Thanks to minicabrio_uk who managed to get a pic of us...(mines the lowered IB mini one with viper stripes, noisy exhaust and massive wheels. Cheers to you all, can't wait for another run!

Lucky you drove past me just after Tom J!!!! Whereabouts are you based?? Wherever you are in the country there is probably a local club to cover you who organises regular events and things......

Glad you had fun!!!!!!!!

Jon

P.S. I really do like those wheels!! Perhaps wouldn't suit mine though.......shame......

Many thanks to Bob and all the others who helped organise this event.

We managed to clean the car when we got home before the storms arrived, hence no posts until now.

We had a great time on the last day of our holidays. It was such a shame that the weather coundn't hold out for the lunch stop, but it didn't spoil the day.

We met and chatted to many people during the day, thanks to them too.

I've included a few pictures here that are hopefully different don't duplicate the many fantastic pictures already posted.

Can't wait until the next run, we'll not miss it.

Brilliant Pics!
Im the one in the 2nd pic :D

Brilliant Pics!
Im the one in the 2nd pic :D

Just incase you hadn't noticed you are in one of mine......
Post: 161
Page: 11
Pic: 2

MiniMoocher!!
Aaaargh.... I thought I went all day without being captured on film (pic1)..... I am going to have sleepless nights over that now!!! lol ;)

Noooooooo.........Jon

Yeh I got that pic saved to my PC :D
I remember saying to myself - hes doing a good job to keep up :D

;)

Yeh I got that pic saved to my PC :D
I remember saying to myself - hes doing a good job to keep up :D

;)

Aye those convertibles are deceptively quick with their new gearing......

I emphasise (sp?) (94mph in 3rd))!

Jon

P>S> If you PM me your email address I email you a much larger pic!!

I have more . .

Here's some of both your cars, and also some others at the services.

We gave a donation for one of those fetching T-shirts you kindly produced and modelled.

Has anyone ever seen so much 'deposits' on the road in any one run before ?
After lunch when it had been rained on, we all took some home. Did you see the colour of the spray from the car tyres in front ?
I guess that's the Cotswolds for you !

Andrew

. . . last ones tonight.

To be fair, quite a few of us had travelled quite a long way for this run. I myself from Leeds.
If I can be honest the route left alot to be desired, no sooner had you'd got upto speed then you where then slowing again, maybe it was just due to the sheer volume of vehicles at the event that slowed things up, but was I the only one who didn't know what the hell was going on. Groups 1, 2 & 3 didn't seem to exsist so an obligatory bun fight insued what was the result, lots of people winging either commenting "Their driving too fast or Their driving too slow". On the plus side a very good atomosphere.
I only write what some people never dare say

To be fair, quite a few of us had travelled quite a long way for this run. I myself from Leeds.
If I can be honest the route left alot to be desired, no sooner had you'd got upto speed then you where then slowing again, maybe it was just due to the sheer volume of vehicles at the event that slowed things up, but was I the only one who didn't know what the hell was going on. Groups 1, 2 & 3 didn't seem to exsist so an obligatory bun fight insued what was the result, lots of people winging either commenting "Their driving too fast or Their driving too slow". On the plus side a very good atomosphere.
I only write what some people never dare say
:red: :red: :)

Perhaps I might be allowed to comment on what you dare to say.

1) You where not the only person to have travelled far. If distance is a problem then I suggest you stay at home.

2) The route has been painstakingly thought out to accomadate all not just one or a few
individuals again if it is not to your liking stay at home.

3) It is not a RACE meeting it is a gathering of like minded people trying to enjoy a day out and their cars. Again if it is not to your liking stay at home.

4) The atmosphere is always good at these meets

Just my initial thoughts on your what I deem to be a selfish posts.
If the moderator wishes he can delete this post if he considers it to harsh.

Getting lost is part of the fun! I have learnt to accept that now :D

As for the pace, there will always be fast and slow bits, depending on traffic and where you were in the convoy.

It has been demonstrated on previous runs that those at the back have more catching up to do than those in the front.

As for travelling a long way for the run, I can assure you were not alone - just take a look at the number of runs and events I have done since Feb 2002 on Apple's site ;)

No doubt there are parts of the country with better route and scenary, however, it takes more than just the route and scenary to make a run successful.

As for writing what some people never dare say, I believe you are not alone in thinking this way, and similar sentiments had been expressed elsewhere.

Having this many MINIs on the road in one go was a logistical nightmare, and if it proved to be too chaotic for your liking, then I suggest you opt for smaller local runs, some of them are known to involved "spirited" driving.

We aimed to please as many people as we can, and I apologise if you did not enjoy yourself as much as you would have liked.

