The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => Ride Reports and Event Reviews => Topic started by: SCJJR65 on December 30, 2006, 07:55:34 AM

Title: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: SCJJR65 on December 30, 2006, 07:55:34 AM: Not to (intentionally) throw a wrench into the machine of the excitement of the BMW MOA rally in WI this summer, but the BMWRA national rally is set for June 7-10 on the grounds of the Biltmore House Estate in Asheville, NC. I hadn't seen any mention so far of this rally, so I thought I'd mention it. Because it's relatively close to where I live in SC (only about an hour away), I will likely go to this one for sure, although I hope to be able to attend the MOA one as well.

If you have never been to the Asheville area, it is well worth checking out! The Blue Ridge Parkway runs right through it, you are within a couple of hours from the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway, and the Biltmore House itself is truly one of the most beautiful estates you will ever see in your life! (It's hard to believe a single family actually lived in this house! :o )

The BMWRA rally is also somewhat smaller than the MOA one, making for a more intimate setting amoung riders.

Anyway, just thought I'd mention this. I hope some of you folks who live in the south will consider attending! ;)
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: NC Steve on December 30, 2006, 08:32:22 AM: John, thanks for the tip on the BMWRA rally in Asheville. I lived there during high school, and it's indeed some of the finest riding territory to be found on the east coast. And, the Biltmore House is the largest private residence ever build in the U.S.: quite impressive!
Like you, I hope to attend the National rally in Wisconsin in July, but that's a 2K+ mile ride round trip from here, and I can't guarantee that either the ol' R65 or my own tired frame is up to that! ;)

Looking thru the new issue of BMW ON magazine last night, I also found 2 other interesting rallies a bit closer to home for those of us in the Southeast. One is the 17th Georgia Mountain Rally, held May 4th - 6th, see http://www.bmwmoga.info/ for more details. The other is the 30th Annual Daniel Boone Rally in Boone, NC, August 16th - 19th, see http://www.carolinasbmwmoa.org/index.htm I hope to attend one or both, so maybe we'll meet up there! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: SCJJR65 on December 30, 2006, 09:23:27 AM: You bet, Steve! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: msbuck on January 03, 2007, 04:52:34 PM: Thanks for posting this info, John & Steve. the BMWRAs seem to get overlooked - mostly because it's a smaller organization. But the rallies are always good! I'd like to try to make this one, but it will depend on our 'big trip' this year.

We're usuallly in Little Switzerland during the Boone Rally for our anniversary weekend. Sometimes we take a ride on Saturday up to the rally site. We just might see you there. [smiley=cool.gif]
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: suecanada on February 15, 2007, 05:06:36 PM: Hey John, Aïda and NC Steve..my riding buddy David and I are planning on attending the RA rally too. It will be David's first trip south and my second on the bike. There are so many roads to ride in this area that I needed to return. Also planned is a full ride down the Blue Ridge from the top of Virginia down to Cherokee and into Tenn. with my brother Rich and his friend Becky from New Jersey. Rich is from Cape Breton. We're trying to keep our group to three as we think we may all be very compatible and very easy going. This last trip is set for Last week in August and first in Sept. Then in July I have the MOA rally and David was thinking of going west from there to Colorado and Utah....could rack up a few miles this summer! I will try to camp in Willville and also may go back to Kickstand Lodge and see the cat Harry and his buddies Mo and Fred.

I am looking forward to the Biltmore estate and their winery and also to ride more and maybe see Wheels through Time museum this run or in Sept

Who else may I hope to see from our group here???
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: SCJJR65 on February 15, 2007, 09:26:08 PM: Our club will be there, Sue, so we'll be sure to see ya there at some point, I'm sure. Just look for our "Conebutt" club banner that our club will hang where we'll be camping! Looking forward to seeing you and "Cary"! (Or will you be on LRB?) ::)
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: msbuck on February 15, 2007, 11:11:37 PM: Yeah Sue, be sure and let me know when you'll be at Willville. We'll meet you there for sure!

