Just to let you guys know I was inquiring about accomadation at Threadbo for the Snowy Run and its booking out fast so if you are thinking on going start making arrangments it looks like it may be bigger then last year.
Matt if your going this year we will try and hook up, last year was a bit hard with the weather and everything but hopefully by being later in the year the weather will be fine.
If anyone needs info
http://www.snowyride.com.au/pages/default.aspx?PageID=3&id=1
although they dont update very often. :thumb: :cheers:
I got an update letter about it in the mail last week. I was all set to go last year, had everything organised but had to pull out due to serious illness, hopefully this year I'll have the money and time off work (if I can find a job that is) to make it down.
Hi Guys,
Yes I'm going down this year. I was thinking leave on tues so I could get some ride time before the main ride on sat & then come home on the sunday. yes I will at the same place taking pics on the friday this time stop by and say hi :icon_mrgreen: Lukewarm maybe if you guys like we can meet up in jindy for tea friday late afternoon O0 what you guys think?
all the best matt:0 your friend
P.S could we please have this post made a sticky because it's a big event for bikes:):):):):) this year
Hi Matt sounds good I have already booked a place at Threadbo, if I see you at that stop again Ill pull over I have still got that photo that you took of me last year as my computer back drop every time I look at it I think why isn't it November yet.
Hope to see you this year down there Brembo its always a good time this will be my 3rd year so all should be good see you all there :thumb: :cheers:
cool I can not wait :):):):):):) I just can not belive I took a photo of you I knew you on your way but hey with a one in a 1000+ bikes that I would take that pic of you I was very lucky guy:) hey do you still have the vid from the day we went up the pass?
all the best matt:) your friend
Quote from: matt86to on June 22, 2006, 03:53:42 AM
cool I can not wait :):):):):):) I just can not belive I took a photo of you I knew you on your way but hey with a one in a 1000+ bikes that I would take that pic of you I was very lucky guy:) hey do you still have the vid from the day we went up the pass?
all the best matt:) your friend
You were lucky, barley got a picture all weekend of myself with all my gear and you get the picture I think I was the lucky one :laugh: I think I still have the footage if you send me an email I'll see if I can send it :thumb: :cheers:
Quote from: Lukewarm Wilson on July 02, 2006, 03:29:20 PM
Quote from: matt86to on June 22, 2006, 03:53:42 AM
cool I can not wait :):):):):):) I just can not belive I took a photo of you I knew you on your way but hey with a one in a 1000+ bikes that I would take that pic of you I was very lucky guy:) hey do you still have the vid from the day we went up the pass?
all the best matt:) your friend
You were lucky, barley got a picture all weekend of myself with all my gear and you get the picture I think I was the lucky one :laugh: I think I still have the footage if you send me an email I'll see if I can send it :thumb: :cheers:
I know & you know what goning to better this year I found how to take more then one photo :) ok I will PM :) thanks mate
all the best matt:) your friend
Got a letter in the ye olde mail today saying that 2007 will be the last Snowy Ride. Said it's due to the sheer size of the event, and the inability of the volunteers to provide enough time towards it. $1.5mil in 6 or so years isn't a bad effort.
Quote from: brembo on September 25, 2006, 02:15:34 AM
Got a letter in the ye olde mail today saying that 2007 will be the last Snowy Ride. Said it's due to the sheer size of the event, and the inability of the volunteers to provide enough time towards it. $1.5mil in 6 or so years isn't a bad effort.
Noooooooooooooooooooooo away this can not be happen
all the best matt:) your friend
Got the same letter I'm gutted :cry: :cry: :cry: :mad: :cry: :cry: :cry:
not long to go now guys only 4 weeks to go well 3 weeks until I'm on hol's can not wait 2 weeks off man I hope we have great then . we should have our starter packs next week this is going to be great :):):):):):)
all the best matt:) your friend
has anybody got their starter kit yet?
Not yet.
Change that to a Yes.
