Topic: 2017

[Bankerdanny]

So this year has pretty much been a bust from a Relay Rally perspective, although I personally got to enjoy PZ's company for over a month.

I am wondering if perhaps we need to consider trying to pull together a national meetup event along the lines of the Goldwing Club's WingDing event (although I think they actually do a couple regional events)?

By setting a specific time and place well in advance, perhaps more people can plan their schedule accordingly. Plus I think that there are many owners who dream of a long ride on their bikes, but don't feel comfortable at a more hard-core event like Sturgis, Daytona, or even Americade.

What do you think?

[Mooshie]

I'm in!  I would love to get something like this going.  We have discussed it in the past but nothing came of it.  Let's start something and I will help with the planning as needed.

[madmtnmotors]

Have bike, will travel!

[70CB750]

I am all for it .

[edwardmorris]

Lets not write off 2016 just yet, I'm still hoping to get a hold of PZ for a while. This summer has been exceptionally difficult scheduling wise due the election crap, but I'm hoping to make time in fall for some nice rides through the changing colors. The 2017 grand meet up sounds like a great idea, but my attendance will largely depend on the location.

[Bankerdanny]

Edward, talk to Scottly, he has PZ now and as far as I know the only plan is to take him to a show this coming weekend.

[Duke McDukiedook]

where and when?

[Bankerdanny]

That's the question. Someplace central US I would think, preferably with some good riding roads. The Ozarks maybe?

[Bankerdanny]

When is also a tough question. Mid June? late September? Before the real heat comes or after it ends.

[Buckskin Bandit]

Man, wish I could, but not for a couple years yet...    Maybe after I get the chopper running and my finances a little more in order...

[Dunk]

Put me in the maybe group... Depends mostly on location. If it's on the east coast I would be interested.

[madmtnmotors]

I don't think there's any question about whether a member would be interested in attending, the question for most is "how far?". A better polling question might be "How far would you be willing to ride (round trip) for a SOHC/4 meet-up?". Then have the polling options broke down in 100 mile increments starting at 100 miles up to 600 miles, then 200 mile increments from there up to 1600 miles, i.e.:

>100
>200
>300
>400
>500
>600
>800
>1000
>1200
>1400
>1600+

There are some that believe 100 miles is a long trip and are mortified at the thought of expending an entire tank of fuel on a single ride. Then there's those of us that will round-trip 500 miles in one day just for lunch. A good benchmark for a reasonable one day ride is probably 300 to 350 miles.

Once there's an idea where the "sweet spot" is for riding distance, then the plan can develop as to whether there would be one meet-up, or (most likely) several regional meet-ups. I know the Hondachopper guys have two gatherings each year, one in the East and one in the West.

[Bankerdanny]

You read my mind Wilbur. I was thinking that very same thing on my way to the office this morning.

So, with that in mind, here a link to my thread on this subject in the "Open Forums" section: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,160390.0.html so that we can move this out of the 2016 Rally section.

What I need to know is (1) How far would you be willing to ride to attend an event (2) Where are you located (I need a city and state please) and (3) what would be the best time of the year for you?

I will create a spreadsheet and track responses for a couple months and then select a couple of locations that would maximize participation.

Here is my vision for an inaugural event:

• 25+ people.
• A location that offers an opportunity for great scenic cruising as well as some twisties for people that want to exercise the sporty sides of their bikes.
• Options for both camping and hotels. A campground that offers an option of cabins, like the Plymouth Rock Campground I stayed at for Rockerbox would be ideal.
• Someplace that is no more than a 2 day ride (or one long day) for the largest number of participants. In my opinion, 400 miles is a long day, particularly on an SOHC4. So that means a radius of around 800 miles from the event location.
• Most people arrive Friday night and we kick off with a breakfast ride Saturday and finish with brunch on Sunday so everyone can head for home Sunday afternoon.
• I am thinking that this is a riding intensive event. A Saturday morning sport ride, a Saturday afternoon cruise/sightseeing ride and group lunch. Dinner Saturday is an open fire cookout at the campground. If there was an actual drive in movie theater in the area, that might be a fun group event. Another sport ride Sunday morning followed by packing up for those who plan to leave after a ride somewhere for brunch

What I would hope the event would be is a fun, casual, relaxed weekend where members who only know each other's forum handles get a chance to meet and ride together in real life. I have really enjoyed doing that with the local members I have met over the years.

