Who will be the GS Giant?

[B][COLOR="Blue"]In 2012, the GS Giant will be MO Bigga![/COLOR][/B] so stay tuned!

[IMG]http://visian.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/GS-Giant/i-JkZrg9k/0/XL/Winner-XL.jpg[/IMG]
[b]This year's Giant, Josh Farnsworth.[/b]

[URL="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-GS-Giant/166605590047244"]Follow the GS Giant on Facebook.[/URL]

[URL="http://youtu.be/-Glru5bcwFQ"]See the Giants in action on YouTube.[/URL]

Check back here soon to get in on the action in 2012.

[URL="http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=55910"]Did you hear about the GS Giant Fall (down) get together in October?[/URL]

In 2012, you can choose to do any or all these events... the schedule will come when it comes. :)

[LIST][*][B][URL="http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=49813"]Adventure Detours[/URL][/B] - as you ride to the event[*][B][URL="http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=52929"]GS Gypsy Tour[/URL][/B] - and be livin' large ahead of the event[*][B]Day Rides[/B], both hard and easy, led and self-guided, during the event[*][B]Track Competition[/B] - easy, medium and hard course options[*][B]Open Track riding[/B] - try not to go too nuts, ok?[/LIST]


These events are open to all riders, on all marques. You don't need to be a member of the BMW MOA, but you do need to register for our rally.

All events are free, except the Gypsy Tour, which provides 3 nights camping, 3 dinners, three breakfasts, free beer and world-class riding.

[IMG]http://visian.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/GS-Giant/i-7BWCmjh/0/L/GSGiantlogoFINALWithText-L.png[/IMG]

[B]“What is a GS Giant” you ask?[/B]
A good navigator that rides off the beaten path to the event. Good storytelling, photo and/or video skills are also part of the picture. Ahead of the event, the GS Giant can take a dual-sport gypsy tour through the surrounding wilds. And at the event, on the track, the GS Giant will totally be taking everyone’s lunch money.

GS Giant participants will have the opportunity to score points as they ride to and around the rally, as well as compete on the GS Trials Track at the rally. The more you participate in the various events, the better your chance to win the 2011 GS Giant title. And in addition to the recognition of your adoring fans, if you win you score an amazing Grand Prize. Even if you don't win, if you enter you'll be eligible for a some great door prizes and other swag. :deal

Subscribe to this thread to stay tuned for updates.

Might as well get our hat in hand early, it will take quite a few folks to pull this event off.

Please look at the listing below and [EMAIL="ians@bellsouth.net"]let us know how you would like to help out.[/EMAIL]

[LIST][*][B]GPS route planning experts[/B] - someone to help us provide "[URL="http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=49813"]adventure detours[/URL]" like those seen in this thread

[*][B]Score keeping spreadsheet experts[/B] - work with us to tally everyone's score, we need an Excel guru + a backup

[*][B]Data wrangler[/B] - someone to work alongside the scorekeepers to offload, organize and upload pics and videos.

[*][B]GS Gypsy Tour fixers[/B] (PA or WV areas) - people with local knowledge and maybe a car to haul some food and beer.

[*][B]Day ride leaders[/B] (PA area) - we're thinking of having some people lead rides, although the bulk of our rides are self-guided.

[*][B]Track construction, maintenance and dismantle[/B] - we'll need 3-4 people here for 3 days ahead of the rally to help build the track (don't worry, there will be some earthmoving equipment involved!)

[*][B]Track gate control[/B] - for Friday and Saturday

[*][B]Track open session monitors[/B] - help pick up riders who get too adventurous

[*][B]Judges and bike picker-uppers[/B] - for the GS Trials

[*][B]Subject matter experts to give seminars[/B] - let us know what you're interested in doing.

[*][B]Training assistants[/B] - this is still in development under the Rider Performance University program, but let us know if you're interested in helping out.

[*][B]Photographer(s)[/B] - we need people who can shoot pictures and post on-line. We need people who have nice cameras that and that know how to work all the buttons. Photoshop skills very helpful.

[*][B]Videographer/editor(s)[/B] - we plan to put together an event video and need footage and possibly editorial talent to help us get it all together.[/LIST]

Thanks very much for offering to help.

