Where should the '05 Rally be held?

[oldcarkook]

Lots of pros and cons to the Rally location. What region would you like to see and why?

[YB in IN]

Vegas? :)

[knary]

Anywhere that isn't east of the rockies. Why? given a choice between riding east of the rockies and riding west of the rockies, which would you choose?

[widebmw]

From what I have read they start looking a places 5 years out.
By now 2005 is set. So is 2006 and maybe 2007.
After 2000 Michigan, 2001 Oregon, 2002 Ontario, 2003 West Virginia, 2004 Washington I think they may go for the Mid-West.
Or the South.

John

[kbasa]

In for Vegas.

:p

[cruisin]

I voted for the "Heartland" but the Colorado option is a good one too. It seems that they have tendancy to avoid the center of the country, making it a huge trek for someone living on the opposite coast from the site chosen. Somewhere near the center of the lower 48 would be nice for a change, it would also be nice if it happened more than once a decade. If it is held "centrally" then more people would have a chance to attend. There are lots of great places to hold a rally in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri, and yes, even Texas has some great scenery. Have you ever been to the Texas hill country? You will find some of the best motorcycle roads ever in the center of Texas. JMHO.

Just had to add another $.02--I also would like to make the point that whatever the general location, it be held near but not in a large city. Staying away from large metro. areas will minimize the accident risks and should make it simpler to keep all the festivities in one spot, unlike this year's rally in Charleston.

[widebmw]

I think is was in 1997 that the BMW national was in Fredericksburg, TX
That was a great place.
John

[Unregistered]

Tennessee was the choice for 2005 until the county board would not approve a liquor permit.

[Dawgmiester]

I was hopping for a weekend of debauchery in Las Vegas.
However, there are so much incredible ridding opportunities all over the country as I am sure you all are quite aware. I voted for the center of the county as to make it as accessible to all members to attend. I am sure that whatever city is decided upon we will have a grand time. No matter what city it is held, I will be looking forward to being there

[Unregistered]

You're right on WIDEBMW! The 2005 and 2006 sites are already selected. And possible sites for 2007 and 2008 are being considered. More news.......all sites being reviewed are single venue locations! All activities in one location.

WANTED - Great sites to hold the BMW MOA International Rally. If you think you may know of a site contact me or any of the Board of Directors. Most of the past rally locations were originally suggested by our members. Looking forward to Spokane!



Riding Like the Wind...

Chuck Manley #12106
Director, BMW MOA
Chairman, Rally Site Search Team
Dinky Dozen BMW Riders, Inc.
(309) 825-8445 (anytime)

[cruisin]

So Chuck, this gives us the opportunity to ask you directly, why does the MOA seem to shun the central location idea. Common sense would dictate that a "central" location would tend to boost attendance. This coast to coast routine is getting old.

[Friedle]

The BMW MOA BoD, with the guidance of the Rally Site Selection Committee, tries to select International Rally sites at least five years in advance. We pretty much know where we will be through 2008. We need that much advance to book sites that meet our group's needs.

PLEASE help us pick the sites for your future International rallies. We need your suggestions. We have a very talented RSSC working hard for you, but member input is always needed.

Don't just complain that such and such a site sucked, give us your suggestion as to where we should hold the Rally. A specific location, not just "the Midwest" or the "Central part of the country", would be very helpful.

Some basic requirements are: about 100 seccure acres minimum site size; at least 50,000 square feet of vendor space; adequate seminar space; good camping with mature shade trees; availability of enough food vendors or providers to feed a crew of 6,000-7,000; at least 2,000 motel rooms in a 20 mile radius; availability of showers; MOA beer sales permitted; and most importantly...a good motorcycle riding area with lots of things to see and do.

If you think you know a place that meets these very basic requirements, please get in touch with either Chuck Manley, myself or any member of the BMW MOA Board of Directors. We will be more than happy to consider your suggestion.

Michael Friedle
BMW MOA Board of Directors
Rally and Events Chair
RSSC Member

[mthelmet]

North Dakota, would be one place. Seem no one has been there.
Oklahoma, Iowa or any of the states that have not had a BMWMOA rally yet. Give all the states a shot.:dunno :dunno :dunno :bliss

[cruisin]

Originally posted by Michael Friedle


Don't just complain that such and such a site sucked, give us your suggestion as to where we should hold the Rally. A specific location, not just "the Midwest" or the "Central part of the country", would be very helpful.



I don't recall ever having used the word "sucked," I did point out that there were some problems with the spread out nature of this year's facilities. And here are some viable possibilities; near but not in: Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Kansas City, St Louis, Branson, Little Rock, Eureka Springs, Fayetteville, Omaha, Lincoln, Casper, Salt Lake City, Sante Fe, Albuquerque, Okalhoma City, and Tulsa.

[widebmw]

Just listing cities does not help. You should look and see what facilities they have. See below.

Originally posted by Michael Friedle
Some basic requirements are: about 100 seccure acres minimum site size; at least 50,000 square feet of vendor space; adequate seminar space; good camping with mature shade trees; availability of enough food vendors or providers to feed a crew of 6,000-7,000; at least 2,000 motel rooms in a 20 mile radius; availability of showers; MOA beer sales permitted; and most importantly...a good motorcycle riding area with lots of things to see and do.

I have looked at Winnemucca, Battle Mountain, Elko, Ely, Austin, Fallon. Hawthorne, Tonopah.

I just can't find the tree in Nevada that everyone will camp under.

[Braddog]

Well, I voted for North Central based solely on the fact that would mean a shorter ride for me. Time is of the essence for me at this stage of my life, and having never been to a national rally (yet), I'd like to ride to my first one in a relatively short amount of time.

Second choice would be Big Sky/Colorado/Wyoming.

[cruisin]

So you're telling me that Frdericksburg, TX (80 miles from Austin, 70 miles from San antonio) met all of those requirements and the likes of Denver, KC, OKC, Omaha, Salt Lake City and Dallas don't. I don't buy it, if Salt Lake City can host the Olympic games it can certainly host the MOA rally and I would bet that any of the Cities I listed could too.

[kbasa]

Having searched for a rally site for an RA rally, I can tell you that site selection is difficult. While all those cities are nice, where specifically do you have in mind? There might be fairgrounds, but they might not be suitable for a rally. There might not be enough hotel rooms. The riding in the area might just be terrible. The local government might not grant a permit to serve beer.

There are a lot of variables to selecting a site beyond just finding a city. I'd love to see one out here in SF, CA. The riding is fantastic, the culture welcomes motorcycles and the weather is terrific in the summer (it ain't gonna rain, trust me). But finding a spot that can handle an MOA rally hasn't presented itself to me. It doesn't take long to check all the county fairgrounds to see if they're suitable. So far, they're not.

