SheRidesABeemer said:

I remember the feeling of being alone at a rally, I needed an ambassador to show me the ropes ( iRene). I hope you (and lurkers that feel as you did) will try another rally and find out what I'm talking about.

Bud Meade said:
Quote Originally Posted by SIBUD View Post
Somehow I find that very difficult to believe.
I don't find that difficult to believe at all. I went to this year's national rally - my first since the rally in DuQuoin (long break away from national rallies!). All the local BMW and national rallies I attended previous to DuQuoin and DuQuoin itself I was married and my ex is a far more gregarious person than I am so meeting and talking to people was easy. We also rode our bikes carrying the 80-lb dog and the toddler and both passengers sparked many a conversation.

This year I attended the national and now I'm a single, over-50 y.o. woman. Recently single at that and I'm still struggling with it. I'm not real good at or comfortable starting a conversation or introducing myself. Never have been. I'm not hugely well-versed technically about motorcycles, and BMWs in particular, so that avenue of starting a conversation is nearly impossible for me and I am of the opinion that that is one of the best ways to start conversing. I tend to clam up in situations where there are lots of strangers around. While I enjoyed the rally and did socialize a bit there were times when I felt very alone. And, yes, I did some volunteering while there - 2 stints which helped pull me out of my shell. So, I can believe someone feeling alone in the midst of a rally.

I'm trying to convince myself to go to the Finger Lakes rally this weekend and have even taken the day off on Friday to go. But I'm nervous about going *because* I was so tongue-tied at the national rally (and the weather forecast isn't encouraging).

Rapunzel

2004 R1150R, prior to that 1980 R65 which I rode for 22 years