I used to go to BMW rallies all the time, having being absent from the Rally Scene for the past 5 years I decided to take in a few this summer. So far, having attended a couple of rallies last month (June), it has been fun. The RA rally held at the Biltmore Estate was really an experience. The cost was $67.00 and worth every penny, with 2 days of camping and unlimited tours of the estate. Its really a beautiful place with the huge (200+ rooms) main house , about 69000 acres of surrounding land, a winery, stables, and 30+ miles of paved road on the estate. If you haven't been there, you should definitely go. Now for the bad.......... the food and drink vendors really gouged you and the only free water was in the area where the tents were rented ($75 and $125 per night as we were quoted). Having a heart problem and having to watch out for dehydration in the heat I approached the guy in charge and asked for some water. "You cant have any unless renting a tent from us", was his reply. Hope the RA kicks that guys butt out next year. There was a bright beacon in the way of the Airhead Club and Boxerworks encampment. FREE BEER, could you believe it, right in the middle of all that heat Charlie Smith and his merry crew were there giving away BEER. Thanks guys. The next week we were off to the "Gathering of the Clans" airhead rally put on by Charlie Smith at the High Country (motorcycle only) campground between Boone and N. Wilksboro on Rt 421 in N. C. It was the most friendly place imaginable and I really enjoyed seeing all my old friends again. Every thing was really laid back and everyone in my group even won a door-prize! It was pretty cool (weather-wise) and really comfortable at the campground. The cost was $30-35 (I forget which) and it was a bargain. Two nights camping, two dinners, endless coffee, lemonade, and water, couldn't be beat. Oh yeah, there was more FREE BEER. It lasted all weekend and everyone really "got happy". This rally is consistently the best rally I have ever attended. It is always held in the same place on the second weekend in June (except this year, the RA rally moved it to the 3rd week). I saw many "nice" R65s, including a teal colored bike and one with a black Hannigan fairing. Hope some of you can take this rally in next year, it is a blast. Dew.
