Gallipoli 2010 - International Meet Up

During a few beers, glasses of wine, a curry, ciggies and a bit of reminiscing about Anzac Day 2009, ExpatinIstanbul, AdventurewithoutDementure and I had the idea for an international bike meet to co-oincide with Anzac Day 2010 (April 25). So we'd like your feedback and opinions and if it sounds good, we'll get organising!

Dates: Friday 23rd April & Saturday 24th April & Sunday 25th (TBC)

Location: Gallipoli, Turkey - we have a place in mind that has a bar, shower facilities, food and plenty of camping space.

Weather Guide: 10degrees at night, 20ish during the day. Perfect biking weather in fact!

Getting there and back.
Option 1: The Leisurely Stroll
Leave UK Saturday 17th April 2010. Scenic route to Turkey, arrive at site Thursday 22nd. Leave Turkey Tuesday/Wednesday 27th/28th, Arrive back in UK 1st/2nd May. c. 400 miles/day.

Option 2: The Mad Dash
Leave UK on Wednesday 21st, 2 days ride to Turkey inc. Ironbutt certification, stay at campsite for 2 days. Leave Turkey Monday 26th, back in Blighty on the 28th. More Iron Butt certification!

What to do whilst there?
Drink, socialise, see WW1 Monuments (see here for more info on Gallipoli), bike tours of the peninsula, extended tours to Istanbul/Troy etc., off roading tours. Anyone who has been to the area will vouch for its beauty, awesome biking roads and tracks, poignancy and general interest

Who will be there?
The idea is to open it up to all bikers/people of all nationalities. We'll communicate it across as many places/forums/mags as possible. Turkey currently has two bike meets in the middle of summer, and in the South of Turkey. This would be Turkey's only non-summer bike meet, so may attract a few Turks too. The peninsula already attracts thousands of Antipodeans, so even if a few people come along, there will be a party atmosphere.

How much will it cost?
The idea would be to keep costs to a minimum. We'd want to charge fees for services we provide only - e.g. tour guiding, a sweeper service (i.e. truck following behind with spares/trailor etc.). If you want to make your own way down, that's fine too. If you want to fly down and meet your bike in Turkey, I'm sure we can arrange that... for a fee! Camping in Turkey off-season like this will be very cheap. If you want hotels, it may be more tricky finding somewhere because of the aussies in the area at the same time, but a room will probably cost no more than £30/night B&B (and that's a generous guess). Beer will also be cheap. Attending the Dawn service on Sunday is free and quite an experience, but it is an alcohol free zone, so won't be to everyone's liking - the campsite will be down the road so won't be affected. Turkey is about 1800 miles from Calais, so you can work out your fuel requirements. If you travel via Italy and Greece, factor in a return overnight ferry (£100-£200) but you won't have to worry about special insurance, greencards etc for the Balkans - its all EU. You pick up insurance for Turkey at the Border for about £15. Depending on feedback, we may arrange for sponsors/activities/stalls etc.

What else do you want to know? What do you think? Sound like a plan to you? What are we missing? NB; ExpatinIstanbul will be at Tipporarryrrry meet, so please feel free to chat through your thoughts and ideas with him in then!!

I posted a thread a short while ago, asking there might be any interest in a GSer event in Turkey. There were a few positive replies, so can anyone who replied in that thread use this one to show interest.

Thanks.

David

What a top idea!

Sounds Interesting..

Are you mainly thinking of one organised group ride there, from UK ? i.e. 'The Lesiurely Stroll' option...

Perhaps it could be a destination for next years 'dash', I enjoyed the Turkey Trott a couple of years back.

The only iffy bit will be camping, Trots and dashes are traditionally bed and board only

Good idea though

Keep us posted

Shep

Gallipoli

Good idea, but not interested in mad dash, cannot see the point one can do that at home but why waste an intersting trip?.
Dave GS.

Shep said:

Perhaps it could be a destination for next years 'dash',
The only iffy bit will be camping, Trots and dashes are traditionally bed and board only

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Could well be up for this. NOT camping though, can't be arsed carrying all the gear when proper beds and stuff is so cheap.