I got mined on fri :icon_mrgreen: so bring on the snowy ride and the Great weather the that weekend and the twos before & after:):):):):):)
yep got mine Im stoked when you see me the GS might look a little different to what you remeber just look for an 03 with monster faring and full exhaust system thats me :thumb: :cheers:
see you all there
Well my semi-organised accomodation plans fell through, dunno if I'll make it down for the ride. Might take a week of my time later in the year and take a tour of the Snowies.
Sorry to change the topic but
Quote from: Lukewarm Wilson on October 25, 2006, 04:37:07 PM
monster faring
Photo's please
Start a new thread if need be.
would love to but at the moment its still at the painters and just been told ready next week although he has had all this week :mad: but when I get it back I'll post a pic, I'm expecting it to look good the faring will be black and silver with a blue screen to match the blue, black and silver standard paint.
Also sorry to hear brembo you can't make it maybe next year for the last one. :thumb: :cheers:
I take it you've seen mine.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=28597.0
I like the sound of the colour scheme on yours. Should look good.
Thanks s4gs I hadn't seen yours and it looks good hopefully mine will be finished this week.
I was hopeing someone had done it already because I had a little trouble picturing it in my mind but now I have seen one I'm happy I use to have a givi screen on it but it was to big and made me look to old (well I am old but thats beside the point) and everyone kept asking me when I was going to get rid of the wall I had mounted to my handle bars.
The screen I'm getting isn't a genuine Ducati screen but a replica from a mob at seven hills although I would not recommend them as they were pricey and the moulding was not the best but once its painted it will be fine. :thumb: :cheers:
Forgot to ask how do you find it does it help or more there just for looks?
From memory, I've had it on since April, it helps keep the wind of a little but i did it cause i like the look.
The Duc. & Buell Blast are the only one's i've seen that i like on the naked. Visit pantablo's wed site as he's the first one, as far as i'm aware, that put a Duc. screen on. Hit the link and you will see the Buell screen plus there will be another link to pantablo's site.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=30024.0
How are you mounting the screen? I used 2 small pergola brackets that i cut back to suit. However, the Duc. mounting brackets need to be cut right back before the screen is painted. If you haven't worked out how yet, i'll take some pics of mine & send them to you.
Thanks for the link s4gs. I was given a mounting kit from the guys I bought it from it was a universal type that was utter garbage with usless instructions. Once I read the instructions and compaired it with the kit it made no sense at all so instead of attacking it and stuffing it up I told the spraypainter if he has a better method go with it because if he stuffs it up he can fix it, if I stuff then I have to start again and by the price of it all I wouldn't bother again I would probably spend the extra $$$ and bring in the full fairing from south america.
cost of faring $220 complete
paint $90
Fit approx $90
so at $400 it got pretty expensive alot more then I thought at first (but I'm a dumbass for misreading there catalouge prices when I ordered :cookoo:) so no one to blame but myself but hopefully it will look so good that I'll forget what I paid for it.
If your spraypainter cant fit it, send me a PM. One way or another, we'll get that sucker on. :thumb:
Now back to the Snowy Ride..
yes so who is def going and when , I know some are heading down on fri. also is anyone staying in jindy and may join us for diner fri night :)
all the best matt:) your friend
I'll be there but at thredbo, leaving sometime friday, Ive still got your mobile number I'll give you a call and can hopefully meet up on saturday :thumb: :cheers:
Enjoy the Snowy's guys, hopefully the weather's good for the ride and the days either side.
Looks like I'll be down there sooner than I expected, On/around the 16th Nov :icon_mrgreen: Might see if I can take some time either side of then and explore the area. Hopefully the ol' bike will make it that far and back with the engine in the condition it's in currently. Will have to take a few litres of the slippery stuff for the trip there and back. One of the guys reckons it might be the valve stem seals, another one reckons it could be the rings :mad:
Quote from: Lukewarm Wilson on November 01, 2006, 02:33:33 PM
I'll be there but at thredbo, leaving sometime friday, Ive still got your mobile number I'll give you a call and can hopefully meet up on saturday :thumb: :cheers:
cool fri and sat are looking good ( weather) so mate if you guys stop at Cooma on fri please give me a call and I will meet you up at the servo , which I probly be near taken photo's of the bikes comming by. also is steve comming with you guys?
all the best matt:) your friend
Hi Matt yaeh steve will be there so all good we usually stop at cooma so I'll give you a call we usually stop near the park for a bite to eat. So see you there.
