Jake Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 To the riders and families of BMWRT.com: It is with great pleasure to announce to you that the 2003 BMWRT.com UnRally will be held in beautiful Eureka Springs, Arkansas!!!!!color=green> While we have three finalists for dates, we will be taking an opinion poll in a separate thread to follow soon. Membership input is critical as the UnRally is YOUR Rally! Look for the poll thread and please vote if you can join your fellow members for Un2 in the Springs! The Team Recourses, in a moment of temporary insanity, requested that I ride point for Un2 much as Fernando Belair most expertly did during The Gathering at Gunnison. As the saying goes, I can’t replace FB, but only hope to capably succeed him! Joining us in our efforts to bring Un2 to you is the UnRally II Planning Committee. A big thank you to the following members for volunteering their time: Murrayg Mike Snodgrass PeterScottNJ mjames venturevoodoo Sslisz Brant Herbert Recourses Fernando Belair Site Selection Eureka Springs as a site selection was an easy choice that was arrived at somewhat laboriously. After Gunnison, an informal forum was created to reflect on the experience and to share thoughts on considerations for next year. Among the locations floated were the Smokies, Ozarks, Texas Hill Country, The Black Hills, and a return to Gunnison. It wasn’t until the following post and reply occurred that we really began to focus: Fernando Belair: "So let's look at what will work for the greatest number of people and hope they show. Let's keep it to the right of center, but still reachable with a two-day ride (say, 1400-1500 miles of slab from L.A. or S.F., just as a reference point, + or -), and let's make sure there are good roads and good food. The rest is details." Sslisz (Yeeha!) "Curiosity's sake got the best of me and sent me to my maps.(Favorite lazy day thing to do) 1500 miles slabbing out of L.A. puts you in Western Arkansas and Missouri. Immediately I thought of Eureka Springs Ark. We used to camp up there often, for Ark. was/is one of my favorite vacation getaway areas…. Close to Beaver Lake, Table Rock Lake, and Bull Shoals Lake, the area is thick with campgrounds. Even Branson is only about an hour away. The Mark Twain Nation Forrest is just the other side of the Missouri line. Hmmmmm.....”color=blue> Then, after serious deliberation over all of the location possibilities DavidEBSmithcolor=blue> chimed in with experience only an Iron Butt Rally rider would have: "As for the Arkansas roads, they're not as spectacularly scenic as Colorado, but there are roads that are every bit as challenging to ride as the roads around Gunnison. Perhaps more so, because the lack of 1000 foot drop-offs will fool you into thinking the roads are mild. 341 south of Mountain Home, 14, 7, 21, 23, 43 and 16 in Arkansas, and in Missouri 76, 248, 39 will make you a very tired rider at the end of the day."color=blue> All this talk was too much for the Big Texan, who got on the Big Red RT and with a Yeeha! was off to check out the Springs. He came home with a tantalizing ride report, and a glorious picture: Our response? In. Thank you to the post-Gunnison Committee for your contributions, time, and The Love. The Plan The most important next step is to vote your preference for a date on the forthcoming date-poll thread. Once the dates are finalized, the Un2 Committee can go to work on providing information regarding lodging, camping, gathering location, attractions, food, and beyond. Soon we will be providing a separate Eureka Springs UnRally Forum, as well as an UnWebsite for your surfing enjoyment! Through the website we will be able to post pictures, links to accommodations/attractions, and even upload suggested ride routes for your downloading enjoyment. These will the two principal areas for all communications related to the UnRally, so please keep an eye out. Eureka Springs promises to be an excellent host for our next gathering. We hope to see you there! Link to comment
David Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Well, I told you this, Jake, so I guess it's okay to tell everybody: I was relieved that you were willing to catch tomatoes for this event. I had a brief moment of insanity myself, thinking I should do it, and then the dentist turned the nitrous oxide off and gave me a bill...and the pain crept upwards as I came back to my senses. Then I thought, who doesn't have a family, doesn't have an important job, and is a loner without BMWRT.com friends? I thought of you right away! And like you wrote, you must have accepted in a moment of weakness yourself. Seriously, I'd like to say a public "thank you" for all the work it'll be to organize. What I heard people say over and over again in Gunnison is that it had the right amount of organization. Loose but organized, based on lots of behind the scenes work. Looking forward to working with you, man. Link to comment
Dakota Dave Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Someone has to take the heat. Since the location is on the way to the BMWNA rally I would hope that is looked at by the voters. I am sure we could chart a very curvy route to and from Eureka. I would think that before would work better than after. Just my thoughts. P.S. Thanks for stepping up. Link to comment
