Topic: 2014 Rally/Relay

[Eydugstr]

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....

Never say never.  Was very happy to be a part of the first one, and get to participate a little in the second one.  Really wanted to be part of the third one, but my work schedule just wouldn't permit it.

Going by those numbers I'd say the big drop-off occurred last year, instead of this year.  202 less riders vs. 27 is a big difference!

I'd much rather light a candle than curse the darkness...Came up with an idea that might increase some of those numbers.  To make it a little more accessible for people to be a part of the rally, change a rule.  Right now, the way I understand it, is that the mascot can only be carried by a CB, correct?  Why not change that rule to where the mascot can be carried only by a forum member?  A list of forum members could be printed up before the start of the rally, and just checked off as the rally went along.

[Bankerdanny]

If we were to retaint the current back and forth across the country setup then 2014 would need to be more structured.

Develop the basic route, establish a basic time table and then call for participants to fill the needed slots.

[Mooshie]

Absolutely.  So we should get planning as 2014 is going to swing into high gear fairly soon.  Have we decided yet on the structure?  Seems like we have a few options
1) Central location and we all descend for one big meet up
2) 3 GZ's traveling around in different areas of the country to either remain separate OR all meet up in a central location
3) Retain the current West to East or East to West route with the 4th GZ and develop a route, time table, participants (as we have for the prior 3 relays)
4) Turn GZ into a library book and have people "check him out" across the country to travel around with him (are we ever going to have a girl GZ? just wondering  ).  The local meet up idea would be this one I am guessing.

Did I miss any options?

[Eydugstr]

As more ideas come in, maybe we could use the poll function as a way of deciding on changes/ideas.

[70CB750]

Could somebody explain why is it Godzilla? 

[Stev-o]

Could somebody explain why is it Godzilla? 

Would you rather it be Barbie?

[madmtnmotors]

Could somebody explain why is it Godzilla? 

Not sure why this ended up in the Tech forum, I think Jerry was trying to reach the largest audience possible:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=83223.0

[70CB750]

Could somebody explain why is it Godzilla? 

Would you rather it be Barbie?

Thanks, Wilbur!

Barbie was not even an option, what a load of male chauvinists 

[Stev-o]

Could somebody explain why is it Godzilla? 

Would you rather it be Barbie?

Thanks, Wilbur!

Barbie was not even an option, what a load of male chauvinists 

Yes, we are.

[70CB750]

That's why I like to hang around here 

[Bankerdanny]

Could somebody explain why is it Godzilla? 

Not sure why this ended up in the Tech forum, I think Jerry was trying to reach the largest audience possible:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=83223.0

And of course we ended up combining the options, we had Godzilla holding a piston and also had a banner.

[Retro Rocket]

Could somebody explain why is it Godzilla?

Godzilla is a Japanese icon, CB750 is also a Japanese icon.....

[Bankerdanny]

So even though I haven't added anything here for a while, I still have been pondering next year.

A couple new thoughts:

Given the decline in participation should we consider adding another owner's group? Personally I was thinking about the Naked Goldwing (NGW) group. There are several SOHC members that are also members there including me, Terry in Australia, and Old School Is Cool from Michigan and the GoldWing is a common 'other bike' here at SOHC4. I'm going to be riding mine for the Michigan leg of the Rally since my 550 isn't close to ready. I think the NGW members would be interested and help keep things rolling along.

There have been a few suggested formats: (1) staying with the current style, (2) a ride-in type event (think the Wingding events that the GoldWing Riders Association has hosted for 20+ yeares), and (3) my idea of shipping GZ around so he can represent the SOHC at the various special events that happen around the country.

Right now there are actually 3 GZ's: his year's Pimpzilla, Lefty from v2.0 and the original from the 2011 inaugural event.

So really there is no reason why we can't implement something like my idea and still also do a Relay Rally 4.0. Create a couple more banners and let our colors fly at Mods vs Rockers Dallas, Chicago, Indy, etc., Rockerbox, Mid Ohio, Barber.

[RAFster122s]

Just a thought...
There would be little to prevent the "retired" Godzillas from doing the bike show circuit.

[Bankerdanny]

My thought too.

[artsqu]

Wikipedia says the following:
"From the time of the 1912 additions of New Mexico and Arizona, until the 1959 additions of Alaska and Hawaii, the NGS placed the geographic center of the entire United States at a point near the town of Lebanon, Kansas."
We should have a mass meet up in Lebanon Kansas--Do we have any members there?
I will coordinate a ride from CA to Kansas and pick up those in the in between states....
I am only kind of kidding!

Hmmm, 1936 Km, 18 hours riding = 3 days, that's doable, when do I need to book a week's vacation?  Michigan guys, where do we meet up?  We'll ride in an SOHC pack cause I know there are a ton in MI (Yes I'm a bit of a dreamer, but damn, it sounds like fun!)

This sounds like a great outing count me in. I will start getting my bike ready and planning as soon as dates are penciled in.

Artsqu

[Bankerdanny]

It does sound like fun. I would be interested.

