NC Guzzis in the Blue Ridge Rally

[Lannis]

I know I'll probably catch hell for saying this, but.....This guy took on a volunteer job that 99% of us wouldn't or couldn't take the time and extra effort to put together. And frankly I'm disappointed in the grumpy, unappreciative attitude that some are showing. I don't care that this(Luddite attitude) is the "way we've always done it". If you like the campground so much, then go there another weekend! This is no way to treat a guy that's gone to this much trouble to hold a Guzzi event!

I don't have a dog in this fight, but you can't go too far wrong when you give a volunteer credit for putting on a Guzzi rally, and at the same time talk about Grumpy Luddites in the Guzzi ranks.   You're probably more correct than otherwise there .....

Lannis

[Lannis]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mojohand/albums/72157684703363674

Nice pics, and the Storm ones are very evocative of situations we've all faced.

Do I laager up somewhere for the night when I see those storm clouds?   Where's the boundary between just not wanting to be wet and uncomfortable and being called a Wimp Rider (by you yourself if no one else), and keeping yourself safe from serious hazards (lightning, rocks in the road, flash floods, strong winds, etc)?

Sounds like a good weekend.

Lannis

[Wayne Orwig]

I know I'll probably catch hell for saying this, but.....This guy took on a volunteer job that 99% of us wouldn't or couldn't take the time and extra effort to put together. And frankly I'm disappointed in the grumpy, unappreciative attitude that some are showing. I don't care that this(Luddite attitude) is the "way we've always done it". If you like the campground so much, then go there another weekend! This is no way to treat a guy that's gone to this much trouble to hold a Guzzi event!

The real issue here was, not getting the word out well. So people started their own plan.
I send notices to Frank that get published. Not sure why that is an issue.

[Guzriter]

Yes Wayne you're right about the mis-communication, mistakes will be made by someone taking on setting up a rally for the first time. But even after learning that the rally was to be held at different campground, there were complaints on the new venue vs. the traditional, and when making a decision which campground to pitch your tent, there still was the "grumpy revolt". If you don't believe that, then go back and read the posts in this string. I didn't particularly like the Glen Maury Campground in Buena Vista, but when MG Va & National events were held there, I still went to the venue where all the work was put on by unpaid volunteers to have the event. And I do appreciate that the Va rally is now @ Willville.

BTW, Roger has acknowledged the opinions on the Iron Horse, and has actually already checked out another venue called the Kickstand Lodge down the road closer to Bryson City. Because of the complaints that Iron Horse was "too nice" or sterile, or too RV/trailer oriented, this place is much more primitive with lots of tent space and a few cabins. However, there is no cafe or kitchen facilities, which means catered food, or 10-15 mile rides to restaurants, or a volunteer crew to cook meals, coffee, clean dishes, etc. The other side of this option is getting a handle on how many to plan on feeding, and that's a very tricky proposition on how much to stick your neck out on committing $ for food.

Wayne, I KNOW you know all this from your own experience as a rep and putting on events. I just want to gently remind everyone of the personal sacrifice of time & effort to put on events purely for the enjoyment of Guzzi riders & those of all brands, that love the camaraderie and beautiful roads rallies provide. I'd suggest that everyone that wishes to do so, give Roger some feedback, and not just the negative variety.

[mojohand]

Certainly some great points, and definitely in the positive spirit we all want.

While I know that the choice of a location is the purview of the rally leader, I do wonder why the venue was changed. By keeping the rally at the Bluye Ridge Motorcycle Campground, you

• Don't need to schlep food, because Phil & Jay cook breakfast and dinner on Friday and Saturday (breakfast every day)
• Don't need to worry about communications, because it's the same place on the same weekend
• Preserve the spirit of having a rally that's chill while also being in one of the best places for riding in the world

The VA rally was moved to Willville not because the rally leader wanted to but because the City of Buena Vista had made it untenable. Previously, the VA rally moved from Sherando Lake to Buena Vista because the Forest Services policies became onerous.

I do very much applaud anyone willing to step up and hold a rally. it's a lot of hassle, stress, work, and stress. So hat's off to anyone who does so. Perhaps next year, either the rally can happen at BRMC, or someone will decide to change weekends. Or something.

