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#137406 - 28/01/2003 14:02 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: rob]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Keep checking the airline web sites until you get a fare you like.

That's kinda hard to do when there is no date set for the event.
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736

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#137407 - 28/01/2003 15:03 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: jimhogan]
Cas_O
journeyman

Registered: 17/05/2000
Posts: 92
Loc: 's-Hertogenbosch; the Netherla...
Actually, there's this one bizarre rule whereby traffic coming from the right on an "equal" crossing or junction (no indicated priority for either road) has the right of way.

If you're not used to it, it can catch you out, on what looks like a normal through-road where you expect to have right of way, there's all these idiots pulling out right in front of you!

Other than that, it's exactly as you say.

Looking forward to this, my first Empeg meet, I should be ashamed as I'm about 80km away and missed the two previous ones ...

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#137408 - 28/01/2003 15:13 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: Cas_O]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
    Actually, there's this one bizarre rule whereby traffic coming from the right on an "equal" crossing or junction (no indicated priority for either road) has the right of way.
It's the same in the US. From the NC Driver's Handbook:
In reply to:

In intersections without traffic signs or signals, the right-of-way rules state that:

  • the vehicle already in the intersection has the right–of–way ahead of any car that has not yet entered;
  • when two or more vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, the car to the right has the right–of–way;
  • a vehicle with the right–of–way may move straight ahead or, if legal and after signaling, turn right or left; and
  • even with the right–of–way, be careful to avoid hitting other vehicles and pedestrians.
When two facing vehicles approach an intersection at the same time, the right-of-way rules are not much help. Both drivers can move straight ahead or turn right. If one driver is going straight while the other wants to turn left, the driver who wants to turn must wait. The driver who wants to turn left must give the proper signal and wait until the turn can be made safely. Therefore, in this case, the driver who is traveling straight ahead has the right–of–way. Never change lanes while you are moving straight ahead through an intersection.


(God, I hate the limits of the markup on the BBS.)
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#137409 - 28/01/2003 15:49 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: wfaulk]
Cas_O
journeyman

Registered: 17/05/2000
Posts: 92
Loc: 's-Hertogenbosch; the Netherla...
Ah, I see... Does this apply to those crossings with the big STOP signs where you have to come to a complete standstill, even if there's no-one around?

Here in NTH traffic from right always (provided there's no indicated priority on through-road) has right of way, the car at the through-road has to drive at sufficiently low speed in order to be able to stop and let cars from the right in. Just as silly as eating fries (or should I say chips in true UK parlance?) with big gobs of mayonaise on top (yum!).

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#137410 - 28/01/2003 16:07 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: Cas_O]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
In the US, most normal intersections will either have traffic lights, a 2-way stop (that is, the drivers on one road must always stop, regardless of traffic), or a 4-way stop (where all drivers must stop, regardless of traffic). Some intersections will have something different, but that probably covers 95% of the cases.

The only one where there are issues is the 4-way. Those rules apply there, too. In fact, they apply any other case where the right of way isn't abundantly clear (like at a 3-way stop where the two drivers are both at stop signs).

(Those rules I quoted were specifically for the State of North Carolina, but I imagine that the rules are very similar, if not identical, in all other states.)
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#137411 - 28/01/2003 16:22 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: wfaulk]
pim
addict

Registered: 14/11/2000
Posts: 474
Loc: The Hague, the Netherlands
What would be the cost of transportation to Amersfoort from Frankfurt or Amsterdam? Maybe I could rent a car and drive.

I can't tell you what it costs, but it would be an experience if you have
never driven on the Autobahn. Remember there's no generic speed limit
in Germany. This could be exciting, but it can also be nervewrecking.

It's not unusual that average speeds are 80 km/h on the right lane,
and 180 km/h on the left lane. Always check your mirrors twice or
three times before overtaking.

Driving in the weekend is more relaxed (and faster), when trucks are
banned on the Autobahn.

Pim

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#137412 - 28/01/2003 17:41 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: wfaulk]
schofiel
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/06/1999
Posts: 2993
Loc: Wareham, Dorset, UK
...or if a number of people co-ordinated to arrive in Frankfurt, they could share a car, the costs, and the driving. It's only a coupla hours.

Recent experience; check mirror to overtake, already doing 165km/h. Outside lane is clear as far back as I can focus (Gossakes, man, I am 41 after all, what else do you expect??? 20/20??), indicator is already on. Turn head to look forward again, start to pull out. I'm about halfway across the lane moving into what I thought was a clear lane (and I'm cautious!) and suddenly the interior of the car is lit by about 2,000,000 lumens as a C330 Kompressor tries to tell me I am where he wants to be at what must be about 100km/h above my speed. The horns peel the paint off my rear valance (I need new chrome on the bumper now, as well) and I touch cloth as I realise I am about to die. I have an artic doing about 70 in the inside lane and I have no-where to go, so I just go out (a rear end closing at 100 is better than a front end closing at 95 I reckon) and push the pedal through the firewall to try and get past. I struggle back in after the truck with Mr. Schumacher about 23mm from my rear bumper. He flicks me a bird as he passes, and disappears into the distance as quickly as he appeared, apparently out of nowhere, a minute (was it that long?) earlier.