Also Brembo I remember when we went for a ride your GS was blowing blue smoke so I would say rings but if your rings are worn chances are the valve stems are to, time will wear them all, it sounds to me your ready for a full top end rebuild nows your chance for the 555 kit, lumpy cam and big valves and a musical horn :laugh: otherwise another bike. How much oil is it burning at the moment also have someone do a wet and dry compression test it should tell you all you need to know. :thumb: :cheers:
Quote from: Lukewarm Wilson on November 05, 2006, 07:32:14 PM
Brembo I remember when we went for a ride your GS was blowing blue smoke so I would say rings but if your rings are worn chances are the valve stems are to, time will wear them all, it sounds to me your ready for a full top end rebuild nows your chance for the 555 kit, lumpy cam and big valves and a musical horn :laugh: otherwise another bike. How much oil is it burning at the moment also have someone do a wet and dry compression test it should tell you all you need to know. :thumb: :cheers:
I'd have a new bike if I could afford one, unfortunately unemployment doesn't accomodate new purchases too often. The amount the bike is using is rather excessive, went upto the hunter valley the other week and back (500km) and the oil level went from F to L.
Looks like I might also have some last minute accomodation in Jindabyne for the snowy ride as well, what time/day are you guys going down? It might be a good idea for me to tag along with a group incase my bike decides to die in the arse. I'll have to pack some oil for the trip :oops: Times like these it'd be great to have a 2nd bike or a mate to bludge one off.
I'm leaving today which a litttle short notic I think everyone else is leaving on fri mor give Lukewarm a PM or ring if you have has mob :) anway safe riding on fri & hope to see ya down there
all the best matt :) your friend
Just PM'd Brembo with my details so hope that helps.
Yeah sorry Brembo forgot the unemployed bit, but that is pretty excessive consumption but you will be welcome to join us if you want you may want to put some type of additive in the oil like one of the wynns additives to slow down the consumption :thumb: :cheers:
I've picked up a few Litres of oil for the trip, booked and paid for the accomodation, just need to pack stuff for the week away, and I'm set.
I'll shoot off an SMS tomorrow morning LW to sort out the details.
And we're back in Sydney, 1 stop off in Goulburn on the way back from Jindy, so I'm sore all over :cookoo:
Ended up finding a few guys I know at the pub in Jindy and rode with them on Saturday. 324km round the mountains.
Greeted by beautiful weather on Saturday morning. Started in Jindy where the other guys finally registered :icon_confused: we all got the stamps and off we went, passed Berridale, stop off at Adaminaby to get a stamp, blast into the park passing Kiandra, Cabramurra, stopping at Talbingo pondage for a breather. A menacing caravan tower appeared on the mountain while we caught our breath, and I've never seen 20 bikers gear up and get moving in such record time :icon_lol: Down to Khancoban, stop off for fuel and another stamp on the cards. Talk of 2 HWP cars to the south, and someone getting done for 180kph in the 80 zone :nono: Started off again down the Alpine way on the way to Thredbo stopping off at Scammel's Spur lookout breifly for a photo. Just north of Thredbo, right hander, sharpening corner, I guess I thought it'd be a nice time to take a shortcut offroad. Slight sphincter pucker moment, kept myself upright and off we go again. Brief stopover in Thredbo, get a stamp, drop in my and a mates card, then back to Jindy to have a shower and pass out for the night.
Was inside for most of Wednesday, 'bout 1:30pm when I noticed those little white flakes falling from yonder sky... SNOW! :bowdown: I had to be in Cabramurra for 10am Thursday, so left Jindy at 7am to be sure I left enough time. Minus tempteratures and a brisk wind made the cold hit home well and truely. 3 shirts, a jumper, 2 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of gloves, but only 1 pair of socks and by the time I hit Berridale couldn't feel my feet, or my fingertips. -1 when I got to Cabramurra at 9:30am :oops:
Tiny bit warmer on the uneventful trip back to Jindy Thursday arvo.
