Why do you participate in some events and not others?

February 10

Over on the thread discussing the demise of FT folks were questioning why the West coast get togethers were less participated in than East coast and other area get togethers including the UNs. Folks can we share some insights here?

February 10

This is a factor (population density of USA):

The Population Density of the US by County : MapPorn

February 10

Current active member count on the east coast vs west coast? A lot to love but some negatives I can think of. Riding distances are much greater (more time, more money, and sometimes more agony) to get to a rally site out west.

East… Boston to the southeast anywhere is fifteen hours. Twists and turns galore, some of the most awesome back country forestry roads to explore. The one negative is, it’s not Colorado.

February 10

BMW was selling their new oilheads in 1996. By 1999, when Carey started his website, a lot of us in Cali were already riding oilheads. BMWST became our happy place and boy did we have a good time! Years went by and one by one people drifted off to start a family, advance a career, do whatever. In a real sense the need for BMWST was there before the site came to be. The timing was good, and we took every opportunity to enjoy.

A couple of years ago Whip and I talked about the site and whether or not it was growing. Even then we were getting 50 new members a month. Whip and Chris had contacted a few of them, most of their answers were that they'd bought an old RT to commute on and came here to get instructions for servicing or fixing it. They had a family, and had no time or interest on getting together for a ride.

February 10

Two east coast events a year, and they move around. Six western events a year and they generally stay put in the same location. I second the idea that distances are longer and riding conditions may be tougher. Also, I notice that hotel costs seem to have gone up much more in the west than east.

February 10

3 hours ago, mnTwin said:

This is a factor (population density of USA):

But that doesn't account for the fact that the western events used to draw 100+ and now they are drawing 20 or less.

February 10

Could it possibly be weather related? West coast has riding season pretty much all year round and has a sensory overload of sorts of what rallies/events to attend vs east coast being holed up in the winter months and are chomping at the bit just waiting for that moment to hit the road....and as many rallies/events as they can?

And, on another thought...back when I would attend the rallies/events that I could, ( it was through printed publications then) I could see all the rallies and events for the summer. East of the Mississippi always had more over that three month period than the west. I can still remember lamenting about being stuck out here and wishing i was over there somewhere with all those event/rallies to choose from. I mean it seemed like there was a ton of them to choose from vs what I could do out here ( being in the southwest region) and not having nearly as many to pick from.

February 10

12 hours ago, Twisties said:

Six western events a year and they generally stay put in the same location

That may be part of it. If it were me I'd like to see different locales and ride different roads instead of the same ones over and over. Granted it's a big area and I don't know the West like you guys that live there but it seems there could be some other options. Just need somebody that'll take the time to scout and plan for new locations, we're fortunate to have more than of few of those type fellers over here in the Southeast and Midwest.

February 10

1 hour ago, EEK said:

Could it possibly be weather related? West coast has riding season pretty much all year round and has a sensory overload of sorts of what rallies/events to attend vs east coast being holed up in the winter months and are chomping at the bit just waiting for that moment to hit the road....and as many rallies/events as they can?

Don't think that's it. Most of the attendees are from the southeast and generally can ride year round.

February 13

I think long distances and expenses are 2 of the top factors IMO, at least for people like me, who live in the middle of nowhere. For me the expense is not a deal-breaker, but it gets very expensive, since if I go somewhere by myself, then my wife 'gets even' in some other way, so I end up spending way more than just my trip. Ha ha. Anyway, the huge distances are often a deal-breaker for me, at least if I have to tow my bike, since it'd involve 2 to 3 full days of driving ONE WAY, and by myself, which I do NOT enjoy. So only when my cousin offers his bike, I jump at the opportunity, like going to the dragon, and other far away places (I just fly there). Another big factor is there are very few sport-touring riders left, and that might be the main reason, for all I know. The great majority of riders I know and I've seen here are either dirt riders, or Harley/cruiser riders, which ride like grandpas. Ha ha. And the few sport-touring ones I knew just quit. I only ride for the twisties, so the day I cannot (or I'm not willing to) do that anymore, I'd stop riding. I tried riding with a group of cruisers, and it was a disaster, so first and last. They were not only endangering themselves and others, riding in a huge group, but were slow as f*ck. Finally, a couple of other possible factors. Many riders don't frequent forums like this one. And the other is a lot of S/Os are not into riding, including mine, so that makes it a lot harder to do more riding trips. Finally, it gets well into the 100Fs for months here (in summer), and just can't stand that. Then it's too cold on the mountains in winter, so my riding season here is very short. But every time I get on the bike, I really enjoy it. And just thinking about that, is incentive enough to keep in shape, so I can keep doing it, hopefully for several years more. And yes, it's time for another track school camp to keep my riding skills sharp. It's almost 5 years after doing Laguna Seca, so might do Barber this year (probably my last camp), which is one of the best tracks for bikes. Then hit the dragon or the Ozarks after that. We'll see. Ha ha.