4 km later I pass him sat on the hard shoulder with the windscreen pushed completely back and the screen smashed concave, liberally smeared with blood and guts from what must have been a bird strike at 230+. Hey, they make Merc windscreen posts good - maybe the bird thought it would be a laugh to take a tail ender at 210 k's.

Spoilt his nice paintwork, and I must say I laughed all the way to the Nurburgring (for thence was my intended destination), whereupon I burnt rubber and engine oil, put up my blood pressure, got hideously pissed and had a thoroughly good time fighting g-force in the passenger footwell of a metallic blue Tuscan (yes, if you were watching, it was me throwing up over the side of the car going through the S-bends). Dustin Hoffman was there that weekend in a yellow Porsche and got thoroughly embarrassed by me standing up in the cafe in the Paddock shouting "Look! It's the Graduate! It's him, no, REALLY!!! LOOK!". Subtlety was never my strong point.

Next owners meet on the Nurburgring in September, 2003? Drivers ONLY, please. Bring some bottle, 'cos I ain't got none.
_________________________
One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

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#137413 - 28/01/2003 17:45 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: Cas_O]
schofiel
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/06/1999
Posts: 2993
Loc: Wareham, Dorset, UK
Hey, hang on, I like eating chips with big gobs of Mayonaise on top.

I'm beginning to think that I have been here too long. Where's my fish and chips with vinegar in a newspaper?

Gawd, have I got the munchies now.
_________________________
One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

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#137414 - 28/01/2003 18:11 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: Roger]
jimhogan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 06/10/1999
Posts: 2591
Loc: Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
Just remember that the speed limit signs ...

Um, speed limit signs???
_________________________
Jim


'Tis the exceptional fellow who lies awake at night thinking of his successes.

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#137415 - 28/01/2003 18:17 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: schofiel]
jimhogan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 06/10/1999
Posts: 2591
Loc: Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
Dustin Hoffman was there that weekend in a yellow Porsche and got thoroughly embarrassed by me standing up in the cafe in the Paddock shouting "Look! It's the Graduate! It's him, no, REALLY!!! LOOK!". Subtlety was never my strong point.

I guess not...but at least you didn't go grab his lapel, pull nose to nose and moan "Plastics" at him with beer breath!
_________________________
Jim


'Tis the exceptional fellow who lies awake at night thinking of his successes.

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#137416 - 28/01/2003 18:39 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: rob]
andy
carpal tunnel

Registered: 10/06/1999
Posts: 5914
Loc: Wivenhoe, Essex, UK
I just bought tickets from LHR to SFO at £260 (about $400) including taxes with United.

What date was that for ? I need to buy tickets for our holiday to Seattle in August.

P.S. I know that United doesn't fly direct from the UK to Seattle, the only people who do is BA and they only have one flight a day.

P.P.S. By the way, has anyone flown Premium Economy on BA ? Is it worth the 100% increase over Economy ?
_________________________
Remind me to change my signature to something more interesting someday

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#137417 - 29/01/2003 02:24 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: pim]
andym
carpal tunnel

Registered: 17/01/2002
Posts: 3995
Loc: Manchester UK
In reply to:

Driving in the weekend is more relaxed (and faster), when trucks are banned on the Autobahn.




Nice one, I wish we could have laws like that!
_________________________
Cheers,

Andy M

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#137418 - 29/01/2003 04:53 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: andy]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
What date was that for ? I need to buy tickets for our holiday to Seattle in August.

That's for next week. Currently it seems to be twice that price for August.

Rob

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#137419 - 29/01/2003 23:22 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: schofiel]
drakino
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
Once a date is set, I'll start looking into the cost. Late June is probably out for me, as I am hopefully going to be moving into my own house around that time. Depending on how well my stock money does, I should be able to afford the down payment, and a trip to Europe.

A raise at work would also be helpful for getting me across the pond this summer. I loved the trip to Scotland back in 98, and would enjoy to see other parts of Europe.

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#137420 - 30/01/2003 00:22 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: drakino]
Daria
carpal tunnel

Registered: 24/01/2002
Posts: 3937
Loc: Providence, RI
I'm also waiting to see what happens with the date. I have no idea if I can come so there's no point in pushing hard for anything but I know some of the probables conflict with other likely and definite engagements, and I still need to figure out what I'm doing about my 5th wedding anniversary...

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#137421 - 30/01/2003 12:48 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: schofiel]
Dearing
addict

Registered: 22/07/1999
Posts: 453
Loc: Florida
I'll have to check flights when the date is finalized. I'm about to vote for July 4, as it would be a nice change of pace in the summer. It may be difficult for Melissa, as she'll be starting at a new job on Monday and may not get the time off. She's already asking for a week and a half off at the end of May for our wedding in Jacksonville (thank you, thank you ).
If I or both of us can make it, we'll be there. It was so much fun last year! Honestly, some of the best ribs we've ever tasted, and we're Southern.