WURTY Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Guess I better start kissin my wife's A$$ right now Link to comment
Greg Anderson Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 In. Is next weekend OK with everybody? Link to comment
Trinity Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Great to hear the news. The Lone Star BMW club is headed up to Eureka Springs this weekend to view some fall foliage (and hopefully not get too wet). You may want to contact Mike Moon, the tourmeister for the Ft. Worth BMW club. He was kind enough to put together an awesome 7 or 8 page route handout (including lots of local details) plus maps for those of us going on the ride. It could be easily expanded for those coming from other directions and would be a good start for those doing the planning for the event. Link to comment
Jake Posted October 24, 2002 Author Share Posted October 24, 2002 Thanks for the suggestion Byron, we're on it. Stephen Slisz is joining their group and has his marching orders (well, considering his size, let's just call it a humble request ) Link to comment
Tool Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Oh, I'm liking this... and all announced before the sad weather sets in, to give our shut-in family members something to keep them going through the long nights ahead! In reply to: Guess I better start kissin my wife's A$$ right now Allright, c'mon now, folks... who's willing to give Wurty a little HELP HERE??? Link to comment
Kathy R Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 507 miles cake walk IN But the question is; can I get off work? Link to comment
Dakota Dave Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Just some planning info for everyone. The following are distances to Eureka Springs from major locations around the US. LAX = 1607miles San Francisco = 1891miles Seattle = 2109miles St. Paul = 673miles Chicago = 610miles Boston = 1490miles Charleston (BMWNA Rally Site) 1007miles Miami = 1357miles Dallas = 394miles (looks like the Dean has a short ride) Alright ladies and gentlemen start your planning. Link to comment
ericfoerster Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Pick a day and I'm on my way ! Link to comment
decorbin Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Great choice....but I'm biased. We live about 70 miles from there and ride Ark, SW Mo roads every day. You will enjoy it! Link to comment
cruisin Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Great news Jake, My SO and I really enjoyed that area for its beautiful views and twisty roads when we were there on Labor Day weekend for the 1st annual BMW cruiser rally. (See attached pic) That one flopped by the way with only us and one other rider showing up. Had a good time anyway though. One other note: is there any way to reduce the size of that gigantic picture so we don't have to scroll side to side to read the entire lines here? Link to comment
Limecreek Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Wow, what a great post to wake up to. Don't know much about this area except for what I've heard, and what I've heard is all good stuff. This will be a pretty short trip for us Texans, so maybe we could ride to Eureka via Chicago and escort some of the Chi- towners down to Arkansas! Thanks in advance to you Jake, please let Pie- towners know how we can help. Link to comment
Marty Hill Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 IN..............whatever the date. I will plan my trip around the un-rally so I have no idea where I'll be coming from. Jake..........What can I do to help? Keep it simple, I'm old and senile. Link to comment
John Ranalletta Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 555 miles from Indy. In. Jake and other committee members, if I can help, let me know. Link to comment
PeterScottNJ Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Only 500? Gee it's 1200+ from here. I guess I come to you first. That way I won't have to go so far Link to comment
bigfoot Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 We're in!! I don't think anyone will be dissappointed by the roads in that area!! Looking forward to seeing everyone again. If there is anything I can do, just let me know. 542 miles for us. Awesome!!! dean & connie Link to comment
Bayport Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Only 692 miles for me and anyone else in the Atlanta area. I'm in. Marty, let me know if you want riding company. Link to comment
Chris K Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Great news, great location! Now the hard part, waiting. Link to comment
Agent_Orange Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 I'm stoked. I'm in. Link to comment
Jim Catlett Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 I think this is a ploy to get me to retire. I have conflicts on all three dates and could have retired four years ago. Maybe it is time to hang it up. One has to have his priorities. What do you think? Link to comment
David_S Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Only 830 or so miles for me. One days ride if anyone from this area wants to run fast from Ohio area with a KRS to get there in one day drop me a line. Link to comment