February 13

Distance. If it is more than 10 hours to get there, it's not for me. That makes it 2 days to get there and 2 days to get home, not counting the event. For me it isn't the expense, it's spending the night on the road two times - fore and aft just to attend. It temps me to ride a 16 hour day, but with age comes wisdom.

February 13

9 hours ago, Skywagon said:

Distance. If it is more than 10 hours to get there, it's not for me. That makes it 2 days to get there and 2 days to get home, not counting the event. For me it isn't the expense, it's spending the night on the road two times - fore and aft just to attend. It temps me to ride a 16 hour day, but with age comes wisdom.

Trailer! No shame in pulling the bike to a great event or riding destination.

February 13

Don’t own a trailer and for once or twice a year…. Besides, I don’t want to look like a Harley on a trailer 😁

Still the same issue, more than 10 hours a day not safe or fun IMHO

February 13

14 minutes ago, Skywagon said:

Don’t own a trailer and for once or twice a year…. Besides, I don’t want to look like a Harley on a trailer 😁

Still the same issue, more than 10 hours a day not safe or fun IMHO

Last check, a U-Haul motorcycle trailer rental was about 20 bux/day. So consider that if you have a suitable tow vehicle.

The distance issue is still valid tho. I *love* to drive on the open road, but I'm getting to the age where a 10 hr trip is more like 12-14 with the requisite rest stops. START and the Un are each straight thru 10 hrs for me according to Ms Google. Still contemplating both...

February 13

4 hours ago, Skywagon said:

Don’t own a trailer and for once or twice a year…. Besides, I don’t want to look like a Harley on a trailer 😁

I have a Kendon Stand-up that waits patiently in the corner of my garage....... I don't care what people think, just want to go ride some curvy roads.

Where I live, that takes some traveling to get to.

February 14

41 minutes ago, 9Mary7 said:

I have a Kendon Stand-up that waits patiently in the corner of my garage....... I don't care what people think, just want to go ride some curvy roads.

Where I live, that takes some traveling to get to.

I've been trailering since beginning riding. Slabbing it to/fro events is painfully boring and enthusiasm for putting in 3 days of riding after being wind whipped and rained on evaporates. In the early years, I could work with clients (sell) while driving. Never embarrassed about it.

February 14

I only participate in BMWST events. No MOA...no HOG...no IBA...not a paperwork fan. I'm not a clubber... never have been. I like the unconfining feel of our group. I rarely ride with anyone. I will ride 1000 miles to eat BBQ with one of our members if so inclined. From north Florida to anywhere is a long haul. I don't own a trailer and have only hauled a bike twice in my truck. (K1600 to Red Lodge and Super Sherpa to Purgatory) Some years I ride more than others. Retirement is looming at the end of the month... that should free up some time for events for me.

February 14

On 2/9/2024 at 8:07 PM, MT Wallet said:

Over on the thread discussing the demise of FT folks were questioning why the West coast get togethers were less participated in than East coast and other area get togethers including the UNs. Folks can we share some insights here?