Ian

Oh man...sounds like an intersting "event" coming together!

Glad to see its(GS Stuff) getting off the ground again, for PA this time around. Hi Visian and Statdog. Picture above seems familiar! I am way out West of course and have yet to put any plans together for another Eastern Adventure for myself? I've been out there a lot the last few years and of course all my family is there too, so I'm a likely tag along to the East again. I'll stay in touch and of course will volunteer for anything GS related. I'm not sure I slept or ate much in Redmond so I'm looking forward to a lesser role, famous words spoken are not often heeded to. When it comes to GS, I'm IN, regardless of the previous sentence:). See ya around Visian, Randy"Polarbear"Owens:thumb

hey randy... don't worry, your name is permanently welded to the volunteer list. :nod

we'll find something for you that doesn't conflict with you in the GS Trials.

and we've got some great pre-rally stuff happening that you're gonna love.

Yeah! This will be four years running for GS Activities now and I'm always IN for great adventure, "off the beaten path". I am glad it seems to have stuck, the GS Idea, trials and all else at the National Rally. Couldn't help but do so, as folks love it. Pennsylvania should indeed be a great venue for some great exploring and GS Play at the rally itself. Looking forward to it. That pic above is me about to bash my skidplate OFF the GSA, as I recall. All was well, minus one skidplate in the mudhole:). THX for sharing it, I laughed a lot that day.... Randy"Polarbear":thumb

[QUOTE=Polarbear;644119]That pic above is me about to bash my skidplate OFF the GSA, as I recall. All was well, minus one skidplate in the mudhole:). THX for sharing it, I laughed a lot that day.... Randy"Polarbear":thumb[/QUOTE]

oh, i can publish the pic of you trying to extract your bike from the mud if you want. :evil

[IMG]http://photos.smugmug.com/Other/RandomStuff/IMG2610/1148516736_5jc46-XL.jpg[/IMG]

your skid plate looks like it is still in place at this point.... :ha

I guess we all have stopped like this for a "skid plate inspection" a time or two...i know I have on a fairly regular basis! whew....

In the motocross world, this is called "showing the drain plug".... but it is usually performed in the air.....

[IMG]http://visian.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Bikeweek-2010/IMG0875-Version-2/805330513_P6dAh-XL.jpg[/IMG]

Yeah that is how the "pofessionals" do it. However, I seem to be more accomplished at the "Polarbear" method (as shown above).....

Gee, I've heard them referred to as glide-plates. What are you doing wrong?:bolt

Hey Ian, Glad to see your putting together another GS event at this year's rally. From what I read so far it sounds like I'll have to do some thinking along with the riding, Hmmmm. Put me down for participating as well as non-conflicting volunteering as I don't plan on vending this year.

Dan "In training"

In. Totally in.

I'd love to help in a big way but I just don't know what my plans will be.

The only thing that is cast in stone is my son Corbett will be participating in Camp Gears with his new to him F650 Dakar. I hope there will be a chance for him to participate in some of the GS activities, at 18 he can show us a thing or two already.

I may or not be riding the Advhack, the R80 or the Adventure. The one thing I do know is I'll be on a GS.

As I'll be there early for CG I'll hunt you down as I'm figure you'll be able to use some labor early.

Thanks for putting on a show, sorry I couldn't find a great GS route from Boston to Bloomsburg for ya.

I do much Better in snow and ice:). BUT, notice how gracefully I stepped off, NO MUD on my riding gear! The plate is actually hanging by a rubber thread in this pic and when I stepped the bike back onto its feet, the plate hung very loose and fell off from this fall. Its designed to do just this of course, as the rubber mounts are sheared if hit hard. IAN, yes you have my blessings and these also show the "red cross" on my waterproof trunk, partially submerged in muddy water here. No first aide requiured this day:). I'm considered rally fodder, my pics of course for anything rally ad wise. I'm in, always. THX for the memories in Redmond. Always a laugh. Randy

[QUOTE=manicmechanic;644386]Gee, I've heard them referred to as glide-plates. What are you doing wrong?:bolt[/QUOTE]

i think he was skidding instead of gliding. :ha