Hi-Ex! Hell-Trek 2012

[COMMANDO FORCES]

It's that time of year again folks, are you brave enough to join an intrepid venture up this great country of ours to the friendliest convention out there, Hi-Ex! 2012

This will be exactly the same as the first Hell-Trek in 2010 which you can see here.

The general idea is this:-

Depart Maidstone around 17:00 on 'Thursday' the 29th March 2012 and drive up to Inverness using the shortest/quickest possible route. It has to be Thursday due to time constraints and you will want to partake in the bar on the Friday evening.
We return on Sunday the 1st April 2012 as soon as the con closes, so around 17:00-18:00. The Rad Wagon would already be filled with our luggage, so it would be a case of just putting your con stuff from the day in and then hitting the road.

The drive up is more leisurely than the drive back, as I have to get the Rad Wagon back to the hire company by 08:00 on the Monday, otherwise it's extra costs and that would be on me. This means that as we pick people up on the way up bods can have a fag and stretch their legs for 15 mins or so and then all climb back in and continue our journey. On the way back down it's a case of just jumping out (we will stop) and being handed your luggage and a quick goodbye.

The reason this is a great way to see a con are as follows:-

PRICE, I went to the vehicle hire place yesterday and at the moment a 9 seater mini-bus will cost £300 for the trip. Add onto that fuel, which I can't see being more than £400 for the whole weekend. Then break it down between 9 and you end up paying £78 for the return journey. If it was between 7 then it would be £100. Obviously I want 9 people and even then I don't think the fuel would be that much. That £400 for the fuel is a top end guess, I think between the 7 of us last time we payed around £75-£85 for the trek.

GUARANTEED whole weekend at con, you won't have to rush off on the Sunday afternoon to catch a plane/bus/train etc... because of their timetables. We leave after the doors shut!

DOOR TO DOOR (within reason), I want to use the shortest/quickest route, so I don't want to be meandering up the country.

A GOOD LAUGH, you'll be able to read how the whole weekend went if you follow the link earlier and go to page 71.

THE CONVENTION ITSELF, I'm sure you've all heard about it and know how good it is, well this is a great way to see it! If you've never been to a con before, why not make this your first and with a bunch of friendly faces from the forum.

All I am asking for at the moment is names & locations and I'm trying for the full 9. Once that has been reached then the route and timings can be figured out.

Once the names are confirmed I can then book the Rad Wagon. Now, due to one person ringing me a couple of hours before I left to cancel on the first Hell-Trek, I shall be asking for an up front and non refundable deposit (amount to be decided). This could be returned if another person takes your place, so think carefully before you commit, as it's unfair for everyone else to absorb the costs.
Once we arrive in Inverness I can then figure out the total cost for the trek, as I will be able to figure out the fuel cost , due to it being the halfway point.
One final thing, everyone pays the same amount for the trip, so if you live in Birmingham you pay the same as a person who lives in London. Just makes it easier and fairer!

The accommodation is easy enough. You can stay in the con hotel, The Ramada or like some others stay over the river in the Palace Hotel. That is something that can be decided a little later. If you are okay with sharing a room then the costs are even better.

That's about it for now, so if you are up for it then add your name to the list.

1. COMMMAND FORCES - Maidstone

[Large48]

By the rules of Shotgun, I call shotgun!

See all of you and witness and bow down before the rules of shotgun.

 

The only problem is that I could already be in Crewe filming....... 

2. Large48 - Epsom

[locustsofdeath!]

3 - Locust, Philadelphia PA...you can pick me up, right? Right? Make a special stop for one of the founding members?

[COMMANDO FORCES]

I somehow think a detour via the North Atlantic is slightly too far in just one evening my dear Locust 

So at the moment it's

1. COMMANDO FORCES - Maidstone
2. Large48 - Epsom

[spireite68]

Spireite68 (Simon) Junction 28 M1. That's 3.

[Gavin_Leahy_Block]

Yep, I'm up for this, again. Had a fantastic time at the last one and would recommended it. As long as you are okay to pick me up from Heathrow or Gatwick airport.

Gavin_Leahy - Airport.

[Trout]

I'd love to join in, but I reckon making my own way would be best, given it's a far shorter drive. We could always go in convoy if you're not passing at stupid o'clock...

[COMMANDO FORCES]

Excellent!

Great to have Gavin back on board and a warm welcome to Spireite68 & Large48 

1. COMMANDO FORCES - Maidstone
2. Large48 - Epsom
3. Spireite68 - M1 Junc 28
4. Gavin_Leahy - Gatwick/Heathrow

[Proudhuff]

Good Luck! see you up there 

[COMMANDO FORCES]

Just had a look on the revamped website for Hi-Ex! and it has the first guests up 

Colin MacNeil - Ferg Handley - Al Ewing
Gary Erskine - Michael Carroll - John Higgins
&
Cam Kennedy

[COMMANDO FORCES]

Just this moment received the news from the fifth courageous trekker to be added to the team and that person is none other than Jim Campbell. Letterer to the stars! (and PJ) 

So within a week we now have the following on board

1. COMMANDO FORCES - Maidstone
2. Gavin Leahy - Gatwick/Heathrow
3. Large48 - Epsom
4. Jim Campbell - Nottingham
5. Spireite68 - M1 Junc 28

A pretty straight forward route 

[W. R. Logan]

Really fancy Hi-Ex, 513 miles on the Bike, can my old bum take it.

[COMMANDO FORCES]

Why don't you ride along to a pick up point and join us, you know you want to. It can be dangerous up that A9 at that time of year, especially with a numb bum!

[W. R. Logan]

Have gone on about being the Hell Trek Hell Rider for so long that bugger it I'm gonna do it.
Hotel Booked 8-)

Now to tell Mrs Logan MkII the good news and buy her some extra seat padding.

[COMMANDO FORCES]

When are you going to tell her, the day before