When I was young and single, I did a bunch of trips across the Great Plains, as well as a lot of east-coast and southeast events. My body didn't mind the miles, and I had plenty of vacation time to burn on myself. The latter was really key: if I want to go to Torrey, it takes 4 days each way (I could do it in three if I slabbed between Denver and Torrey, but the good roads start and end in Denver, so...two days between Michigan in Denver, and two more between Denver and Torrey). Add in three days at Torrey, and one day each way to visit my sister and her family in the Denver area, and it's a solid two weeks.

After getting married, I started spending more and more of my vacation time with my wife, and it also didn't feel right to abandon her at home for a couple of weeks at a time. I still take an annual trip to the Driftless (Wisconsin), as it's only about 300 miles between home and the good roads, and I can have a damn good time while only being away from home for five or six days. START/FART is a bit farther away - more like 600 miles, give or take - but still means just a 5-day trip.

On 2/10/2024 at 12:04 AM, Twisties said:

But that doesn't account for the fact that the western events used to draw 100+ and now they are drawing 20 or less.

This came up four years ago, when Whip was wondering about the general ebb of enthusiasm on the site.

At the time I chalked it up to two things, summarized here (go here for all the details):

The original BMWR1100RT.com crowd from the late '90s and 2000s were uncommonly passionate about a particular bike, riding it well, learning how to work on it at home, and being social. It set the bar pretty high, and in terms of enthusiasm, we've really had nowhere to go but down since then. Over the past 10-15 years, we've aged, and many of us have developed other interests and priorities (e.g. my own history at the top of this post).
Young folks these days aren't as heavily into cars and motorcycles as we and our parents were, and they're much less into touring. You'll see them on smaller bikes running errands around town, but you won't see many of them cruising cross-country for days on end just for the sake of riding.

I still think that's accurate, and there's probably not much to be done about it. I think the only thing you can really do is what I mentioned four years ago: endeavor to be as welcoming and helpful as possible to newbies, both here on BMWST and in person at whatever riding events you do attend. See someone new on the board? Find out where they're from, and point them toward upcoming BMWST events that are happening not far from them - and then shake their hand and bring them a beer when you see them show up at an event. Many of us old salts can be skittish about riding with folks we've just met, but if we never do that, then we'll never fully welcome new members here. So chat up the noobs, find out what kind of riding they do and how long they've been at it...and if their skill and discipline level sounds adequate, consider taking a chance and sharing a riding day with them.

February 14

17 hours ago, John Ranalletta said:

I've been trailering since beginning riding. Slabbing it to/fro events is painfully boring and enthusiasm for putting in 3 days of riding after being wind whipped and rained on evaporates. In the early years, I could work with clients (sell) while driving. Never embarrassed about it.

To each his own but I find spending long hours in a four wheeler much more boring than riding a motorcycle even when stabbing it.

February 14

56 minutes ago, Dave_in_TX said:

To each his own but I find spending long hours in a four wheeler much more boring than riding a motorcycle even when stabbing it.

Unless it's raining...

February 14

1 hour ago, Hosstage said:

Unless it's raining...

Still wearing a beanie helmet, huh. Stinger raindrops! :4617:

February 15

I rarely wear a helmet, a beanie would help! If I'm long distance travelling, I put on the full face helmet and windshield on the RoadKing, or take the Ultra.

Day riding and getting caught in the rain, no windshield, no helmet, no bandana, no scarf, Suuucks. BBs pelting me.

But I look good!

February 15

I'm 70+. I live in the west. I'm done crossing the center of the country. I would enumerate the reasons but ya'll know them. Shoulder season, May & October, are no longer a challenge they are a threat. That narrows my self imposed opportunities.

February 15

I've been to a few Uns, one START and - I think - two Torrey gatherings (in Utah, for you easties who don't pay attention to the west stuff).

I think I've been to every Un that was feasible for me to attend - no - not true. There was one in CA I could have attended but didn't. My family - or at least my wife - has joined in a few as well, and a good to great time has always been had. I'd like to attend a DVD but historically didn't have time (or money - or both - but mostly time). I have had time the last couple of years, but - and I say this hesitantly not wanting to bring an argument into this thread - FT has been a huge turnoff for me and I've skipped a couple opportunities to go because of that. (I always knew my inclinations and beliefs in a number of areas were not necessarily in line with other members here {and the world in general - not trying to say it's an issue specific to this group} but it was never ever an issue at an event and what WAS apparent at events was the areas we do agree {love of community, love of riding, love of helping each other etc.}).

