2016 VentureRider International Rally Discussion

[cruiser]

My opinion on what it's about is the members, and how this all started, meeting each other having fun, riding together, its almost like a birthday you have one every year, the fun memories with the people you have the same interests in. Am I close?

 

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[cecdoo]

Well I have never been to an International, only because I only have the time for so many bike trips a year. MD is a must for us, the people and the proximity are the draw and its always the best way to start our summer. We look forward to the NY rally for the same reasons, see old friends hopefully make some new ones and its a day ride for us. I am sure its alot of work to host an event and I try to Thank everyone involved and let them know how much we appreciate their effort. I wonder if we could make it easier to host? I really dont need another t-shirt, patch or pin. Really dont need a door prize or grand prize. Just as easy to drive to a restaurant and pay my own bill, like we do at Quaker Steak and Lube. Wonder if we could find a motel/campground that suits our needs, and run things alittle "looser" like the Asheville meet. Mite make things alittle easier for the organizers and a bit more affordable for participants. Then if its not a huge showing, no biggie the people that come will have a great time, and isnt that all that really matters? My vote is to keep things simple.

Craig

[garyw]

if it's about a prize cost and loss?? don't buy nothing!

I go to the events to see the folks and share the b/s

the rides in locations that are different are a bonus, not a requirement.

 

 

I couldn't agree more!

[vzuden]

so? am I to understand that having an event and calling it the international rally somehow takes something away from these well attended smaller better conducted meet and eat events?

 

does it cause someone that's not involved some type of harm?

if it's about funding or borrowing, it's simple.. we keep it dutch treat.

if it's about a prize cost and loss?? don't buy nothing!

I go to the events to see the folks and share the b/s

the rides in locations that are different are a bonus, not a requirement.

take your time and answer one or all or none........ just wondering what it's really about?

[SilvrT]

You are correct....the big event of the year continues to be maintenance day.

 

Just a thought...but if the International is dropped, can maintenance day be extended by a day or two? Keep one day for "maintenance" but have a day or two for socializing, organized rides. To offset your costs, you could charge a reasonable amount for "registration"/tshirts/dinner.

 

For example... start maintenance day on the Thursday for those that can/would show up early, organized rides on Friday and Saturday, Steak and Lube still on the Friday, maintenance day would be the Saturday for those that want assistance, dinner (either catered or at a restaurant on Saturday evening. The date could shift into late June or early July.

 

 

This would now become the "International" rally ... LOL

[Freebird]

I wouldn't expect any of them to be called the International Rally. I don't think he said that either. Just asked if it could be extended and any of the others could be also if somebody wanted to.

[eusa1]

gunna need crutches now....lol

[adventurer 08]

We have been to 3 International Rallies, we have enjoyed all of them. Meeting new people at each rally from the venture rider site. MD doesn't involve any rides, at International you get to see different parts of the country. Distance means a lot to a lot of people. A 2 day ride is very doable, more expense and vacation time with further distances, but variety of rides is great. If in same place every year, some people might have too far of a ride and never attend. Changing locations, gives some people a better chance at attending and meeting new people.

[slowrollwv]

I think it would be a shame to not have the International. Even if only a few show up especially if it is in the mid west. It gives us all a chance to meet people that are on this forum that we would not get to meet at an MD or regional rally. I for one try to attend as many as time and funds will allow me to do.

[Venturous]

I have always been a fan of smaller regional type events spread out through the calendar year and geographical areas. I have made some good friends at these smaller events because people have enough time to get to know each other. When there are too many attendees... it is just too hard to really get to meet and get to know someone new. A good example was years ago I went to Star Days which is STAR Tourings big all in one basket event. I came away feelings it was a waste a good riding weather.

 

OTOH, the Asheville get together I went to last year, I met several folks that I enjoyed riding and hanging with and hope to do so again.

 

Whether big or small... I applaud all who take on the work to host an event on behalf of their club.

[OrlinEngh]

A few years ago I threw my hat in the ring to host one here in Wisconsin and I would do so again so it would be nice to see them go on.

Having read threw the posts I can see that the raffels and trailer are not what brings the people its the getting together part of it all.

