Topic: SOHC4 Family Reunion Aug 15-17 2017 Dolores Colorado

[tlbranth]

Consider Deadwood, SD. Lots of good riding in the Black Hills. Naked Goldwings had a get-together at Wild Bill's campground there last year and people came from the east, west and even Texas.

[ofreen]

+1

[Bankerdanny]

Deadwood is an interesting thought and could include an easy day trip to Mt. Rushmore, which I have never seen.

But it makes for a very long trip for the California, 1300-1400 miles for pretty much everyone that responded and only a couple hundred miles less than the Ozarks area I had originally suggested. As has been pointed out, that is a very long trip via SOHC4 and would require probably 10 solid days of riding for the round trip, which is a lot to ask of anyone. Riding my Wing 1,000+ miles was much more comfortable than my 550.

I am leaning towards central Colorado at this point which is pretty much equidistant from SoCal and Chicago, but would be a hike for PNW folks like yourself and FunJimmy.

[greenjeans]

I could do Arkansas.  Barber vintage festival is usually around the 2nd weekend in October.  That may take some of us elsewhere.  Another possible scheduling conflict is the 3rd or 4th weekend of April.  Lonestar roundup, MotoGP, and the Handbuilt show - all in Austin TX.   I love camping, cheap motels, and bars.

[Bankerdanny]

Ok, based on who responded I am going with Colorado. It is basically equidistant from California and Chicago, about 1100 miles. I'm looking into a specific location right now. I'll have more info this weekend or early next week.

[Don R]

  I have a connection at the Mt. Rushmore koa, in case it went there. they have cabins, rooms and camping. I've been on Iron Mountain and Needles Highway wonderful rides, there are a couple more nearby on my list. Spearfish canyon sound right?

[RAFster122s]

An idea....
Just need a circuit across America picking up bikes in a 2 wk period to bring bikes from eastern US states to the meet and then they fly or drive or train to pickup the bike at/near the event and ride it for weekend before repeat of return home. Would need someone with a big diesel truck and car hauler enclosed box and plenty of ratcheting straps to bring the bikes.  This would mean the riders travel to hook up with the transport and pickup on schedule on return leg if not riding home.  Bikes would be traveling for close to month if first on and last off.
Would have to cover hauler's travel expenses ( fuel/lodging/food, etc) provided trip did not cause issues for equipment.  Insurance coverage for lots of bikes as well a factor.  Having professional haulers do it would be too costly.  Unless you are like Steve-O

[Bankerdanny]

Here's the latest.

After settling on Colorado, let's call this one The SOHC4 Family Reunion: West Edition, I have a location and a time: Ouray, Co and September 15-17, 2017.

The base location is the KOA in Ouray, Co: http://koa.com/campgrounds/ouray/, which I selected because:

1. it offers a option for cabins for those folks that would like a little more comfort but still stay with the rest of the group for evening post ride fires/grilling/beverage consumption. KOA tent sites are more expensive (about $46 a day for a basic site, $56 for a camper site with electricity (got to keep that phone charged)), but I believe we can split the cost and you get some extra amenities (hello showers) and are free to rough it coming and going. Cabins range from $96 (basically a wooden box, sleeps 4, no bathrooms) to $180/night (sleeps 6, bathroom and kitchen). And

2. It's proximity to Telluride, which also factors into the date.

Time wise, I picked the weekend of 9/15 - 9/17 because that happens to be the same weekend as the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival http://www.tellurideblues.com

So, given an actual place and time, who would be in?

[Gene]

I am giving a tentative "in" - my darling wife would accompany me.  It all depends on another trip being planned for France this same year, unfortunately about this same time.  I need to work out details for a final yea or nae. Sure looks like fun.

[ofreen]

Can't beat the riding around there, that's for sure. It has been over 10 years since I've used the Ouray KOA, but it wasn't bad at all for a KOA.  (It seems like too many of KOAs are alongside a freeway these days.)  It looks like the price for tent sites has about doubled since then.  The weather should be decent in mid September but it isn't a sure thing. Those are high mountains and about anything can happen. I'll keep this on the radar and see how it plays out. It is only about a 1600 mile round trip for me.

