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2017 North American V-Strom Rally?

16K views 42 replies 24 participants last post by  notacop 
#1 ·
This thread is about whether or not the community would like to have a North American Rally next year and a possible location.

V-Strom Rallies have evolved significantly over the last fourteen years with a significant split in focus. The large continental or national rallies (200 or so attendees) have given way to smaller regional rallies (~20 to 80 attendees). These regional rallies have some pretty strong followings. Here are some of the reasons:

Excellent venues
Close to large populations densities
Consistent strong volunteers

While some find going to the same place year after year comfortable and reliable, others yearn for a variety of locations.

On the flip side, the western rally (the decedents of the original north american rally) has lapsed due waning attendance and a scarcity of volunteers to act as hosts.

I personally like the idea of getting out and seeing different parts of the country and of course larger groups means more of what we all go to rally for.... more bikes, more and varied farkles, personal solutions, and just plain interesting stuff and people.

However, many folks can't get away to more than one rally a year so the local gatherings are their best option and greatly appreciate that they continue consistently every year.

So, is there a need for a large North American Rally? Here are some possibilities. These are just straw men suggestions for discussions.

South Dakota - Yellow stone, The Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, and Grand Tetons all within easy reach.

Colorado - Amazing roads all of the western part of the state and centrally located.

Arkansas - Greywolf endorsed. Apparently one of the great riding areas in the country.

Thoughts and suggestions on location and participation?
 
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#2 ·
Maybe it was GrayWolf who liked Arkansas. I've only passed through it on the Interstate. Colorado has always been my favorite place.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I ran a 65 rider FJR rally in Spearfish SD last year.

http://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/158102-2015-black-hills-fjr-roundup-25-28-june-2015/


There are great roads to ride and great gravel and two track as well.

There is also a fair bit of pretty technical adventure trail too.

I'd be willing to set this up if there is sufficent interest.

There are several Mom and Pop motels in downtown Spearfish that I reserved last year at about $60 per night with a single queen bed, some two bed rooms as well.

We did a steak dinner one night in the park for about $25 including beer.


I can get the rooms blocked now if there is interest.

The last weekend in June would work good here in Spearfish, not much else conflicting in town. July full and then the Sturgis Rally screws up late July and most of August too.

I'm running another FJR event in Red Lodge MT at the end of June, about 70 participants there.
 
#7 ·
South Dakota or Colorado would be less tourist. Anywhere around Yellowstone, Teton will be packed with tourist and motorhomes all summer, the exception would be Glacier NP in Montana, dealing with the tourist would be worth a trip back there, but not nearly as many as Yellowstone.
 
#8 ·
Food for thought -

The TDM correlations (time-distance-money) will probably keep regional rallies higher on the "might do this" list, but if the goal of a national is to attract a wide audience and truly see a worthwhile attendance, my thought is to choose a venue with a view to geographically centered.

From Kansastravel.org

The Geographic Center of the United States (contiguous forty-eight) is located about two miles northwest of Lebanon, Kansas. Take US Highway 281 north 1 mile, and turn west one mile on K-191 to the maker that has been erected at the end of the paved road.
As a rural, "wide spot in the road" Lebanon can't handle such an event. But as a reference point it is useful for planning.

For example, it is 375 miles west from Lebanon to Denver, CO.

So for a guy like me, an extra day on the road to get the the Rockies is an attractive factor.

Here are how my distances shape up:

- To Lebanon, KS: 936 miles

- To Denver, CO: 1,270

- To Pinedale, WY: 1,670 miles

There are a half-dozen nice motels and another half-dozen flophouse quality establishments in Pinedale. (Don't worry about how I know this, just trust me...)

Finally, if you "go east" it is equivalent distances to find decent riding in the hill country of Missouri or Arkansas or similar places. By decent riding I mean something other than the flat, straight roads of the mid-west.

Personally, my days of day after day riding to get somewhere for a cup of coffee are over. I would trailer to anything beyond an overnight stay, meaning a day out and a day back from home.
 