:dunno

I voted for New England, even though it's a long way from here. Given that we pride ourselves on riding long distance capable motorcycles, a trip across the country shouldn't be a big deal. Last summer, I did San Francisco to Knoxville, TN in 3.5 days. You can too! :thumb

[kbasa]

Originally posted by cruisin
So you're telling me that Frdericksburg, TX (80 miles from Austin, 70 miles from San antonio) met all of those requirements and the likes of Denver, KC, OKC, Omaha, Salt Lake City and Dallas don't. I don't buy it, if Salt Lake City can host the Olympic games it can certainly host the MOA rally and I would bet that any of the Cities I listed could too.

There's a big difference between hosting the Olympics, where everyone will stay in a hotel, and hosting a rally, where you need camping for a few thousand people.

San Francisco host conventions with attendances that number in the tens of thousands. That doesn't mean you could have a BMW rally here.

[knary]

Originally posted by KBasa

I voted for New England, even though it's a long way from here. Given that we pride ourselves on riding long distance capable motorcycles, a trip across the country shouldn't be a big deal. Last summer, I did San Francisco to Knoxville, TN in 3.5 days. You can too! :thumb

And what was your average speed west of the Rockies? :brow

[cruisin]

Maybe it's not about how far we CAN drive but about how much time we can take away from our jobs. Not everyone has the luxury of taking large amounts of vacation time. Not everyone likes to push themselves to the limits of endurance when going on vacation. Many would like to be able to make a more leisurely trip out of the national in order to spend more time enjoying the rally and less time having to drive until they drop just to be able to say they made it to the national this year. I am quite capable of driving across the country in a short amount of time, but choose not to because I like to stop and smell the roses along the way.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by knary
And what was your average speed west of the Rockies? :brow

:uhoh

[kbasa]

Originally posted by cruisin
Maybe it's not about how far we CAN drive but about how much time we can take away from our jobs.

DuQuoin, ILL; Oshkosh, WI; Midland, MI; Fredricksburg, TX; Durango, CO. Those have all been within the last ten years.

I think the heartland has been amply represented. :dunno

[knary]

A couple obvious points.

1. Where ever it is, many will choose to not go for a variety of reasons - distance, work constraints, disinterest in the area, etc. Example A: I didn't make it to Redmond when I lived in Reno. Work prevented me. Example B: If the rally is in Texas or eastern Kansas, I probably won't go. I want to go somewhere that inspires me to ride.(note emphasis on "me". some report loving riding in those locales).

No harm, no foul. My point is simply that the distance from the center of the continent shouldn't factor much in choosing the location. Move it around the country to make it a bit different everytime and all is well.

2. The *last* place I would want a rally is a big city. Big cities = traffic and sprawl. I'd rather be out riding through the countryside than battling cages in rush hour. IOW, smaller towns, while they might appear to offer less in terms of creature comforts, are more suited to good riding.


I know I could dig it up with a little effort, but could someone post a list of rally sites of the past decade?

looking forward to Spokane...
-scott

p.s. I just thought of the best rally location - Alaska.
:idea
Too far for most? maybe. But just imagine the adventure of all those bikes overwhelming the thin infrastructure on the roads that head north!

I do think this is a GREAT plan for a different ride. A small gathering...like Torrey was...and the Sierra Prez gatherings before it...but somewhere in Alaska instead. Ok. My thinking cap is on.

[cruisin]

Originally posted by knary
A couple obvious points.

1. Where ever it is, many will choose to not go for a variety of reasons - distance, work constraints, disinterest in the area, etc. Example A: I didn't make it to Redmond when I lived in Reno. Work prevented me. Example B: If the rally is in Texas or eastern Kansas, I probably won't go. I want to go somewhere that inspires me to ride.(note emphasis on "me". some report loving riding in those locales).

No harm, no foul. My point is simply that the distance from the center of the continent shouldn't factor much in choosing the location. Move it around the country to make it a bit different everytime and all is well.

2. The *last* place I would want a rally is a big city. Big cities = traffic and sprawl. I'd rather be out riding through the countryside than battling cages in rush hour. IOW, smaller towns, while they might appear to offer less in terms of creature comforts, are more suited to good riding.


I know I could dig it up with a little effort, but could someone post a list of rally sites of the past decade?



knary, a bit off topic here buy you really should give the Texas hill country roadsa chance to "inspire you" or northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. Try this, find San Saba, Tx in your computer map. Zoom in and take a close look at the roads within an 80 mile raius of there. Then do the same starting in Eureka Springs, Ar. with about a 100 mile radius. What you will see are some of the best motorcycle roads one can imagine. Those are twisty, hilly areas that rival the beauty of the rides through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

I agree that new locations are needed, but it just seems (to me anyway) that there is a tremndous partiality to one coast or the other.

I agree on the point of staying away from large towns, I stated in my first post in this thread "near but not in a large city."

I too, would like to see the list of rally sites for the past decade or more, maybe the last 15 years.

I still have to say though, that if the distances travelled can be minimized for the greatest numbers of people is that not a good thing?

[knary]

Originally posted by cruisin
knary, a bit off topic here buy you really should give the Texas hill country roadsa chance to "inspire you" or northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. Try this, find San Saba, Tx in your computer map. Zoom in and take a close look at the roads within an 80 mile raius of there. Then do the same starting in Eureka Springs, Ar. with about a 100 mile radius. What you will see are some of the best motorcycle roads one can imagine. Those are twisty, hilly areas that rival the beauty of the rides through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
:)

I understand your pride.

I've been through some of that area, though not much on a bike. IMHO, you're reaching if you try to compare the Texas hill country to anything other than the rest of Texas. In that comparison, it wins easily. The roads are twisty and undoubtably fun on a bike. It is an attractive landscape. But, IMHO, it just doesn't stack up against the west.

Having said that, I'm hoping to explore those regions some more in the near future. Though I do have preferences, great roads and interesting sights can be found everywhere.

sunrise. grand tetons. is there anything better?
http://conary.org/bike/assets/trip/enough_big/IMG_2161.jpg

maybe monitor pass?
http://www.conary.org/photo/albums/album06/IMG_1782_JPG.jpg

or the redwoods?http://conary.org/bike/post/redwoods.jpg

or perhaps the unadulterated bliss of the pacific coast?http://conary.org/bike/post/33.jpg

[kbasa]

Originally posted by SlashFiveTourer
HA ! ! ASK THIS GUY....he'll tell ya! ! !

He said 92mph.

[Visian]

Originally posted by Unregistered
Tennessee was the choice for 2005 until the county board would not approve a liquor permit.

Close, but no banana. :p

Ian
suprised to see the Southeast options limited to Georgia/Florida...?

[Visian]

Originally posted by Michael Friedle
Don't just complain that such and such a site sucked, give us your suggestion as to where we should hold the Rally. A specific location, not just "the Midwest" or the "Central part of the country", would be very helpful.


