2015 International Rally

In my humble opinion we need something a little more central or even more west. Doing that would bring more western venture riders to it and that is needed very much.

 

I like Sturgis or even Cody area again. Selfishly of course its a perfect distance for us!

 

No! We will not have one were I live! The roads are in shameful condition and flat as can be plus there is no facility to get campers and hoteliers close enough.

Mountains of East TN/NC would be good, but that is pretty close to this years event.

 

I like the sound of Sturgis.... but I think Freebird makes an excellent point that there should be someone local to help set things up.

How about WV? Canaan Valley resort would be plenty big enough to handle the rally. It is close to Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob( highest point in WV), Greenbanks Observatory,Cass scenic Railroad, Smoke Hole Caverns, Black Water Falls and Seneca caverns. The resort has bungalow cabins large enough for three or four couples if you want and camping on site. Almost forgot. All the twisty's you can handle for a week.

 

 

That actually might work...

 

Snowshoe resort is out of the question because of the base price they want ...

 

I was actually thinking of the Summersville area...or, Marlinton, WV

Edited August 2, 2014 by CaptainJoe

Having hosted several events for other groups out of Canaan Valley, I can say it is a good area to ride. However, there are some limitations. For one, nice dining options other than the lodge are just about non-existent. Gas stations are small and far between. Fueling up 40 bikes could take forever at 4 hole stations that don't take plastic. Just something to consider.

 

For WV.. I think Fayetteville or Beckley, WV makes a excellent location. Good riding, excellent fun roads, and Beckley is not far away for those who want to do shopping etc. Issue would be finding motel and camping options close together.

The SD area works for us as we were already planning a trip to Colorado next year. Maybe we can make it the same time. So if it matters we Vote for SD

Hey, it's only 1688 miles from here..Let's see that is about 24 hours of riding time at......

 

 

Doable!

 

 

Sturgis scounds good... Now, who is doing it?

We can all come up with ideas and suggestions, but the bottom line is until someone steps up and takes the event on, they are all pipe dreams...

We can all come up with ideas and suggestions, but the bottom line is until someone steps up and takes the event on, they are all pipe dreams...

i think i did.

Just thinking out of the box here...

Why does an international rally have to be planned and remain in one place?

Why cant we have an IR start at one location (city/state) and every night we end up some place else, where at the end of the week, we have traveled together from one city/state to wherever...another city /state?

Example:

Lets say we meet up at 4 corners/ Durango, Co...next day we ride north taking back roads through mountains to some place like Breckenridge, Co. spend a night, next day we all take off and ride north towards the black hills, spend another night, continue on for four days or a week.

People can split off when they have to head home & people can join in when/were they can if they cant make the starting point.

Once a route has been planned and established, we ride (guessing) from 7am to 3 or 4 pm every day. A list of available motels in that area can be established and those attending can call and make their reservations in each city /town that we will end up in.

The basic potty, lunch and gas stops can be planned /included as well as our dinner arrangements after we check-in and getting all freshened up.

Do we have to stay in one location?

We can all come up with ideas and suggestions, but the bottom line is until someone steps up and takes the event on, they are all pipe dreams...

 

I agree Bob. Let the planners decide where they want to have it, although in our experience we've found that they don't need to have it in their back yard. Until someone steps up it's a moot point. But just in case did I mention STURGIS!! Around June 21st... the longest day of the year. Lodging...Food...Camping...Riding??

A lot of people like Sturgis. I'm also not agains Bill's suggestion of Missouri. At this time, Bill has stepped up to the plate for Missouri. I lot of people like Sturgis but not a single offer to head it up.

Just thinking out of the box here...

 

Why does an international rally have to be planned and remain in one place?

 

Why cant we have an IR start at one location (city/state) and every night we end up some place else, where at the end of the week, we have traveled together from one city/state to wherever...another city /state?

 

Example:

Lets say we meet up at 4 corners/ Durango, Co...next day we ride north taking back roads through mountains to some place like Breckenridge, Co. spend a night, next day we all take off and ride north towards the black hills, spend another night, continue on for four days or a week.

 

People can split off when they have to head home & people can join in when/were they can if they cant make the starting point.

