Events - support.

Z Victor 1

Z Victor 1

Formerly "Ontiken1"
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 4, 2015
Points
194
Location
Little Eaton,Derbyshire.
Model of Z
Zedless.
There used to be lots of support and participation in events and tours from members, but sadly this seems to be on the wain.
Without the brilliant efforts of @Stevo7682 and @andyglym the tour calendar would look very slim. These events are well supported, but by fairly regular members.
Various shows are posted in the 'Events' section each year, but again the members taking part has dwindled in recent years.
Strangely, the new membership seems to keep growing, but we rarely see members at events.
Winter is round the corner, but it would be really nice to see a few more of our much loved zeds at events next year.
 
We have folk from all round the UK and further afield but sadly, as you say Ken, events for drives are few and far between. Many of course do happen at a local level but folks need to step up and organise, organise and they shall come. No need to be big or long weekend events but they are good.
 
I'm happy to do a Peak District one day run next year, but as the Peak gets so busy at weekends it would only be for about six cars. Also, I'm no sat nav expert so there would only be a route on paper. With only around six cars it should be possible to stick together anyway.
It would be nice if one of our proud Welsh members did a tour of that beautiful country. ;)
 
I think a lot of people don't realise the social side of the runs. We have met people that we would now consider to be friends on runs. We have done about 8 of @Stevo7682 runs. Unfortunately we will miss @andyglym this year, but to us having the craic over a beer and dinner is as much a part of the weekend as the run. As for one in Wales we would be all over it. Ireland was muted a couple of years ago but that petered out.
A possibility is that even though membership is growing we need to make new members aware of how to follow the events forum, so that they get an alert when a new event is announced. It took me 2 years to find that bit out.
 
Interesting.....we've been talking about putting on a north yorkshire moors run for about 4 years but life got in the way! We have ideas for a route and maybe next year we can make it happen. Would probably base it out of York PI which still has its Beefeater and Wetherby whaler next door for fish n chips, plus decent fuel on site. Thanks for the prompt Ken
 
'..organize and they shall come..' ,if only that were so @andyglym . For example I know that @Paul Rice has organized runs, but been disappointed by the lack of interest. He even stepped in to offer a run when one was cancelled in the same area. No take up! Even though some people were already booked in to hotels in the area they chose not to join the run. :confused: The run we had on Sunday, to Hornsea, was very enjoyable, but without including BMWCC there were just three of us. He has tried with events on here, but the take up is very poor. :(
 
Z Victor 1 said:
'..organize and they shall come..' ,if only that were so @andyglym . For example I know that @Paul Rice has organized runs, but been disappointed by the lack of interest. He even stepped in to offer a run when one was cancelled in the same area. No take up! Even though some people were already booked in to hotels in the area they chose not to join the run. :confused: The run we had on Sunday, to Hornsea, was very enjoyable, but without including BMWCC there were just three of us. He has tried with events on here, but the take up is very poor. :(
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I get what you are saying Ken, however I can see @andyglym point.
In a way it's how you sell the thing.
On write ups in the main all we see is either lines of cars or cars in a row going over a hill. On some occasions we might see a point of interest, but not very often.
I have tried to post pictures of my surroundings or things that may interest people when I have been on a run.
Like @Rod and Kate I have thought of a couple of runs.
But like them life didn't just get in the way, it built a big wall in front of it.
The thing is it takes a lot of organisation, but if maybe 3 or 4 got together and spread the load a bit, it might ease the workload.
I am happy to put my name forward to get involved in 2027, however that comes from someone who has just done a 28 day tour of France, Italy and Spain in a G29, and is currently on day 2 of a 189 day tour of Europe and North Africa in a motorhome, so not on the ground so to speak until Easter 2027.
 
Good thought to bring this to light Ken. Does Paul put events on the Z4 forum, as when we attend these runs there well turned out. Just a thought? We're daft/brave enough to join the Z4 bunch for a drive, but maybe other Z3 owners, not to sure?
Have to agree with Paul, it's not just the drive but the social side of these events.
 
The only 'big runs' I go on are the National Meet, as I got fed up with being stuck in traffic, or losing people when we hit junctions, roundabouts, traffic lights when there was more than about 6 cars.

Even when we go to the 'Ring, we give everyone route options and tell them to either meet up beforehand for the same train/ferry, or make their own way there and meet us at the hotel in Germany.

My Welsh, Peak District, Lake District, Yorkshire Moors, etc. trips are only open to 4 or 5 people that I know personally from my previous M5 and Corrado VR6 days, as I know how they act on a run and can trust them to not to take any risks that could put themselves or others in danger. It also means stopping to gather the group back up does not need a 2 mile long lay-by to do so.
 
Agree totally with the comments above, putting on multi day tours is a very time consuming job which is why I highlighted the sterling efforts of Andy and Stephen. Also, I am particularly cognisant of the social side of our activities. That's what makes these events so enjoyable.
I'm a Z4 owner (had Z3 s too) and I've been on several 'Z4 organized' runs, but was put off by some of the driving by participants.
I posted this thread as I've had the same comments from other members who feel that the participation in events and the associated social aspect of our group has sadly diminished in recent years. Let's try to make next year more interesting and enjoyable for all.
 
Interesting thread. I believe the Zshed days really help provide a fun and informative way of members not only learning about how our cars work but also provide opportunities for us to get to know each other and share banter. I miss the Shed days Tony organised and wish there were more of these dotted around the country so we could all meet up. Butties and banter with a good dollop of learning how our cars work are brilliant.
Any takers with big garages to offer their expertise?
 
Having attended and organised quite a few runs over the years I agree with all the sentiments above. We have a very wide circle of friends purely as a result of said runs. And yes it's the social side which makes it for us.
Organising a run seems to have got much harder recently. Place to stop for coffee or lunch now want pre orders and deposits which does make it much harder for the organiser.
In the past, I've literally spent hours sorting routes, arranging meeting places, arranging stops for coffee and lunch weeks in advance. Then we have driven the routes to fine tune them then on the day some people have simply not turned up as the weather was inclement.
Let's hope 2017 is a better year. 🤞
 
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