If any of the "west" events were a day's ride from me, I'd probably have gone anyway, and I've probably have had a great time as I've always had before, but like @Skywagon if it's going to mean two days on the road each way, I don't necessarily want to burn four days of time (and usually that would mean four days of slab - to make it fun I'd need three days in each direction) to get there and back.

The locations being the same isn't necessarily a bad thing if the roads are great (Torrey and DVD both have that going on for sure) and there are enough options to do different routes on different visits - but for me the "events" are more about the people than the riding anyway (I can go find great roads and ride them by myself and be perfectly happy).

And, I'd love to hit more east coast events, but to be a fun trip that would mean weeks of travel either way - I'd love to do a multi month ride every year, but that's just not the way life is arranged right now...

February 15

58 minutes ago, szurszewski said:

Torrey

I lived in N California in the late 80's, 90's, and some of the 2000's. There was a Torry event I went to a couple of times on my old airhead. I didn't know about this site and don't know if those rides were part of this site. I kind of think they were MOA trips, but honestly don't remember. There was a pretty big crowd.

February 15

Southern Oregon Coast here, early 2002 I found BMWST and fell into a happy space, tech days were for me a constant draw. little by little I grew able to handle repairs on the road. Went to gatherings when possible, the people are the greatest , many became friends and the years went FAST in more ways than one. my lifestyle has caused damage to my body that has required a full time doctor (hehheh) I spend a bit in physical therapys . ...which does not always coincides with the gatherings I have enjoyed. BMWST is still really close to my soul and when possible I will travel. we had a UN just down the coast from me just the other year and will note that the cost of lodging was far above my fundollars.. in closing i would like to say LETS MOTO

February 15

2 hours ago, Skywagon said:

I lived in N California in the late 80's, 90's, and some of the 2000's. There was a Torry event I went to a couple of times on my old airhead. I didn't know about this site and don't know if those rides were part of this site. I kind of think they were MOA trips, but honestly don't remember. There was a pretty big crowd.

The BMWST Torrey event, as I've known it (not sure if these are the dates going back to the early oughts which is when I think it started), are the last weekends in May and September - or something very much like that, and they/we center activities around The Chuckwagon. If you ever decide to ride up there again and want some company - let me know. Maybe we can Tank over there too - it's just a little south and then straight east from his place!

1 hour ago, Tank said:

Southern Oregon Coast here, early 2002 I found BMWST and fell into a happy space, tech days were for me a constant draw. little by little I grew able to handle repairs on the road. Went to gatherings when possible, the people are the greatest , many became friends and the years went FAST in more ways than one. my lifestyle has caused damage to my body that has required a full time doctor (hehheh) I spend a bit in physical therapys . ...which does not always coincides with the gatherings I have enjoyed. BMWST is still really close to my soul and when possible I will travel. we had a UN just down the coast from me just the other year and will note that the cost of lodging was far above my fundollars.. in closing i would like to say LETS MOTO

This is a great post - and straight from one of the many great people I've met through this board. :)

May 5

On 2/9/2024 at 10:02 PM, Twisties said:

Two east coast events a year, and they move around. Six western events a year and they generally stay put in the same location. I second the idea that distances are longer and riding conditions may be tougher. Also, I notice that hotel costs seem to have gone up much more in the west than east.

I'll add to this, I think Brad (Boxflyer) is a huge draw for the eastern events. We haven't had a western tech event in .... ????? Over a decade???? Can that be right?

May 5

Well lookie here, a separate thread on event participation. Sorry for readdressing the subject in the FT thread...I'm still feeling my way around this forum.

