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Excellent!
We don't remember the rallies, vacations or other adventures that went smoothly. We remember the ones where things went wrong or unusual things happened. The ordinary fades from our memory but the unusual stays with us. I don't remember some of our vacations but the one in 1974 when I dumped my 3 year old daughter from a canoe in the rapids in 30 degree weather is as clear as if it happened yesterday. She popped up out of the water and didn't even cry until she saw the panic on her mother's face.
A Smillies version of the rally -
The new Rally friends
Beer Tent
What we hoped to do when the Flame cars came out
My tent in the morning:
The morning cup of
i even ride an older bike, so i'm not up there with the olde-than-me set who are all doctors or retired miltary (or whatever- no judgement here) who have unlimited cash and ride all the brand new stuff with all the hottest gear on the market.
I knew that the MOA was an "Old Mans Club" when I joined but I never imagined that I would be reading this much bitching and complaining after a national motorcycle event.
I don't think some of you fully comprehend the danger that was present at the Rally.
Maybe its b/c I don't belong to a local BMW MOA chapter, not that there are any conveniently near me, but I did not feel that welcome. Not sure what I was expecting, but as a younger member in my 30's I felt totatlly alone. I spent 2 days there and talked to maybe 4 people for a total of 30 mins! Mostly I walked around,bought things, took pictures of beautiful motorcycles, and ate some good food. It was nice to be surrounded by fellow BMW motorcycle owners but really they are older people, much older actually, that wouldn't even give me the time of day! They mostly sat in tents with their travel buddies and local chapter friends. So where was i to fit in?
I don't have any BMW riding buddies locally, I drove there to meet some and drove all the way back to CT, 4 hours, without 1 name.
I thought, was it me? I'm a pretty social person, versed in many things, and overall approachable.
I have to say, I'm selling my BMW this weekend and buying a Triumph this weekend with the hopes of meeting people more my age and with a little more in common.
Not sure what I was expecting, but I was honestly dissapointed. At least the 8 hours of driving was a fun learning experience.
stick out your hand and complement someone on their motorcycle.
If that does not get you a bunch of new friends I don't know what will.
Honestly have you ever met a rider that did not want to talk about their motorcycle??
even if you had showed up with a green mohawk.
..............I am now 25 years old..................
I have a friend who only wants to watch movies she's already seen. I get a similar feeling with many of the small groups of fellow motorcycling campers at the rallies I've been to. They only want to become friends with someone they're already friends with.
I left on Saturday before the closing ceremonies... but reading about scores of people booing turns me off the MOA... same goes for the way some members treated me and the other volunteers working registration.
exactly, Jim!Hey Tom:
Excellent post. Indeed, all you need to be is outgoing. I didn't care if you had ear rings, tats, or even if you had showed up with a green mohawk. {Heck, I had hair past my shoulders in college. 69-73 in case you're wondering. So who am I to judge?} All I cared about is that you helped out, and had a good time. So, if an old guy on a 93R100GSPD can get along with pretty much anybody without prejudice, then perhaps younger members ought to give us a chance too!
Next time, grab a beer, pull up a chair, sit and swap lies. It always worked for me.
BTW {to the unhappy first-timer}, my first rally in 94 was overwhelming too. Now I can't go 5 minutes without bumping into a friend. Trust me, it'll get better.
MAD DOG
Beer co-chair
I thought, was it me? I'm a pretty social person, versed in many things, and overall approachable.
I've been waiting for you to break your silence. Those of us committee chairs that arrive early to set up, and leave late to break down, know that Vance is one selfless, hard working MOA member. Quite a lot of pure physical grunt work was done by him and Stan Herman, THROUGHOUT the entire Sunday to Sunday period.