Woke up early, packed my kit together, cleaned the apartment and headed out of Jinday at 9:30am, got home at 2:30pm. All up I think I clocked over 1700km for the week, quite enjoyable apart from riding in such cold temp's.
I took and absolute arseload of photos, I'll sort through them later, stitch together a few panorama's and post up a gallery.
Sounds like a great time & well done on keeping it rubber side down. Be sure to post some pics. :thumb:
(http://luke.ugbox.net/albums/snowy06/Frosty.thumb.jpg) (http://luke.ugbox.net/albums/snowy06/Frosty.jpg)
Mmmmm chilly.
Wow that very cold :o I glad you had fun down on the snowy ride mate. good write to :):):):) bring on next year :icon_mrgreen:
Here my report
Day 1 Tues
I look at the weather forecast for the day yes at 6.00am mmm maybe some rain. well I also had a look at weds weather to which was going to be great down at the snows ( I thought what a great day to do the big loop around the snowys) .
So 8.00am come I finish packing the bike and saying my good byes, also I thought it would be a great
Time to put the wets on by the way the weather was looking , this also mean that I need to change my ride down I was planning to South via Princes Hwy to The Clyde from here to Bungendore then onto East Jindy , but because the weather was not looking good I went up the KV to Bundanoon, Wingetto & Tallong ( which keep me off the highway until Goulburn where I fill up . From Goulburn I went to Tarago, Bungendore then onto Queanbeyan stop here for something to eat from here I made one more fuel stop at Cooma then it was onto east jindy .
I had fine weather until I got about 15kms out of Queanbeyan when I got hammed big time. Anyway I was off to bed thinking that the weather was going to rain all day wed not happy you know because this was going to be the day I do the Great Ride.
Day 2 Wed
I woke up thing that today was going be not a good for a ride Well wasn't I wrong I had a very long look out side and all I could see was Blue Blue & lots more Blue , So I thought mate this is what I was dream for so I warm but little baby up and head off to Cooma were she was fill up and then it was time to hit the road my first stop was Adaminaby what a nice place to stop for something to eat. Up the snowy MTNS highway left at Kiandra this part of the road was not to bad lots of 35km45 km some were not the best to see around but still good. Now this is were I went sight seeing J I come up to part were the road goes left and right well me thinking that If I go right I should end up in Khancoban? Well half way down I thought to myself this does not feel right and guess what with in the 5 kms I had a sign that said Tumut so many kms Now I knew I had taken the wrong way but hey man it was a great bit of road (Elliot way) Anyway I finely got back on the right road to Cabramurra , How good is the Dam that you must go over ( yep I thought this is were the guys took your good photo's from .
I pretty much rode to Khancoban for fuel and a rest to which I need after that Great ride JJJJJ I stop for an hour already to go I head to Thredbo I did make a few stop before I come into Thredbo ( pics to come ). Now I really pref the run from Khancoban to Thredbo I loved it JJJJJJJ. From Thredbo I end jut out side jindy at Sawpit creek a nice little area. I finely made it back to east jindy 6.30pm.
Day 3 Thursday
You know the night before when you have a GREAT Sunset that the next day is going to great & I could not let this day go with out going for a ride. Will I needed to go to Cooma to doing some banking first from I went back to Adaminaby and then I went a diff way back to jindy by Rocky Plains.
Some very nice bit of road to ride.
Day 4 Friday
Well Friday is my rest day that's right but I end up at to servo at east jindy taking photo's (which are to be post soon).
Day 5 Saturday
The Ride Day, The boys were heading back to do the Thredbo to Khancoban and back. I thought I would do another run because I had already been there, so I meet Steve in jindy from here we went to Berridale, Adaminaby, Cooma and (Dalgety) Well we miss the right hand turn & end going to Nimmitabel were we thought then we had taken the wrong turn but hey we found nice road in a way. From here back track to Cooma & head for Thredbo because time was a thing we need to be back by 4.00pm. back at Thredbo I meet with a old friend from the GS 500 Club that I'm a member with. It's so great to see old friends that's you don't see so much now. I left Thredbo about 5.30 with most of the other bikes man there was lots of bikes.