#9 ·
Mileage and population density are relevant but sometimes in a negative way!

One universal theme of a rally is "the trip" or ride or however you want to word it. That can be a 250 mile ride for a first time adventurer, to well over 1000 miles for those of us that enjoy the challenge of going further and finding out EXACTLY how good your bike is! It is just over 1000 miles each way when I attend the V STrom Eastern Rally. It will be 1700 miles one way to another rally I will attend in July.

While it would be nice to ride just a few hundred miles, I think attendance for a well organized event would have MANY attendees from 700 plus miles away. Look at the BMW rallies, which may be overwhelming to some in numbers but that fact shows that distance is simply irrelevant to someone that WANTS to attend.

Some consider the smaller rallies or get-togethers as tune ups for the big events. Especially those that want to camp out. There is no better test of gear...than to use it!

You do have to build a reputation with these things. So venue will matter a lot, especially first time out. Don't exclude the East Coast automatically. That will guarantee attendance. West Virginia, parts of New York come to mind. Especially if considering a date where it is hot in most of the country. Camping in WV in July/August can be quite nice for instance. Date is more important than venue imo. You do not want to fight for attendance interest!
 
#10 ·
National rallies also do well when they are in a similar time frame each year but rotate venues. The national speleological society is well attended and isn't in the same place each year. It can always go back to a locale after several iterations. It would make it a lot more appealing to a greater range of riders imho.

I like the idea though
 
#12 ·
Everything realshelby said is spot-on.

Also -

National rallies also do well when they are in a similar time frame each year but rotate venues. ... snip ...

It can always go back to a locale after several iterations. It would make it a lot more appealing to a greater range of riders imho.

I like the idea though
Attendance of "nearby" riders (relatively speaking) at any event will naturally be impacted by proximity. With that said, a four or five year rotation that is known in advance will foster greater attendance over the long haul as people can plan well in advance.

When my buddy and I did the CDT in 2010 we were at the end of a three year plan, the last six months of which was devoted to acquiring and outfitting the bikes.

Assuming I live long enough and the TDM factors are all equal, I'm already planning my soon after retirement last big trip.

A man has to have goals, you know? :fineprint:
 
#11 ·
I attended a Vincent Owners Club rally located in Cannon Falls, Minnesota a few years ago..the roads were amazing, the scenery along the Mississippi was fabulous and the factory outlet of the Red Wing Shoe factory was an opportunity to spend a few dollars. Located just south east of Minneapolis it could draw a few people. There has been a trend in the VOC to have "unrallies".. No entrance fees, no T-Shirts or pins, a few rides loosely laid out - routes agreed upon on the spot and meals by consensus..
 
#14 ·
The "where to stay" factor is a bugger. Some folks like a motel bed and restaurant and others are happy to sit in the dirt and heat canned food.
Campgrounds can be expensive to rent too. That puts a volunteer on the spot for advance costs.
The BMW National crowd has large budget for the their rallies, usually at State Fairgrounds. The local clubs are more volunteer oriented but still have a few hundred dollars to secure a campsite.
 
#15 ·
All quite true! While some will "sit in dirt and eat canned food" that I think is more of the gritty adventure image. You MUST have food onsite. You MUST have showers onsite. You MUST have restrooms and I think you also must have some port-a-potties around if expecting big attendance. There are folks happy to camp out, and that can be good for getting to know folks. Having onsite rooms isn't absolutely required, but if you don't have that you probably don't have a proper meeting area.

For instance, if you don't have food onsite the event will become fragmented. Dinner especially is the best time of day for folks meeting and greeting and getting ready for a presentation ceremony or seminar.
Same with showers. No showers, no campers. Which means they are at hotels. Some will always do that, but if the majority are onsite the event has a certain camaraderie that will add a LOT.
 
#16 ·
Probably the most centrally located area, that also provides excellent riding opportunities, would be the ozarks. I agree that Co, UT, MT, Wy have the best riding/scenery. But, you're talking on avg 4 days coming and 4 days going from the east coast. That's 8 days burned right there slabbing all day. I've done it. The long ride back home really sucks!
 