I think it's all good stuff here. For me, I didnt attend my first destination event until about 7 years ago. Totally a new concept of riding to a hub, riding some local loops, then riding home. I had always rode the points A through Z from home, and I mixed locations - riding the coast one trip, the mountains one trip, the desert, or combos of each. Loved the diversity. But living in the same place, even that got a little stale for me and going even farther is tough as I choose to work (and stay married!). And, the A-Z approach only really works well with 1-3 riders that know each other and have compatible riding styles. Doing a hub style event is a great as I can ride alone for a couple few days, catching some interesting routes and then meeting up for a few days with folks that share a common passion, then meander back home. The event destination and timing is sort of the forcing function to make a trip. I would lose interest, however, if the event was in the same place year after year. I meet up with 10-15 riders just about every Sunday AM for breakfast at the same place, but it's only 70 miles R/T and involves a fun road.

@Twisties I am a couple days ride from you...I am in Southern California. Cortez CO was a great meetup place as we did an alpine ride on the million dollar hwy loop (Durango, Ouray, Telluride) and an equally amazing desert ride up to Gateway. Good times at J Fargo's too! :)

May 6

On 2/14/2024 at 8:36 AM, Joe Frickin' Friday said:

After getting married, I started spending more and more of my vacation time with my wife, and it also didn't feel right to abandon her at home for a couple of weeks at a time. I still take an annual trip to the Driftless (Wisconsin), as it's only about 300 miles between home and the good roads, and I can have a damn good time while only being away from home for five or six days. START/FART is a bit farther away - more like 600 miles, give or take - but still means just a 5-day trip.

Similar for me, but with the kids. As the kids age I expect things to change here. More free time for solo pursuits perhaps?

I want to make it back to START or FART soon. And as you noted Driftless is fantastic for our location.

May 9

I suppose one can always find excuses, but here are mine: I retired a few years ago and imagined a lot more opportunities to ride. But, my wife decided she wanted to leave her corporate position and start her own company for the first time in a 40-year career. I was enlisted as the head go-fer and now spend a bunch of time editing our blog, handling accounting, dealing with clients, and a variety of other things. The compensation is nonexistent, except that our business allows us to travel extensively and it keeps me from sinking into a life of bourbon-induced stupor. We’re also making enough money that it allows a few luxuries that we have foregone for many years (see photo).

It comes down to finding available spots in a constantly shifting calendar that align with events. Cost is not really an issue, nor is it a result of a lack of desire to ride more. However, business travel—generally to really great places—and family/personal commitments presently consume a fair amount of time.

Additionally, we live in what I believe is one of the best riding areas in the world, the Driftless area of SW Wisconsin (it also extends into Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa). With thousands of mile of twisty, lightly traveled roads that wind through scenic valleys and atop ridges that afford views for miles, I can be on fabulous roads within 30 seconds of firing up my moto. If you’re interested in visiting the area, stop by or join us for DART.

May 9

1 hour ago, Mike said:

We’re also making enough money that it allows a few luxuries

Probably only two guys on the forum that could nail down model & year. I know it’s a Cayman or Boxster newer than 2012, best I can do. :5146: Very nice though!

PS.. A few of us won’t mind much if you show it off in “cars”!

May 9

13 hours ago, Mike said:

Additionally, we live in what I believe is one of the best riding areas in the world, the Driftless area of SW Wisconsin (it also extends into Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa). With thousands of mile of twisty, lightly traveled roads that wind through scenic valleys and atop ridges that afford views for miles, I can be on fabulous roads within 30 seconds of firing up my moto. If you’re interested in visiting the area, stop by or join us for DART.

12 hours ago, TEWKS said:

PS.. A few of us won’t mind much if you show it off in “cars”!

I'd def be interested in hearing (and seeing more pics of course) how it drives and feels on those little roads, would think a match made in heaven. I've read Peter Egan's perspective over the years driving different cars there (once an early Boxster he purchased new) but never a modern Cayman/Boxster. And in particular if it's a PDK or stick (why, likes/dislikes), and if limits have begun to be explored which I know are considerable and most likely illegal on public roads. Or whether a track day has been considered (or done), I've heard there's a fantastic racetrack not too far away : ) May not be your thing Mike but it's a great (and safe) way to acclimate if that desire exists.

https://www.roadamerica.com/track-days

May 10

On 2/14/2024 at 1:51 PM, Hosstage said:

Unless it's raining...