Day 6 Sunday
Time to go home dam it don't you hate it. After a clean up we all head off for home most of us went the highway I think ? after we stop at Cooma for Fuel we plan to stop at Queanbeyan for something to eat . I ended up keep going because I really just want to get home and with the weather looking the way it. I only wen't pas one cop on the way home and that was on the main highway ( he was doing speed check with the gun . When I went pass he took the gun away from the road ) what a nice policeman my last fill up at Goulburn from it to moss vale , KV & last of all Home . In all I did 1770 kms man what a good ride it was bring on next year one.
Photo's to come very soon guys:)
What a great ride beautiful weather except for the ride home from Tathra to Kiama rain, rain and more rain with a bit of wind, after the snowy ride we rode down to orbust in Victoria on the east coast then to a town called Mylo or mylong something like that where the snowy river meets the ocean got rained in there for an extra day which to be honest I was happy to get off the bike for a day but otherwise all good.
Brembo how did the oil burning go? because I have to say the few times I was behind you I didn't see any blue smoke like last time we rode.
Big apoligies to Matt for stuffing you about after the ride with waiting for steve and his his 200cans of VB to be finished as you could see by steve he is a born drinker and if there is VB about he is the emovable object.
oops got to go its time to go home
That's ok mate you know that the best is if a man is having a VB just wait ( more VB = a Happy Man :):):):) )yes it was a Great weekend or week for some :icon_mrgreen: anyway Here are the photo's from tues
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-2.jpg)
This photo shows the weather I was just about head into:( boy I had it alway to jindy
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-0.jpg)
and here is a pic of my bike :( I still have not polish my pipe yet.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-7.jpg)
Wed ride Day:):):):):):):):):):):):)
I need to do a test photo so I thought this would do
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-6.jpg)
when you wake up to day that looks like this you know that it's a Great day to ride
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-3.jpg)
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-4.jpg)
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-5.jpg)
I will try to post about 5 to 6 pics in one post
nice pics keep them coming :thumb: :cheers:
Here are some more photo's from Wed's ride
How good is this part of the road :twisted:
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-9.jpg)
another one you got to love these 35km to 45kms :):):)
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-10.jpg)
my bike
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-11.jpg)
more weather pics
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-12.jpg)
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-13.jpg)
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-14.jpg)
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-15.jpg)
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-16.jpg)
now this is were the fun starts :twisted:
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-17.jpg)
how good is this dam that you need to go over :)
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-18.jpg)
Quote from: matt86to on November 23, 2006, 03:05:23 AM
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g59/snowman84au/snowy2006/2006-17.jpg)
That sign looks familiar, when I passed it on the Thursday it was -1 or -2C, there was a small dusting of snow on the hills too.. Big difference from the 25C range temp is was on the Snowy Ride Saturday.
The road between Adaminaby and Kiandra (near that sign) is great, not so much when you can't bend your arms much due to so many layers of clothes lol
Now back to ride photos;
Lake George on the trek south;
(http://luke.ugbox.net/albums/snowy06/LakeGeorgepano.jpg)
The group before we set off for the Snowy Ride;
(http://luke.ugbox.net/albums/snowy06/Grouppano.jpg)
Quote from: matt86to on November 23, 2006, 03:05:23 AM
how good is this dam that you need to go over :)
Tumut Pond Dam, part of the supply line for the Hydro stations :) Here's another view;
(http://luke.ugbox.net/albums/snowy06/TumutPondDamPano.jpg)
Murray 1 Station
(http://luke.ugbox.net/albums/snowy06/Murray1pano.jpg)
Scammel's Spur Lookout
(http://luke.ugbox.net/albums/snowy06/ScammelsSpurPano.jpg)
And now some shots of Jindabyne;
(http://luke.ugbox.net/albums/snowy06/JindabynePano3.jpg)
(http://luke.ugbox.net/albums/snowy06/JindabynePano2.jpg)
Now to get off my lazy arse and change the oil to that Motul 1000 I picked up ages ago...
