2017 national rally?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Back in the day, the MGNOC was the only game in town. It gave members a place to share experiences, tips.. some of them good.. :roll eyes: and rally locations. There were tech questions, of course.. so you could write a letter, it might eventually get published, and you might get an answer. Eventually. With the coming of the internet, all was changed. The MGCL (Moto Guzzi Correspondence List) a text only list ran by Roy Harvey came into existence. People from all over the world were on it, and it filled my inbox every day.  As the internet matured, WG came to life, (we can have pictures  ) and as far as *I'm* concerned, the MGNOC newsletter is out of date before it's published. Indiana rep Andy might call me and ask about something he read in the newsletter and I'll tell him that went through WG a long time ago. <shrug>
WG doesn't promote the brand?? I'd say it is one of the best in the world at doing that.. certainly better than Mother Goose.

[Dean Rose]

Here we go again. 

Why can't we have a National Rally without Frank saying so?


Dean

[LowRyter]

Some of us save the MGNOC dues and kick it to WG.   Kinda shame to see MGNOC wind down with no national and no support from the manufacturer.  I can't blame anyone that puts on a state rally to think twice about the unpredictable expense of announcing a national. 

it what it is. 

Perhaps we can organize something in the next few riding seasons on WG that will gain critical mass and get the band back together?  Maybe if enough people decided on which state rally they'd like to attend, kicked in the kitty and get some outside agitators involved, they might make a caravan?  I for one am looking at taking the call up north to Grand Marais or perhaps Wisc (but for now I am an unorganized agitator). 

[Dean Rose]

Say I'm wrong, but I don't believe Frank had anything to do with organizing or coordinating with Moto Guzzi for the rally. He told me personally that he would have nothing to do with the Importer or the Factory.


Dean

[oldbike54]

 Fellas , let's not turn this into another cat fight . There is room for any and all .

 As for the need for a national with or without MGNOC sanctioning , we have offered up the Cedar Vale event . Now , some of you may not like the event , or the town , or the organizers , but it is centrally located , and the park will hold several hundred no problem . Grand Marais is a lovely place, but for those of us in the South it will be one hot humid ride up .

 Dusty

[JJ]

Fellas , let's not turn this into another cat fight . There is room for any and all .

 As for the need for a national with or without MGNOC sanctioning , we have offered up the Cedar Vale event . Now , some of you may not like the event , or the town , or the organizers , but it is centrally located , and the park will hold several hundred no problem . Grand Marais is a lovely place, but for those of us in the South it will be one hot humid ride up .

 Dusty

Cedar Vale is Kansas, yes? Grand Marais is Minnesota, yes? 

Just pick a date / town for 2017, publish a few hotels and where to camp in the same town - - and  "POOF" you have the makings of a N.A.R. (Not-A-Rally) - - People just ride there casually....meals are on their own, no rally fee etc. 

Just an excuse for Guzzi riders to ride somewhere and get together...as opposed to sitting home....Just a thought...

[Chuck in Indiana]

publish a few hotels and where to camp in the same town

Uhhh, JJ.. I just googled Cedar Vale, and got one restaurant. Hotel singular.. That's one of the reasons that food/lodging will be a challenge. It can be overcome, though, I have confidence in that.

[Shorty]

I never been to Cedar Vale. Do they have hook ups like the state park did? Parking slabs? Picnic tables? Suficient showers and schiessers? Thanks.

[Gliderjohn]

There are other motels within 30 miles of Cedar Vale. The motel in town is only eight rooms if all are open. Last year one was being remodeled. Nice quaint rooms with a nice owner. No Wi-Fi or ice however. You can connect to Wi-Fi from another source if you sit on the street park bench across the street.
GliderJohn

[Tom]

There are other motels within 30 miles of Cedar Vale. The motel in town is only eight rooms if all are open. Last year one was being remodeled. Nice quaint rooms with a nice owner. No Wi-Fi or ice however. You can connect to Wi-Fi from another source if you sit on the street park bench across the street.
GliderJohn

That would raise negatives for some.  Not me.

[ChuckH]

Cedar Vale is Kansas, yes? Grand Marais is Minnesota, yes?..... 

I'll take it on Dusty's words that CV has adequate space for a larger group than they have handled in the past.  And, Port-A-Pots will go a long way in helping any facilities issues and who needs a shower more than once every few days or so (Guzzi content).  It also sounds like there would be ways through the city personnel to feed the group.

Grand Marais, MN (there is also a Grand Marais, MI) is another story.  The camping is in the City RV Park and the areas for tent camping can handle about 75 or so tents without being too crowded.  The city is quite small but there are tourist lodging facilities available.  "In Season", reservations should be made well in advance.  Because it is a tourist area in the warmer months, there are plenty of places to eat and they are within walking distance of the RV Park.