I think both options need to be offered - a mad dash AND a leisurely stroll - there and back, so you can pick and choose. Maybe a dash there and a stroll back for you sir?

The advantage of having a support vehicle (aka Landie with trailer driven by a partner perhaps?) would follow and help either group on the way!

Im heading down there this weekend and will find out about accommodation. It may need to be booked in advance, but I'll find out and post findings.

My gut feeling is that anyone who wants B&B accomodation should sort it out themselves. If I can find 1 or 2 hotels nearby to the campsite, I'd post the details and let people sort it out direct with them. Would that be ok?

I will be there. At least for Saturday+Sunday.
Hey L, give me a shout if you need any input/help on this from a local.

L said:

My gut feeling is that anyone who wants B&B accomodation should sort it out themselves.

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No problem

I am definitely interested in joining you in Galipoli for a few beers/etc.
Was already planning on doing the short route (well less riding) via Ancona/Igoumenitsa ferry so give me more time to continue on to explore Turkey and maybe onto Damascus and Krak de Chevaliers.
Would be interested in either camping or b/b options.
Anybody want to share cabin cost on ferry?

Rod

Rod2240 said:

......the short route (well less riding) via Ancona/Igoumenitsa ferry....... and maybe onto Damascus and Krak de Chevaliers.
Rod

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I'll be going that way, I was also thinking of going into Syria and Jordan.
Andy.

im interested in this trip either option suits me. Ideally camping to keep the cost lower but yes sounds great.
Just a quick one, my GS 800 will be able to keep up with you 1200GS/GSA riders wont it??
Only had the beast 10 days and already planning next years trips Rod2240 if all goes to plan ill go halfs on a cabin mate

This looks fun. The route down is not so bad and it's lot closer than Istanbul.

sounds good to me, not sure about the dash though.

Homer1968 said:

im interested in this trip either option suits me. Ideally camping to keep the cost lower but yes sounds great.
Just a quick one, my GS 800 will be able to keep up with you 1200GS/GSA riders wont it??
Only had the beast 10 days and already planning next years trips Rod2240 if all goes to plan ill go halfs on a cabin mate

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What's all this nonsense about cabins? Cabin? Rough it on deck!

If you insist on luxury, then the best option is to take a 4 berth shared cabin. This year they were 80 euros pp, on Superfast Ferries. No curries the night before, mind.

I am definitely interested in this one, but I have a few things going on work-wise that might clash, won't be able to make a firm commitment just yet but please pencil me in as a hopeful for the moment.

And, I would favour the leisurely approach too.

David / Homer,

I'm not sure why Superfast ferries uses that name as their crossing time isn't any faster than Minoan Lines!
Minoan looks cheaper if you want a cabin, I checked for a 2 birth and on Minoan Lines it cost 264euro, Superfast was super expensive at 329euro. If you are a hard man like David/ expatinIstanbul and want (?!) to sleep on deck the price is comparatively the same at around 80euro. Personally as I get older I like a nice comfy bed now and then in between the camping so if anyone wants to share a cabin the offer is still there! The thought of a rough night on deck with expatinIstanbul, curry or not, doesn't sound quite as attractive somehow!!


Rod

Rod2240 said:

David / Homer,

I'm not sure why Superfast ferries uses that name as their crossing time isn't any faster than Minoan Lines!
Minoan looks cheaper if you want a cabin, I checked for a 2 birth and on Minoan Lines it cost 264euro, Superfast was super expensive at 329euro. If you are a hard man like David/ expatinIstanbul and want (?!) to sleep on deck the price is comparatively the same at around 80euro. Personally as I get older I like a nice comfy bed now and then in between the camping so if anyone wants to share a cabin the offer is still there! The thought of a rough night on deck with expatinIstanbul, curry or not, doesn't sound quite as attractive somehow!!


Rod

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Just so that you know. I'm a 17 year old sixth form female nympho slut, into sex with strangers, in public, and have a boys name.

Never mind though.

Superfast have better boats than Minoan.

I too am interested in this trip, the dates are good for me.
what type of roads to you think will be involved, I dont mind trail but I always travel 2 up.
This is a trip i wanted to do in 08 but did a lap of Europe instead.