I think that trying to make it bigger and better doesnt allways work, keep it simple from what I have seen at other gatherings a place to set and visit a couple of rides and some good food and most everyone is happy.

We have a great time here at our Maintenance Day its not fancy but we get together and all have a good time. I think that if you keep the same thought in mind and not make it complicated and stressfull in hopes that it will be the biggest ever you are not disapointed at the turn out.

Orlin

[seabeetom]

For us, as with most, distance is a factor. 12 hrs from my pause here on the Gulf Coast is about as far as I care to go, comfort, not endurance being our preference (St Charles was 11hrs). I look forward to organized rides, sightseeing, local attractions and taking in the cultural and historical offerings that I may otherwise never see. Another big plus is being able to lounge around, relax, tell lies (embellishments), as well as meeting and swapping hints and tips amongst other Venture riders. Pam and I very much enjoyed the Guntersville and St Charles gatherings and are very happy to have met new friends.

Just for the heck of it, I'm gonna throw this promo out there just in case anyone ever considered the MS. Gulf Coast: Best time of year; October, 12 CasinoResorts, rooms half price Sun-Thur. Events; Cruisinthecoast-couple thousand classic cars, second week-Biloxi. Beauvoir (last home of Jefferson Davis)-Biloxi. Biloxi Shuckers AA Baseball team and stadium-Biloxi. Camp Shelby Armed Forces Museum-Hattiesburg. Angola Prison Museum and Rodeo, N of Baton Rouge every Sunday, New Orleans 70 miles. National D-Day Museum, French Quarter/Market/Bourbon St,. River Road to mouth of MS River. Avery Island (Tabasco) near Lafayette LA. Mobile Al. 70 miles. Battleship Park, Bellingrath Gardens, Bayou La Batre (Run Forrest Run). Pensacola Naval Air Museum 145 miles. Cajun food/seafood till your buttons burst(can you spell MUDBUGS?). Much more to see and do. You can always google these places for more info. But then again, distance for many becomes a factor. OK, that's my pitch for the home team. Of course you ask if I would step up to host if the interest is there, to which I answer "If enough folks absolutely commit and swear upon a bowl of shrimp and grits to attend, I will consider it."

[ragtop69gs]

Short & simple,,,, hold an "International rally" every other or every 3rd year.

 

That said, I've enjoyed every one we have attended.

[Bigbear1]

This years in st Charles was my first international. Wasn't sure what to expect.made a lot of new friends and enjoyed chatting and riding. Learned a lot about the bikes and the people.. One of the most rewarding experiences ever. Had a few people that wanted to go.. I'm sure that just a few circumstances would have changed and allot of people could have come. Also I posted a few pictures on I think 4 facebook royal Star and Venture pages and a few didn't know about it that said they would have gone. As a lot have said distance and timing are key factors.publicity is a key. I can come up with ideas for things just can't organize. Great time and new great friends wish had more time to visit and ride

thanks for a great Rally in St Charles

[Max]

At the NY international, our attendance was around 90 people give or take a few....never could get a really good count with everyone milling around...there is a group pic of all the bikes in front of PIONEER milling around somewhere..

 

partial parking lot shot ..

[BigLenny]

St Charles was my first VR.org event to attend, and due to vacation days restrictions, I was only able to be there Sunday afternoon and Monday. However, I really enjoyed meeting so many of the folks I have never met. I was actually already looking forward to seeing where next years event would be so I could plan to attend.

But, if there is going to be a change, I would agree with Ragtop's idea; have the International every other year. That way it would be a special and unique event. The old rule of absence making heart grow fonder would probably come into play and the attendance would be more. Especially if it is in an epic place/area.

 

BigLenny

[djh3]

After reading the first say 6 or so I was also thinking make it an every othe year thing maybe. Would give folks 2yr to organize and look at rides. I have not been to one but would love to. So far my work (or lack of here lately) has been a stumbleing block. But I can see the travel time folks have to go is a stumbeling block. But no matter where you do it someone has a further trip. We have same problem here in Fla with our meet and eats. Shoot we have folks from Miami to Daytona, to north of Tampa. Maybe on a bi-annual every couple year thing folks could plan it further out for vacation time.

