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This thread is supposed to be about how this rally sucked. You folks, like me, who had a great time at the rally should not post here. Hills in Tennessee, what a surprise. People using up the TP, who'da thunk it. Water containers and cups for anyone, just not right. In order for my post to qualify for this thread, here it is..... No good coffee on site. There.
Ditto. I rode down from MI with a friend, but he camped onsite while I stayed offsite, so we kind of went our separate ways at the rally. I also wore my #1 pin and had only one person notice and officially welcome me. I had conversations with folks over meals at the food vendor sites, but I too felt like a bit of an outsider. And I feel that being a woman made it even worse. At some of the vendor tents, I wasn't even acknowledged or asked if I needed help, while all of the male shoppers were approached with offers of assistance.
In spite of all this, I learned things from the seminars I attended, spent a good amount of $$, and enjoyed the rally overall. I agree with the person who suggested a special meeting/social for us 'newbies'. So I wouldn't say the rally sucked, but it could be improved in this area.
PJ in Ann Arbor, MI
'07 F650 GS
'08 R1200 GS
Routing traffic THROUGH the vendor area? DUMB!
Food. Better than last year but still questionable...
Outside the rally.
NC drivers suck. They are just plain BAD. Tenn Driver are better but nobody down there knows what a freakin' turn signal is. Glad I have ABS. I had to use it several times once with my wife on back. That was NOT cool.
I was going to go to the rolling rally. Some personal things got in the way and had a late start. En-route I got run off the highway near Bristol by a drunk trying to exit in a pick-me-up truck that came across in front of me from the left lane at 85mph and slamming on the brakes in front of me to get his exit. Luckily, I was in a spot that was grass and mowed and the 50 mph adventure was down through a ditch in the exit median. Think the rear shock is gone...Just like the driver.
I decided I had enough and after checking out the bike I went back to WI.
Thanks,
I'm just glad to be in one piece and able to ride home. What's the old adage?
I was going to ride the BRP but just didn't have time. Weather was perfect for it. Not too hot!
FWIW I rode back to about 25W north of Knoxville and stopped for the night. (12:30am. ) The Choice Inn I stopped at had 3 ATF/State of Tenn jet ranger helicopters and more 4x4 trucks with trailer loads of ATV's in one place than I've seen in a long time. Looking for Meth labs....Apparently the area is #1 or #2 in the nation for production. So much for dirt riding in the area!
Wasn't worried about the bike in THAT parking lot!
Sorry you had such a poor experience, BUT, I think you can ask anyone thats widely traveled and they will agree that there are bad drivers in many locations and I mean throughout the world! It is a fact that traffic tempo picks up in urban locales and they start cutting lanes,etc. I see less of this "crazyness" in Mexico , but fail to notice that drivers are worse in my Southeast as you emphasize.We have the same cell phone types as you and the list goes on. Again, sorry it was a bummer for you Jason.
jeez. can't the rally chairs control a simple thing like the weather?
Seriously, one thing I felt could be improved upon is the closing ceremonies.... good LORD that thing is long and boring.
Wrong. The produce stand on the road up the hill had decent coffee(plus other good and reasonable stuff) for $1.
I still don't like the vendor's closing down at 6 pm.
I still don't like the vendor's closing down at 6 pm. Most of us like to ride during the day and shop in the evening... All the vendor's already have to buy a special license to sell, but at least be open longer.
Thanks,Me & my wife came over from thursday to saturday.I had been to lots of bike rallys,but this was my first BMW rally. We had a great time & made new friends.Not sure about next years rally,but you never know.As I recall, both winners were from Virginia; one from Richmond, one from Vienna.
This was my fourth Rally since 1989. My riding crew and I had a great time, and we are currently fantasizing about going to next years Rally after Mapsourcing the 5434 mile round trip route this morning.