NC Guzzis in the Blue Ridge Rally

[NC Steve]

I was very surprised to learn yesterday that, with the coming of a new coordinator, the rally is being moved this year from its longtime home at Blue Ridge MC Campground in Cruso, to the Iron Horse Lodge, in Stecoah, near Robbinsville, about 75 miles closer to the Tennessee line. I don't know quite how to feel about it. Actually, I do know how I feel, but let's see what happens, time will tell...

http://ironhorsenc.com

[Dean Rose]

At least I won't wreck on the way there again.

Dean

[Sportsterleroy]

I was very surprised to learn yesterday that, with the coming of a new coordinator, the rally is being moved this year from its longtime home at Blue Ridge MC Campground in Cruso, to the Iron Horse Lodge, in Stecoah, near Robbinsville, about 75 miles closer to the Tennessee line. I don't know quite how to feel about this. Actually, I know exactly how I feel about it, but let's see what happens, time will tell...

http://ironhorsenc.com

I enjoy Phil and the Blue Ridge Campground , the location and surrounding sites.  They cater to our wants and needs 100% Did a look at Iron Horse web site on line and appears to snazzy for my tastes, being the cheap bastard I am. 

Just also wondering if it might be the Party grounds for the people that don't go to Sturgis S.D. but want a place to party?

I might see about Wisconsin Rally same time. Rally fee gives camping and 2 meals, so not many trips to the blood bank to pay for it. My location puts both about the same distance for my travel


Leroy in Cleveland

[ccoli]

Leroy, you'll get much more than 2 meals and camping in Wisconsin. Trust me. Give more blood, it's going for you, up to a certain point.
I'm sort of planning a visit to this new NC spring rally after the KnotaNational in Kansas. It's right on the way home.
Not that I'm into snazzy,  but ....

I might see about Wisconsin Rally same time. Rally fee gives camping and 2 meals, so not many trips to the blood bank to pay for it.

Leroy in Cleveland

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Dang, Hope I can make it....  The old location was easy access for me, since I work weekends, it was easy to swing by~~ even if we werent camping or staying long...  Thats more of a haul. I guess time will tell.

Edit:

Yep, checked the maps, that's a 4-5hr round trip plus 'bullshitting time' around the site... looks like I'm out

[webmost]

Phil and the whole batch there are low key. The camp grounds is beautiful. Any road round there can't be beat. Blue Ridge Parkway right up a twisty road -- Cherokee, Smokies, and Dragon to the right; high mount Pisgah to the left.  Musical crick. Big trees. Nice lodge with wide screen and wifi. No cars allowed. Nice covered snack bar. Good breakfast. Pond for contemplation. Cabins, camp sites, showers.... what exactly was missing that the event needed to be moved?

[NC Steve]

At least I won't wreck on the way there again.

Dean

Dean, how are doing, after your little mishap on the way to the rally last summer?

[Wayne Orwig]

Odd.
IronHorse does not have as much camping space.
It has more lodges and has numerous RV spots. But I could care less about that.
Indoor eating. An odd setup were you have to plan your meals when you check in. Then when you go to get your meal, they are out of what was 'planned', so you have to get something else. Didn't work well when I was there.
The location is good, I guess. There will be 'flatulent pipes lose rights' people there.
They have a band come in sometimes. This is ok, if you are not wanting to have a conversation with friend that you have not seen for a year.

I prefer Cruso, for sure.
Well, there will be empty cabins at Cruso that weekend. 

[Nic in Western NYS]

On their website, looks like the dates are August 4-6

[NC Steve]

I prefer Cruso, for sure.
Well, there will be empty cabins at Cruso that weekend. 

That's for sure. A call to Blue Ridge to reserve a cabin is how I originally heard about the rally being moved from there, and a visit to Iron Horse's website confirmed it.
I've wondered a little how it might go if all the folks that can't do Iron Horse still got together in Cruso...

And Mark Tenney is doing a new Moto Guzzi Spring Campout, May 12th-14th, at High Country MC Campground, up near the Wilkesboro/Boone area. I'm planning to check that gathering out, and have been to the campground several times in the past; nice place, just way the hell out in the country, miles from civilization. http://www.highcountrymotorcyclecamp.com

[Dean Rose]

Dean, how are doing, after your little mishap on the way to the rally last summer?

I'm all healed up now, still have a slight twinge in the ankle once in a while just have to live with it.

Thanks for asking.

Dean

[Muley]

I'll probably just go to Cruso that weekend anyway

[webmost]

I'll probably just go to Cruso that weekend anyway

See you there.

[Wayne Orwig]

I'll probably just go to Cruso that weekend anyway

I'm thinking the same.

[NC Steve]

I'm thinking the same.

I'll probably add 2 more to the group as well.

[ridingron]

Been to Blue Ridge Campground about 10 years in a row with a Honda group. Nice location and nice campground, flat and smooth with grass to set the tent on.   Bath house could use an update (last time there about 2008. Maybe have since then.) Went to the Iron horse 2 times. Nice folks running it. Too foo-foo for me. As mentioned not much camping space. Seems aimed at the Atlanta life saving riders. Nice road to Robbinsville. Had Nascar on the giant screen TV at an obnoxious sound level. Haven't been back and don't intend to go back. My Honda group hasn't been back either.