 

Once a route has been planned and established, we ride (guessing) from 7am to 3 or 4 pm every day. A list of available motels in that area can be established and those attending can call and make their reservations in each city /town that we will end up in.

The basic potty, lunch and gas stops can be planned /included as well as our dinner arrangements after we check-in and getting all freshened up.

 

Do we have to stay in one location?

 

 

 

That does sound like an interesting option.

 

The only drawback is that everyone will have to break camp and setup camp every day and do all of the riding with a fully loaded bike and/or trailer. Some rigs when loaded get lousy gas mileage and will need to stop a lot more often than others.

 

Some of us are not comfortable riding for 8 hours every day after having traveled for several days to get to the start point, and needing several days to get home, others would consider a ride of less than 8 hours to hardly be worth the effort.

 

But it is an interesting idea for a smaller group, with similar riders.

Great discussions and ideas. As far as the Black Hills go, I prefer Custer SD rather than Surgis. Good riding all 4 directions on two lane roads. Great amenities. In my opinion the only direction out of Sturgis is south. Otherwise all you get is I-90 or flat lands to the north. We know the manager at the Holiday Inn personally. She went to school with our kids. We have experience with at least two other mom and pop motels that are great.

I do not know of any VR members in the Black Hills area? Maybe that is why no one has stepped forward? I am 4 hours away not sure that would be beneficial? I do have a Wing rider friend that lives in Whitehead and he might be willing to lend his help? He has lived there for many years. That is what I can possibly offer.

A lot of people like Sturgis. I'm also not agains Bill's suggestion of Missouri. At this time, Bill has stepped up to the plate for Missouri. I lot of people like Sturgis but not a single offer to head it up.

don, i was just thinking this location is central, has something for everyone to enjoy is right on i-70, tons of riding in all directions. since there is plenty of time, if there is enough interest in this area i will do some checking and put some info together on details like a host motel convention center, things to do close by, and rides. i garantee no one will have time to get bored. there is also one of the biggest motorcycle motor sport dealers in the country here. www.st.charlesmotorsports.com they also have separate harley dealer ajacient to them. i might be able to negotiate a bbq there one day. they have a picnic area and a stage for entertainment. before i commit myself fully i would like to get it all together to make it the biggest international ever. i don't want to commit to something until i can give all the details. as you know this ain't my first rodeo i and would'nt want to let anyone down. like i said i'm just throwing an idea out there. theres plenty of time to decide. bill

That does sound like an interesting option.

 

The only drawback is that everyone will have to break camp and setup camp every day and do all of the riding with a fully loaded bike and/or trailer. Some rigs when loaded get lousy gas mileage and will need to stop a lot more often than others.

 

Some of us are not comfortable riding for 8 hours every day after having traveled for several days to get to the start point, and needing several days to get home, others would consider a ride of less than 8 hours to hardly be worth the effort.

 

But it is an interesting idea for a smaller group, with similar riders.

 

 

 

All valid points and well taken.

I never gave thought to those who camp.....

Your link has one to many "dots" in it. but here ya go. http://www.stlouispowersports.com/index.htm Is this the place? 1100 miles give or take no matter how I do it. Dont think I can the other half to sign off on that.

Just thinking out of the box here...

 

Why does an international rally have to be planned and remain in one place?

 

Why cant we have an IR start at one location (city/state) and every night we end up some place else, where at the end of the week, we have traveled together from one city/state to wherever...another city /state?

 

Example:

Lets say we meet up at 4 corners/ Durango, Co...next day we ride north taking back roads through mountains to some place like Breckenridge, Co. spend a night, next day we all take off and ride north towards the black hills, spend another night, continue on for four days or a week.

 

People can split off when they have to head home & people can join in when/were they can if they cant make the starting point.

 

Once a route has been planned and established, we ride (guessing) from 7am to 3 or 4 pm every day. A list of available motels in that area can be established and those attending can call and make their reservations in each city /town that we will end up in.

The basic potty, lunch and gas stops can be planned /included as well as our dinner arrangements after we check-in and getting all freshened up.

 

Do we have to stay in one location?

