This Year's Attendance

[tonynace]

Since 1972 there has only been one rally not in July. It was in June. It was in Texas. It wasn't a record. It was going to be too hot. But the temps were in the 80s in Fredericksburg that week.

I personally favor September but not if we want younger riders - less than 50 or so. Their kids are in school and they won't come. And probably won't join. I think the board should try it. But they will weigh the pros (lots) and cons (lots) and decide. Last time I was convinced they were all screwed up I got myself elected to the Board, and then President. But now I think they are doing a good job and don't want to run for anything.

I think we should go back to Canada - but then folks with felonies or DUIs can't get in. Sorry - Canada 2014 for me!!

There are other problems besides the ones you mentioned in doing it in Canada. I talked to one vendor I know who stated that he would not go back there, as it was such a hassle getting his goods across and back again when he went the last time we had the Rally there. For me, the many vendors in one place are a large part of why I go to a rally, so the fewer numbers of them at a Canada rally would be a drawback to having it there, just like it is for western rallies, as many vendors will not travel so far to attend them as well. Since it looks like a lot of rallies are going to be in hot places from now on, with maybe the exception of next year, I would like to see maybe a return to what we did in Charleston, WV, with the rally in a city. I know there were some problems with that, but I think they can be worked around. If we can find a place with the facilities we need, with enough nearby hotels to accommodate all members who wish to stay there and nearby camping for members who insist on it, that would be preferable to having to camp in extreme heat for those who simply won't do it. The rally this year would have been better attended this year I think if an option like that were available. People could stay in air conditioned hotels, and then walk to rally events and restaurants. That would be better for a lot of members who now already stay in hotels, but are fairly far away from the rally.

[jetsen55]

I've been to Rally's all over the country and at different times of the year, spring, fall, summer from Daytona to sturgis, MB to Hollister and there never seems to be a perfect weather scenaro at any location....one of the largest and most attended rallies in the country that I sure you have all heard about in Sturgis SD can have 100+ days and huge rain storms and I dought there going to change the date of that rally to suit a few. As bikers it just what we do.

[statdawg]

Rob

You did have the right combo, you had a younger MOA, 6 years younger. Now success is we few, we very few, we band of core members ( brothers).

[nytrashman]

The record was set in July.

although this is true it is also a bit misleading. if the rally is always held in July then at some point record attendence will be set in the month of July.

there will always be one group that will go to the rally no matter where or when it is held. and then there is another group that makes there decision based on location and weather considerations. neither side will never completely see the others point of view. the point of view i am interested in hearing is the MOA's. do they want the same group of die hards to attend every year, or in addition to the die hards that will attend no matter what do they want to attract new faces/members to their premier event. if attracting new members to the rally is something they are interested in then i would be curious to see how many new members went to one rally and choose not to attend a second rally because it is held in a month and area of the country that will be a blast furnace.

for me personally i choose not to attend this year (and last year) because i get no joy in riding or camping in 100 degree heat.

[Doubleplay]

I made a bet that the attendance will be lower than last year and I was right. You don't ned to be a rocket scientist to figure that out.You hold a rally in the middle of July in Sedalia??? I'll also bet that next year attendance will be higher because of location and weather. Any takers?
I and bunch of other people that I know did not attend because of the weather. Why should we? We ride for enjoyment not for misery. Ask the folks who went to Oregon couple years ago and they'll tell you how nice the weather was.We are not Harley riders we ride atgatt.
As for the timing it does not matter as much as the location.Unfortunately South and South East weather sucks during the summer.
As a side note please hold the "I survived" type comments this is not a survival contest, it's supposed to be fun.

[ragtoplvr]

I used a mesh tent, without the rain fly 2 of the nights, and a little battery operated tent fan. I had only a thin cotton sheet and air mattress. I was able to sleep some every night, and very well 2 nights. I was under a tree, and we really did not run out of trees if you went to the right campground.

There is a lack of privacy with the rain fly off, another reason not to admit the general public. I figure any one dumb enough to look thru the mesh on a tent at a MOA rally deserves to go blind.

Rod

[k12lts]

I went to the rally planning to camp no matter the weather. I got into town late Tuesday and decided to get a room for a good night's sleep and wait for my buddies that were riding in Wednesday.

The temps were high but the humidity was low and the 104 in Sedalia was much more comfortable than the 95 and humid in Indiana so it wasn't too bad. They got there late Wednesday so we stayed in the motel Wednesday night too. There were plenty of rooms available Tuesday and Wednesday but everything was book for Thursday thru Saturday.

I talked to the motel owner and asked if he had any cancellations to let us know and we would take the rooms for the rest of the week and Thursday he had a couple of cancellations so we got to stay the rest of the week.