Very nice shots :thumb: :cheers:
very nice photo's mate I love the sunset O0 , We had some very good one in mid week too I will post the then with my ride photo's
all the best matt:) your friend :)
P.S Lukewarm I have a good photo of You well three :icon_mrgreen: but you will have to wait :icon_razz:
Snowy ride 2007?
Is there one and if so when, and how do i get on it?
Old man :cheers:
Yes, 10th November, www.snowyride.com.au
what's this area like to ride through in summer, early jan? thinking of following the Murray from here in SA and ending at Jindabyne or there abouts.... maybe a few rides through the mountains (Charlottes pass? etc) then back down through Vic to SA....
havent ridden jan down there but it would be colourful and warm its always a good ride there except winter for the obvious reason :thumb: :cheers:
Bugger!
I'm on a 2day bushwalk on the Kowmung in Kanangra Boyd that weekend. Maybe next year.
Old man.
Quote from: Lukewarm Wilson on October 20, 2007, 04:34:02 AM
havent ridden jan down there but it would be colourful and warm its always a good ride there except winter for the obvious reason :thumb: :cheers:
yeah, heard there are many great rides in the area ;) any idea about how busy it is that time of year? I'd just be camping so wondering if I'd have to book etc
no you should be right, I went camping up there about 4 years ago no booking and plenty of space but that was just before winter when I went but you should have no problems. Most people don't realise how nice it is there out side of winter :thumb: :cheers:
Anyone heading down for the ride this year? :thumb: :cheers:
Nah mate
Quote from: Lukewarm Wilson on October 23, 2008, 10:54:22 PM
Anyone heading down for the ride this year? :thumb: :cheers:
I am. First time, too.
Quote from: philward on October 29, 2008, 05:14:07 PM
Quote from: Lukewarm Wilson on October 23, 2008, 10:54:22 PM
Anyone heading down for the ride this year? :thumb: :cheers:
I am. First time, too.
Glad to see someone else heading down you will have a lot of fun, this is actually 5th year attendance.
Although I am cheating this year by taking the car as its my turn to be the luggage carrier this year for our group as last year one of the guys took his car due to an operation on his hands and carried the luggage so we could all free ride with no luggage which was great so I put up my hand for this year and will ride again next year so hopefully this year I'll drive up to Threadbo (staying in Jinndy this year) and test ride Honda's bikes.
So where are you staying? Also take it slow if you do the Khancoban stretch as there is always cops there over the full weekend. DO the Charlotte Pass stretch as its one of the best roads down there. Also its a lot of fun at the Dalgety stop.
So if you see a little red Diahatsu Sirion GTVI stop and say hello. :cheers: :thumb:
Quote from: Lukewarm Wilson on October 30, 2008, 02:46:57 PM
So if you see a little red Diahatsu Sirion GTVI stop and say hello. :cheers: :thumb:
Likewise if you see a black naked GS with twin lights and a yosh. :cheers:
I took the GS up the Snowy Mountains Highway the other day from the Hume Hwy to some caves that were up in the highlands.
There was a nice section of road that climbed the mountain :thumb: twice as much fun coming down it!
Well its that time of year The Snowy Ride is on the 5th Nov & I was wondering if anybody else is going down?
I'll be going this year, don't know what Ill be doing with accom, first year going on it :S .... but I hope to meet up with some of u guys haha :D
Any GSTwinners planning to do the Snowy Ride this year? Just confirmed all my details, we'll have about 15 or so travelling up from Dubbo and Surrounds for it. Myself on the GS, my younger brother on his BMW F650 Funduro, the 'rents on their Canam Spyder RT, a few assorted friends of theirs on assorted bikes. Then there's the local mob that ride out for this sort of thing that mostly ride metric cruisers.
Its that time of year again! :woohoo:
I asked last year and was met with deafening silence, so I'll ask again! Any fellow champions here planning on going this year?