A couple of my best most satisfying rides came in the rain. A downpour all day riding in WVA and a huge T-Storm riding from Minnesota to Ohio.

May 10

On 5/4/2024 at 8:22 PM, Twisties said:

I'll add to this, I think Brad (Boxflyer) is a huge draw for the eastern events. We haven't had a western tech event in .... ????? Over a decade???? Can that be right?

The last one I remember for sure, I (with my mom in the back) rode up to Vancouver (Surrey, actually) BC with a small group of members I’d never met before that morning. I remember none of the details other than I had a great time and learned a bunch. This would have been around 2008 ish.

May 10

Thinking about this from a personal perspective, the factors I use when considering attending an event.

Social - Looking to meet members I've or looking to reunite with members again.
Expense - How many dollars can I spend on the trip?
Time Available - How much time do I have to make the trip?
Epic Rides - Have I ridden there before or is this a "once in a lifetime opp"?
RIding for riding's sake - Do I enjoy or can I tolerate spending time crossing the plains states in the saddle (or car if towing)?

Ex: From Indiana, I'm not likely to ride to the western states for social reasons. More likely, the event like Rushmore, Red Lodge, etc, were once in a lifetime opps or provided lift off points for extended trip (we went to Jasper, BC after the Moscow UN). The trips are high in time and money spent.

I'll go to most ARTs and Unrallies/East because we want to rekindle relationships, the costs are reasonable, the time to/from is reasonable, I can tolerate the 6-8 hours of travel; however, as good as the roads are on our side of the continent, I wouldn't consider any one of them "epic" or once in a lifetime.

Likely, others will have different factors to consider.

Edited May 10 by John Ranalletta

May 10

My decisions to date have been dictated by the following in order of importance. Is it an area of the country I've never been. Is it of a time of season I can camp along the way and be comfortable (limited funds and camping affords thrift). Do I have sufficient time from work to include MOA and RA Rally plus this event plus family obligations. This formula should change this year, retirement looms be it August or December it's 2024.

May 11

On 2/9/2024 at 9:38 PM, roadscholar said:

That may be part of it. If it were me I'd like to see different locales and ride different roads instead of the same ones over and over. Granted it's a big area and I don't know the West like you guys that live there but it seems there could be some other options. Just need somebody that'll take the time to scout and plan for new locations, we're fortunate to have more than of few of those type fellers over here in the Southeast and Midwest.

Good point. While I love southern UT (well, ALL of UT), I am good with Torrey once every 2-3 years. Then there's Weaverville: great ride getting there, great roads in the area, but that motel is a friggin dump. All in all, I deeply appreciate those of you who have and continue to work on organizing our gigs (and I sure as hell don't want to sound ungrateful).

May 12

On 2/13/2024 at 5:41 PM, 9Mary7 said:

I have a Kendon Stand-up that waits patiently in the corner of my garage....... I don't care what people think, just want to go ride some curvy roads.

Where I live, that takes some traveling to get to.

I've been considering trailering for various reasons. Trouble is most stand-up trailers have a speed limit of 55 mph. Is that an issue with the Kendon ?

May 12

6 minutes ago, joeb said:

speed limit of 55 mph

Not an issue with the Kendon.

All trailer tires I've seen are not round and vibrate like hell from 50 mph up.

Car radials on mine.....smooth as glass @ 75mph, no sway and tows easy.

May 12

I just put some radial tires on my Carry On utility trailer and the max recommended speed is 65 mph, but in over my 32 years of pulling trailers, commercially, I think I can go faster than that.

Your kilometers may vary, though.

May 12

31 minutes ago, 9Mary7 said:

Not an issue with the Kendon.

All trailer tires I've seen are not round and vibrate like hell from 50 mph up.

Car radials on mine.....smooth as glass @ 75mph, no sway and tows easy.