We usually plan a trip on the bike 2nd or 3rd week in Oct to the mountians as it has cooled off and sometimes the leaves are nice.

[Carbon_One]

Good discussion here. I've been to all Internationals but 3 of them due to conflicting schedules. I believe we could easily drop the door prizes, T shirts, and trailer raffle, making less work for the organizers. Which also brings up the question of finding the volunteers needed to take on the task of organizing an "International Rally". Without the folks who volunteer there wouldn't be any rally whether M&G, Regional, or International. So my thanks to all who do the leg work required in these doings.

For me its all about seeing different parts of this great country and meeting fellow VR members while doing so, regardless of the type of meet being held.

Larry

BTW: I think the Fort Collins, Co International was the largest ever attended. Partly due to being the 2nd one held early in our VR history. I forget just now the exact year it was held thou. With well over 100 bikes being in attendance

[XV1100SE]

I think making it every other year or every third year would actually reduce attendance. People forget how good the last one was or lose track of when it will be.

 

As mentioned....people don't go because there is a raffle for a trailer. I'd say drop the big prize and go with smaller items from the area. Souvenirs so to speak.

 

I'd like to see the International continue but threw out the idea of extending MD to put some options out there. As mentioned, having the International at one location every year would get a little tired. Moving it around the country(s) makes it easier for some that couldn't make a long ride or take a week off to attend at least one International during their membership.

[Rick Haywood]

Maybe every other year would work better? It is a bunch of work to put one on and by having it every other year it would give people a better chance of coming. Also some people do not have the luxury of 3 or 4 weeks vacation and they might not want to soend what they have going to a rally every year. So we could have one in 2017 and see how that goes. Or maybe have it the opposite years of Vogel. Just a thought

[garyw]

The wife and I look forward to a once a year get together like this. If it was like a regional which is in the same location every year then yes, it would get boring to say the least but being in a new location is what keeps it fresh and exciting year after year.

[Flyinfool]

I was avoiding posting to this since I have never actually made it to an international. But then I thought that my reasons for not making it to one may have some slight merit.

 

I really wanted to make it to Galina since it was only 180 miles from home, but the same issues still crept in.

 

First is the travel, My marshmallow butt is only good for a max of 450 miles or 8 hours in a day. This means that I could be looking at several days travel each way.

 

The rally is always during the week, this means that the whole rally must be accounted for with vacation days, I only have 5 a year available.

 

There is the actual costs, between the registration, the room or campground fees, eating out, gas, etc. it is just to much for my budget. I really do not need for the rally to give away gifts or prizes or tee shirts or patches or much of anything else, just the bunch of happy smiling faces, and meeting new faces, is all I would really need.

[Prairiehammer]

Perhaps the Maintenance Day in June could be expanded and called the International Maintenance Day?

Continue to have the Regional events, so that folks around the country could have an opportunity to experience different venues.

But the Venture Rider INTERNATIONAL MAINTENANCE DAY will always be at the founder's home.

An expansion of the traditional Maintenance Day by a few days will be an easier "draw" for those more distant. Personally, I would not like to travel for two or three days to and fro just for a one day meet. But I think more folks would attend from afar if it was for three, four or more days.

Of course, an expanded Maintenance Day would be more work for Don and Eileen, so perhaps some volunteers could be recruited to assist with the "International Maintenance Day".

Heck, the Maintenance Day is already "international". Lots of Americans, Canucks and even two Icelanders at this years MD.

[slowrollwv]

I would like to see one held in WV even if it is every other year. For the time frame I would pick early Oct. Doesn't matter where it is good riding and plenty of things to do.

[Brake Pad]

I came one here tonight to see where the next rally will be. Not to see a discussion on weather or not yo have them anymore. The international is what makes the VR site exciting. That yearly planed trip to another state, meet people from the board ( a face to a name ) to visit and ride beautiful places, enjoy the foods and the area. I no most people can't close up shop like me and travel for three weeks. But this is why they should be all over the country or up Nord with our Canadian Family "A".

I look forward to meeting everyone. This is such a wonderful family, the friendships. The life long memories from the IR's

If anyone's steps up ( I'll help from my computer ) I look forward to the 2016 IR where ever it may be.