[Grant Borden]

It will be Blue Ridge Campground for me this year also. The Iron Horse Lodge was not for me, Kickstand around the corner fit me much better.

Grant

[NC Steve]

I just talked to Phil's son down at Blue Ridge to reserve a cabin, and they still have other vacancies available. They normally booked them quickly in the past though, so if you're interested in getting one, you might want to call ahead fairly soon, just in case. Here's their site again, for the address and phone #.

http://blueridgemotorcyclecamp.com

[leafman60]

The Guzzi clan is not a big one and there is always a problem getting individuals to step forward and organize meetings.

Looks like we have here a situation where a new person has stepped up and tried to do something different.  Maybe he/she should have taken a vote (maybe they did).

Some folks don't like the decision so they are not going to participate in what would already be a small gathering.

Would there be any sense in going with the flow on this for one time?  Go to the new location and try it.  These gatherings are more about the getting together than they are the campsite or the food aren't they?  While there, you could lobby to go back to the old Cruso location next year.

I can see that this split could cause some unnecessary ill feelings that may linger for a while.  Why not support somebody trying to do something? Stick together.

[elvisboy77]

The Guzzi clan is not a big one and there is always a problem getting individuals to step forward and organize meetings.

Looks like we have here a situation where a new person has stepped up and tried to do something different.  Maybe he/she should have taken a vote (maybe they did).

Some folks don't like the decision so they are not going to participate in what would already be a small gathering.

Would there be any sense in going with the flow on this for one time?  Go to the new location and try it.  These gatherings are more about the getting together than they are the campsite or the food aren't they?  While there, you could lobby to go back to the old Cruso location next year.

I can see that this split could cause some unnecessary ill feelings that may linger for a while.  Why not support somebody trying to do something? Stick together.

Very well said, and true.  Thanks.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

The Guzzi clan is not a big one and there is always a problem getting individuals to step forward and organize meetings.

Looks like we have here a situation where a new person has stepped up and tried to do something different.  Maybe he/she should have taken a vote (maybe they did).

Some folks don't like the decision so they are not going to participate in what would already be a small gathering.

Would there be any sense in going with the flow on this for one time?  Go to the new location and try it.  These gatherings are more about the getting together than they are the campsite or the food aren't they?  While there, you could lobby to go back to the old Cruso location next year.

I can see that this split could cause some unnecessary ill feelings that may linger for a while.  Why not support somebody trying to do something? Stick together.

I was thinking the same thing.  I won't be able to attend, not from loyalty to Blue Ridge or because I don't like the venue... but because it's been moved from my backyard to way out in the middle of nowhere...  I've only been able to attend in the past because it's an easy daytrip for me and I know plenty of non-interstate routes to get there.

But I don't think ppl should host a NAR in the old location and split attendance if they would otherwise attend the entire weekend, camp etc...

[KBuck]

Well said. Whoever stepped up to the plate deserves some gratitude. As far as I know the folks that agree to assume the responsibility to organize this or any other MG event are making a sacrifice that most attendees never experience and consequently don't realize the amount of effort that goes into a successful event. And as illustrated in this thread some prefer to boycott their efforts simply because it doesn't align with their personal desires. Well here's my 2 cents:  don't go!

-KBuck

[Muley]

Well said. Whoever stepped up to the plate deserves some gratitude. As far as I know the folks that agree to assume the responsibility to organize this or any other MG event are making a sacrifice that most attendees never experience and consequently don't realize the amount of effort that goes into a successful event. And as illustrated in this thread some prefer to boycott their efforts simply because it doesn't align with their personal desires. Well here's my 2 cents:  don't go!

-KBuck

That's exactly what some might be doing Mr. Buck.   That is , simply not going.   I certainly don't see why anyone would get their panties in a knot just because some of us like the BRMC near Cruso.  It's not a "mutiny" as someone suggested, it's just a few folks who like to go to Cruso the first weekend in August.

No one is trying to undermine the "official" NC rally either.  Y'all have fun wherever that is and give us some nice pictures and reports

[mojohand]

Since I couldn't find a newer thread, I thought I'd post here.

Anyone know if the Ironhorse rally is off? It's no longer on MGNOC...

[guzzisteve]

It is on Iron Horse camp schedule for Aug 4-6, that would mean it's on.

[mojohand]

It is on Iron Horse camp schedule for Aug 4-6, that would mean it's on.

Hmmm. But if it's not on MGNOC, does that mean it's been de-listed? I think it was on there back in the spring....

[flip]

I have to work that weekend.  Maybe next year...

[Nick]

I heard that some of the regulars are still planning to meet at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground on that same weekend

[Wayne Orwig]

Hmmm. But if it's not on MGNOC, does that mean it's been de-listed? I think it was on there back in the spring....

I looked at the past newsletters and did not see it.

Anyone else note that Iron Horse can't spell 'Motor Goosy' right? 

Wonder what it all means?

[Chuck in Indiana]

The Blue Ridge campground has an official Moto Guzzi sign in the lodge. <shrug> That's good enough for me.