Topic: 2014 Rally/Relay

[Bankerdanny]

I'm going to start a new topic and avoid cluttering up the team threads with this.

I commented on one thread a couple weeks back that this year's ride has been like herding cats.  V 1.0 was amazing in how it just came together. 2.0 went pretty smoothly I think (I didn't participate last year due to no SOHC4,  my Goldwing not running well, and my MGB taking up lots of my time and money).

But this year it's been really hard to know when GZ was moving to the next team, which caused a ripple effect making it even harder down the line to find riders. This is why I think a format change is needed next year (and I really want there to be a next year).

I would like to see a rock band style World Tour where GZ goes from event to event by Fedex, which would allow him to be in Florida one weekend and California the next. More than that, where he would be would be date certain, allowing people with busy schedules to more easily carve out time.

A sign up sheet could be set up in January or February. Someone could 'reserve' Godzilla for an event and be in charge of bringing him, the banner, and the log book. Since it would be a date certain thing, local SOHC4 owners could know that if they attend, GZ will be waiting for them. Plus they could coordinate easily amongst themselves to set up a ride with him on local roads.

This would also make it easier for our friends in Canada and Alaska to get him. For that matter SOHC4 members around the world could get him for their events or even just a weekend visit.

Any thoughts?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Thank you, ain't that the damn truth. Not enough focus and passion. But it's all about our members. Too many "other bikes" and too many shipping boxes. My thought is change is needed - either back to the original concept and rules or forget this and be totally different and see where it leads.

[Stev-o]

Something different is not a bad idea. I had to ship GZ off this year due to Justin having a family emergency and not being able to make it to his pick up site.

Maybe a week in each location?

[scottly]

I'm going to start a new topic and avoid cluttering up the team threads with this.

I commented on one thread a couple weeks back that this year's ride has been like herding cats.  V 1.0 was amazing in how it just came together.

V 1.0 had some serious problems in a couple of areas. If not for several high-mileage Heroes, GZ would never have made it.
A change in format has been suggested before, and more than once...
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=96790.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117016.0

[Mooshie]

As I have participated in all 3 GZ rally's thus far I would truly love to see a GZ-4 occur.  That being said I have simply only ridden and did not step up to the plate to assist with any of the organization of it--so this is just my 2 cents--I recall Scott's idea where we would have a regional meet up.  Or perhaps we could just have one big meetup somewhere and everyone could just descend upon an unsuspecting town--ha ha.  Or better yet we could just all meet at Fun Jimmy's in Canada--he is a great host (I can attest to that!)  Okay--see why I am not a coordinator on any of these events?  No matter what happens for 2014 I am in so I will now sit back and see how this evolves...

[madmtnmotors]

Not enough focus and passion.

Nailed it. In order to expect to be able to participate, conversely requires some level of p_a_r_t_i_c_i_p_a_t_i_o_n. Providing input, planning, support, suggestions, scheduling assistance, cheer leading, constructive criticism, etc. Having participated at a fairly high level I can assure everyone that the return on my efforts invested have been an absolute BLAST!  I've even met and made some new friends along the way...

Something different is not a bad idea. I had to ship GZ off this year due to Justin having a family emergency and not being able to make it to his pick up site.

Maybe a week in each location?

Figure maybe an eight month time frame would give you 32 weeks. Figure four of those weeks as "bye" weeks for weather/confusion/life responsibilities would leave 28 "locations". Figure three-day ground delivery and you got four days at each of those 28 locations, loosely from March through October. Some of us can ride year-round (sorry guys, not trying to rub it in), but there aren't many areas that can (unless you're tough, like Jerry, Greg, Coke, Mooshie, and many others). All this would take is for someone to categorize, catalog, and schedule any and all major motorcycling events worthy of consideration and run with it, while at the same time coordinating these with their respective regional riders. Not a task to be taken lightly, especially when many members still have silly things like everyday life to deal with!  (I hate it when responsibilities interfere with my leisure time!)     

V 1.0 had some serious problems in a couple of areas. If not for several high-mileage Heroes, GZ would never have made it.

Is there a Toastmasters club for those that have mastered the art of "understatement"?     

[scottly]

Thanks Wilbur.

[Mooshie]

Thanks Wilbur.

+1

I don't know how I ended up in the company of Greg, Jerry, Coke, Scott and so many others but I am content to stand on the shoulders of giants.  I am in for whatever 2014 brings and I will even help out this time Scott...I promise.

[scottly]

I am in for whatever 2014 brings and I will even help out this time Scott...I promise.

Huh? You RODE on all three relays!?? How many relay miles, through sometimes adverse conditions, Wind Goddess?

[70CB750]

Timing was challenging, it was hard to even estimate when would GZ show up in your area or head your way.

People who signed up would just drop out - often related to the first point.