This is probably superfluous, but I strongly recommend any one who can make it to go, no matter the home continent. You won't be disappointed.
Jason
_________________________
_~= Dearing =~_
Gettin' back into it thanks to slimrio!

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#137422 - 01/02/2003 22:11 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: Dearing]
BleachLPB
enthusiast

Registered: 01/11/2001
Posts: 354
Loc: Maryland
Just curious if we're any closer to hearing a final date announcement.

At first when I saw the announcement about the meet I was like "Aww, no way I'll ever be able to make it". But now I am really considering it. I've never been to Europe, and I've been wanting to go for years now and see something different. I started looking at flights this afternoon. Plus - I had tons of fun at the Cinci meet (thanks Laura!)

Rob R. - and other Yanks - maybe we can coordinate arrivals. I'm over 25 so theres no problem with the under-25 car rental penalty. Besides - I'm tempted to take a train. If I drove on the Autobahn - I'd probably be too disappointed with the rental car and that I'm not in my Audi.

I'm still mulling over the idea though. If its July 4, though, I have very tentative plans to be up in northern Maine relaxing by a remote lake... so that wouldnt work.
_________________________
BleachLPB ------------- NewFace MK2a

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#137423 - 01/02/2003 22:19 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: BleachLPB]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Rob R. - and other Yanks - maybe we can coordinate arrivals

I was thinking of trying to get on the same flights. That would be dope! Also, I love driving rental cars. It's something different and I always appreciate my car so much more when I get home. So, I would still get my own car (I think).
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736

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#137424 - 04/02/2003 10:35 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: schofiel]
303
enthusiast

Registered: 24/04/2002
Posts: 305
Loc: Germany
i´ll be there!!! may be with something extraordinary patrick knows 303

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#137425 - 04/02/2003 12:39 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: schofiel]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Please set a date.

*** Look at these rates !!!!! ***

I will drive to Boston to catch a roudtrip ticket for $254. That price is Mother F***ing INSANE! Set... Date... Now!
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736

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#137426 - 04/02/2003 12:46 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: robricc]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Those are last-minute deals for this weekend only and will change on a weekly basis. They will probably be few and far between come summer. Not to mention that you'd have to wait until the last minute to get them, so you couldn't plan your trip, not to mention that they might not exist then and you'd have to pay thousands.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#137427 - 04/02/2003 12:51 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: wfaulk]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
From the page:

    * indicates fares are available for dates other than this weekend
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736

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#137428 - 04/02/2003 13:01 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: robricc]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Fair enough. Mostly for this weekend, but, at most, not far in the future. March 31 is the latest departure date (it's on Icelandair), which is actually much later than I expected.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#137429 - 04/02/2003 13:07 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: wfaulk]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Yeah. It wouldn't hurt to try and get that rate for June/July though.
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736

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#137430 - 04/02/2003 13:11 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: robricc]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
It never hurts to try (fill in your own joke). But I doubt you'll be able to get it. Therefore, don't rely on it. I just don't want you to expect that it'll be available in the summer and get left out when it's not.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#137431 - 04/02/2003 14:27 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: robricc]
djc
enthusiast

Registered: 08/08/2000
Posts: 351
Loc: chicago
bitt's right. current fare sales to europe run through the end of march only. the current low prices are due to the fact that it's low season, demand is down due to threats of war, and they are often for last-minute travel.

i'd expect to see some summer fares coming in april, and they might be good depending on the world political situation. on the other hand, it will be high season, so the demand (and prices) will certainly be higher than now.

--dan.
(the guy that works at orbitz.)

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#137432 - 04/02/2003 16:49 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: schofiel]
schofiel
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/06/1999
Posts: 2993
Loc: Wareham, Dorset, UK
OK, in spite of the fact I said I'd wait for votes until mid February, given that fares won't wait, and that there is a clear winner in the vote for a date for the event...

...I'm setting the event date for the meet on the weekend of the 4/5/6 July. I hope this means that you guys (and gals, of course!) in the States can get some useful prices by booking NOW - so I would really urge that you co-ordinate amongst yourselves to work out (for example) party travel on a given flight here, meeting at an airport (Frankfurt??) and sharing car costs, etc. Believe me, it would be a real kick to see as many of you Stateside owners over here as possible!

Don't forget, Rob is promising some exciting new hardware and software, some of which I've seen, and Hugo may well turn up in his new (censored) with a custom (censored) already installed in the (censored). Patrick has got some really nice things to play with, and we will try to beat all records on beer consumption at the barbecue!

Be there or be square!
_________________________
One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

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#137433 - 04/02/2003 17:38 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: schofiel]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Thank You!
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736

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#137434 - 04/02/2003 17:46 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: schofiel]
drakino
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
Cool. I'm putting in for my time off request now just to make sure I get it.

Airfare wise, under $500 and it's a sure thing I will be there. Much more, and it will depend.

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#137435 - 04/02/2003 17:47 Re: Owner's meet 2003, Amersfoort [Re: drakino]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Maybe we can ask djc for some advice on the matter.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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