#17 ·
#18 ·
The east gathering isn't going anywhere. There will likely be a 20th anniversary Iron Horse Lodge rally in 2022 and I will hit every one of them between now and then. Fall rallies too. After all, it's three hours from my back door.

There are many other small rallies on the east side and mid-west every year.

While the "eastern rally" has been very successful since 2002 using a single great location, the western rally faded into obscurity as an off shoot of the 2008, 2009, and 2010 North American Rallies. The western rallies depended on handing off the rally to new hosts and picking a new location every year. From the SD rally on attendance dropped by 1/2 every year. I suspect several factors played a part.

1. We moved further west each year away from the middle of the country.
2. Regional rallies got the guys that go to one rally a year.
3. Lack of volunteers for the next rally from a failed rally that did not lead to the next rally. The chain was broken, the ball got dropped.

It may just be time to pick up the ball and run again. My vote is for a North American style rally though. I don't mind the Canadians making fun of our politics and Janice and I can swap cookie recipes.
 
#19 ·
Sorry, Shelby, MUST doesn't exist in my vocabulary. Must have food on site..if you fill your saddle bag and know how to cook. I ain't yo momma!
Showers, get to know your real self.
restrooms? A wally bottle at night, dumped in the morning down a gopher hole, Now having a shitter is kinda nice but leaves and a log to hang your but over or a heel dug little pit is adequate to start the day. Bring your own AW.
You don't camp much do you?
Oh, my coffee is perking while I take my morning constitutional. Invigorating stuff!
 
#23 ·
BoatRV,

I need to rethread that hitch/axle before sending it to you. May take a little while.

I wonder if there is a Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge like place in Colorado? The pace we stayed a couple of years ago was at the end of the million dollar road. A real life little western town right there at the campground. Two streets all up hill. I'll poke one of the guys who might remember.
 
#24 ·
Agreed Notacop, ya better have gear, motel plans or not. Surprising the unadvertized events that fill up places, reunions graduations etc. I have bug net, bag and food for the unforeseen. Slip back a power line or old trail and save your skin and Up to $200 for a room. A rally has gotta have lots of planning and it means $$$ like mentioned for the beemers.
 
#25 ·
I know of a great campground in Sturgis, S.D. The Elkview campground. Rates are reasonable, hot showers etc. If anyone puts this together, it's a great place.
 
#26 · (Edited)
We have a "formula" and lessons learned for rallies that works pretty well. Proven at the South Dakota, Colorado, and The Dalles Oregon among others. No need for fees of any kind (e.g., registration) or costs up front to the person hosting the rally. Basically, something like this....

A great location central to epic riding
A hotel with camping ability near by or in conjunction (a lodge with cabins works great too), a bar, a meeting room, a restaurant and the ability to order off the menu.
A Suzuki dealership willing to participate enthusiastically in the rally.
Lot's of visibility beforehand to attract the widest number of attendees.

We have a few negative lessons learned as well that can be passed on the the hosts. No need to discuss further here.

So a great rally does not require up front money on anyone's part (other than who ever gets the T-Shirts). There are a lot of "for profit" rallies across the country, but we don't have to do it that way.

This may be helpful.

http://www.bikercamps.com/campground_search_map
 
#28 ·
If you want to attend a No Frills rally in the west here is one;
http://www.stromtrooper.com/events/284706-3rd-annual-cache-rally-june-2016-a.html

Most are camping, but there are hotels within a mile or so for under $100.
We're having a dinner on Saturday night, and riding every day.
What we don't have is t-shirts a lot of door prizes, beer kegs and strippers..... well ok, we won't have the first two...

I hosted the 08 Western Rally in Cedar City, Utah and yes, they are a lot of work, hence this No Frills route.

Come June 24th We will be sitting around a fire pit BSing the night away, C'mon and join us.
 
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