Again, props to the rally leaders everywhere!

[Vagrant]

At church Sunday the sermon was "It's not about you".
I believe the only reason it was changed was to make it easier on Roger. Can't say as I blame him and it sounds like he really tried. But, the only flaw with the BRMC is cold showers. other than that it's the nicest place wor a low key red suspenders rally.

[Chuck in Indiana]

But, the only flaw with the BRMC is cold showers.

<scratching head> The showers were fine when the Kid and I were there this spring.. maybe the water heater can't keep up if the place is crowded?

[Wayne Orwig]

John Z and I worked on the water heater a couple of years ago. One of the thermostats has going bad. Phil was supposed to replace it.

[mojohand]

Had a nice hot shower weekend before last there.

[Lannis]

<scratching head> The showers were fine when the Kid and I were there this spring.. maybe the water heater can't keep up if the place is crowded?

I'll bet the women did it.   At the Ohio Valley BSA rally at Toronto, OH last week, I went Saturday morning to take a shower, and the LP gas tank was empty, and the water was cold.   As I was wondering "What happened?", the maintenance guy was outside wrestling a new tank into place and quietly cussing to himself.   The showers there are right next to a swimming hole in Cable's Creek, and on Friday night a bunch of young girls had gone swimming, gotten COLD, and spent an hour running the showers wide open to get warm again and used up all the gas ...

Whaddaya gonna do with 'em .... ?

Lannis

[drbone641]

Hot Showers at BRMC. New water heater or something cause they worked long and hot.
Honestly, of all the motorcycle campground/ gathering places, in the south, BRMC stands out.
Dinner was good and breakfast, as always was great. Oh and NO generators going from all of the truck
drawn camper trailers, that were at Iron Horse.

[Guzriter]

Please understand, I'm not advocating 1 campground over another, rather I'm advocating for the rep who's taken on a responsibility of working to put on a rally that, unlike some rallies, he doesn't get any compensation for. Another important fact is that Roger doesn't have a spouse that can help in organizing, setting up, taking down, etc., which is why, if he wants to put it on near his shop in Robbinsville to make it easier, then why not wil you or anyone else volunteer to help him plan, set up, etc. Despite what you may think, he's putting in the effort for us to have a nice weekend of riding, not because he's looking for an easy way to put on an event to make money or other untoward motivation.

But to address some of the points brought up in advocacy of BRMC, Iron Horse does have a cafe/restaurant that serves lunch & dinner with choices of entrees, the bathrooms/showers are hot and very clean, has covered areas for bike parking available, has a campfire area beside the back deck & has location options for camping. Although, I'm just not sure if the camping areas would be large enough to accommodate 80-100 people. I didn't notice generators humming, and the only noise that bothered me was the guy snoring in the next tent. Of course, I was told that I put on a good roar on occasion.

The real question is, do we offer respect to the rep that works to put on a rally? It's his decision of where & when (or as Airheads call it, "Whair & When"). On one hand someone advocates moving the date to another date, but does that mean you'll still have your own non rally (alt-rally)event @ the BRMC on the traditional first wknd of August? Would you even attend the rep's rally on another date @ a different facility? Do you know how difficult it is to find another date that doesn't conflict with other rallies or people's schedules? All because you just gotta have your way in doing the same thing every year? Sounds a bit self centered to me. That double edged sword goes both ways.

Again don't get me wrong, I love BRMC as well, but you know that Mark moved it there from High Country/Turkey Tom's years ago, but now does another spring event @ what is now Brent Hollowell's High Country MC. My opinion is that if he moved it to Kickstand, that'd be taking too big a chance on catering with no organized breakfast and a dearth of committed Guzzi attendees.

I don't intend to advocate one place vs another place, I'm just saying we need to value someone's hard work and effort in putting on a Guzzi event, and give him some appreciation for trying.

[mojohand]

All good points, Guziriter, and I do agree and support. I was just offering some thoughts, not disagreements.

[Wayne Orwig]

No matter where, or when it is, you will never please everyone.
There may be good reason to move to IronHorse. I can't imagine it, but, OK.

