BMWRA Rally set for June 7-10

[SCJJR65]

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!   )

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!

[NC Steve]

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]

[SCJJR65]

You bet, Steve!  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[msbuck]

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]

[suecanada]

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???

[SCJJR65]

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?)

[msbuck]

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.  
    We might head that way and visit the area even if we don't officially make the rally.

[suecanada]

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.

[suecanada]

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.

[SCJJR65]

Can't argue with logic like that!  

[suecanada]

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!!

[SCJJR65]

Gotta treat both of your kids fairly, Mom!    They are both clammoring for your attention!

[Semper Gumby]

HI Sue,

Perhaps I can attend this rally.  I'll mark it on the calendar and see how the summer turns out.

[SCJJR65]

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!  

[msbuck]

 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.