Lastly, the 2017 MN Guzzi Rally is scheduled for the 4th weekend in June in Grand Marais.  This will be the third year in a row that it has been held there.  Typical attendance has been in the 55-75 range.  Weather wise, temps can be a bit cool (the campground is right on the shore of Lake Superior) and it rains occasionally.  It is a very good event.  I have enjoyed the two times I have attended and am expecting to be there again this June.  This time I'm planning on heading home via the route around the north side of Lake Superior.

Ride safe.

[Tom]

Here's the thing with declaring your rally being the "National".  On the left or right coast expect at least 400 in attendance.  In the middle of the country about 500.  Just throwing that in and helping with the sponsors.  Consider the price of reserving a campground for any of those numbers.

Chris in WI says that he gets about 300 for WI state rally so they're not inclined to sponsor the National.  Just for their state Rally they reserve the campground, cost for food and beer/beer truck.  Their rally fee covers all  of that.  Yet people complain about the cost of the rally fee to a National rally.  Then they'll try to ala-carte the rally fee.  "I have a room in town and I don't want meals.  I just want to walk around and meet people."

How's does that help the sponsors of the rally if they put the up front costs out their pockets to fund the rally?  Some thoughts for those that think it's easy to do a rally for at least 300 people.  Not trying to "trash" the thread but adding some info on hosting a large event that would have the potential to draw people from all over the world.  Past National rallies have had that capability.

[bad Chad]

I've only been to midwest rallies, but as I recall two of them were Nationals, both held in Ia, in place of the usual state rally.  My impression was there was little if any difference between the Nat, and the state rally.  The difference that was, was Moto Guzzi was offering demo rides, and they popped for a T-shirt for everyone, pretty cool.  Attendance may have been up somewhat, but not a lot from what I could tell.  IA usually gets close to 300, perhaps a bit less in the last 5 years, but I don't think it was close to 500, I guess I could be wrong.  My point, aside from a presence from corporate, (that I don't see happening this year) and perhaps a slight uptake in attendance, it was no different from a typical IA State rally, I'm not complaining, it's a great rally either way!

[Lannis]

Here's the thing with declaring your rally being the "National".  On the left or right coast expect at least 400 in attendance.  In the middle of the country about 500.  Just throwing that in and helping with the sponsors.  Consider the price of reserving a campground for any of those numbers.

Chris in WI says that he gets about 300 for WI state rally so they're not inclined to sponsor the National.  Just for their state Rally they reserve the campground, cost for food and beer/beer truck.  Their rally fee covers all  of that.  Yet people complain about the cost of the rally fee to a National rally.  Then they'll try to ala-carte the rally fee.  "I have a room in town and I don't want meals.  I just want to walk around and meet people."

How's does that help the sponsors of the rally if they put the up front costs out their pockets to fund the rally?  Some thoughts for those that think it's easy to do a rally for at least 300 people.  Not trying to "trash" the thread but adding some info on hosting a large event that would have the potential to draw people from all over the world.  Past National rallies have had that capability.

Yep.   All what you say is correct, and any issues faced with 200 people at a state rally are 3 times as bad at a big National.

Well, we'll just enjoy our various State rallies this year!

Lannis

[Vince in Milwaukee]

I've only been to midwest rallies, but as I recall two of them were Nationals, both held in Ia, in place of the usual state rally.  My impression was there was little if any difference between the Nat, and the state rally.  The difference that was, was Moto Guzzi was offering demo rides, and they popped for a T-shirt for everyone, pretty cool.  Attendance may have been up somewhat, but not a lot from what I could tell.  IA usually gets close to 300, perhaps a bit less in the last 5 years, but I don't think it was close to 500, I guess I could be wrong.  My point, aside from a presence from corporate, (that I don't see happening this year) and perhaps a slight uptake in attendance, it was no different from a typical IA State rally, I'm not complaining, it's a great rally either way!

I still have the tee shirt that was given away at the Iowa Rally in 2006 (Moto Guzzi's 85th anniversary).  Don't remember if that was the national or just the usual great Iowa Rally.  What ever year the national was held there, I do remember a total of @512 people in attendance or the like.  I also remember Jack and Joan Arnold as the state reps. and rally chairs like it was  yesterday.   

[oldbike54]

 The park in Cedar Vale will handle 500 no problem , although I doubt if we get more than 120 attendees . There is one hot shower , but seriously , if we get that many reservations the city will help out . The motel owner opened a room for us a couple of years back so we could use the shower. I am not suggesting an NAR can replace the national , simply offering an alternative . Folks , if you guys actually reserve for 300 we will work it out . Or 400 , or 500  25 bucks a head 35 bucks for couples . Chuckie and Dorcia will be there , as will Luap , and probably Rocker , along with some other luminaries from our world . Heck ,Tom , we would love to have you come in from Hawaii  . I am working on a deal for some demo bikes , and we can have a horse shoe tourney 

 Dusty

[Arizona Wayne]

To do a National rally right you first should do at least 1 state rally right to find out what the logistics are really about and if you can handle it.  It's easy to say you can do it than actually do it good.  Like anything else you have to get some experience at it before you go all in.  Frank has always trusted his state reps to be prepared for their rallies.   I remember 1 where she wasn't and just left others to deal with it. 