[Bankerdanny]

I originally was thinking sometime in June, but I have a semi-annual reunion with friends from high school next summer and I don't know the exact date yet, so I need to keep June free. July and August are main vacation time for people with kids, so I like the Mid Sept time frame since everyone, including college kids, will be back in school by then, which should make it less crowded on the roads.

[kpier883]

Sounds like a great place to meet up, but it is almost 3100 miles round trip for me, so I am "doubtful" for this one - but not ruling it out yet...

[madmtnmotors]

Sounds like a great place to meet up, but it is almost 3100 miles round trip for me, so I am "doubtful" for this one - but not ruling it out yet...

4,056 miles round trip for me, I'll likely have to wait for the "East" meet.

[tlbranth]

Can't say for sure but definitely interested. I would suggest that it not be on a weekend though, on account of people. I made a trip with 2 friends to Denver from San Jose in 1973. It was one of my favorite trips. But the area wasn't crawling with people back then. Pike's Peak was a dirt road and didn't cost anything. Steamboat Springs was a campground and a Pizza parlor. I put on a new back tire in an alley behind a Honda shop in Denver. They had a sign at the counter said "We don't care how they do it in California".

[tlbranth]

Can't say for sure but definitely interested. I would suggest that it not be on a weekend though, on account of people. I made a trip with 2 friends to Denver from San Jose in 1973. It was one of my favorite trips. But the area wasn't crawling with people back then. Pike's Peak was a dirt road and didn't cost anything. Steamboat Springs was a campground and a Pizza parlor. I put on a new back tire in an alley behind a Honda shop in Denver. They had a sign at the counter said "We don't care how they do it in California". Stopped at an A&W in Salt Lake and a kid whispered "hey ma, look at the hippies".

[Bankerdanny]

I am open to shifting it to a mid week thing say 12-14, then I would hang around an extra couple days to attend the festival.

[scottly]

It looks like the Cafe at the KOA stops serving breakfast after Labor day, and dinners mid-August? Day-time highs average 60* that time of year, and the morning lows are in the low 30's. It might be better to have the base in Montrose or Durango, where there are more services and possibly warmer temps?

[Bankerdanny]

I hadn't really considered weather. Mid September is still summer in Chicago.

[Bankerdanny]

Per some research the average highs in Telluride around this time of year are in the upper 60's with lows around 38. In July and August the average lows aren't actually that different, mid 40's or so, but the highs are about 10 degrees more.

[RAFster122s]

Mid 70s at altitude is pleasant, depending on the humidity of course.  Low 60s starts getting pretty chilly if you don't have the gear for the temp swings
High 60s is good, low 60s not so much if it is going to require more than what you would normally carry for a trip that time of year.  If weather is very rainy it could be a very ugly ride getting there or if the event is very rainy during it limits some of what you can do.
So, how committed are people to getting there?  If forecast is nasty weather on way there or back and another could either play sweeper or follower with a vehicle towing a trailer for your bike(s) then you would not have to slog through lots of miles in rain storms.
Just use good locks on the trailer and bikes to lessen theft on way.  Sometimes bad stuff happens at hotels/motels, seem to be happening more often these days.
Just thought I would provide a bit of feedback and ideas.

[Mooshie]

I have to agree with Scott.  I have been to Durango, Ouray and Silverton (on a few occasions) all wonderful rides but I think at that time of year Durango may be the place.  We can always ride to Ouray its only 70+ miles I think.  My roughing it is THE ride... I prefer a nice warm hotel--and so does Dash.  I am certainly up for the ride to CO.  I do have to take a look at my 2017 ride plans as I was thinking of riding Dash across the USA (either shipping East and riding West or a very long round trip  --One can never tell what Dash will choose).
I just love the idea of a bunch of SOHCs riding in a pack!

[Bankerdanny]

OK. My sole experience with Colorado is Denver in June 18 years ago, so I will defer to folks with experience.

[Proto]

I live a couple hundred miles north of Ouray and it is my humble opinion that it is very likely to be too cold in September for this gathering.   Just my .o2$.  I do appreciate what Bankerdanny is trying to do here though! 

[tlbranth]

I appreciate BD's effort also. I'm sure planning to be there wherever it is.

[RAFster122s]

I would be traveling about 1800 miles if we are meeting in Telluride.  4 days of travel to and from, a day or two for the meetup and then back...  provided no issues along the way.