Asheville, NC
Hiwaassee, GA (http://www.townscountytourism.com/) (22 hotels within a 22-mile radius, maybe not enough?)
Knoxville, TN
Lake George, NY
Rhinbeck, NY (that was a great place Michael... probably not enough hotels)
Redmond, OR (another great place...)
Steamboat Springs, CO
Colorado Springs, CO
*anywhere* in British Columbia... especially Whistler.

These days, I guess it all boils down to places with enough hotels, eh? That sucks, IMO, but from a marketing and financial perspective, it's the reality. :cry

Ian

[cruisin]

knary, I envy you guys who have that kind of scenery combined with twisty roads. No, we do not have that here in Texas, but I'll take twisty roads with less scenery over the flat straight roads where I live any day.

SlashFive Tourer, thank you. I made a little map highligting those 20 years. It seems a bit skewed to me; what do the rest of you see?

I have had my say and I thank you all for listening.

http://bmwsporttouring.com/files/268440-20%20years%20MOA.jpg

P.S. I do carry the MOA when I travel, but have just never really taken the time browse around in it, maybe I will now since I am home with the flu for a few days.

[Unregistered]

In addition to what Michael Friedle covered in his above post, everyone should read the August 2003 BMW Owners News President's Message. The article co-authored by Don Hamblin and me is titled "Why is the rally there?" and gives a very detailed review of the Rally site selection process.

Like it or not the demographics of BMW MOA members are constantly changing. Our members ride Airheads, Oilheads, K-bikes, and F650s. We camp and we stay in motels/hotels and bed and breakfasts. The Rally amenities our members want are as varied as the bikes we ride. As a result, the requirements for hosting an International Rally also change. It may suprise you, but of the 31 previous Rally sites, only 10 meet our basic requirements today.

Our International Rallies are no longer a sea of predominently black bikes parked next to green tents. Yet, because we've addressed the changing wants and needs of our members, the spirit of a family reunion remains strong at our annual event.

The Rally Site Search Team will be happy to review any site that is suggested. Take a close look in your area, a great rally site may be near by. If you have a suggestion please contact me or any of the Board of Directors to set the site review process in motion.



Riding Like the Wind...

Chuck Manley #12106
Director, BMW MOA
Chairman, Rally Site Search Team
Dinky Dozen BMW Riders, Inc.
cmanley@bmwmoa.org
(309) 825-8445

[Friedle]

Chuck has made the very valid point that site requirements for hosting a BMW MOA International Rally are constantly changing as our membership changes. A key fact mentioned by Chuck is that as of today, only 10 of our past 31 rally venues would meet the basic site requirements to hold next year's rally.

Dave Swider mentioned some of the difficulties identifying a site in his post about the SF area. Chuck has cited the article he and Don Hamblin posted to the Aug 03 issue of BMW ON to help identify current site requirements. I mentioned a few requirements on page 1 of this thread. These should help you, our membership, in identifying specific sites for future MOA International Rally site venue consideration.

Some of the posts in the past two days have listed some very interesting riding areas, places I love to ride in. What the RSSC and the BMW MOA BoD Rally and Events committee needs are SPECIFIC location suggestions from our members, such as "The Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY, Hudson River Valley of NY State" rather than just "Rhinebeck, NY" or "Somewhere in the Hudson River Valley" of NY State.

The BMW MOA isn't working totally blind. We do receive occasional suggestions from our membership, which are assigned to a member of the RSSC to evaluate the viability of the location. We have access to information concerning almost every Fairground in the country, we attend the annual convention of Fairgrounds Managers Association on a regularly scheduled basis to make contacts and let the Fairgrounds know about us...but maybe we have missed something you have local knowledge about.

Another thing to consider is that we need not limit ourselves to Fairgrounds in looking for a Rally site.

Some other options are private resorts, college campuses, commercial attractions, and yes, even cities if we can find a location that would address the specific camping and transportation problems identified with holding the Rally in Charleston, WV.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Michael Friedle
BMW MOA Board of Directors
Rally and Events Committee Chair
845-473-1337
mfriedle@bmwmoa.org

[MarkF]

CANADA CANADA CANADA

I love Canada. Weve been to eastern Ontario. How about the Maritimes, Quebec or western Ontario next?

MarkF

P.S. I'm not one of those guys that says that the rally committee doesn't know what they are doing. I just know what I want and if it isn't what is offered I will go elsewhere. They might have been catering to the masses this year but I want to be camping in the country and I chose not to attend. Would you book a vacation somewhere you didn't want to go?

[Fritzc]

Originally posted by cruisin

http://bmwsporttouring.com/files/268440-20%20years%20MOA.jpg

P.S. I do carry the MOA when I travel, but have just never really taken the time browse around in it, maybe I will now since I am home with the flu for a few days.

From the above map the obvious choice is middle America, Mississippi River Basin somewhere.
Sure gets my vote.

[knary]

Originally posted by Fritz
From the above map the obvious choice is middle America, Mississippi River Basin somewhere.
Sure gets my vote.

Isn't that also one of the least pleasant parts of the country in summer?

[chasman]

Local climate in July is considered when the sites are reviewed. The International Rally typically averages 6000 - 7000 attendees. The attendence at the 1997 Fredericksburg, TX Rally was 3800. Even with the great riding in the area, our members thought Fredericksburg would be "too hot in July" and decided not to attend. Ironically, the temps in TX that year were below normal. It was hotter in IL then TX.

We have also considered the Mississippi River basin area but have not found a venue capable of hosting our event. Suggestions?


Riding Like the Wind...

Chuck Manley #12106
Director, BMW MOA
Chairman, Rally Site Search Team
Dinky Dozen BMW Riders, Inc.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

I voted for a more central location simply because I think that it would be easier for more people to attend the rally.
However I realize that the summer months can be hot everywhere you go in the US including the northeast.
It is not easy at all to find a good location for so many people attending but if locations are easier to get at by all, attendance may increase.:clap :clap

[Braddog]

Given that the middle of July CAN be hot almost anywhere in the U.S., have different dates been considered? Say, for instance, early June, or maybe mid-September?

Just wondering. I've got the challenge of taking time off, and have yet to attend a rally, but sure would like to.

It's a heck of a challenge, for sure, to try to make everyone happy. Spokane for me? Maybe, but more likely I'll attend a couple of local rallies in the area instead.

[John Ephlin]

I think, if we cannot have it in Alaska we should have it in Madawaska Main. The farther from my house the better, I love the ride.