I hope you would return to join in the fun in future runs :)

DK ;) :apple:

To be fair, quite a few of us had travelled quite a long way for this run. I myself from Leeds.
If I can be honest the route left alot to be desired, no sooner had you'd got upto speed then you where then slowing again, maybe it was just due to the sheer volume of vehicles at the event that slowed things up, but was I the only one who didn't know what the hell was going on. Groups 1, 2 & 3 didn't seem to exsist so an obligatory bun fight insued what was the result, lots of people winging either commenting "Their driving too fast or Their driving too slow". On the plus side a very good atomosphere.
I only write what some people never dare say
Oh you travelled from Leeds? Oh yipee, almost as far as I travelled, but not quite;)

The route was excellent, I would like to know what you found to complain about great country roads, then picture postcard villages, tourists waving to us all? The idea is to combine all sorts of driving, but most of all get a large group of MINI's together, get to know each other a bit more, and have a fun day, not race like a bunch of loons.

Groups 1, 2, and 3?? Well there were only 2 groups planned and it was divided in to 2 groups, I saw them, infact I was at the front with Soggy leading the second group, yes the 2 gourps did catch each other at times, but that has to be expected due to the size of the road, the amount of cars and the fact we have to remember the roads are for everyone not just us;)

Bun fight? If you had buns why didn't you eat them or share them around?:rolleyes: I have seen only one person whinging so far, and I am replying to him! If people are not happy with the speed at which they are travelling then move position on a regroup spot, thats what people normally do, but at the end of the day you set your own pace and speed and are accountable for your own actions. The run organisors are there to help not mother you, we are all grown ups now;)

I think you need to think about how a run is organised, it takes months of preparartion, running the route on your own, noting roads, distances, putting miles on your own car so others can have a fun safe day and raise money for a good cause. No one gets paid to do it, they do it as they love the car, want everyone to have a great time. I think before you come along blasting people out the water when you obviously don't have a clue you should think about the effort that it takes to arrange such a day!:mad:

Perhaps you should try organising one in Leeds, lets see how many cars you get and I'll soon be there, and I'll be more than happy to tell you how it compares to the EXCELLENT weekend we have just had.

edited 2nd
Does anyone know if GoMini turned up?
or was it similar to the NEC :mad:

Yes we were there. :) Great total everyone, now all I've got to do is write it all up. :eek:
G :ibblack:

That was a great weekend. Cheers to Bob and the team for organizing it and sorry about the weather at lunch time :rolleyes: Thanks to Elfie for (mostly) good nav although getting from Northampton to Cherwell proved to be the most difficult task of the day but we got there in the end ;)

Didn't take many pipcs but the ones I did take will go up later today.

Hi peeps

I've phoned the Moathouse today trying to track down MiniAdventurer's poster (no luck :( ) but they do have a framed MINI picture there.

If anyone has left their picture please call the Moathouse and ask for house keeping ;) 01604739988

;)

To be fair, quite a few of us had travelled quite a long way for this run. I myself from Leeds.
If I can be honest the route left alot to be desired, no sooner had you'd got upto speed then you where then slowing again, maybe it was just due to the sheer volume of vehicles at the event that slowed things up, but was I the only one who didn't know what the hell was going on. Groups 1, 2 & 3 didn't seem to exsist so an obligatory bun fight insued what was the result, lots of people winging either commenting "Their driving too fast or Their driving too slow". On the plus side a very good atomosphere.
I only write what some people never dare say

There is always one isn't there! That run was fantastic!

1. As for distance, there were loads of people who travelled ALOT further than you did to get to the start point!

2. The route was superb... The roads were great with some slow twisty bits and some very fast straighter bits!

3. If you didn't know what was going on.... there were 200 people you could have asked who probably did......

4. If the group you were with was either too fast/slow for your liking you should have asked around at a stop point as I did what speeds people were travelling at, and join a group that suits.... There were plenty of very fast groups (I know I was in one of them!)

The puddler pace was sedate (deliberately) but from what i hear from peeps in the 2nd group the pace was more than acceptable ;) I know a good few people had ALOT of fun ;) but given how many cars were there pace was never the intention for this run ;)

Oh i forgot to say

WELL DONE EVERYONE FOR RAISING SOOOOOO MUCH MONEY :D

The pace in the groups I was in through out the day was more than adequate :D There were occasions where you got up speed and there were occasions where you had to be quite 'careful', but this (& the route) put your driving and the MINI's ability to the test. The run is not a race and I went along at my own pace this was fine for me and the other cars behind me, as I ended up as lead car a couple of times. :D Good job I had a good navigator :)

Here is the video clip I promised earlier, had to zip it for uploading to mini2. It shows some cooper s' going crazy, its pretty cool!

Enjoy:

Darn it, this zip file won't open for me - says it's broken. Can some post the uncompressed file or email it to peter . alexander @ arvinmeritor . com? Obviously, wothout the spaces...

Cheers
Pete

Well said Rakey.

There was nothing wrong with the notes and pace.

We all know how much effot is put into a run that big. I can remember posting back in january some time ??

The run was a good laugh, good night before and a wicked weekend. No Probes.

Magik

I am very suprised to read of someone complaining about the route, speed and organisation.

I hope that those who organised dont take it to heart.

There are another 140 of us who had a great day out.