But nothing clear was announced. Oh well.

Hopefully there is a next year. Hopefully it is announced properly.

(covered bike parking? Sounds like a place to avoid.    )

[redrider90]

I believe Mark move from Turkey Tom's because of issues with providing enough food for the rally. I do not remember but there was some sort of snafu that broke up the marriage.  A year or two after the move to BRMC the rally literally got washed out the night before the rally when a flash flood took out the bridge. Everybody ended up in a KOA outside of Asheville. Later a lot of Guzzi folks help get the bridge replaced and helped put BRMC back together. I think BRMC just goes back 25 years for a lot of Guzzitis who were regulars.
Nobody was starting an anti rally this year. They just wanted to go back to where there had been going for a long long time. Besides BRMC was one of the first MC camp grounds that really catered to MC riders and camping. NO CARS allowed in the camping area.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I'll bet the women did it.   At the Ohio Valley BSA rally at Toronto, OH last week, I went Saturday morning to take a shower, and the LP gas tank was empty, and the water was cold.   As I was wondering "What happened?", the maintenance guy was outside wrestling a new tank into place and quietly cussing to himself.   The showers there are right next to a swimming hole in Cable's Creek, and on Friday night a bunch of young girls had gone swimming, gotten COLD, and spent an hour running the showers wide open to get warm again and used up all the gas ...

Whaddaya gonna do with 'em .... ?

Lannis

Join 'em?

[Bill]

I'm with you Mayor! 

[ridingron]

It's been about a month. Any word? Date (first weekend in August?) Where? I have to put in for vacation in Jan. or it's a crap shoot as to getting the time off. Yeah, it sucks to be me.

Pick a time and place. Announce it and let the chips fall where they may.

Why is food served or catered at the camp ground? To me half the fun is finding the mom & pop diners, cafes and BBQ joints.

[Lannis]

Why is food served or catered at the camp ground? To me half the fun is finding the mom & pop diners, cafes and BBQ joints.

I can speak from experience that you're in the minority there!   For a lot of folks, there is much disappointment and comment if food is not available on the grounds, either prepared by the rally or catered in ... dinner certainly, breakfast often, lunch seldom (lunchtime is when people go out and explore for the mom and pop places ...).

Lannis

[ridingron]

I'm probably am in the minority. I am used to that.   

I don't drink coffee and am not much of a first thing in the morning breakfast person  I can crawl out of the sleeping bag and be saddled up ready to ride in 15-20 minutes. 

I am a picky eater and never cared for the menu at the campground. That's on me. Many of the guys at our rally ate there. And liked it! I would eat on the road and be done for the day when I got back to the campground. Or pull in and see if anyone wanted to go eat. I'm not antisocial just not out going.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Why is food served or catered at the camp ground? To me half the fun is finding the mom & pop diners, cafes and BBQ joints.

In the case of this rally, there is no nearby food...  Unless you want to ride 40mins to get to to a tiny town... and then there would be just 2-3 options.. none of which are very good. only/best bet in a half-hour radius would be gas station hotdogs

[Nick]

In the case of this rally, there is no nearby food...  Unless you want to ride 40mins to get to to a tiny town... and then there would be just 2-3 options.. none of which are very good. only/best bet in a half-hour radius would be gas station hotdogs

Or you can do what I did and get a great tasting reuben http://sweetencreekbrewing.com   



how to upload pic

 

[Wayne Orwig]

I like my coffee and breakfast when I get up. Then go ride all day looking for a lunch stop. Then sit around and talk about the ride at the campground over a meal, later in the day.
I have a couple of friends that like to get up and go before eating. They are both diabetic, and in poor health. And yes, there is a connection. Nothing like having one pull off the side of the road, then pass out while sitting on the bike. Just because he didn't want breakfast at the campground.

[blackcat]

Nothing like having one pull off the side of the road, then pass out while sitting on the bike. Just because he didn't want breakfast at the campground.

A group ride that I attended a few months ago had a diabetic pass out on the ride, crashed and he lost his leg from not stopping and eating the candy in his pocket. Any rides that I attend in the future,especially a long ride, I will ask if anyone in the group is a diabetic.