We're still undecided about the BMWRA Rally. Just got a rally update and the rally fee is doubled the usual rate because of the access to the Biltmore Estate. We'll see the closer we get to it. Being 'semi-retired' and hoping to do a big trip this year might make us think twice about this one.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smileyhut.com%2Fworking%2Fjuggle%255B1%255D.gif&hash=13e654cd29c02f67cd57783a8f710145f9a05f57) We might head that way and visit the area even if we don't officially make the rally.
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: suecanada on February 16, 2007, 09:36:54 AM: Aïda...I am thinking that when Rich, Becky and I will maybe be camping/overnighting in Willville just may be exactly when you two are heading for Rich's area of Cape Breton!! So we may pass in the night so to speak. If you were to head to Nova Scotia/Maritimes in the latter part of the first week of September, you guys may just catch us returning from our Blue Ridge ride and be able to join Rich and possible me for a guided ride to Cape breton...not that you would need it. Ya never know...we could all meet in Willville and head north together.
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: suecanada on February 16, 2007, 09:40:08 AM: John..I'm thinking riding the F650GS may be the choice again. But no real reason other than LRB has 85000 miles on him and the other has 8800 miles.
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: SCJJR65 on February 16, 2007, 04:14:32 PM: Can't argue with logic like that! ;)
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: suecanada on February 23, 2007, 12:04:00 PM: Re-thinking my choice of bikes for the RA Rally. With The MOA in Wisconsin and a desire to travel further west from there with David, I could take the F650. Down the Blue Ridge and NC again in September could be either LRB or F650 so the bikes get to choose which NC trip they want to go on- the RA rally or the Blue Ridge special. Deal's Gap and the Cherohala especially will be part of both trips. I guess I love the area!!
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: SCJJR65 on February 23, 2007, 07:31:18 PM: Gotta treat both of your kids fairly, Mom! ;) They are both clammoring for your attention!
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Semper Gumby on March 17, 2007, 10:09:21 PM: HI Sue,

Perhaps I can attend this rally. I'll mark it on the calendar and see how the summer turns out.
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: SCJJR65 on March 18, 2007, 01:19:45 PM: I hope you'll be able to attend, Bill. I'm hoping a LOT of the "regulars" on this forum, as well as those of you who are registered but don't post that often (but maybe "lurk" [smiley=lurker.gif] instead) will attend as well!

I'll be there with our local BMW club, "the Conebutts", and I hope to match up a name and face to as many R65 lovers as possible! ;)

I'm also hoping to arrange a big "group" photo of people from this site (and their bikes) on Saturday afternoon, too! I'd love to see a whole bunch of R65s during the RA rally, all gathered together for the camera!
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: msbuck on March 18, 2007, 02:13:52 PM: (https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smileyhut.com%2Fmisc%2Fcheese1.gif&hash=dc40edf25d8122cdb0e5dc953495ed987ae57f3b) That's a great idea, John! A group R65.org photo! It would be nice to match names and faces. You'll have to work out a meeting place and time to be sure we can all hook up. They usually have a bulletin board at registration to post 'meet-ups' and such. I'm hoping we'll get the chance to make the national.
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Joan on March 19, 2007, 02:38:37 PM: Quote
Not to (intentionally) throw a wrench into the machine of the excitement of the BMW MOA rally in WI this summer, but the BMWRA national rally is set for June 7-10 on the grounds of the Biltmore House Estate in Asheville, NC.

Lacking the time for riding there and back, it would be way cool to stash a bike on the east coast somewhere for all the cool doings there in the summer and fall.

Missed last year's RA in Boise but a friend brought me some cool swag, and he said it was way more fun than the bigger MOA rally in Spokane a couple years ago, just for the reduced crowd factor, and I have to agree (Spokeberg was awfully hot and crowded).

So ya'll have a great time and drink some rally beer for me! [smiley=1drink.gif]
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Semper Gumby on March 20, 2007, 11:25:06 PM: Can somebody come up with a year schedule for all these cool rallies so I can properly plan my next year's vacations. This must be done by September 31st.

That is all and thank you much (in advance whoever you are). :-/
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: msbuck on March 21, 2007, 09:02:13 AM: Unfortunately, the National Rallies aren't always scheduled that far in advance. . . especially the RA National. They usually announce the place and time for next year's rally at this year's rally. So we should know by June 10th...maybe... :P
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: SCJJR65 on March 22, 2007, 11:53:50 AM: I'd bet that next year's MOA rally will be someplace out in the wild, wild west, since the last two rallies have been on the "right hand side" of the US. (Like, say, maybe out in "Cally-fornia", like the "Governator" would say! ::) )
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Joan on March 22, 2007, 12:08:40 PM: Quote
I'd bet that next year's MOA rally will be someplace out in the wild, wild west, since the last two rallies have been on the "right hand side" of the US.

