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www.dunedinhog.com

Thunder in the Glens

Aviemore - Friday 28th to Monday 31st August 2009

There are only 2 tour places left with superior rally site accommodation. When I say 2 places, I mean 2 double rooms, so I suppose that's 4 people, really. John. Hadrian V-Twin Tours & Rentals

Attention traders, your contacts are Ron & Irene

SOLD OUT! Please note that all hotel accommodation at the Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort has now sold out for the rally weekend. As far as the rally organisers are now aware there is no accommodation to be had for this weekend in Aviemore itself unless there are any cancellations. There are camping facilities available on site for the duration of the rally. If you require hotel or B&B accommodation rally goers will have to look at Grantown on Spey, Boat of Garten, Kingussie and other surrounding towns and villages

If you are still trying to secure accommodation for your visit to this years Thunder in the Glens Rally you may wish to consider accommodation in the nearby picturesque town of Grantown on Spey. Details of accommodation can be accessed at: http://www.visitgrantown.co.uk/page-harley-davidson-thunder-in-the-glens-24.html

Grantown is also the stop over point for the Saturday mass ride out and to commemorate this event a special “one off” pin has been designed and is now available from organisers of this event for purchase at a price of £2 each. These are limited in number and will prove to be collectors items. Don’t miss out and order your pin now at: http://www.visitgrantown.co.uk/page-harley-davidson-thunder-in-the-glens-24.html Mad Dog

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Thunder in the Glens 2008 - The Emails

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Lots more comments and thanks on www.scottishhd.com

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George,

I was about to book tickets for the Autumn Blitz then I realized that they were asking £50 a head for camping!!! When I queried the morality of ripping people off like this - especially given that to get from Scotland to just about anywhere costs an arm and a leg - I was told that there were cabins left if I wanted one of them! I think they missed the point somewhat. (And I've always enjoyed New Forest events in the past).

I replied and cited the cost of camping at Thunder in the Glens, pointing out that we got t-shirts (very NICE t-shirts and the ladies ones actually fit ladies) as well as other bits and bobs. Having sent that, I realised that handing out complaints is all well and good but I hadn't sent a compliment to balance it.

So - A BIG well done for having organised the best rally in Britain this year. (HOG should take note cos the WORST I have attended was definitely Minehead!) I think the numbers speak for themselves. The people of Aviemore have to take some of the credit but the bands were excellent - better to have several venues too. There was even atmosphere in the hangar of the Osprey which I think has been missing in the past. I actually prefer small rallies (which HOG don't appreciate) but this was an exceptional weekend.

(Incidentally I have never camped at this rally before but cost has had to be considered this year)

Thanks to you and all your crew for a job very well done. (Don't go and put the price up now) ;-)

From Trish

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Hi just want to let you know that as it was our first HOG rally we were amazed, the friendly atmosphere, the way it was organised security wise, and the location was brilliant, the entertainment and all. But most importantly was the ride out on Sat. I was dumbstruck by the amount of bikes on the road, it was awesome and people along the way waving, never experienced anything like it so a big thank you for all your hard work in organising such an event.
The ride home was not so brill over 300 miles in the rain ha! With best wishes from Bev and Rolo, Northamptonshire England

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Our first time at your Rally and it was amazing. Everything appeared to have been planned meticulously - you must be very proud of the Chapter. Looking forward to TITG 2009.

Ian & Gill Foster

Nene Valley Chapter

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Dear George & Dunedin Crew
Well you did it again. What a fantastic weekend, the weather was fantastic, the music was great, and the people, well what can I say, everyone put their all into it. Dave hardly saw me all Friday what with all the catching up I had to do, well I do like a wee gossip. This is by far the best & biggest rally in Britain and I am ready for next year.
Thanks again George & the Dunedin Chapter. You did us proud.
BIG EL XXX

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Hi George
I just had to email you to say a big thank you and the Dunedin chapter for the great weekend at thunder in the glens and for you organizing the hotel so we could renew our wedding vows, the whole weekend was electric, in no small way to you, and we managed to get on the ride out too, how good does it get!!!!!!! Cant wait for thunder 09' anyway thanks George fantastic job, thanks

Ps
can you let me know when we can book 09' if at all possible

Mike Coleman

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THANKS FOR A GREAT RALLY IT WAS THE BEST YET FROM ALL AT PROVINCEWIDE N IRELAND

Regards
Stephen Polley

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Hi George.