And when I thought he was gone for good, Godzilla just showed up again.  Actually, that was not bad, I like riding to PA and meeting Larry was a great bonus

From reading logs and following, i think kudos go to Stev-o, since he made that local meet-up really  happen.

[scottly]

People who signed up would just drop out

And then not reply to PMs. That really pisses me off. Oops, wrong thread.
Seriously, team coordinators can only do so much; we can't tell you what to do. We can only make suggestions. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink...

[70CB750]

The timing worked for me, I had time to get back from Grand Canyon family trip and organize and move GZ around.

But Chris Kickstart was ready to participate and it did colide with his vacation.  Chris would be perfect to move GZ from Gap.

Oh well

[Bankerdanny]

I'm going to start a new topic and avoid cluttering up the team threads with this.

I commented on one thread a couple weeks back that this year's ride has been like herding cats.  V 1.0 was amazing in how it just came together.

V 1.0 had some serious problems in a couple of areas. If not for several high-mileage Heroes, GZ would never have made it.
A change in format has been suggested before, and more than once...
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=96790.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117016.0

I have not forgotten the guys (like yourself) that stepped up and rode over 1,000 miles solo to get him across coverage gaps out west and CB650 who rode him from Chicago down to Indy in Mid May in upper 40 degreee temps and rain to keep him moving along.

I know some people don't like the idea of GZ traveling by courier. But we have talked about wanting to bring him to various bike events around the country and it is virtually impossible to ensure that GZ is in any particular place at a specific time with the exception of day 1.

[Stev-o]

From reading logs and following, i think kudos go to Stev-o, since he made that local meet-up really  happen.

No kudos necessary, but thanks.  It has worked out in Cen Tex fine all three years, although getting him west to NM was a challenge [and impossible to get him to W TX this year].

I think Danny's original idea is basicly what I have done here.  I offered use of the local campground on the lake and most importantly, have fantastic roads to ride in this area, so the guys were happy to travel here. 
The Architect and I have already spoken about a plan for next year. It will be a little differant, we want to have the meet near Garner State Park so we can ride The Three Sisters!

http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/555/Texas/The-Three-Sisters-(AKA-The-Twisted-Sisters)--Ranch-Roads-335-336337a.html

Can I reserve GZ for April 18-25th?!

[FunJimmy]

  Or better yet we could just all meet at Fun Jimmy's in Canada--he is a great host (I can attest to that!)

Thanks Lisa. Ok, it's a plan! Everyone meet here, there's lots of Tequila, and we'll hammer out the West Coast route.

If there's a way to tighten up the GZ schedule for the various regions, rider commitment is sure to improve, but pre-booking vacation time and find that delays beyond your control have pushed GZ off a week or two can be a deal breaker.

[70CB750]

From reading logs and following, i think kudos go to Stev-o, since he made that local meet-up really  happen.

No kudos necessary, but thanks.  It has worked out in Cen Tex fine all three years, although getting him west to NM was a challenge [and impossible to get him to W TX this year].

I think Danny's original idea is basicly what I have done here.  I offered use of the local campground on the lake and most importantly, have fantastic roads to ride in this area, so the guys were happy to travel here. 
The Architect and I have already spoken about a plan for next year. It will be a little differant, we want to have the meet near Garner State Park so we can ride The Three Sisters!

http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/555/Texas/The-Three-Sisters-(AKA-The-Twisted-Sisters)--Ranch-Roads-335-336337a.html

Can I reserve GZ for April 18-25th?!

I am just creative brownnoser 

But how about extended that reservation idea, with people booking GZ for given amount of time.  If he can move in between places on two wheels fine, otherwise it would be box for lizard.  That way everybody knows ahead of the time when is the event taking place and can plan their life around it, since GZ travel is the most important thing the whole year.

Or the complete opposite approach is to relax the time schedule.  If there is a rider available in two weeks, so be it, GZ can wait.  Emphasis on SOHC4 carrier and not on time or even the need to finish in given year. And observer how far he gets without riding other bikes and brown trucks.  As of now, I like this better, it should be playful experience and not a stressed chase for next rider.

[madmtnmotors]

But how about extended that reservation idea, with people booking GZ for given amount of time.

You might have summed it up right there. If regional riders had to "Reserve" a given time slot, which would likely be on a first come, first served basis, then the regional rider(s) would be taking on more responsibility and the planning would consist mostly of just posting and updating the scheduled times and places. Scheduling would have to include shipping/delivery times as well. Sounds like the most efficient way of making it happen without putting too much load on just a few members.

I like it... 

[Stev-o]

But how about extended that reservation idea, with people booking GZ for given amount of time.