Thanks

John Ephlin
knary, a bit off topic here buy you reallhill coun to "inspire you" or northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. Try this, find San Saba, Tx in your computer map. Zoom in and take a close look at the roads within an 80 mile raius of there. Then do the same starting in Eureka Springs, Ar. with about a 100 mile radius. What you will see are some of the best motorcycle roads one can imagine. Those are twisty, hilly areas that rival the beauty of the rides through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

I agree that new locations are needed, but it just seems (to me anyway) that there is a tremndous partiality to one coast or the other.

I agree on the point of staying away from large towns, I stated in my first post in this thread "near but not in a large city

I still have to say though, that if the distances travelled can be minimized for the greatest numbers of people is that not a good thing? [/QUOTE]

[Unyalli]

I still have concerns over distance. I live in Cheyenne Wyoming and if the rally was in Boston I would burn up 8 days vacation just getting there and back. Same for the easterners if the rally was out here. I voted for the Colorado/Wyoming area but would like to change that to Missouri. I think a central location is better for the majority and I haven't been to the Ozarks yet.

[jgr451]

[

If you think you know a place that meets these very basic requirements, please get in touch with either Chuck Manley, myself or any member of the BMW MOA Board of Directors. We will be more than happy to consider your suggestion.

Michael Friedle
BMW MOA Board of Directors
Rally and Events Chair
RSSC Member

WINNIPEG,MANITOBA,CANADA.:clap :clap

[Friedle]

Great jgr451, we'll just hold the Rally in your back yard.:p

[jgr451]

I don't have 100 acres or 50,000 square feet;and I live in BC ,some distance away from Manitoba;but manitoba has everything the rally requires.I bet they even have a chamber of Commerce or a website which would extoll all the regional virtues.The Great Plains,without the tornadoes.

[kbasa]

You guys have Cuban Cigars too.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/1340396-M.jpg

My faves.

[jgr451]

Yes indeedy!!You yanqui running Dog Capitalist Imperialist Pigs (did I get that right?) would have a field day-cheap legal Cubanos!!Not to mention back bacon and maple syrup. Snowmobiles producing 130 hp...What's not to love?

Uh huh!!

[Rich]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mt helmet
North Dakota, would be one place. Seem no one has been there.
Oklahoma, Iowa or any of the states that have not had a BMWMOA rally yet. Give all the states a shot.



ND?? Dude, have you been here? :snore Heck, I wanna get away. Actually, it would be kind of alright, but Colorado gets my vote, hands down. In all honesty, there just isn't much in the way of mountainous twisties in ND, which seems to be the preferred style of riding in this group, or at least what I think is the preferred style. It sure is mine. I also agree with some of the comments made regarding being centralized, I think with good riding and being centralized, we would draw the majority of the people. The Black Hills would also be great (again), even though I seem to recall the attendance wasn't so great at that one. But the riding is second to none. Just my thoughts....

[MarkF]

Originally posted by Braddog
Given that the middle of July CAN be hot almost anywhere in the U.S., have different dates been considered? Say, for instance, early June, or maybe mid-September?

As I understand it - July is it! No other dates are considered. I know plenty of BMW riders that say July and August are the worst for them to travel - too many work or family commitments. It's very difficult for me to leave home for a week in July or August. That's why I'm a regular attendee of June and September rallies.

MarkF

[YB in IN]

For everyone bemoaning the location of the National Rally, have you considered a local rally? A lot of the concerns about rally location seems to be about how far it is to travel. Attending a local rally solves this. IMHO another advantage is that it seems to be easier to meet people and make new friends at the smaller rallies. The national rally really is like a family reunion, so sometimes people are more focused on catching up with friends that they've met along the road, than trying to make all new ones. Just my $.02. :)

[MarkF]

Originally posted by YB in IN
For everyone bemoaning the location of the National Rally, have you considered a local rally?

Right on!

I love local rallies for that down home get to know someone feel. Plus the food is usually good and included in the rally fee.

If you are looking for a larger local rally just check out the list of rallies that venders (like H2W) are planning on attending.

I think that the Green Mountain Rally in September in Vermont is one of the best, friendliest, small local rallies going. Plus the riding is just GREAT!

MarkF

[jpg]

would like it to be in the northeast somewhere.

[rreynold6]

Missouri gets my vote! Lots of nice riding in several parts of the state.

Rick Reynolds
22929

[oldcarkook]

It sure has been informative to me to read all these replies. Lots of factors which I would not think about had I not read the landslide of great replies here. I was especially pleased to see the Rally committee member responses and list of prerequisites for a rally location.

Perhaps, PERHAPS!, the committee might consider a rotation format that would be left coast, right coast, middle for future rallies?

There were some strong proponents of certain areas outside of the mainstream and I for one would love to have a reason like an international/national rally to ride to British Columbia.

Thanks for staying on topic and all the constructive posts gang!
:wave
__________________
Experience is the comb that mother nature gives us when we are bald.

[Friedle]

Originally posted by oldcarkook

Perhaps, PERHAPS!, the committee might consider a rotation format that would be left coast, right coast, middle for future rallies?


__________________
Experience is the comb that mother nature gives us when we are bald.


The BMW MOA does indeed already have a rotation schedule in effect for our annual International Rallies. It is not just coincidence that the Rally takes place in different parts of the country every year. We are always looking for SPECIFIC suggested Rally venues that we can plug into the rotational schedule. SPECIFIC locations please, not just geographical generalities, would be most appreciated. Look at the list of past Rally venues in the front pages of the Anonymous Book for a good indication of the Rally venue movements.

Anxiously awaiting the submission of your perfect Rally site

Michael Friedle
BMW MOA Board of Directors
BOD Rally and Events Committee Chair
Poughkeepsie, NY

[beemerron]

College towns/campuses are the ideal location, IMO.

1. They are geared towards serving many people at peak times, showers, food service, beer gardens, lodging. vendor area, seminar rooms, MSF sites, etc.

2. Being July, their facilities are not being used to anywhere near capacity and the business community would love a cash spike.

I camped on campus at Charleston and liked the fact that I could arise early get a cup of coffee and a tosted bagle, attend to my bodily functions and take a shower without needing to saddle up and ride to some high school 5 miles away or wait in line 1/2 hour
for a cup of weak coffee.

[chasman]

As Michael said, there is a rotation schedule in place. The U.S. (lower 48 states) is divided into 6 Geographic Zones and Canada is considered Zone 7. There is a member of the Rally Site Search Team assigned to cover and review potential sites within each Zone. When a site is selected for 2008, the first seven year rotation will be complete.
The Rally and Events Committee has started reviewing the current Zone Map to determine if adjustments need to take place to better serve our members, prior to recommending the next Rally rotation schedule to the Board of Directors. As I've said in a previous post, we're presently reviewing possible venues for 2007 and 2008. By working 4 to 5 years out, we have a better chance of securing the good locations. Again, we're always looking for good sugestions.

Riding Like the Wind...