 

 

Dog gone it Eck,, I got up this morning with the palm of my right hand just itching like crazy.. It tends to do that when somethings brewing... Then I find your suggestion posted:cool10::cool10:

Personally, I LOVE IT!!! My heart SCREAMS - those Cannonball guys Tip and I followed do it on bikes made before 1929, aint no reason we couldnt do something much smaller but simular.. My brain tells me some other things though.. I have ridden cross country in large groups and know from first hand experience of the challenges involved in doing so. I think doing it would put real limitations on the attendance, the dynamics of the rally change majorly in your idea. Makes it more of a "Run" than a "Rally"..

Hey Snarley, missed your post! The hub was a great time but too darned hot! You are right, the location is pretty central and lots to do there!!

I'd be willing to host one in the Summersville WV area...

 

Points well taken about Beckley.

Need to find a spot that has a dining area for a catered buffet, lodging and camping...

One that is centrally located to the good riding areas

Shouldn't be to hard

 

Should be able to get some help from Yammer Dan, Skid, slowrollwv and CalhounWV, pickenfred???

Edited August 2, 2014 by CaptainJoe

I too know the roads of central WV very well and could assist as a second or third road capt if needed..

I too know the roads of central WV very well and could assist as a second or third road capt if needed..

 

Cool!

I like that Eck feller,, I like him so much I am gonna emulate him and take a step outside the box like he did and toss something else out..

What if we pick a location as central to the West Coast, East coast and the Canadian/US border as we can.. A town with enough motels to support everyone's needs. If no one is near that town that wanted to co-ordinate things, we could just do our own searching for facilities..

That Glacier area comes to my mind,, man is gorgeous up there.. People who wanted to ride Canada could have time to get passports.. Or,, meet on the Canadian side of the border so this time its on our shoulders to HAVE to do the border crossing thing - I would LOVE to be in a line of bikes 50 deep and see the look on those border crossing guards faces :rotf:(and they thought they had their hands full with just 1 Yam Venture and 2 riders)..

Anyway,, it being an "International" I think it would be way fun to have a really really good mix of Southerners, West Coasters, East Coasters, Midwesterns from BOTH the U.S. and Canada and a central location may help produce that.. Besides,, I LOVE the way those Canadians talk,,, eay!

 

Someone should take a tape measure and pick a spot really close to halfway across the U.S./Canadian border and than we go with the closest town to that point and INVADE it!! :cool10:

 

Think I will do that just for fun (for sure the measuring, MAYBE the invading too:stirthepot:)

 

Hows that for thinking outside the box Eck?

Bill Star Touring tried that this year and had extremely low attendance. The hub in Arkansas was nice area. so is southeast Missouri...near Johnsons Shut in...

 

 

 

 

just going to throw this out there. how about st. charles,missouri. we have convention centers, tons of motels, historic main street right on the missouri river, many wineries, loads of riding, historic hannibal,mo., two casinos, restaurants all over, museums, national transportation museum, etc. etc. i have had 3 meet and eats here with big turnouts. star days was here last week. i may consider hosting another international if there is enough interest. i live here and could muster up enough help. i have done one of the international meets already, at the hub in ar. and it was a total success. let me know what you'all think. snarley bill

Ecl That would be a logistics nightmare.

Just thinking out of the box here...

 

Why does an international rally have to be planned and remain in one place?

 

Why cant we have an IR start at one location (city/state) and every night we end up some place else, where at the end of the week, we have traveled together from one city/state to wherever...another city /state?

 

Example:

Lets say we meet up at 4 corners/ Durango, Co...next day we ride north taking back roads through mountains to some place like Breckenridge, Co. spend a night, next day we all take off and ride north towards the black hills, spend another night, continue on for four days or a week.

 

People can split off when they have to head home & people can join in when/were they can if they cant make the starting point.

 

Once a route has been planned and established, we ride (guessing) from 7am to 3 or 4 pm every day. A list of available motels in that area can be established and those attending can call and make their reservations in each city /town that we will end up in.

The basic potty, lunch and gas stops can be planned /included as well as our dinner arrangements after we check-in and getting all freshened up.

 

Do we have to stay in one location?

 

Don is there any reason why we have to hold the rally during July? can we venture outside the box and go early summer or Early Fall? thanks!