Yeah, man! Left coast ROCKS! Of course those rallies in the center of the country are easier for both coasts to get to as well... like the unofficial rally at Ken's in Oklahoma. (GAWD that's fun! If I get to go this year I'm adding Margaritas In A Bucket to the adult beverage menu. YES!)

Say, I usually have an extra bike or two to ride if someone's motivated to fly in for the next rally in WA. Of course we'd have to schedule a visit the nice tattoo artist, too... ;)
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on March 22, 2007, 08:17:21 PM: So a tattoo is a requirement for bike borrowing??? :-/ :'( :-/ :'(

Yeah, I'd probably go for it!
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: SCJJR65 on March 23, 2007, 05:40:51 AM: Say, throw in a couple of buckets of margaritas, and I'm in! ;D
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Joan on March 23, 2007, 12:07:53 PM: Quote
So a tattoo is a requirement for bike borrowing??? :-/ :'( :-/ :'(

Yeah, I'd probably go for it!

YEAH! Now yer talkin'! 8-) 8-) 8-) It is UTmost fun flying while wearing riding gear (if your'e a social type) because everyone wants to talk to you about it! But t if you need more weekend make-up than will fit in your 'stich pockets... uh...

Just stuff your spare bikini in a back pocket and you are SET!

Say Rob, how early can you get out of there on a weekend for a short trip?
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Joan on March 23, 2007, 12:34:59 PM: Quote
Say, throw in a couple of buckets of margaritas, and I'm in! ;D

'Kay. [smiley=beerchug.gif]

1 doz Marg buckets, check.
3 gallons tequila, check.
5 gallons homebrew... Real Soon Now.
1 brick PBR (back up swill)
10lbs ribs/brisket/chx, check.

I can see it now: pick up esteemed R65 guests, pretend to twirl wrenches on bikes while watching Hugo's airhead race DVD, sip charred Seattle coffee, saddle up and ride down the hill to the 30 min ferry ride over to Vashon Island, carve the Isle of Vashon TT twisties (OMG Burma Rd makes me HAWT!), ferry back, ride the three twisties in the neighborhood, down succulent bbq and adult beverages, scare the neighbors, fire up cigars. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Yeah. Good times.
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on March 23, 2007, 06:55:10 PM: Quote
Say Rob, how early can you get out of there on a weekend for a short trip?

I could probably catch a 0130 Sat morning flight...
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Ed Miller on March 23, 2007, 09:50:56 PM: Ummm, Vashon Island (not to ignore the other good stuff!). My buddy with the SWB R75/5 Toaster went up there for some Washington Vintage Motorcyclists event, and had a blast. Ever since he told me about it I've wanted to go up there and litter the landscape with Triumph bits that vibrate off.
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Joan on March 24, 2007, 02:13:29 PM: Quote
Ummm, Vashon Island (not to ignore the other good stuff!). My buddy with the SWB R75/5 Toaster went up there for some Washington Vintage Motorcyclists event, and had a blast. Ever since he told me about it I've wanted to go up there and litter the landscape with Triumph bits that vibrate off.

Note to Self: add another 20 lbs bbq to the fly in menu, tire kicking, and a Vibrate-Off contest. 8-)
Eeep! I'll have to clean out the garage first! ;D

Yeah, the annual VME event is never really publicized for good reason. ;)
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Joan on March 24, 2007, 02:44:51 PM: Quote
Quote
Say Rob, how early can you get out of there on a weekend for a short trip?

I could probably catch a 0130 Sat morning flight...

YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!

The next big left coast rally is the 49'er Rally, iirc, in Auburn CA, 5/25-28. Hmmm... that would take some serious riding from here, and we'd have to skip the pre-rally bbq here... oh man.

Okay, then there's:
6/15-17 Chief Joseph Rally, (MOA) in Joseph OR, a nice day ride from Seattle.

But t then....

Hmmmm. I'm thinkin' if I were traveling to Seattle from elsewhere in the country just to ride, the best weather I'd recommend to myself would be August and September for rain avoidance.