Thanks again for an outstanding weekend at Aviemore. The organisation was excellent and it was certainly the Harley highlight of the year. Already looking forward to 2009.

Regards

Alex & Isobel Kinghorn
Provincewide Chapter

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Thunder in the Glens 2007 - The Emails

George/Richard

Transcript of reply to my letter of thanks from Bear Scotland.

Dear Mr McGregor

DUNEDIN HARLEY OWNERS GROUP - THUNDER IN THE GLENS 2007 Hog Rally

Thank you for your letter regarding the above.

The well organised and social aspect of the rally has attracted comments from our client Transport Scotland, and BEAR Scotland has been happy to play its small role in the event. The positive comments expressed by your group have been well received within our organisation, as you can imagine we do not get many letters of thanks. The letter has been circulated to all those who helped keep the network as clear as possible and this will continue for next year's Rally.

Once again BEAR Scotland would like to wish you and Dunedin Harley Owners Group many more years of Thunder in the Glen.

Yours faithfully

For BEAR Scotland Ltd

Colin Heggie

Traffic Officer

From the above I think BEAR Scotland are up for it next year!!!

Regards

Frank (Lonerider)

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Dear George,

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back in touch, but what a turnout eh?!!! Once again you all did us so proud with your phenomenal support for this event. On behalf of everyone I'd just like to thank you all for making this another resounding success. I cannot believe with the Summer we've had, we managed a dry day yet again (someone was looking down on us!). I don't think we had an exact count of machines, but I'm reliably informed that there were over 120; that is around 70% up on last year - incredible. It was another great afternoon, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves (and the bar was well and truly drank dry!!).

I hope that the Thunder in the Glens was another great success for Dunedin Chapter HOG. I believe numbers were up once again on last year. It deserves to be with all the hard work and effort you guys put into it. This year as a token of our thanks and appreciation for your support for HOG in the BOG, we would like to split the funds we raised with your nominated Charity ref: Thunder in the Glens. I think it's Maggies, but George I wonder if you could confirm this and let me know to whom the Cheque has to be made out to and where to send it etc. I think it's the very least we can do for you, as you've certainly helped us over the last 3 years.

With the numbers attending our event this year, it's quite obvious that our grounds are now not big enough to accommodate everyone (we thought this would happen eventually). So there will be a change of Venue next year; most likely it will be moved to the New Community Hall where there is much more space for parking in the grounds and the Hall can hold a lot more people. The big advantage is that if the weather isn't so kind then everyone can go indoors. It's fully equipped and saves a lot of messing around with gazebos and portaloos etc! The Hall had officially opened the weekend before our event, but with so many delays leading up to it, we decided to play safe and keep it at Granlea. At least you'll be able to see it for yourselves next year (and also what funds raised have been put towards). Anyway, there's plenty of time till next year, so will keep in touch to let you know the changes. Oh, just want to confirm your Rally dates for '08. I've provisionally got 22nd - 24th August; making a prov. date for HOG in the BOG as Sunday 24th August - perhaps you can let me know.

Well, I'm starting to get about a bit more and getting a bit stronger. I'm hoping to be able to discard the crutches and be given the green light to drive again on 1st October (when I see the Surgeon). I feel like a caged animal stuck here all day. Glen's now fully back to work and we've closed early this year. I'm told I'll be out of action for 6 months, so definitely no riding for me till next season. I got a swift payout for the bike and have promptly ordered my new one - a brand new '07 Fireblade (won't be reg'd till march '08). Well at least I'll be able to sit on it in time and it gives me something to look forward to for next year!! Hopefully I should be getting it delivered next week, so I'm really looking forward to that. Then it'll be a trip to the NEC at end Nov to replace my kit (still waiting for the payout for that!). Might not make it to the Scottish Bike show next year as we'll be in Daytona for the 1st 2 weeks in March (depends on the dates).