Chuck Manley #12106
Director, BMW MOA
Chairman, Rally Site Search Team
Dinky Dozen BMW Riders, Inc.
cmanley@bmwmoa.org
(309) 825-8445 (anytime)

[lorazepam]

What about Chillicothe, Ohio? Lots of great riding, and a fairgrounds, and plenty of local rooms available. If they can put up with the Easyriders once a year, they can handle BMWMOA with no sweat.

[MarkF]

I think this is the first time I've heard of the region rotation. Either it should have been printed before or you're in trouble for spilling your guts to the membership.

As I see it the selection committee does a good job with everything except the "we know better than you" and "do you think you can do better" attitude that pops up from time to time.

I readily admit I can't do better and I don't have the time to even try. That is why I offer what I like and do not like. It's not to be critical. It's just inform the committee what one customer wants.

MarkF

[kbasa]

I read about the rotation scheme in ON a year or two ago.

[superscoot]

Originally posted by chasman
As Michael said, there is a rotation schedule in place. The U.S. (lower 48 states) is divided into 6 Geographic Zones and Canada is considered Zone 7. There is a member of the Rally Site Search Team assigned to cover and review potential sites within each Zone. When a site is selected for 2008, the first seven year rotation will be complete.
The Rally and Events Committee has started reviewing the current Zone Map to determine if adjustments need to take place to better serve our members, prior to recommending the next Rally rotation schedule to the Board of Directors. As I've said in a previous post, we're presently reviewing possible venues for 2007 and 2008. By working 4 to 5 years out, we have a better chance of securing the good locations. Again, we're always looking for good sugestions.

Riding Like the Wind...

Chuck Manley #12106
Director, BMW MOA
Chairman, Rally Site Search Team
Dinky Dozen BMW Riders, Inc.
cmanley@bmwmoa.org
(309) 825-8445 (anytime)

[maggie1]

Originally posted by beemerron
College towns/campuses are the ideal location, IMO.

I think the same way.

I'd like to put forward the Penn State main campus in State College, PA.

It is accessible from major highways, as well as secondary highways. There are lots of great roads in the area, as well as the Jefferson National Park which has 2 trail systems available to M/Cs.

There is ample space to camp for those who wish to do so, ample hotel, restaurant, and convenience locations for riders. The camping area I recommend is the parking area that is used for spectator parking for Beaver Stadium. It is all grass, and fairly level. Also, it is adjacent the stadium which has conference facilities for vendors, registration, and meetings. The University handles large groups regularly, and has all the facilities necessary for a large rally.

The climate is excellent for a July rally, and there are plenty of things to do and places to ride within easy distance from the University. Unlike many large schools, Penn State is not an urban campus. The campus sits on the edge of town, and has lots of open area. Traffic patterns are excellent, and access to highways is very convenient. Also, the presence of a dedicated police force, and easy availability of temporary affordable security help from students could be seen as a plus. There is also a bus system in place to haul people from one part of campus to another if needed.

[Friedle]

Bless you, finally someone understands!

Thank you for the suggestion. It will be added to the list of sites to be checked out for future consideration.

Michael Friedle
BMW MOA Board of Directors
Rally and Events Committee, Chair

[MarkF]

Originally posted by Michael Friedle
Bless you, finally someone understands!

Thank you for the suggestion. It will be added to the list of sites to be checked out for future consideration.

Michael Friedle
BMW MOA Board of Directors
Rally and Events Committee, Chair

Yep! The rest of us are freaking idiots! Or perhaps we don't know of any specific places in our little corner of the world. Or better yet, most of us want to go somewhere other than home and therefore, know no details about a place they've never been.

What was the line from Field of Dreams? "If you build it they will come."

MarkF

[kbasa]

Originally posted by MarkF
Yep! The rest of us are freaking idiots! Or perhaps we don't know of any specific places in our little corner of the world. Or better yet, most of us want to go somewhere other than home and therefore, know no details about a place they've never been.


I don't think that's entirely fair. If you live somewhere and don't know of a place to have a rally, how can you expect someone that doesn't live there to find one?

I think the objective is to approach it from the perspective of throwing a party for the entire club. Sometimes, you're going to be the host. Sometimes, you're going to be an attendee. When you're the host (and it's going to happen every 7 years), you need a place where your visitors are going to be comfortable. Finding that specific location isn't easy. Sometimes, it's not available. But, if you find a spot that's not appropriate, you're going to sour a whole bunch of the attendees. Specific locations are the best way to suggest a location.

The PennState suggestion is far better than "have it in Texas".



What was the line from Field of Dreams? "If you build it they will come."

MarkF

They built it in Charleston, WV, people came and a vocal minority complained about it nonstop. I seem to recall you didn't attend because it wasn't your kind of venue. Other folks will share the same view. I didn't go to Fredricksburg because I'd ridden from Mass. to Texas two years earlier. Some spots just aren't going to attract people, for a variety of reasons.

Like I said, specific locations will yield the best results and I think MIke was pointing that out.

[chasman]

Mark, we currently have over 37,000 members in BMW MOA. Odds are some of us are idiots (including me, more times then I would like to admit) and no, we don't expect every member to suggest a rally site. But asking 37,000 folks to keep their eyes open for possible rally venues guarantees we'll continue to find great sites. Keep on riding and keep your eyes open.


Riding Like the Wind...

Chuck Manley #12106
Director, BMW MOA
Chairman, Rally Site Search Team
Dinky Dozen BMW Riders, Inc.

P.S. stuflinn, thanks for the Penn State suggestion. It will be added to our "check out" list.

[MarkF]

When I get on the road I like to be off the beaten path. I've been thru southeastern Ontario maybe a half dozen times. But because my destination is not a 6,000 person venue I would never have seen downtown Trenton. But, guess what? I loved that location! Don did a great job in my book.

I didn't go this year for three reasons:
1) I wanted one big location, no shuttle buses.
2) I really don't like big rallies, I went to Trenton in spite of that because I love riding in Canada.
3) I was little tight on vacation time this year and had to decide.

I am very happy that some of the MOA members want to be hosts and share their locations with the committee. My point was that those of us that have nothing to share other than a desire to visit a particular part of the country or prefer a particular venue are helping the best they can. The committee should not dismiss those opinions.

MarkF

[Scott]

Hey how about Mexico ? It is in North America

[cruisin]

Originally posted by MarkF
I am very happy that some of the MOA members want to be hosts and share their locations with the committee. My point was that those of us that have nothing to share other than a desire to visit a particular part of the country or prefer a particular venue are helping the best they can. The committee should not dismiss those opinions.

MarkF

... "The committee should not dismiss those opinioins." TOUCHE' Mark.;)

[Bleakley]

Yes I live in Oklahoma and don't have the time to get to some of the far off rallies. Missed Fredericksburg in '97 (ARGGG!) but would love to see a Nat'l closer to home. So, I offer two suggestions: The Talihina (South East) area of OK is amazing and you wouldn't think you were in Oklahoma. Another place would be Arkansas. There is some great riding around Eureka Springs.

