2021 Eastern Vstrom Rally......Thursday May 20 - Sunday May 23
Feels like we just had a Rally up in NC.......hey, we did!!!! But it's time again to start planning the 19th Annual Eastern Vstrom Rally/Gathering and putting it on your radar screen. The Venue = The Iron Horse Campground/Lodge in Stecoah, NC ……...just like the previous years. We have already reserved the date with them and make note: it is the SECOND WEEKEND after Mother's Day, not the first weekend. For those who missed the 2020 October Rally, we had another wonderful time without any casulties and were treated to beautiful Fall Weather on Thursday & Friday, with Saturday being a "wash"........literally. But that to be expected in October as well as in May. Someone once said "if everything goes according to Plan, then it's not considered an Adventure". The Dining Area was totally re-arranged this year (I assume due to COVID??) but worked well IMO......with a staff member bringing your food out to you instead of standing shoulder to shoulder in lines. The Office has been remodeled as well. I believe we saw some new concrete and roof systems out front at the "hitchin posts area" and an increase in RV parking now spilling over to the back area (across the crick). The small Bunkhouse is still there, but rumors are it is being replaced in the future....not sure when tho. The three (or was it 4??) Conastoga Covered Wagons were in place and at least 1-2 were being used when we were there. They lowered the rental price to $99 per night for the wagons.
For noobs never attending this Rally before, here are a few of the highlights/facts/figures: The IH has full cabins to rent, private rooms with a dedicated bathroom/shower, semi-private cabins (2 beds in a bedroom and you share a common restroom/shower with the next room), Bunkhouses (4 beds in one large room), RV camping with full power, and Primative Camping (with a few trees for you hammock campers). Call the IH for rates. Primative camping is first come = pick your own spot....no numbered "camping spaces", just spread out where you want. There are 3-4 gravel pit spots and two have power hookups for you CPAP sleepers?? NO RESERVATIONS required for primative camping. The Food: they serve us Breakfast and Supper each night in the Dining Area of the Lodge, and I personally, think the food is Very Good. Tea & coffee provided, soft drinks can be purchased in the office or out of a machine outside. Situated in a Dry County, so pack-in your own beverages of choice. Our guys are very laid back and over-indulging in "spirits" has never been a problem with our bunch.......most of the time after supper we are gaggling over someone's bike out front showing off each's "gearhead prowess".....!!! The large common restroom/bathouse complex is one of the cleanest I have experienced in a campground......(4) private showers and (4) stalls (on the Men's Side)....not sure about the Ladies'. We have a brief meeting upstairs right after the dinner hour each evening, to discuss tomorrow's events, next year's rally, to give away door prizes, and listen to Guest Speakers and/or Technical How-To sessions. Lots of laughs and good info at these meetings.
This past October event hosted 50 riders, in May of 2019 we had 100 attend.......COVID took a chunk out of our rears but we still had a great get-together this past Fall......shows the dedication of our members!! You don't have to ride a Vstrom to attend, and we encourage you to bring a non-vstrom-riding buddy when you come. It's all about the friendships made and stories to tell later of your ride in the area. The Rally Website for 2021 Sign-ups is up and running (Thankyou "Stalky Tracker").....make sure you sign-up there so we can get a headcount. Visit the Iron Horse Website every so often to see if they add anything new and by all means, put that weekend on yer calender ......don't wait until January to make your reservations for a room.
As usual, we need volunteers to help with the Rally: speakers, topics of discussion, events??, anything to make the rally better than last years...….and previous years!! (a hard act to follow sometimes). Have a Merry Christmas, hunker-down away from COVID, enjoy the Holidays with your families.........but First and Foremost: farkle the hell out of your bike so we can see it in May....!!!!!
444
EASTERN V-STROM RALLY - Home
Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge & Resort - Home (ironhorsenc.com)
Feels like we just had a Rally up in NC.......hey, we did!!!! But it's time again to start planning the 19th Annual Eastern Vstrom Rally/Gathering and putting it on your radar screen. The Venue = The Iron Horse Campground/Lodge in Stecoah, NC ……...just like the previous years. We have already reserved the date with them and make note: it is the SECOND WEEKEND after Mother's Day, not the first weekend. For those who missed the 2020 October Rally, we had another wonderful time without any casulties and were treated to beautiful Fall Weather on Thursday & Friday, with Saturday being a "wash"........literally. But that to be expected in October as well as in May. Someone once said "if everything goes according to Plan, then it's not considered an Adventure". The Dining Area was totally re-arranged this year (I assume due to COVID??) but worked well IMO......with a staff member bringing your food out to you instead of standing shoulder to shoulder in lines. The Office has been remodeled as well. I believe we saw some new concrete and roof systems out front at the "hitchin posts area" and an increase in RV parking now spilling over to the back area (across the crick). The small Bunkhouse is still there, but rumors are it is being replaced in the future....not sure when tho. The three (or was it 4??) Conastoga Covered Wagons were in place and at least 1-2 were being used when we were there. They lowered the rental price to $99 per night for the wagons.
For noobs never attending this Rally before, here are a few of the highlights/facts/figures: The IH has full cabins to rent, private rooms with a dedicated bathroom/shower, semi-private cabins (2 beds in a bedroom and you share a common restroom/shower with the next room), Bunkhouses (4 beds in one large room), RV camping with full power, and Primative Camping (with a few trees for you hammock campers). Call the IH for rates. Primative camping is first come = pick your own spot....no numbered "camping spaces", just spread out where you want. There are 3-4 gravel pit spots and two have power hookups for you CPAP sleepers?? NO RESERVATIONS required for primative camping. The Food: they serve us Breakfast and Supper each night in the Dining Area of the Lodge, and I personally, think the food is Very Good. Tea & coffee provided, soft drinks can be purchased in the office or out of a machine outside. Situated in a Dry County, so pack-in your own beverages of choice. Our guys are very laid back and over-indulging in "spirits" has never been a problem with our bunch.......most of the time after supper we are gaggling over someone's bike out front showing off each's "gearhead prowess".....!!! The large common restroom/bathouse complex is one of the cleanest I have experienced in a campground......(4) private showers and (4) stalls (on the Men's Side)....not sure about the Ladies'. We have a brief meeting upstairs right after the dinner hour each evening, to discuss tomorrow's events, next year's rally, to give away door prizes, and listen to Guest Speakers and/or Technical How-To sessions. Lots of laughs and good info at these meetings.
This past October event hosted 50 riders, in May of 2019 we had 100 attend.......COVID took a chunk out of our rears but we still had a great get-together this past Fall......shows the dedication of our members!! You don't have to ride a Vstrom to attend, and we encourage you to bring a non-vstrom-riding buddy when you come. It's all about the friendships made and stories to tell later of your ride in the area. The Rally Website for 2021 Sign-ups is up and running (Thankyou "Stalky Tracker").....make sure you sign-up there so we can get a headcount. Visit the Iron Horse Website every so often to see if they add anything new and by all means, put that weekend on yer calender ......don't wait until January to make your reservations for a room.
As usual, we need volunteers to help with the Rally: speakers, topics of discussion, events??, anything to make the rally better than last years...….and previous years!! (a hard act to follow sometimes). Have a Merry Christmas, hunker-down away from COVID, enjoy the Holidays with your families.........but First and Foremost: farkle the hell out of your bike so we can see it in May....!!!!!
444
EASTERN V-STROM RALLY - Home
Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge & Resort - Home (ironhorsenc.com)