I put on a couple campouts, state rally before I did a National and it was a success, thank goodness.    But you have to get your feet wet before you jump in all the way. Things will pop up you can't plan for.     It's not as simple as some of you participants only think.

[LowRyter]

Fellas , let's not turn this into another cat fight . There is room for any and all .

 As for the need for a national with or without MGNOC sanctioning , we have offered up the Cedar Vale event . Now , some of you may not like the event , or the town , or the organizers , but it is centrally located , and the park will hold several hundred no problem . Grand Marais is a lovely place, but for those of us in the South it will be one hot humid ride up .

 Dusty

sure man,  Cedar Vale in April has it all over Grand Marais in June.   .....Other than GM being one of the most beautiful places on earth, a great camp ground and lots of shops and places to eat, great scenic roads to ride.....other than that..
 

And who invited the comparison in the first place??
 

[oldbike54]

sure man,  Cedar Vale in April has it all over Grand Marais in June.   .....Other than being one of the most beautiful places on earth, a great camp ground and lots of shops and places to eat.....other than that..
 
Thanks for pointing that out.

And who invited the comparison in the first place??
 

 My only comment was regarding how hot and humid the ride would be for those of us in the
South . Not making any comparison , simply offering an alternative . If the group doesn't like the idea then fine . Cedar Vale will still happen , and the 70 or so attendees we are expecting will have a good time . I do notice that no one else has actually volunteered to do this .

 Dusty

[Tom]

If in April,  the guys from up North would still be getting out of the snow.

[oldbike54]

If in April,  the guys from up North would still be getting out of the snow.

 We did offer to move it to May 5-7 . No matter when you have a rally there will be some weather , or other issue . I don't much care to ride or camp in 90 degree 70 % humidity conditions , and others have expressed the same sentiment . Nothing is perfect guys . I really hope there is a "real" national organizer that pops up , but so far ...

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

volunteers? 

I've lost the whole point of the conversation.

[John Ulrich]

There are State Rallys from sea to shining sea, most months of the year.  Pick your favorite time to travel.  See what state has a rally that month and head over to it.   
Unless you've put on a rally you're clueless as to the cost difference between 75 and 100 attendees and how many to plan for.  You can plan high and eat like kings if fewer show up but you lose money.  If you plan low and many more show up....people go hungry and others eat less and are mad.   If you set a price for 400 and 300 show up or the weather goes bad....you have lost a saddlebag of money!!!!
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[Tom]

If nothing pops up then maybe the WI state rally.  Nice paved whoop de do's out front of the campground.  Park bike.  Pitch tent.  Drink beer.  Eat brats.  Drink beer.  Fall down into tent.  Repeat for next 2 days. 

[JJ]

Uhhh, JJ.. I just googled Cedar Vale, and got one restaurant. Hotel singular.. That's one of the reasons that food/lodging will be a challenge. It can be overcome, though, I have confidence in that.

Never been to Cedar Vale or Grand Marsais...but I am sure there is a compromise SOMEWHERE in between!! 

Geez...even Cottonwood, AZ has more that a few hotels and a lot of restaurants and one good camping ground nearby!!

Of course...the other option is to just sit home...dreaming about a road trip...pulling one's carrot with one hand...and holding the TV remote in the other hand!! (LOL) 

[Tom]

U wanna go to WI?  There's at least 2 starting out from Phx.  Me and Richard or maybe the NM state rally.  I've never been to either.

[JJ]

U wanna go to WI?  There's at least 2 starting out from Phx.  Me and Richard or maybe the NM state rally.  I've never been to either.

From another post....

From northern AZ, it is >1650 miles and 24 hours driving time...ONE WAY (Sigh...)  Need about 10-days round-trip to have a really good time..(Sigh) ...and then there's the time off from work...(Sigh) Oh well...maybe someday in my retirement, God willing...

I'll be riding to the Cottonwood, AZ N.A.R. the first weekend in May, and of course, the annual NM Rally in Datil in late August

[oldbike54]

 I think I understand why none of the reps volunteered to do a national 

 Dusty

[Nick]

I think I understand why none of the reps volunteered to do a national 

 Dusty

Dusty,
"If You Build Plan It, They We Will Come" 
Nick

[oldbike54]

Dusty,
"If You Build Plan It, They We Will Come" 
Nick

 I'm tryin' Nick 

 Dusty