AdventurePoser Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Jake, Sounds like Arkansas will be the place to be this summer...Jennifer and I are planning a 10,000 mile plus ride this summer which will take us to the BRP, up to Vermont, and then across US2 west to Washington State and finally home...hopefully if the dates are good we can swing by, since we missed Gunnison. Ride safely, Steve in So Cal Link to comment
Dakota Dave Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Early reports show that May is the month of Choice. I guess a lot of people feel the way I do. I CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER! What a great start for the riding season! Link to comment
StretchMark Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Christine and I are in!! Chris K, Marty, Jim..hopefully we can head up together from Atlanta. Link to comment
chadhargis Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Sweet! Just under 500 miles from Nashville. I'm jumping on the Wurty train and starting the wife begging early! Link to comment
Mjames Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 ...distances to Eureka Springs from majorcolor=red> locations around the US. LAX = 1607miles ,San Francisco = 1891miles ,Seattle = 2109miles St. Paul = 673miles ,Chicago = 610miles ,Boston = 1490miles ,Charleston 1007miles , Miami = 1357miles ,Dallas = 394miles Dave, I'm sure you meant on disrepect but around here we consider NYC a "major" location. 1256 miles and 2,245 feet to be exact. Link to comment
bigmak Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Oh Boy, chiggers and ticks. In the 60's, I rode the Silver Dollar City train, and we were "robbed" by functionaries of the Clinton gang. They wanted all our valuables, even asking an old lady if that was an earring, or a dogtick hangin from her ear Speaking of bloodsuckers, will the Clinton Liebrary be open. It has a lot of security features I hear Link to comment
chadhargis Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Yeah, since we'll be in the land of Clinton...I think we should get some plump impressionable interns in blue dresses to entertain us at the rally! Link to comment
badtr8s Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Can't wait, that's why I voted for May. As for rain, you just have to realize that there is a good chance of rain anywhere in the country that time of year. (except where I live) I'm 100 miles east of S.F. and would love to ride to the event with others heading east bound on I-80 for a start. I'm self sufficient, fun, don't complain too much and can keep up. (not too hoonish, but getting there) Now if this thing goes down in summer, I'll still go, but May would work out best for me. ps. I don't mind camping, but pref. motel while en-route. Slaniac. The things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those who get there first. Link to comment
hANNAbONE Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 aMAIN ... sIR rODNEY OF wELLhUNG ... hANNAbONE ... mOOOSE..... all IN Does this mean I hafta get a new K12GT.?? I need to talk to mOOOSE ...gulp... Link to comment
RXGOLF Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 SWWWEEEETTTT!!! Everyone is in for a real treat riding in the Ozarks!!! Highway 23 from Eureka Springs south to Int.40 is about 80 miles of road that well deserves the credits it receives from the moto mags. If you make that ride(and you should), a nice little stop for lunch is Grannys cafe in Huntsville. Last time through I had the baby back ribs with all the fixins for $4.99(not a miss print). Last run I made down 23 yielded a total of 4 cars and 2 other bikes. The radar detector wasn't even turned on :- )). If you want to check out Branson, grab 62 east to 12 to 86 into Branson for a great ride. In fact, 62 or 12 in any direction is a great ride, though sometimes the traffic can be annoying. If camping is not your thing, there are tons of nice places to stay in the Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, Fayetville area and the ride from their to Eureka Springs is a blast!! I hope all of this is not a repeat, because I was too excited about the Ozark ride to keep my mouth shut before reading all of the post. Off to read now :- )). Greg Link to comment
RXGOLF Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Forgot one thing. You folks on RT's might cook in July. It will be dry, but you will be WAY hot. May could be wet, but the temperature SHOULD be excellent. The Sept. date could still be HOT and humid, or could be excellent, and I would bet very dry. My vote was for May, because though I can take a bit of heat on the KRS, I don't want all you nice folks remembering the sweltering heat of July instead of the great roads of the Ozarks! Link to comment
kowboy Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 I'm in! Started talking to the wife as soon as I saw this post about going also. She wasn't able to take off when I went to central MO at the end of august this year. Maycolor=blue> could well be wet, Julycolor=red> unbearable and Septcolor=orange> great, however who wants to wait that long. Voting for May. We would like to ride with a small group and would prefer motels(cheap). I can do 600-800 mile days but don't think my wife could handle this. Don Link to comment