So, thanks to the guys that chickened out, we slept in air conditioned comfort at the Super 7 motel 2 miles from the rally.

[i-scream-stop]

It seems the only people who are complaining about the heat are the ones that didn't go. When it was announced last year where the rally was going to be held, I knew it would be hot. DUH. But we decided we were going anyway. We camped and even my wife who has been known to turn into a raging B.... when heat is applied (her words not mine) had a great time. We will most likely NOT attend next year. The reason has nothing to do with JULY heat, the fact that it will probably rain EVERY DAY, Or even the fact that is 2500 miles away and take three plus day to get there and back. It is because we are NOT retired and do not have the vacation time to make it and have kids. I missed Bloomsburg because I couldn't get off work for just one extra day to make it out and back Friday and Saturday.
I am patient and can wait for the rally to come back to an area closer. The weather is going to be what it is no matter where you have it. I don't really want a chance of snow when I ride to one, cold gear takes up too much space and shorts and heat gear packs really good with more room to bring stuff home. Rain, snow or heat, people are going to be packed in buildings telling stories. Just have fun.

[REBGEN]

I used a mesh tent, without the rain fly 2 of the nights, and a little battery operated tent fan. I had only a thin cotton sheet and air mattress. I was able to sleep some every night, and very well 2 nights. I was under a tree, and we really did not run out of trees if you went to the right campground.

Rod

This was my experience too. Taking the rainfly off made a big difference and my new Coleman tent fan provided just enough breeze. It really cooled off nicely with Wednesday being the warmest evening for me.

I did overdo it riding in and volunteering Wednesday afternoon. Brain fry after gate duty 12-3pm, but A/C was everywhere and made a huge difference being able to take a break. I thought the facilities were top notch and the seminars/vendors were all housed in cool A/C.

Winning one of the SweepStakes prizes didn't make me feel awful either. First time I ever won anything.

[AKsuited]

I would suggest that rally goers want:

Pleasant surroundings/nice scenery.

Good riding roads.

Comfort in the form of cooler temps/higher elevations/time of year?


The fewer of these you provide, the lower the attendence will be.

Harry

[6833]

My wife and I were going to attend the rally, but the closest motel we could get was 40 miles away. That is a factor with older couples. The weather was also a factor, but to be fair to Sedalia Mo. we have seen heat index's of 110 here in Wis, as I type this the temp is 95, the heat index 101. Salem 82 is their norm in July, and lots of motel rooms see ya there. I'm adding here that my wife can't camp because of medical problems. We have a room in Salem for 2013, and in 12 days I am taking my tent and joining old friends for my 19th Sturgis. Sturgis for me is getting together with old friends and riding the area. About the only thing that can get me into Sturgis would be a roasted turkey leg or a BMW test ride.

[REBGEN]

I had my perspective "re-adjusted" after running into a very nice retired couple camping in the same area I was. They rode form Oakland, CA on his 1200GS and her R12C. She was heading on to visit relatives further east for a few days before turning around and returning to California.

She was 74, he was 68. I was complaining to myself about the heat a little on Wednesday afternoon. That all stopped after having a nice conversation with these folks, LOL.

[braddog]

Sedalia was the closest rally for me distance-wise since West Bend. Yet, I didn't go. For me, it was about all the real life stuff that's going on this summer that needed to take precedence over rally attendance. So be it. I was really disappointed that I didn't go. I'm sure it was hot, and I'm also sure it was a bunch of fun. July in the central U.S. can be hot. We've had almost 30 days over 90 right here in Minnesota this year. I've ridden my motorcycle almost every day to work. I ride an airhead, so I've had to suffer "rosey shins".

Rob's points were spot on, IMHO. One of these years, I'll have to set aside the right amount of time to actually ride to a rally on one of our coasts. I've never done that, but I really should. It'll help with the numbers, too!

[70783]

I live in the St. Louis, MO area and unless we have high temps in the 40's for the rest of the month this will be the hottest July on record. Yes it was hot in Sedelia, but there was a nice breeze most of the day and I thought the weather Thursday and especially Friday night was great. There were plenty of air conditioned places to cool off if needed. I thought the roving water patrol was a great idea. My wife and I hooked up with our good friends that got us into motorcycling and BMW's nearly 20 years ago(thanks Rich and Lesa) and had a great time! Isn't that what this is really about?

[milo]

I would suggest that rally goers want:

Pleasant surroundings/nice scenery.

Good riding roads.

Comfort in the form of cooler temps/higher elevations/time of year?


The fewer of these you provide, the lower the attendence will be.

Harry

Pretty much sums it up for me as well. I would propose a grand compromise; have the rally in July say on odd years, and either May, June, August, or September on even years. A lot of places which are uncomfortably hot and humid in July would be ideal in late May, or September.