I thought that 85mph (on that private stretch officer) was fast enough, the route was lovely - places I have never been and the organisation outstanding. Mind you, I only travelled from deepest Gloucestershire.

A big run like that is a lot of organisation.

Thanks again.

Look forward to Mini-Trainers run. :rolleyes:

Sorry i couldnt do the run, fresh paint and allll :rolleyes: :D

Was a great evening tho :D

Have to say that skiny made my weekend tho ;) you are offically nuts dear :D The drive back was even more funny than the drive there......honda drivers ay skiny! :D



Hiya guys, sorry I didn't do the run but someone had to have the boring task of accompanying MC home ;) Seems like almost everybody enjoyed the run as always :D

You're right MC Honda drivers are great :) can't wait till I can be that ricey :D:D

I agree with what the majority of people have said, Brummie, Rakey, DK et al.

i think it was a great weekend, organised fantastically, but then im biased i was part of the organisational team ;) ...

For me the route was fantastic, i found the pace in the 2nd group at times quick but hey thats the fun of it...

to quote a lyric from my fave band RUSH

"if you cant pick up the pace, you wont stay in the race"..... Not that it was a race :rolleyes: tho

I switched to the puddlers group for the afternoon and enjoyed a nice sedate drive taking in scenery, using 2nd and 3rd gears mostly and splashing in and out of puddles.

I think that perhaps joining a big run can sometimes be very daunting and people can have an expectations prior... Sometimes i do prefer smaller runs like the SCNM club ones with 3-10 cars, but you cant beat lots of MINIs for a great day out. So no matter what is said or done.... some people will always moan about something. SO BIG THANKS TO ALL THE ORGANISERS:cool: it was my first Cotswolds Run and it wont be the last !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! roll on next year...

Well MINI Trainer I'm sorry it was not to your taste - but I've had great pleasure reading this thread and seeing that the vast majority had a great time ( only other negative I've seen is the food at the lunchstop which I will be talking to Prescott about.)

I'm not quite sure what your expectations were - it has been indicated all along that the event is not a race, that there would be a lot of cars, that some roads were likely to have hazards ( such as tourists etc) that would require you to drive carefully. The route did also have some roads that were included to specifcally allow a more spirited drive, and longer streatches of 2,3,4 miles or more without having a junction to negotiate. - and I can assure you the group I was in in the afternoon had quite a blast ;) Without blowing my own trumpet I'd say it's the best route i've compliled for a run to date and will take some beating next year.

Nobody on the day advised me that anyone was driving too fast or too slow - a couple said the Puddlers were faster than expected but they were enjoying it. As has been said before if it was too slow for you then you should have changed groups, or held back so you can then play catch up.

From your post and the posts of others I can only conclude that your expectation was incorrect and your run naivety were the root causes for your disappointment. The naivety will only be overcome through attending more runs so I hope you will continue to do so, but if it is racing you want then you need to attend a trackday.

Hiya guys, sorry I didn't do the run but someone had to have the boring task of accompanying MC home ;) Seems like almost everybody enjoyed the run as always :D

You're right MC Honda drivers are great :) can't wait till I can be that ricey :D:Dwondered where you got to skinny!

Minitrainer you make me laugh when we were lost at beginning that was the fastest iv ever been round roads following you, then afterwards you had my pace notes how you get lost again?

Well said Soggy :D:D

You are bound to get the odd one or two who dont like the way things are setup or how they are organised....its the nature of the british public! :D

There was no way that at midday on a summers sunday afternoon in that part of the world with 150 other mini's that this was ever going to be a gumball rally in the uk! the fact that there were no accidents or other incidents shows just how well this went....

Secret early morning runs are the notorious ones which clearly mini trainer you need to go on....where it is not advertised where you are driving or where you are heading...so you can blast away the cobwebs to your hearts content....I know of other car forums that do these...but certainly not on here...the 'Mini' attracts a different (some would say more sensible) audience.

There were lots of children in the cars in all of the groups...and we saw quite a few stood inches from the road in villages with their parents happily waving us along while we tooted and flashd our lights back...these were welcoming waves!! Why would we want to wreck a good reputation by driving like lunatics!?

Had there have been a camera safety van on the route where everybody was going over the speed limit-would you have blamed the organisation as well? More than likely! ;)

I though the attention to detail on the route and also the consideration given for the likes of "the puddlers" was fantastic...nobody overtook when they should'nt have...nobody flashed angrily back at us when we passed them and on the whole people were pulling over to let us pass...ALL SMILING :)

You knew you would get shot down by posting what you think....and It's not fair that we dont take your comments on board and listen to them...so granted, yes you have a point. HOWEVER this was never a race nor was it a group of people who needed to prove how much faster they can drive than anyone else!

i thought the run was challenging enough at times - and i loved it.... not sure about my passengers though :D. for the most part, it was a nice relaxing cruise, enough to take in the fantastic scenery around you. i love seeing minis in the distance... they look like lil' matchbox cars.

can't wait til the next run!

J

Post run pic....

And that's it!

lol