murrayg Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Arkansas is never going to be the same after you hoons hit the back roads. I'm sooo excited that y'all are coming to play in my backyard. I guarantee you'll find roads to your liking, food you'll enjoy, and we all know the company isn't half bad either. Ok let's hear from more of the east coasts. As I am originally an east coaster y'all come on down and play. You won't be disappointed. Link to comment
Billbotoo Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 I'm in, will be a thousand miles from Savannah, but then I can go to Charlston, then home, good thing I am retired and have an understanding woman(don't you think it is time for you to take a three week trip hon?) I wonder sometimes. Link to comment
ChrisNYC Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Thanks Jake (and all of the rest of you) who have undertaken this Unrally. I've placed my vote regarding dates. Once that's determined, the harrassment of my boss I mean the planning begins! Link to comment
RANDY SIMONEAU Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Only 430 miles from Arlington, Tx. So any time. July is my m/c clubs least busy time but May will be beautiful, too. Just returned about two months ago from Missouri (southern)and found heaven for the first time in all the roads there. They are perfect, lightly traveled, banked,maintained and roller coaster fun. Suggest a 500 mile day there as a starter. See you there!!!! Link to comment
Ralph Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 The eurika springs area is just about 250 or 300 miles from my dooestep. I'm ready,lets go!!!...Ralph in Edmond ,Oklahoma........YEEE HAAA !!! Link to comment
Ralph Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 By the way,There is the Iron Horse Stables there too. A motel just for bikers of all rides. There's a bunch going there this weekend. Guess what? It has been raining here for the last two days and is not going to stop any time soon ,Me thinks! UGH! http://www.ironhorsestables.com/ Link to comment
Brian Mc Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Oh m' Gawd! I'm headed there this morning, in 3 hours to be exact! Excellent choice, boys! Our club has it's annual fall colors ride there every year. Link to comment
Lone_RT_rider Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Well, Rainy actually saw this post before I did and brought it up to me. And one of the first things out of her mouth when she heard the location was "that sounds like a distance I am comfortable riding the R1100R". All this in consideration I am going to say we are in! Personally, I could have cared less if you planned the thing in death valley in August I still would have been there. Don't get me wrong, I still have an incredible soft spot for the Smokies and hope to some day get together with the BMWRT.com crew in that region. But when I started reading this post I got so excited about finally meeting some of the west coasters and seeing our friends from the Chi-town crew again (and of course everyone else too!) that suddenly "where" didn't seem to matter. This is more about who than where. I don't think we would miss this for the world. My vote for time frame is definitely mid-May'ish. Early May is till a bit cold for us northerners (we have seen snow in Michigan in May) and late may get's too close to tourist season with memorial weekend and all. Mid may sounds like the ticket to me. Besides, that will give us at least a couple of months to recover from the trip to Disney world in March...... Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! On to Un2! Wooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!! Shawn Link to comment
Ralph Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Just a sugestion from a newby to this group....I would get info on the places to stay and book it in advance. Look at the link in my other post. Alot of bikers stay there. Can't say that I have,becxause the first time my wife & I went there this summer,the sign had blown down from a storm the day before and we could'nt find the turn off. But there are allot of other places to stay. Link to comment
marty mayer Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 I'm in!!! after going to gunny last year how could i not be. if i can help in any way feel free to ask. Marty Mayer MOA RA IBA Link to comment
Rob Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Count 2 more to the maddness. My wife likes to visit ES. She will be riding her RS. This area is a great place for second honeymoons! A suggestion, make reservations soon. My experiances in ES are that the h/motels fill quickly from early May thru Labor Day. Rob Lessen Arma, KS Link to comment
Ralph Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 I just thought I'd warn ya ...My wife still drives a Harley! Not a convert yet... I hope she won't be the subject of ridacule???? Link to comment
Ralph Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Hay Dave,you forgot a major city there... Oklahoma,City....LOL The following are distances to Eureka Springs from major locations around the US. LAX = 1607miles San Francisco = 1891miles Seattle = 2109miles St. Paul = 673miles Chicago = 610miles Boston = 1490miles Charleston (BMWNA Rally Site) 1007miles Miami = 1357miles Dallas = 394miles (looks like the Dean has a short ride) Link to comment
Lone_RT_rider Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Ummmm.....Is Detroit still considered a major city? LOL Link to comment
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