2009 Eastern US Rally (UPDATED! Come discuss!)

**Gus** · 01-15-09

Duck, that's what we're trying to figure out, where and when - given that the big rally is down there in Tennessee in hot July. How about Central Park??

Most of us that showed up for the 1st one are game for about any time or place....within reason of course

**BrENDURO** · 01-15-09

Just curious. Why don't we have a dedicated sub-forum for the '09 Eastern & Western Rallies like we did (and still do) for last years?

**TheBigDuck** · 01-15-09

Central Park? No way... traffic in the city is a killer.... Long Islanders take the train to the city...

How about a Bourbon Country tour?

Jim Beam Distillery @37.92999,-85.653679

**midengineracer** · 01-18-09

Originally Posted by Herleman

I would think that if we are going to have it on the east coast as an annual event, there might be an advantage to having it at a fixed location. Buchanan seems very good. Over the next year, we could scout it out a bit more and prepare some "Shamrock" tours. We might get five or six yearfs out of the location that way. The Wattshull folks seem to have been good to work with.

Glad to hear compliments to the area (that is my hometown). If it happens in Buchanan again, I might be able to ride there for the rally and see my family (I even had to skip going home for Christmas this year, even though I haven't been in the US for 4 years). Towards that end, not conflicting with the western rally would be nice as well.

Amusingly, despite living down behind Wattstull, I have never ridden a motorcycle in that area, just bicycles...

**nelsonburns** · 01-18-09

What about Fancy Gap, VA? It's a bigger town (but doesn't seem too big?) about 170 miles south of Buchanan on the BRP and has several hotels and a campground. There are two Days Inns located in close proximity to each other and a Super 8. Carollwood Campground is 8 miles away from the Days Inns and 3 miles from the Super 8. It's right off Interstate 77 so that those who like high speed travel can get there quickly via superslab. And it's 9 hours 12 minutes from Seaford, Long Island (the only place on Long Island I know, as my aunt lives there!) The campground closes October 1 - so sometime mid-September would seem like a good time if we don't want to meet around the rally schedule.

Don and I have never been there, but are going to stay there on the way to and from the Johnson City rally, so we'll know more about it then. But maybe someone from the area can tell us whether it's a nice location or not.

**Kirby** · 01-18-09

I like VA, as it is in my backyard, and I missed last year. I would avoid AL, GA, SC in the summer. Early Fall in the mountains, much better. Thanks Rob. Kirby

**FredRydr** · 02-05-09

Why not have it before or after summer? Family duties conflict far more in the summer months. September and October would be perfect.

Fred

**alteregovw** · 02-16-09

YES! Now that I'm living in Asheville, NC I should be able to make it to some events easily!! Can't wait for this!! Oh yeah, I'm about 3 minutes from an entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway now..... : )

**Mike in Ohio** · 02-17-09

For what it's worth, i don't like the idea of sharing "our" weekend at the BMW NA rally. And let's not forget we got to get Stormin' Normin' over here so we should choose soon-ly.

**3power** · 02-21-09

So, are we any closer to having a destination in mind?

**jaherbst** · 02-21-09

Where is the site for the west get together? Think WEST WEST WEST WEST! We have F800GS's and F650GS's out here too Rob! Better yet, Central location so we can all go.

Jack

**SHU** · 02-21-09

Originally Posted by jaherbst

Where is the site for the west get together? Think WEST WEST WEST WEST! We have F800GS's and F650GS's out here too Rob! Better yet, Central location so we can all go.

Jack

a little search reveals: https://f800riders.org/forum/showthre...=Western+rally

Where and when do you want it to be, Jack?

................shu

**nelsonburns** · 02-22-09

In my quickly done, probably not completely accurate spreadsheet count (with multiple votes for sites if people liked more than one location), it appears that 9 people have said they like the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) - some for Cherokee and some for repeating at Buchanan. 4 liked Spartanburg SC (which is not too far from the BRP). Only 3 or 4 wanted it around the BMW rally in Johnson City.

And Fall - September/October is the most mentioned time frame.

So how it seems like September/October on the BRP between Milepost 90 or so (the Peaks of Otter area) and milepost 469 (Cherokee).

That still gives us 400 miles to play with - but at least it's more specific than the "East Coast!"

Rob???

**FredRydr** · 02-22-09

Originally Posted by nelsonburns

...September/October on the BRP between Milepost 90 or so (the Peaks of Otter area) and milepost 469 (Cherokee).

Now we're getting somewhere. Guys, let's pull up the calendar and the map and pin down the weekend and location.

