B
bob9125
Guest
I have been to each MOA rally starting with 1996 through this years (except 1999 in Rheinbeck). In my view, the best rallies of this stretch of years was the Fredericksburg, Texas rally in 1997 and the Missoula, Montana rally in 1998.
I camped at both of these rallies. In Fredericksburg, I camped onsite. At Missoula, I stayed at the KOA. Both sites had great roads, decent weather (although Fredericksburg was iffy because of flooding the prior week) and adequate eating establishments.
I enjoyed the ride to Redmond, but camping on site left something to be desired. The rowdy crowd insisted on playing loud music all night long and on Friday night, there were some fools riding through the quiet camping area at 2 am. With that, I packed up the next morning and headed for the motel.
I am sure that attendance was great this year. I understood the MC to say that there were at least 7,000 at the rally and they were still counting. I'm sure the association made a lot of money, but I do not like rallies based in a city. This rally reminded me of an auto show or flea market. This rally did not appear to be about riding, but about commerce. I'm sure the vendors' loved it, and maybe that is what a rally is all about. But it is not why I have gone to rallies in the past.
As I was packing up to leave Sunday morning, a couple on Harleys began talking to me. The lady was disappointed in the rally. Her complaints were 1) the organized rides started to early and lasted too long; 2) the rally organizers did not inform attendees where they might be able to find something to eat at 2 am; 3) the PA system sucked: and, 4) beer tickets were not sold at registration so you didn't have to wait in line to buy the tickets at the beer tent. I sure there were other items that were covered but I can't remember them.
Maybe the rallies have not changed, but it is I who have changed. I guess I spent more time riding at Fredericksburg and Missoula and less time paying attention to the crowd. Maybe the crowd wasn't as riding and family oriented as I remember. All I know is, I am not sure that I want to go to another big rally in Spokane. Maybe the RT folks have it right with their Unrally.
Bob Whittle
Nashville, TN
I do not know if I will go to Spokane.
I camped at both of these rallies. In Fredericksburg, I camped onsite. At Missoula, I stayed at the KOA. Both sites had great roads, decent weather (although Fredericksburg was iffy because of flooding the prior week) and adequate eating establishments.
I enjoyed the ride to Redmond, but camping on site left something to be desired. The rowdy crowd insisted on playing loud music all night long and on Friday night, there were some fools riding through the quiet camping area at 2 am. With that, I packed up the next morning and headed for the motel.
I am sure that attendance was great this year. I understood the MC to say that there were at least 7,000 at the rally and they were still counting. I'm sure the association made a lot of money, but I do not like rallies based in a city. This rally reminded me of an auto show or flea market. This rally did not appear to be about riding, but about commerce. I'm sure the vendors' loved it, and maybe that is what a rally is all about. But it is not why I have gone to rallies in the past.
As I was packing up to leave Sunday morning, a couple on Harleys began talking to me. The lady was disappointed in the rally. Her complaints were 1) the organized rides started to early and lasted too long; 2) the rally organizers did not inform attendees where they might be able to find something to eat at 2 am; 3) the PA system sucked: and, 4) beer tickets were not sold at registration so you didn't have to wait in line to buy the tickets at the beer tent. I sure there were other items that were covered but I can't remember them.
Maybe the rallies have not changed, but it is I who have changed. I guess I spent more time riding at Fredericksburg and Missoula and less time paying attention to the crowd. Maybe the crowd wasn't as riding and family oriented as I remember. All I know is, I am not sure that I want to go to another big rally in Spokane. Maybe the RT folks have it right with their Unrally.
Bob Whittle
Nashville, TN
I do not know if I will go to Spokane.