend. Enjoyed it all especially the quiz.
One very slight criticism. A mix of longer and shorter legs and more ascending wouldnt go amiss as our run although fast was a bit cross-countryish. But still very good.
Must remember a sleeping bag next year :-)

Summer Do

Submitted by timrun on Mon, 22/06/2009 - 14:25.

From an organisers point of view it is not the weather or the venue that make a Summer Do, it is the people who turn up with a determination to have a good weekend.
A massive thank you to everyone for making it great. With extra thanks to Colin, Jen and Howard, also all the photograpers both profesional and amateur.
Found 1pr of childrens shoes beige leather c/w smelly socks.
Thanks

Chariot Modifications

Submitted by JillD on Mon, 22/06/2009 - 08:25.

I've been doing some research into chariot design for next year's Summer do (knives on the hubs seems worth looking into Tim). Never mind the bike legs, lets go for horse drawn chariots next year, Ben Hur style!...

I had a fantastic weekend and even enjoyed the Chariot race in a masochistic, near death experience sort of way. Well done to Tim and Colin for coming up with such a variety of things for everyone to do. The cloverleaf design of the legs worked very well and cut down travelling time to change overs. The location of Great Hucklow made this format a possibility as did Malham in the past though it's not always the case.

I think the venue was up at the top of the list with Abersoch for the best we've ever had. The accommodation, inside and out was excellent. Lots of showers, plenty of space indoors so dodgy weather was not a problem. Kitchen fascilities were adequate and the addition of a caterer who served us and washed up after us was a stunningly good development.

Yes, definitely use the place again next year. We realised years ago, in the infancy of this event, that the running was not the important thing when it came to the success of the weekend so long as there's hills and countryside to run through, the runners are usually happy. The crucial success factor is the venue and when you find a good one, use it as much as you can! After all you only spend a couple of hours running but you spend the best part of 2 days in and arounf the event centre.

I had a brilliant weekend and was really pleased to see so many 'first timers' there. I think the event has a future again, something I was not so sure of after last year's event.

Ben 'Her'

Submitted by Ginpet on Mon, 22/06/2009 - 12:07.

If you had seen the damage inflicted on my body by Jill in the chariot race you'd have thought that they were already fitted with knives on the hubs.

Missed it

Submitted by Chris M on Sun, 21/06/2009 - 22:51.

Sounds like you all had a great time. Sorry I couldn't make it.

Chris M

Good times at Great Hucklow

Submitted by colbish on Sun, 21/06/2009 - 21:31.

Thanks to Tim and everyone for organising the summer do.

Jen and I had a fantastic time. Great Hucklow was a great venue.

Good idea to have it so local. Everyone could make it.
Even if the venue shifts it would be good to keep it a similar short distance.

Thanks to all who entered the photo contest. Really good response from everyone.

I like the idea of running from Saddleworth if logistically possible.

Jen said that the most important thing is spending time with friends at the do and I think that is what was best about the weekend. Have to improve my ping pong tho'.

Thanks

Col

summer do - ok I'm being nagged - Summer Do!

Submitted by suek on Sun, 21/06/2009 - 20:17.

Again, thanks to all for a great weekend.
A fantastic venue, ideal to be repeated.
My first lot of club photos can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/39687345@N02/

Summer Doodle

Submitted by Tanya on Sun, 21/06/2009 - 19:53.

We loved it..thanks Howard, Tim et al for all the hard work. A special vote of thanks to Roy and team Alphin; the Sales Leader Bargain Time 1971 Class 2 Store Superintendant GM Spandler Cup proudly sits on our mantelpiece (Tanya having binned the wedding photo's to make room). Despite the natty name, we're more than happy to re-engrave for future events if anyone has any suggestions. Loved the Friday night run, and we'ld be happy for either a point to point or similar to this year (could biking be incorporated between running legs?).
Nick

Summer Do

Submitted by Ginpet on Sun, 21/06/2009 - 19:11.

We really enjoyed it and echo the thanks to Tim and the clean-up teams.
The venue was especially good as it meant there was somewhere to go when it rained, the showers were hot, facilities excellent and safe for the kids.
Using the venue next year is a good idea, it is only an hour away which makes it easier to get to on the Friday night. I take on board the suggestion of the point to point relay but there is also lots of lovely paths and tracks in the Derbyshire countryside especially around Chatsworth Park Estate.
As first timers, despite the sleep deprivation, we have not been put off and would definately do the do again!

Splendid Do

Submitted by frankldw on Sun, 21/06/2009 - 17:36.

I thought that the Summer Do was splendid - it was great to see so many children there again. Tim really did a great job in coming up with an all inclusive event, at a very affordable price.

I really enjoyed the evening social, but will aim to beat Ray to the main prize (photography) next time. Though of course, the real highlight of the weekend was the table tennis tournament!