Note that Columbus Day is a holiday for many, and that is getting to peak foliage time. The up side is it is beautiful. The down side is more traffic on the roads - well, the paved roads anyway.

Fred

**nelsonburns** · 02-22-09

How come I can't edit my message and change "So how it seems like September/October on the BRP between Milepost 90 or so (the Peaks of Otter area) and milepost 469 (Cherokee)."

to "So how about September/October on the BRP between..."

I am not illiterate - my fingers weren't coordinating with my brain - which sometimes goes it's own way anyway...

I like the Columbus Day idea. One less day of leave to take. It doesn't interfere with any family holiday plans - because motorcycles come before family in this household!

**FredRydr** · 02-22-09

That's 10-12 October (Saturday to Monday). Excellent, and we'll see what the feedback is on that. Reservations for that weekend would have to be made well in advance.

Now, let's look up and down the BRP for places to stay worthy of the F-twins.

Fred

**windy** · 02-22-09

I'm in for BRP,even Buchanan again. October is great.

**Rob** · 02-22-09

There were a few folks who stayed at natural bridge last year. I'm curious to see what they thought of that.

I wish the Wattstull was bigger.

**alteregovw** · 02-22-09

May I recommend the Cherohala Skyway as being a wonderful ride that we (or at least some should plan) should do if we are nearby. Beautiful views for everyone and enough twists to be very entertaining.

**jaherbst** · 02-22-09

Originally Posted by SHU

a little search reveals: https://f800riders.org/forum/showthre...=Western+rally

Where and when do you want it to be, Jack?

................shu

Too many things going on on East coast this year. Any where West of the Missouri river would be fine with me. I am from Colorado so I am biased. Western Colorado Is one of the finest places for riding. Utah is breath taking. Grand Tetons in Wyoming would be good.(Jackson Hole) Red Lodge Montana would be great. (Bear Tooth Pass & Yellowstone is very near) Arizona (White Mountains/Show Low etc.) Any where from San Francisco North to Washington (Twisp Stevans Pass) Oregon coast is beautiful. (Canon Haystack Rock) Get away from the heat, humidity and traffic (not to mention the mosquitos) back East. Take your Choice.

I'm serious!

Jack

**jaherbst** · 02-22-09

I forgot to say when Shu. May 15th ----September15th.

Jack

**Gizmo** · 02-22-09

Wedding anniversary! Wish I could make it back out East!

I was there last October, so, maybe . . .

**Luxamor** · 02-22-09

Originally Posted by Rob

There were a few folks who stayed at natural bridge last year. I'm curious to see what they thought of that.
I wish the Wattstull was bigger.

We stopped over at Natural Bridge during our day ride that Saturday.
All I remember was lots of tourists, buses and a crowded parking lot.
I did like the Buchanan area though. Maybe we can get input from people in the area again and hope for another place to stay with more accommodations.
Recon!

**beemerF800s** · 02-23-09

Originally Posted by VLT

On the rally-in-a-rally idea, why not do what the "Airheads Beemers" do and put up a tent stocked with chairs and sofas from Goodwill. "F800 Central"

I like this idea even if there isn't a rally-in-rally. I'll be out there this summer and would like to put some faces to (most of) these names.

**FredRydr** · 02-23-09

Mile post 62 - Buena Vista, with motels in Lexington, Glen Murray Park, Buena Vista. 12 miles down the road a MC friendly KOA. There is lots of great riding in the area, with lots of paved and unpaved roads.

Mile post 178 -Meadows of Dan on route 58 small motels and Willisville motorcycle-only Campground. They have rides laid out all over the area.

Fred

**Stormin Normin** · 02-24-09

Originally Posted by Mike in Ohio

For what it's worth, i don't like the idea of sharing "our" weekend at the BMW NA rally. And let's not forget we got to get Stormin' Normin' over here so we should choose soon-ly.

Thanks for that, I am just on the tip of committing to a US tour with some mates.

Maybe 6-8 of us doing east to west in July 2010 over 3-4 weeks. Shipping our bikes to Baltimore and then east to west to L A.

I know it's a long time to go, but planning is key. So i'll be shouting out for help and pointers nearer the time.

**Mike in Ohio** · 02-24-09

Stormin--make sure you post your route and maybe some of us can ride with you along the way...

**nelsonburns** · 02-24-09

I like the idea of the Meadows of Dan - which is a bit further down than Buchanan was. In 2010 we could go even farther down and before you know it, just by going to the F800 Rally each year you could be an "End to Ender" on the parkway and get a certificate!

I agree with Dan - when we went to Natural Bridge it was crowded. Loved the walk to Natural Bridge but it wasn't a place I'd want to stay. Didn't see the campground though.

