I can't attend '08; where is the '09 Rally please??

[R100RS]

I'm still thinking it's going to be in the greater Dollywood area.

[osbornk]

I'm still thinking it's going to be in the greater Dollywood area.

That's why I suggested it might be in the Knoxville area. They have handled the Honda Hoot since it outgrew Asheville and it is just a hop and skip to Dollywood from there.

[cjack]

That's why I suggested it might be in the Knoxville area. They have handled the Honda Hoot since it outgrew Asheville and it is just a hop and skip to Dollywood from there.

Me too. Eastern Tennessee for sure. But I too have been wrong before...heh.

[R1100rtP]

Me too. Eastern Tennessee for sure. But I too have been wrong before...heh.

...and you may be wrong again.....Tune in Sunday

[barryg]

MOA has never had a national in Arkansas. The Ozarks hills or Ouachita Mts. area. would be nice. Eureka Springs area could fill the bill. Or Hot Springs as a second choice. I guess it's too early for that.

[GREGFEELER]

MOA has never had a national in Arkansas. The Ozarks hills or Ouachita Mts. area. would be nice. Eureka Springs area could fill the bill. Or Hot Springs as a second choice. I guess it's too early for that.

I've been to Eureka Springs and don't know where 5,000 people would camp and there would be 75,000 to 100,000 square feet of indoor vendor space.

[jgifford]

Hot Springs as a second choice.

Barry is right on with Hot Springs. Great roads in and out. Shuttle service to the airport in Little Rock. Dealer in Little Rock. Plenty of hotels, convention center, and camping in one city with public transportation geared towards tourist.

If not for a MOA International Rally, how about a MOA sponsored event like the one being done in New York this fall. Oh, yeah, need someone to get it organized? I have no problems volunteering to do that.

[ben721364]

Barry is right on with Hot Springs. Great roads in and out. Shuttle service to the airport in Little Rock. Dealer in Little Rock. Plenty of hotels, convention center, and camping in one city with public transportation geared towards tourist.

If not for a MOA International Rally, how about a MOA sponsored event like the one being done in New York this fall. Oh, yeah, need someone to get it organized? I have no problems volunteering to do that.

I know nothing about the dealer in Little Rock but Bentonville BMW is a jewel, plain and simple! Arkansas is set up to handle tourists and has some of the best motorcycle roads in North America. I feel sure that one of the colleges or universities could make lodging available at prices that would encourage some of the died in the wool campers to fork over a couple bucks. I have nothing against camping or against saving nickels but those aren't the only considerations, or are they?

[R1100rtP]

I know nothing about the dealer in Little Rock but Bentonville BMW is a jewel, plain and simple! Arkansas is set up to handle tourists and has some of the best motorcycle roads in North America. I feel sure that one of the colleges or universities could make lodging available at prices that would encourage some of the died in the wool campers to fork over a couple bucks. I have nothing against camping or against saving nickels but those aren't the only considerations, or are they?

I don't think it's always about "saving nickels". Many riders actually like camping

I admit it's gets tougher as we get older, but given a choice of camping with fellow enthusiasts or going into a motel room, closing the door and watching tv.....guess what I'd choose??

The thing about camping at a rally is that everyone has the same experience. If it's cold, we're all cold, wet....etc (you get the picture I admit a nice room with A/C is great......I get them all the time (for work!!).

BMW rallies have always been about the enjoying the outdoors (camping). I know.... it's not the choice for all, but that's "tradionally" been the scene at a BMW rally. I also know it's changing . . Bikes change, riders change, rallies change.

[PAULBACH]

The only constant after death and taxes is ...

change!

[GREGFEELER]

All,
The 2009 BMW MOA International Rally will be held at the Appalachian Fair, in Gray, TN, July 16th~19th. Gray is about 11 miles NE of Johnson City, TN off of I-26, and is located in the heart of the some of the best riding country the south eastern United States has to offer. Deals Gap is just about 125 miles to the south west, and the Blue Ride Parkway lies to the east.

Here's a link to the Fair's web site, however many of it's pages are still under construction: www.appalachianfair.com.

[dancogan]

Thanks, Greg. Now for the planning!

[ben721364]

All,
The 2009 BMW MOA International Rally will be held at the Appalachian Fair, in Gray, TN, July 16th~19th. Gray is about 11 miles NE of Johnson City, TN off of I-26, and is located in the heart of the some of the best riding country the south eastern United States has to offer. Deals Gap is just about 125 miles to the south west, and the Blue Ride Parkway lies to the east.

Here's a link the the Fair's web site, however many of it's pages are still under construction: www.appalachianfair.com.

Looks good as the Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City area has a fair number of hotel rooms and it appears that the rally will not be held when the Speedway is active. It will be hot and humid though.

I wonder if East Tennessee State University will make dorm rooms and the cafeteria available to rallyists?

[GREGFEELER]

Looks good as the Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City area has a fair number of hotel rooms and it appears that the rally will not be held when the Speedway is active. It will be hot and humid though.

I wonder if East Tennessee State University will make dorm rooms and the cafeteria available to rallyists?

All - please note that the Rally Chair for 2009 just announced this last night, and so there will be a build up of questions well ahead of his (our) ability to respond. Go ahead and get'em out there - it just may be a bit before they get answered. We're focused on Gillette at the moment.

[cjack]

...and you may be wrong again.....Tune in Sunday

Heh heh.