[username]

kbasa brought up several points i had never considered, namely how well does the town/city culture/rules fit with the idea of 6,000 very good looking motorcyclists showing up and wanting a beer and a campsite. there is a gigantic generic moto rally (dominated by harleys) here in austin in may or june, and i went once (before i had a motorcycle) and we seem to have a good town for that sort of thing, and there is plenty of good drinking and camping here. but i do that all the time, so i vote AGAINST austin. ;)

the place i thought of was telluride, CO. ive been up there for the bluegrass festival in june, and it's a place that could definitely handle a crowd. i really enjoyed the driving out there, and i can only assume the riding is superb. great day trips out towards utah, lots of BLM land for the off-road enthusiasts, pretty scenery, good weather, the works. and they have ample camping and alcohol, because they provide that for the 10,000 or so people that show up for the BG fest each june.

probably a drag for the east coast folks who have to traverse the great plains. (motto: great plains are still not as much fun as mediocre mountains.)

just an idea.

[grasslander]

Originally posted by KBasa
DuQuoin, ILL; Oshkosh, WI; Midland, MI; Fredricksburg, TX; Durango, CO. Those have all been within the last ten years.

I think the heartland has been amply represented. :dunno

I'm not sure I'd say Durango is the "heartland"... Maybe, but a bit of a push. So I'd replace it with Madison, IN + wasn't a very early rally in Branson, MO?

[YB in IN]

At what facility was the Madison IN rally held at? Ahhh, Branson, Vegas for people without teeth. Hey, speaking of Vegas....:D

[chasman]

The site at the Madison rally was the county park. Showers consisted of the livestock washing area, cold water only, with temporary plywood walls. Portable trailers for extra restrooms. Garbage left over from the county fair was stacked out back (someone put fire to it and it smoldered for two days). Was extremely hot. Went to the nearby state park every day...for $2 person you could use the pool but had to take a shower first. 8>) We've come a long way baby!

Trivia...The 1975 Branson National was the last year that a Saturday night meal was included as part of the rally fee. Meal included shrimp cocktail and desert. Meal served by rally volunteers. Attendence 2100 approx. The rally was located at the Jellystone Campground.


Riding Like the Wind (come spring)...

Chuck Manley #12106
Director, BMWMOA
Chairman, Rally Site Search Team

[grasslander]

Originally posted by chasman
...Showers consisted of the livestock washing area, cold water only, with temporary plywood walls....

The first rally where I stayed at a Motel!

[RevWillie]

Originally posted by chasman
The site at the Madison rally was the county park. Showers consisted of the livestock washing area, cold water only, with temporary plywood walls. Portable trailers for extra restrooms.

Yep, the Table Rock Rally had a keg in a bucket as the beer tent, and at the Hurricane Mills Rally,most of the camping was on rocks. It was hot as Hades at that Rally and the vendors were vicious.

First time I ever saw hot water in the showers was at the York Rally, the next time was at Redmond. The Nationals have improved greatly over 30+ years!
:bliss

[John Ephlin]

:idea :cat Alaska :) Alaska:bliss Alaska:wow Alaska :D Alaska

[amiles]

Would it be possible for the MOA rally committee to contract with BMWNA or a (perhaps local) dealer to have a concession for selling "genuine" BMW motorcycle parts at the rally site?

Seems that this would be very helpful for the attendees and could be most lucrative for the concessionare. Certainly it would be a challenge to figure what to have, and surely not every needed part could be stocked. I have confidence that these experts would be pretty accurate in their predictions.

This also would be particularly helpful if the rally is in a town without a nearby dealer.

[YB in IN]

Usually there are a few dealers at any given national. Bob's BMW is always a perennial attendee. If you are looking for a specific part, someone can always order it for you.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by YB in IN
Usually there are a few dealers at any given national. Bob's BMW is always a perennial attendee. If you are looking for a specific part, someone can always order it for you.

Yep. If you really need something, Fedex is a wonderful thing.

[swaanimal]

:D My vote is Cloudcroft, NM. Great little town. Check out there website, especially the panarama photos. www.cloudcroft.com

[amiles]

I suspect that the dealers concentrate more on clothing & accesories than on hard parts. I would like to be proven wrong on this.

In my book having needed parts on hand beats the hell out of frantic calls & sweating out a delivery at a rally site on a weekend.

UPS overnight reported my house being non existant when I frantically ordered a master cylinder rebuild kit from Bobs last summer. The regular UPS driver passes daily. Certainly no fault of Bobs.

Sorry that you disagree

[kbasa]

Originally posted by swaanimal
:D My vote is Cloudcroft, NM. Great little town. Check out there website, especially the panarama photos. www.cloudcroft.com

Do they have facilities? There's another thread floating around here somewhere that talks about what they look for in a site.

NM is beautiful!

[MarkF]

Originally posted by chasman
Trivia...The 1975 Branson National was the last year that a Saturday night meal was included as part of the rally fee. Meal included shrimp cocktail and desert. Meal served by rally volunteers. Attendence 2100 approx. The rally was located at the Jellystone Campground.


Sound like my kinda rally. Too bad I didn't get my license until 1979 and my first bike in 1983.

MarkF

[amiles]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by chasman
Trivia...The 1975 Branson National was the last year that a Saturday night meal was included as part of the rally fee. Meal included shrimp cocktail and desert. Meal served by rally volunteers. Attendence 2100 approx. The rally was located at the Jellystone Campground.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the flying W Ranch in 1977 a sit down meal was served on Saturday afternoon. It took two seatings but was completed in an amazingly short time. The staff there was most efficient.

[John Ephlin]

:cry :dunno :eek While Cloudcroft NM is a beautiful Location with plenty of camping room and a very nice hotel and resort it is much to close to home for me. I vote for Alaska or Madawaska Main. Or Ft Kent , Bangor . some place that I can at least get the oil in my R1150RT warm.::) :bliss

[swaanimal]

:bliss Being close to home just means being more creative in your route there.:bliss

What part of Alaska? Seward is nice as is Homer although I don't think either could accomidate the group.:D

[John Ephlin]

I was thinking more like Anchorage or Fairbanks I am sure either one of those could accommodite us. :) :clap

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by Unregistered
Tennessee was the choice for 2005 until the county board would not approve a liquor permit.

Uh, that was Gnashville.

There's another little motorcycle thing held in Knoxville called the Honda Hoot. A few folks show up for it. There's some pretty good riding around here too. (Ahem....Cherohala Skyway, the Dragon to name just two.)