Well George I'll sign off for now and look forward to hearing back from you. Thanks once again for all your help and support.

Safe riding ( I can talk!!), Jackie

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Hi George, just a quick and very BIG thanks to you and the Dunedin crew for such a great time over the weekend. Arrived home safely,1,301miles in all. But worth every little ache and pain. Thanks again for inviting us to shepherd in the "Amazon" girls and become Dunedin "marshalls" for the ride-out. An honour indeed. I've ordered some stabiliser wheels for Richard by the way (eh? I don't remember falling off?). See you next year, Dave and Sandra (Meridian)

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Hi George, Once again you and the chapter have put on an excellent rally. Thunder in the Glens 2007 was brilliant and we enjoyed it so much. It is the best rally in the Hog calendar by far and we always look forward to coming up for it each year. We will be back next year and we are already making plans. We are proud to be members of the Dunedin Chapter even though we can’t be more fully involved living so far away but if there is anything we can do to help please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you all for your hard work and effort and for making us feel so welcome. Best wishes, Ken, Sue and Jimi Hilton

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Dear George and Co, A Thank You from Amazon Heart. I write to thank you all for your continued support for the Amazon Heart Thunder riders, and particularly for the welcome you gave us during our time in Aviemore. As you’ll know, the ride, in addition to raising awareness and funds, is intended to be a life affirming experience for the women taking on the challenge. Whilst the ride organisers can arrange the route and accommodation, it is support from people such as yourselves that raises the event into an unforgettable experience for the participants. Being invited to launch our ride at your rally, and particularly being given an honoured place at the head of your ride-out was a real privilege and an incredible experience: one you can be assured the women appreciated – you’ll have seen the smiles on their faces - and one they will always remember. Already we’re getting feedback from the participants about what the ride has meant to them, how it’s changed them and their view of how they can live with cancer. You were part of achieving that. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Heather Chapple. Chair, Amazon Heart Trust UK

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Hey there Mad Dog!! Just wanted to say a H-UGE THANK YOU to you and to the chapter for the wonderful reception you gave us. It was an incredible honour to be included in the massive ride-out - even bigger honour to be at the front! The sight of all those bikes behind us snaking through the glen was humbling and I spent a fair amount of time blubbering like a baby in the privacy of my Caberg.

All of the wonderful people we met at the Rally were so kind and so generous. What a magnificent way to start our ride. Please, please pass on our thanks to all who gave so generously of their time and their expertise in making us so welcome and so well looked after. You are quite simply the best!

Karina Gallagher

Changing Gears 2005 Rider

Amazon Heart Thunder 2006/2007 Rider

PS - one of my lasting memories will be of you shooting past us with your kilt blowing in the wind and the sight of an expanse of male thigh almost causing me to crash!!

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Hi George, I have been asked to send you an e-mail saying " thank you very much " from our club members who came for the first time to your show at Aviemore. They haven't been to anything like it before , only having done car shows previously. They were so made up with the ride out it was unbelievable to think that something like that made them so happy. They couldn't take in the amount of bikes that took part. Hopefully many of them will be back next year as so will Tam & Myself along with the other scottish lads. Once again many thanks for the t-shirts. As you said, the show gets better year on year. See you in August 2008. Keep well and ride safe. Kalie xx

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Hi George, Reference Thunder in The Glens, just to say thank you to you and all those involved in the organisation for a fantastic rally. Mary and I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the rideout, 1242 bikes, awesome. We have already reserved the date in our calendar for 2008, assuming it will be the same weekend. We are always stimulated to be in the Highlands and look forward to travelling from the flat lands of Norfolk to see you in 2008. Ride safe and ride Free. Trev the Rebel and Mary

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THANK YOU MARSHALS

To those who marshalled the 2007 'Thunder in the Glens' Saturday Ride-Out I would like to extend my and Sandy's thanks on behalf of the Chapter for your good work. Without your help the Ride-Out would not have been the great success it was.

Thank You all

Frank (Lonerider)

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