[Eydugstr]

Absolutely.  So we should get planning as 2014 is going to swing into high gear fairly soon.  Have we decided yet on the structure?  Seems like we have a few options
1) Central location and we all descend for one big meet up
2) 3 GZ's traveling around in different areas of the country to either remain separate OR all meet up in a central location
3) Retain the current West to East or East to West route with the 4th GZ and develop a route, time table, participants (as we have for the prior 3 relays)
4) Turn GZ into a library book and have people "check him out" across the country to travel around with him (are we ever going to have a girl GZ? just wondering  ).  The local meet up idea would be this one I am guessing.

Did I miss any options?

Again, please consider this idea, especially for the relay rally...Change the rule that says only a CB Honda can take the mascot, to where only a forum member can take the mascot.

It'll be a good way to recoup some of the numbers of riders we lost from 2011 to 2012.  There's a lot of riders on the forum that own CB's, but for whatever reason don't use them for long distance trips. 

[Retro Rocket]

Absolutely.  So we should get planning as 2014 is going to swing into high gear fairly soon.  Have we decided yet on the structure?  Seems like we have a few options
1) Central location and we all descend for one big meet up
2) 3 GZ's traveling around in different areas of the country to either remain separate OR all meet up in a central location
3) Retain the current West to East or East to West route with the 4th GZ and develop a route, time table, participants (as we have for the prior 3 relays)
4) Turn GZ into a library book and have people "check him out" across the country to travel around with him (are we ever going to have a girl GZ? just wondering  ).  The local meet up idea would be this one I am guessing.

Did I miss any options?

Again, please consider this idea, especially for the relay rally...Change the rule that says only a CB Honda can take the mascot, to where only a forum member can take the mascot.

It'll be a good way to recoup some of the numbers of riders we lost from 2011 to 2012.  There's a lot of riders on the forum that own CB's, but for whatever reason don't use them for long distance trips.

It is a SOHC forum event, not just a relay so i would have to disagree with that..  We have nearly 15000 members, if the relay is organized like the first relay it will achieve its goal. Sometimes, unfortunately things like this only really work out well once, as everyone had a common goal to make it all work as a first, and it did, for some it may now be a case of "been there done that", it may have lost some of its shine for some, or its just not as well organized.....   Lets not cheapen it  before giving it a real good go......Just my opinion..   What do you call "long distance", just curious...?

[scottly]

What do you call "long distance", just curious...?

It seems some folks think it is across town, from the previous relays.  
The main problem has always been a lack of commitment rather than a lack of planning; it's hard to plan with no committed riders, especially over long distances. Planning can, and should be started well in advance of a known schedule. People sign up at the beginning, then provide no input and sometimes go MIA, leading to numerous PM's by coordinators trying to get GZ down the road.      

[scottly]

Absolutely.  So we should get planning as 2014 is going to swing into high gear fairly soon.  Have we decided yet on the structure?  Seems like we have a few options
1) Central location and we all descend for one big meet up
2) 3 GZ's traveling around in different areas of the country to either remain separate OR all meet up in a central location
3) Retain the current West to East or East to West route with the 4th GZ and develop a route, time table, participants (as we have for the prior 3 relays)
4) Turn GZ into a library book and have people "check him out" across the country to travel around with him (are we ever going to have a girl GZ? just wondering  ).  The local meet up idea would be this one I am guessing.

Did I miss any options?

Along the lines of option #2, any interest in a meeting in Southern Utah???

[madmtnmotors]

What do you call "long distance", just curious...?

It seems some folks think it is across town, from the previous relays.  

+1

Got the impression from a few "potential" participants in the past (the 1%'ers) that if we couldn't figure out how to deliver it to their doorstep then they couldn't be bothered...

Planning and participation is the key, and one (or more) members in each region has to step up and do a little more than everyone else for the "plan to come together" (you guys know who you are). Of course, they can't do it alone, and without local support even those that step up to go "above and beyond" can quickly become disenchanted due to a lack of participation by members in the area. Even if your bike isn't ready to ride, members can still help with scheduling, planning, mapping, cheerleading, etc. They should be able to help in those capacities even more so since they're not scrambling to get their bike ready for their leg of the relay!

A "long distance" day for me would be anything approaching (or exceeding) 400 miles. My longest day (not relay related) being 750 miles, with some 600+ mile days back to back (also not related to the relay). Heck, doing 300 miles on back roads should be doable in less than 8 hours of "seat time" with just a 40mph average...

[Mooshie]

Absolutely.  So we should get planning as 2014 is going to swing into high gear fairly soon.  Have we decided yet on the structure?  Seems like we have a few options
1) Central location and we all descend for one big meet up
2) 3 GZ's traveling around in different areas of the country to either remain separate OR all meet up in a central location
3) Retain the current West to East or East to West route with the 4th GZ and develop a route, time table, participants (as we have for the prior 3 relays)
4) Turn GZ into a library book and have people "check him out" across the country to travel around with him (are we ever going to have a girl GZ? just wondering  ).  The local meet up idea would be this one I am guessing.

Did I miss any options?

Along the lines of option #2, any interest in a meeting in Southern Utah???

I would be up for that!  You know me Scott tell me when and where and I will find a way to get there (I just don't want to coordinate  ) 

[ofreen]

Along the lines of option #2, any interest in a meeting in Southern Utah???

Probably.

[scottly]

I would be up for that!  You know me Scott tell me when and where and I will find a way to get there (I just don't want to coordinate  )

Weather-wise, I would guess late Spring/early summer, but it's always a crap-shoot...