I don't know that Knoxville is as um...Uptight about such things (they possibly are) but they've $een the number$ generated by the Hoot and I'm $ure they'd be intere$ted in ho$ting an MOA rally.

$ome club official might want to check into that.

[swaanimal]

Anchorage is a great little city with a lot to do and see, I would jump at a chance to eat at the Mooses Tooth (www.moosestooth.net) and Guennies resturants. I would need alot more time off to make that trip. Camping would be a little chancy as it's not uncommon to have bear and moose in the city.:clap The 24hr sunlight makes for some long days, since it dosen't get dark until about 1am or 2am, but that would make for some great riding.:D

[cruisin]

Heartland America - Kansas/Missouri? 22 22.00% ----very interesting.

[swaanimal]

Texas Motor Speedway would probably be an ideal place to have a ralley. Plenty of hotels, just outside of the Fort Worth, good roads to ride not far away, more resturants than you can shack a stick at and wouldn't it be fun to run what-you-brung on the race track. I wont lie to ya, it will be hot, but with enough portable swamp coolers and one or two establishments with good A/C we can keep it bearable :D The Speedway is far enough out of town to keep you out of the problem traffic, and it's easy to find at the intersection of I35W and TX114.

I believe it has been said on a prior post that it's a little close too home (30min from home), I like to have a destination to go to but would also invite everyone in for some more Texas hospitality.

[tom42n]

Has anyone evere checked the "Kentucky Horse Park" just north of Lexington KY? I was there once or twice at my wifes dog shows and it looked like a place ripe for a BMW MC rally.

Tom EA

[RoadTool]

K , evidentaly you attended the Ra at Red River Nm , now that was an awesome location , and it had all the requirements that any rally location could possibly require ......... my $.02 worth .

[jgr451]

WINNIPEG. MANITOBA.CANADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Friedle]

Originally posted by RoadTool
K , evidentaly you attended the Ra at Red River Nm , now that was an awesome location , and it had all the requirements that any rally location could possibly require ......... my $.02 worth .

Red River was a wonderful location...for the approximately 1200 RA members who showed up.

It would not be able to support the 6,000 to 7,000 who attend a MOA International Rally. The RA location this year in WV was also looked at for the WV MOA 03 Rally, but was not able to meet our basic requirements as outlined earlier in this thread.

[RevWillie]

I'll post a place for a National that people know about:

FONTANA, NORTH CAROLINA

Yeah, I know about the "unpleasantness" about that site (it was the '97 RA National site where the county sheriff went nuts about a "rumble between the Airheads and the Oilheads" and called out every cop in a 3 state area to keep the situation under control). I was there, and it was not fun. However, the site was very good, with good space, lots of facilities, wonderful roads, and friendly locals. It was a excellent rally site if you ignored the armored car at the front gate. Anyhow, after all the crap that came down afterwards, the county commissioners that were in power lost their seats and the sheriff committed suicide. The locals did not cause the original problem and they really wanted the bike riders in their area. They felt terrible about what happened. Now that there is a new regime in power up there (and they don't want to tick-off the BMW folks), it would seem a wonderful place for a rally. Might be time to repair some burnt bridges. :idea

[MarkF]

Originally posted by Michael Friedle
Red River was a wonderful location...for the approximately 1200 RA members who showed up.

It would not be able to support the 6,000 to 7,000 who attend a MOA International Rally. The RA location this year in WV was also looked at for the WV MOA 03 Rally, but was not able to meet our basic requirements as outlined earlier in this thread.

Maybe this is proof that the MOA rally has outgrown it's purpose. I know it's too big for the phobias in the luggage I carry.

MarkF

[jgr451]

Originally posted by MarkF
Maybe this is proof that the MOA rally has outgrown it's purpose. I know it's too big for the phobias in the luggage I carry.

MarkF
HUH???:confused:

[JimVonBaden1]

For those of you who say Vegas, have you ever been there in July? 110 degrees, and not a tree to be had. Sure the riding is great, and there are good facilities, but UG.

How about a winter rally in Vegas. 70 degrees and not nearly as much traffic.

I also would like to nominate Lake Placid, NY. It obviously has the infrastructure, and some of the best riding I have ever seen anywhere.

My $.02.

Jim:brow

[Friedle]

Originally posted by JimVonBaden
For those of you who say Vegas, have you ever been there in July? 110 degrees, and not a tree to be had. Sure the riding is great, and there are good facilities, but UG.

How about a winter rally in Vegas. 70 degrees and not nearly as much traffic.

I also would like to nominate Lake Placid, NY. It obviously has the infrastructure, and some of the best riding I have ever seen anywhere.

My $.02.

Jim:brow

Hello Jim,

Good location choice, but you're 20 years too late. :)


The MOA had their National Rally there in 1983. The campsite was out at the Horse Show grounds, across the street from the ski jumps. Even then, the camping site was too small, causing overflow onto the airport property which ended up closing the runway to active traffic. Our gatherings were much smaller then.

Places like Lake Placid are no longer large enough and can no longer be considered since the current BMW MOA BoD adopted a policy of "one single venue" for future rallies in response to the outcry from the 03 Charleston Rally over the multiple venue format. Future Boards may change this policy, if they see the need, but as of now that is the way it is.

[JimVonBaden1]

Originally posted by Michael Friedle
Hello Jim,

Good location choice, but you're 20 years too late. :)


The MOA had their National Rally there in 1983. The campsite was out at the Horse Show grounds, across the street from the ski jumps. Even then, the camping site was too small, causing overflow onto the airport property which ended up closing the runway to active traffic. Our gatherings were much smaller then.

Places like Lake Placid are no longer large enough and can no longer be considered since the current BMW MOA BoD adopted a policy of "one single venue" for future rallies in response to the outcry from the 03 Charleston Rally over the multiple venue format. Future Boards may change this policy, if they see the need, but as of now that is the way it is.

Thanks for the feedback! I am beginning to see how difficult it is to find a quality location.

Jim

[JimKane]

Perhaps you would consider the Eastern States Exposition Grounds in West Springfield, MA. Far enough from Boston to not have big city traffic, near enough to everything else. Great riding, plenty of motels, campgrounds, restaurants, large grounds with many buildings for vendors and facilities. It is worth a look.

[GSCookeMnster]

How about the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds in Essex Jct, Vermont. They have a new exhibition hall, a grandstands, lots of space for camping (they held a Airstream trailer campin there last year for 1000's, and those things are bigger then a 2 person tent), and loads of hotel rooms in the Burlington area.

Great riding thru the mountains, trips to Montreal, Canada only a little over an hour away, quick trip over to the Adirondacks of NY for more great roads.

And we do get our 1 warm day of the year around mid July ;-)

[gsjay]

We meet today with the Convention and Visitors Bureau in Altoona Pa.

Myself and another member of our local club thought we'd see if they could help us find a location to hold a BMW National in Western Pa.