You might have summed it up right there. If regional riders had to "Reserve" a given time slot, which would likely be on a first come, first served basis, then the regional rider(s) would be taking on more responsibility and the planning would consist mostly of just posting and updating the scheduled times and places. Scheduling would have to include shipping/delivery times as well. Sounds like the most efficient way of making it happen without putting too much load on just a few members.

I like it... 

+1.     Should we make a poll?

[seanbarney41]

This will quickly d/evolve into a series of regional meets where the organizer with the first/best idea gets everyones attention and the rest don't want to try and do anything that may conflict...not that this is necessarily bad.  It has the potential to allow many members to meet up rather than just getting to meet the few relay riders in your area.  Dis-advantage?...the U.S. is a big country (the world is even bigger) and there will always be those that live too far from other members to make it to a meet.  The relay seemed pretty darn effective at bringing Godzilla to your general neighborhood, if you were interested in having him...I think some sort of mass sohc4 meet would be a positive thing, whether we do the relay or not.

[Bankerdanny]

This will quickly d/evolve into a series of regional meets where the organizer with the first/best idea gets everyones attention and the rest don't want to try and do anything that may conflict...not that this is necessarily bad.  It has the potential to allow many members to meet up rather than just getting to meet the few relay riders in your area.  Dis-advantage?...the U.S. is a big country (the world is even bigger) and there will always be those that live too far from other members to make it to a meet.  The relay seemed pretty darn effective at bringing Godzilla to your general neighborhood, if you were interested in having him...I think some sort of mass sohc4 meet would be a positive thing, whether we do the relay or not.

Actually regional meets was kind of what I was thinking. For the smaller more heavily populated states the rally format works well. But for big states like California, or non-contiguous ones like Hawaii and Alaska, the rally never gets close enough for some members to participate.

Some states/geographic areas have multiple events that are spread out. Wisconsin has Rockerbox and the Road America classic bike show 2 months apart, plus you can throw in the Chicago Mods vs Rockers that is usually just before or after the Road America show. And of course Road America conflicts with the Gilmore show. The Indy Mods vs Rockers is usually in May, and the Dallas one in March. Mid Ohio is July, Barber is October when GZ is usually across the country in Washington.

Even if GZ spent the weekend with one guy in Montana that would still be cool. Like the pranksters that kidnap ceramic Gnome statues and send them around the world getting it's picture taken at famous places. It would be cool to see a single SOHC4 with GZ perched on the tank and Mount Rushmore or Mount McKinley in the background.

I really loved riding with all of you in 2011 and am really looking forward to riding this year (whenever it happens) even though I'll be on the GoldWing. But the nature of how it has been run limits who can participate. My proposed format might make it easier for more people to commit.

If we decide to keep the same setup then 2014 has to be a stricter schedule with route and times pretty much established in advance.

[Stev-o]

Well said Danny.  One thing missing this year was a team leader. Jerry took ownership of the first, Wilbur put together a great schedule last year. This year was a lot looser and came apart at the seams at times. 
Would you be willing to be Team Captain for 2014? You have good vision.

[brooze72]

+1  I think you're onto something good guys..  I got this year's tee shirt, but am still not yet sure if I will get my paws on GZ3.  I agree we need to change it up if it is to continue.

[scottly]

Steve, North Texas was HELL in 2011.
Here are some stats from previous Relays:
In 2011, 336 riders were on the sign-up list.
In 2012, 134 riders were on the sign-up list.
So far this year, there are only 107..

We will never do again what we accomplished in 2011: over 20,000 miles ridden on old Hondas....

[RAFster122s]

A SPOT GPS locator to tag along with Godzilla would tell you precisely where GZ is, at the expense of privacy.

Schedule slips happen because of life and weather, sometimes it cannot be avoided. Some riders don't have enough experience with weather as they only ride when it is nice. A buddy of mine in Columbus, OH, Don, rides year round and unless it is pouring rain or icy he rides. He has an insulated armored suit for winter and changes into leathers or other AGATT gear. He rides Ducatis and does track schools and even helps teach at them. He is an anomaly among most riders. Several distance riders mentioned here have similar ethos and spirit as Don.
It might be good to slow the pace and give a cushion for the movement to various points, that way vacation time that is scheduled doesn't have to get used doing something else. It might be good to start GZ in the states that have winter riding tolerable and then move GZ north after people are riding again. I realize this is similar but the rains delayed GZ moving W this year, could happen any year...mother nature is not predictable.

[seanbarney41]

Steve, North Texas was HELL in 2011.
Here are some stats from previous Relays:
In 2011, 336 riders were on the sign-up list.
In 2012, 134 riders were on the sign-up list.
So far this year, there are only 107..

We will never do again what we accomplished in 2011: over 20,000 miles ridden on old Hondas....

kinda sad really...everybody seems to have an excuse to NOT ride...."I decided to drive my Escalade instead 'cuz it's way more comfortable than my gl1800..."