Thanks for your responses.

Danny

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Just posted up 'the banner' from the original ride in 2011. Go there and take a look. We had participants then. 

[Desert-SOHC]

There are some that believe 100 miles is a long trip and are mortified at the thought of expending an entire tank of fuel on a single ride. Then there's those of us that will round-trip 500 miles in one day just for lunch. A good benchmark for a reasonable one day ride is probably 300 to 350 miles.

Once there's an idea where the "sweet spot" is for riding distance, then the plan can develop as to whether there would be one meet-up, or (most likely) several regional meet-ups. I know the Hondachopper guys have two gatherings each year, one in the East and one in the West.

150 plus is my normal around town ride, 300 is a fun day, but I'm good for 600 a day.

[Mooshie]

You read my mind Wilbur. I was thinking that very same thing on my way to the office this morning.

So, with that in mind, here a link to my thread on this subject in the "Open Forums" section: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,160390.0.html so that we can move this out of the 2016 Rally section.

What I need to know is (1) How far would you be willing to ride to attend an event (2) Where are you located (I need a city and state please) and (3) what would be the best time of the year for you?

I will create a spreadsheet and track responses for a couple months and then select a couple of locations that would maximize participation.

Here is my vision for an inaugural event:

• 25+ people.
• A location that offers an opportunity for great scenic cruising as well as some twisties for people that want to exercise the sporty sides of their bikes.
• Options for both camping and hotels. A campground that offers an option of cabins, like the Plymouth Rock Campground I stayed at for Rockerbox would be ideal.
• Someplace that is no more than a 2 day ride (or one long day) for the largest number of participants. In my opinion, 400 miles is a long day, particularly on an SOHC4. So that means a radius of around 800 miles from the event location.
• Most people arrive Friday night and we kick off with a breakfast ride Saturday and finish with brunch on Sunday so everyone can head for home Sunday afternoon.
• I am thinking that this is a riding intensive event. A Saturday morning sport ride, a Saturday afternoon cruise/sightseeing ride and group lunch. Dinner Saturday is an open fire cookout at the campground. If there was an actual drive in movie theater in the area, that might be a fun group event. Another sport ride Sunday morning followed by packing up for those who plan to leave after a ride somewhere for brunch

What I would hope the event would be is a fun, casual, relaxed weekend where members who only know each other's forum handles get a chance to meet and ride together in real life. I have really enjoyed doing that with the local members I have met over the years.

Thanks for your responses.

Danny

Danny:
Where are we with this?  Any idea of locations?  Rough idea? 

[scottly]

Personally, as much as I would like to meet some of the members on the right side of the states, I think that 3 or 4 separate meetings would be more feasible. It would be a very long ride to the Ozarks, and bike miles are longer than car miles; it takes me 10 hours to drive 610 miles to my hometown in CA, with two 15 minute pit stops, and that is with a fair amount of Interstate miles. On a bike, you will need to re-fuel at least twice as often.
I might be interested in meeting up someplace like Colorado, or southern Utah? Even then, I would consider covering the boring miles with the bike in the back of my truck.

[Bankerdanny]

update here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,160390.msg1869329.html#msg1869329

[754]

 Interesting to read this, then compare to how it actually played out. The idea was sprung nearly a year before we made it happen .. good stuff.

[70CB750]

So, where is Godzilla now?  Reunions are nice,  But the little guy is supposed to be travelling.