I printed off the list of basic requirments and took it along. Well let me tell you that once I slid the paper across the table, the lady from the CVB's mouth fell open.

Finding a location with 50,000 square foot of vendor space and camping for 4000 ain't no easy task! Try it!

Take the list of basic requirments (listed earlier in this thread) and run it down to your local CVB or Chamber of Commerce and give it too them.

Hell, who knows maybe you'll hit a home run and they'll have an idea right in your backyard.

I'll bet in a year or two the MOA Board tells the site selection committee to "consider multi site venues" again.

The single venue location may be on the way to extinction and our members just haven't realized it yet!

The site selection committee might have the hardest job in the club!

Jason Kaplitz
Laurel Highlands BMW Riders #294

[MarkF]

Originally posted by gsjay
I'll bet in a year or two the MOA Board tells the site selection committee to "consider multi site venues" again.

The single venue location may be on the way to extinction and our members just haven't realized it yet!

The site selection committee might have the hardest job in the club!

Jason Kaplitz
Laurel Highlands BMW Riders #294

Or perhaps the one big rally is endangered. The other idea I can picture is two rallies each year. One East and one West. One Summer and one Fall. Some might attend both but most would pick one. I guess you might get 70% at the summer rally and another 40% at the fall rally. I know it's twice the work but with twice the committees that should be doable.

[chasman]

The Kentucky Horse Park was contacted a couple of years ago, but, they were not interested in hosting our event. The 2005 and 2006 sites have been selected and sites for '07 and '08 are under review. The suggestions of West Springfield, MA; Essex Jct, VT; and Texas Motor Speedway appear to be possibilities and will be forwarded on to the appropriate Rally Site Search Team member for further consideration. Thanks for the continued thoughts and observations.

Riding Like the Wind...

Chuck Manley #12106
Director, BMW MOA
Chairman, Rally Site Search Team
Dinky Dozen BMW Riders, Inc. #84
Black '02 K12RS

[Sue]

Great Reading with lots of suggestions! Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to post their thoughts.

While 2005 has already been chosen, it is fun to know what folks are thinking...

Sue Rihn-Manke

[kbasa]

Does this mean Vegas is out?

Thanks,

Mr. Disappointed. :cry

[John Ephlin]

Sue, if the sight has been chosen, where is it?

John Ephlin
R1150RT
F650GS

[RebeccaV]

Originally posted by KBasa
Does this mean Vegas is out?

Thanks,

Mr. Disappointed. :cry

It could still be Vegas! Why is Vegas out?!? :huh

Ms. Hopeful

[Jim Shaw]

Originally posted by John Ephlin
Sue, if the sight has been chosen, where is it?

John Ephlin
R1150RT
F650GS

Well, the answer has traditionally been: If I tell ya, I gotta kill ya.

Not that I know, of course :doh

Jim

[JimVonBaden1]

Originally posted by boxergrrlie
It could still be Vegas! Why is Vegas out?!? :huh

Ms. Hopeful

Having lived in Vegas for 11 years, I would say it's out unless you plan on having the rally in the "other" season instead of summer.

Vegas has the "100Days of Summer" where the temperature does not dip below 100 degrees for 100 days. :cry

That is precisely why I moved to VA.

Also, the riding there is very flat and straight for the most part. The exception being a 20 mile stretch of road in Red Rock where the speed limit is a very enforced 35 mph. :banghead

Jim :brow

[Unregistered]

Future rally locations are top secret--until some local newspaper runs an article about BMW bikers coming to town next year! PCA does the same thing.

[kbasa]

Jim,

We had a pretty lively discussion about having the rally in Vegas in this thread. (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=924&highlight=Vegas)

:D

[Unregistered]

Hotel type biker rallies are held at Tunica,MS casinos.

[Sue]

Tunica, Mississippi? Just south of Memphis - Home of the Blues. Beale Street, ribs, Ah... Now that is an interesting thought.
A rally there? Maybe not. Mississippi in July could be a bit steamy.

But Thanks for transporting me momentarily to Memphis.

Sue Rihn-Manke

"Nobody loves me but my mother ---

and she might be jiving too........."

BB King

[JimVonBaden1]

Originally posted by KBasa
Jim,

We had a pretty lively discussion about having the rally in Vegas in this thread. (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=924&highlight=Vegas)

:D

LOL You got me Dave! :cry

Jim :brow

[swaanimal]

Read in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram last week that the mayor and city were putting together a promotional video to send to the HD Harley Owners Group to try to get them to bring their 2005 rally to town. Even had the mayor riding an HD around the parking lot for the shoot, turns out he has ridden motorcycles in his past according to the paper. I wonder what they would do for us?

[Jim Shaw]

Originally posted by swaanimal
Read in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram last week that the mayor and city were putting together a promotional video to send to the HD Harley Owners Group to try to get them to bring their 2005 rally to town... I wonder what they would do for us?

In July, they'd bake us until we were WELL DONE, minimum!:help

Jim

[swaanimal]

:D You just gotta what out for the guy with the BIG basting brush:D

The Goldwing "Wingding" will be held in Grapevine this July 4th, should be interesting. Ya gatta remember, every building in Texas has working A/C:D

[iRene]

Can several thousand Phish fans be wrong, mon?

How about the former Limestone AFB in Limestone, ME, where
Phish held weekend long concerts.

Housing infrastructure is still in place, and the old runways are still there....
We could sure use all your tourist dollars up here.

[lorazepam]

I wonder what It would cost to set up a road course on the old runways/taxiways? That could be a hoot. Let's talk STT into setting something up iRene, and sell it to the comittee.

[knary]

Originally posted by iRene
Can several thousand Phish fans be wrong, mon?

How about the former Limestone AFB in Limestone, ME, where
Phish held weekend long concerts.

Housing infrastructure is still in place, and the old runways are still there....
We could sure use all your tourist dollars up here.

Excellent idea!!!
That would be a great place. And, for other future sites, why do all the work? look to see what venues those with similar needs are using and just slide in after them.
:thumb

[kmEatr]

It would be nice to see the rally come back to Canada. I thought the Trenton location was good in '03'. I love to ride through the U.S. though.
Maybe a Northern Ontario or Manatoba rally might be interesting.....or even East.....Nova Scotia.

Keep your feet on the pegs and your right hand cranked,

later eh !!!

[MarkF]

Originally posted by KMETR
It would be nice to see the rally come back to Canada. I thought the Trenton location was good in '03'.

Maybe a Northern Ontario or Manatoba rally might be interesting.....or even East.....Nova Scotia.


Right on, Kilty!

MarkF

[Doc nacho]

I don't know the last time one was held in Penn. but I'd like to see it there. Excellent roads for riding and nice countryside. That or Tenn. near the dragon's tail. ;)