I'd rather have a place we could sit around a campfire and chat. However, my pampered ass doesn't camp in tents or on the hard ground any more - so I like the idea of a campground with cabins. I just called Willville and they only have one cabin and it might be taken that weekend. The Meadows of Dan Campground has two cabins - don't know about their availability. There's not much civilized lodging apart from B&Bs around Meadows of Dan otherwise. The Blue Ridge Motel and Restaurant has 19 rooms - so it seems about the size of the Wattstull.

I found a place that has it all - 5 tent sites, 6 one room cabins and two 4 room motels on site (Ever heard of a 4 room motel?) Each room in the "motels" can accomodate 4 adults.

http://www.fancygapcabins.com/

At maximum capacity that's probably not enough space unless we have a lot of campers and they'd let them tent on whatever space is available. However, it's at Fancy Gap - just south of Meadows of Dan. There are other campgrounds and motels in Fancy Gap if overflow was needed.

Anybody been to Fancy Gap?

Any other ideas?

**Rob** · 02-24-09

I've actually been toying with the idea of going north a bit to get some of our Canadian friends to attend.

**BrENDURO** · 02-24-09

Originally Posted by nelsonburns

you could be an "End to Ender" on the parkway and get a certificate!

This was my plan last year. Bikerdoc and I departed earlier in the week for the rally and came up from mile 469 at the south (the southernmost point of the BRP), all the way to Buchanan...3 miles from the hotel when a drunk driver took me out. Just as soon as it warms up about 10 more degrees I'm going to do that trip again and complete it. Its also why I've got my fingers crossed for some sort of location that also entails substantial BRP riding.

**Mike in Ohio** · 02-24-09

I LIKE the idea of going North Rob. Southeaster Ohio has some fine, fine roads as I would guess you already know. (and it's closer to Cleveland than NC I admit) West VA is supposed to have some nice riding too. So does Pittsburgh actually.

**CB-800S** · 02-25-09

I want to go on a frickin' owners rally. Canada's a little too epic for a long weekender from the gulf coast. I wanna go the frickin' Blue Ridge fricken' Parkway and stay in a fricken' cabin.

**Luxamor** · 02-25-09

I'll make some suggestions after a bit of brief research.
If we could get some group rates with advanced planning - all the better.

* Peaks of Otter Lodge - Bedford, VA...Those of us at the last rally can vouch for the locale and the food was OK. Plenty of parking and they seemed to be bike-friendly. About $112 avg per night
* Harmony Hill B&B - In Arrington, VA which is a little further north and slightly east, but looks very inviting. About $119 avg per night
* Howard Johnson - Lexington, VA which is north of Buchanan, but still in an accessible area with lower rates. About $70 avg per night

**tledford** · 02-26-09

The National Park Service runs a fine campground at Rocky Knob, just a few miles North of The Meadows of Dan. And seven miles away there are seven "housekeeping cabins" which I've never seen, although I've camped in the campground. (Grew up doing that several times a year, actually.)

It's easy for me to champion The Meadows of Dan as a destination, though; for me, brENDURO and bikerdoc it's only about a two-hours drive.

Oops, forgot link: http://www.virginia.org/site/descrip...MGrp=4&MCat=19

**CB-800S** · 02-27-09

Columbus Day weekend everyone and their dog will be out on the road.

I favour the southern end of the Blue Ridge on account of it being a little closer (to me).

Just sayin'.

**opoteat** · 04-02-09

Cherokee with a day trip across SC mountain roads to BMW one day and a day trip ride the Tail of the Dragon on another day. There are a lot of radar traps and you can't go 100mph but as a group I bet it'd be a fun trip with lots of side locations to visit along the way. Then we go back to Cherokee, get hammered, give the indians back part of the land (money) and see who can do the biggest burnout in front of the casino.

That would be my vote.

**jonnylikesvtwins** · 04-03-09

Guys (& Gals),
I live in Greenville, SC and I can definitively tell you that the riding down here is fantastic--great roads, not much traffic, beautiful scenery, etc. Seeing the Zentrum is a great idea, and the guys at the local BMW shop (Touring Sport BMW/Ducati/Aprilia/Vespa) are friends of mine. IMHO do not come to SC for riding in early June, July, August, or early September as it is like riding in a blast furnace. Spring and fall are exquisite! I am lucky enough to live in an area that is perfectly suited to the strengths of my F800ST--I have owned over 16 motorcycles in my short life (42 years), and I believe it to be the finest motorcycle I've ever owned.
I will be happy to assist in planning if you like (hotels, camping, food recommendations, etc.).