8/9-12 is the Pacific NW GS Rally (MOA) in Menlo, with option there to take a really cool all day GS class. Great food and unpaved roads, a little over two hours from Seattle.

OR.. I we could make our own rally right here whenever it's easiest. <very big evil bbq lip smackin grin>
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on March 24, 2007, 09:00:12 PM: (https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pashnit.com%2Fforum%2Fimages%2Fsmilies%2Fbbq.gif&hash=71f8bf5529d680dd4de6d02bcf38040785bacd7b)
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: SCJJR65 on March 25, 2007, 07:17:22 AM: You're a pretty damn good tourism spokeperson for the Seattle area, Joan! ;)
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Joan on March 25, 2007, 12:32:14 PM: :)

That's me, Ms Information at your service.
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: msbuck on May 05, 2007, 09:37:55 AM: Rob,

Found this link to some activities at the BMWRA National Rally:
http://www.bmwra.org/rally/motocache.html

Sounds like alot of great riding with a LITTLE caching along the way...wish it included more than 4 caches on a 4 hour ride.
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on May 05, 2007, 03:03:38 PM: Sounds like a lot of fun! I haven't even bothered checking these dates against the vacation calendar at work - I haven't accrued my first day, yet...

I would be really tempted to go for the "big bad wolf" ride. I was crazy in my youth (http://www.pbase.com/tomfarr/image/69664893/medium), you know.

;)
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Semper Gumby on May 20, 2007, 10:13:58 PM: OK OK I'm going to Ashville for Thursday through Saturday. Gotta work Sunday. Looking forward to R65.org group photo.

Joan - R U channeling Hunter S Tomson? Next time I head west I'm going to have to make it to the NORTH west. Sounds like too much fun in your neck of the woods! :D
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: SCJJR65 on May 21, 2007, 09:17:05 AM: We need to all exchange cell phone numbers (for those that have them, that is) so we can get in touch with each other during the rally and agree on a time and place at the rally to meet for the group photo!
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: suecanada on May 25, 2007, 09:57:13 AM: Where to meet? What time? Boy we gotta pull this off this time! I will PM Bill Gould. John and I have each others numbers but I'll send PM again anyway. Aïda too and NC steve.
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: suecanada on May 25, 2007, 10:05:23 AM: Just sent a PM...pretty sure something went wrong...anyone get one from me? John, Aïda??, NCsteve, semper??
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: NC Steve on May 25, 2007, 10:16:54 AM: Hey Sue, can't speak for the others, but I didn't get a PM yet, although I can't make it to Asheville either.
Is there any lag time involved? :-?
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: msbuck on May 25, 2007, 10:27:45 PM: Sue, no PM for me either. I'm hoping we'll make the rally. I think we're going to start off at Willville and then ride down the parkway from there. Haven't made definite plans yet. I'll see if I can send a PM to you...
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: Semper Gumby on June 25, 2007, 12:07:03 AM: I "heard" some disturbing reports about this rally A few good but most were neagative. Those that went I hope you had a good time. :P
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: SCJJR65 on June 25, 2007, 05:00:37 PM: Personally, Bill, I don't have any negatives to voice about the rally. Sure, the camping area was kind of dry and dusty, but that was the only "downer" I heard from my fellow Conebutts who were camping at the rally. Most of my fellow club members chose to eat out at some of the fine restaurants in Asheville (at least the evening meal), so the food availability/price issue wasn't that big a deal. ( I agree that it wasn't that cheap there, though.)

Overall, with the Biltmore Estate as the backdrop, I thought the '07 RA rally was great! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

(Of course, just my humble opinion...) ;)
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: SCJJR65 on June 25, 2007, 06:11:17 PM: Here's a photo of the closing awards ceremony at the RA rally where bikes were parked all the way around the front yard and then in rows in the back. Really impresive in person!
Title: Re: BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10
Post by: suecanada on June 28, 2007, 04:20:59 PM: So John..am I to assume we missed each other again!!! I looked all over the RA camping field for the Conebutt flag sign. Only R65 I saw was a silver LS that had been bastardized a bit.

Ok what about the MOA??? ::) We will have even less chance of meeting there. I was sitting on the circular pond wall in the middle of all the bikes at the closing ceremonies and the Biltmore picture taking extravaganza!