Thank you

May 12

I’ve done 85 with my GSA on my single Kendon. Don’t even know it’s back there. Do put on some radials.

May 12

Yikes!

May 13

My first BMWST event was the 2006 UnRally in Gunnison CO. I had just retired, had a new RT, and it was my first ride out west. I went to quite a few Unrallies after that, and I often combined that with a longer trip with my wife, who often flew to a place like Denver, in her riding gear, and I picked her up at the airport, and away we went for a few weeks. The evnts that I attended changed a fair bit, when we moved from Ottawa to Northern Virgina, in 2013. That's when Endobobdds, whom I had first met at the UnRally in Topaz Lake (and who lived in Washington, D.C.) suggested I attend START 2014. After that I became a regualr attendee of the ARTs, and rode out west much less. I think it was a comination of several factors: I was getting older, and riding to get to a western destinatiion lost some of its appeal. Trips of that sort were also rather expensive, given the number of days involved. Also, my wife broke her kneecap in 2015, and hasn't been on the back of my bike since. That means riding trips are strictly solo events for me. Finally, the ARTs are very enjoyable, for a number of reasons: it's a geat group of people, they're well organized, the riding is interesting (and fun), it's much closer than western destinations, and for the last few years, we've added Boxflyer to the mix. It's an unbeatable combination.

May 13

On 5/9/2024 at 9:53 AM, Mike said:

We’re also making enough money that it allows a few luxuries that we have foregone for many years (see photo).

So the event is finally going to live up to its original name:

Driftin' through the Driftless

Where do we line up?

May 13

14 minutes ago, Joe Frickin' Friday said:

So the event is finally going to live up to its original name:
Driftin' through the Driftless

Where do we line up?

I’ll have what he’s having!

May 13

My first BMW ST event was in the early 2000s, I believe it was called mayhem and it was in Winchester Virginia.. I was relatively new to BMW Motorcycles at the time and Justin seem to fit in and click with the group. But throughout the years, I very much enjoyed attending Americade, the Honda Hoot while it was in existence, And the BMWMOA national rallies, which were 1000 miles or less while I was working. I retired in 2017 And did my first solo trip out west to Salt Lake for the MOA national. Since then I’ve written out to Des Moines, Iowa, Great Falls, Montana, and Springfield, MO for the nationals. It was probably in 2018 or 2019 that I attended my first ART event which I found to be much different than my experience in Winchester. The people seemed very friendly and welcoming and NC then I’ve probably attended half a dozen ART EVENTS which all seem to get better. I still try and attend Americade but these days it’s mainly to meet up with my riding buddies from Canada Hawaii. Don’t see very often. I pretty much only attend the BMWST “ART “ events pretty much because my schedule is pretty packed and don’t have time to fit in many others. I’m planning to attend Redmond MOA next month and just today told my wife this may be my last long trip. I’m getting to wear. I enjoy touring for a week to 10 days and being away from home for 3 to 4 weeks just doesn’t have the allure anymore.

I very much enjoy seeing all the states. Even the so-called flyover states just don’t like being away from home that long. Thankfully, the ART events are pretty much in my backyard living in North Carolina.

May 13

On 5/12/2024 at 8:33 AM, joeb said:

I've been considering trailering for various reasons. Trouble is most stand-up trailers have a speed limit of 55 mph. Is that an issue with the Kendon ?

90 mph is my personal limit. YMMV.

May 13

To fix some of the problems with events for the western and/or central southern part of the country is to find a few guys that want to make it happen.

Get your heads together, find a location and just put it out there. Riders will come.

That is how a lot of the events in the past started and what is missing are people that want to stand up try to make it happen.

It is hard for me to believe that you can't find any good riding areas along the West coast or in Texas (Hill Country).

It should be a big expense for the individuals, just find a central place and post about it on the board.

We have been doing it in the cold season in the SE with SECFF lunches.

This can be repeated anywhere it is not snowing in the winter or during the summer in the snow belt.

Some month it may only be a few friends, while others you have 20 or 30 guys show up.

Eventually it becomes a tradition.

Who knows some lost soul from the East may show up. :4617:

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