Canadians and the 2025 Rally

[kickstandsup]

Well, maybe. But to deny oneself the opportunity to vacation travel freely through the US because of recent political maneuverings seems like it would have a more negative impact on the traveler than the offending administration.

Still, as you stated, it is our decision to make.

It kind of reminds me of an old saying, though.
“Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping it will kill someone else”

It's not resentment...it is an affirmative choice that can actually make you feel better.

The organizations you support, and don't...where and how you spend your time and money, and don't, generally create positive feelings.

If not, you're doing it wrong...

 

[rhbike]

Well, maybe. But to deny oneself the opportunity to vacation travel freely through the US because of recent political maneuverings seems like it would have a more negative impact on the traveler than the offending administration.

Still, as you stated, it is our decision to make.

It kind of reminds me of an old saying, though.
“Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping it will kill someone else”

You make it sound like it's a hardship to spend vacation time or dollars elsewhere. Using PGlaves restaurant example, it's not like KFC is the only option. There are many comparable, or arguably better options out there. Far from being a poison...

 

[collingsbob]

America needs to get used to more of this…we’re pissed!

 

[brownie0486]

America needs to get used to more of this…we’re pissed!

That was on full display at the recent 4 nations hockey game in Montreal. Canadians booed during our national anthem.

 

[oldcamper]

I don’t know enough about international economics to weigh in on the pros and cons of tariffs, but am reminded of the Trenton rally where several US vendors did not attend due to customs import duties.

It seems several things are already more expensive in Canada than the US. Is that because of existing Canadian tariffs?

 

[brownie0486]

I don’t know enough about international economics to weigh in on the pros and cons of tariffs, but am reminded of the Trenton rally where several US vendors did not attend due to customs import duties.

It seems several things are already more expensive in Canada than the US. Is that because of existing Canadian tariffs?

Current exchange rate is 1 usd to 1.42 Canadian. I enjoyed that exchange rate throughout my trip through Canada using a c/c that did the conversion. If I paid 1.42 for something on the card, I got charged 1 usd.

 

[flyhi2cfar]

Another reason why I might not attend the National Rally is because at this time I currently have no other US trips planned in 2025. To go to the three day Rally, maybe five days if I do setup volunteering, a couple of days travelling, my private out of province health coverage will be about $600, which is somewhat pricey for such a short trip. More frequent trips would make that fee more acceptable.

About $600 IF you leave your State/Province for a week for Health Insurance you may not even need?
I'd stay home also... and even accept a daily rectal exam to save that kind of money!
Your dreams & desires are "taking it up the tush" anyway. I'm shocked at this discovery.

 

[kbasa]

Well, maybe. But to deny oneself the opportunity to vacation travel freely through the US because of recent political maneuverings seems like it would have a more negative impact on the traveler than the offending administration.

Still, as you stated, it is our decision to make.

It kind of reminds me of an old saying, though.
“Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping it will kill someone else”

I'm wondering how it's going to go for this guy riding in the Gulf Coast states with a California plate. I've been heckled in the past when I had Mass. plates, well before our current level of divide. I'm going to try and keep to myself, but that's not always easy when you're rolling around town on a giant insect like motorcycle.

We'll see. But I'm leery. People seem to have become increasingly provincial and suspicious of other Americans and it's not good.

 

[r0ckrat]

I'm wondering how it's going to go for this guy riding in the Gulf Coast states with a California plate. I've been heckled in the past when I had Mass. plates, well before our current level of divide. I'm going to try and keep to myself, but that's not always easy when you're rolling around town on a giant insect like motorcycle.

We'll see. But I'm leery. People seem to have become increasingly provincial and suspicious of other Americans and it's not good.

It was already happening some in 2022 on my trip to the Springfield rally. One hotel desk staffer even said "Oh, I'm sorry." after asking where I was from and getting the answer at check-in... Customer f'n service...

 

[kickstandsup]

I'm concerned about our summer in Europe...in the past, a US plate on a moto was always a conversation starter. It most likely still is...but I fear the conversations will be very, very different.

 

[kbasa]

It was already happening some in 2022 on my trip to the Springfield rally. One hotel desk staffer even said "Oh, I'm sorry." after asking where I was from and getting the answer at check-in... Customer f'n service...

Jerks. We were pulled up at a little store in the middle of the Illinois cornfields on our R100RS having a bit of water. Mass. plates on the bike. We're standing in the shade and a guy pulls up in his truck, tells us to "buy a real bike" on the way in and "get out of here and back to where you belong" on the way out.

That was in the early 90s when we were heading to Oshkosh for the rally. What's wrong with people?

 

[paul_f]

Jerks. We were pulled up at a little store in the middle of the Illinois cornfields on our R100RS having a bit of water. Mass. plates on the bike. We're standing in the shade and a guy pulls up in his truck, tells us to "buy a real bike" on the way in and "get out of here and back to where you belong" on the way out.

That was in the early 90s when we were heading to Oshkosh for the rally. What's wrong with people?

I have travelled in and through at least 40 states with my Ontario license plates on my two Beemers and all Americans I have encountered have been friendly, surprised I was so far from home and have had been engaging and curious about my bikes and travels.

I certainly hope that remains the vibe on my future travels in the US.

 

[motorhead1977]

With a NY plate on the back of my bike it's always in the back of my mind in more rural areas once I'm south of the Mason Dixon line. (Also while driving the truck or car too)

 

[brownie0486]

Been through maybe 40 states with a Ma. plate over the last 40 plus years. Through BC and Yukon territory with an Az plate. Ma. plate in Little Rock mid 90's drew a few "wow, long way from home" type comments. Other than those few, never a problem with where the plate hailed from.

 

[omega man]

As this thread has devolved into how people (riders) are seen- and treated, some anecdotes probably 25 years old, it’s easy to remember that the decisiveness is constantly being shown to be “okay”.

From the “Check First Allstate” commercial now airing-

The family is undoubtedly eager to meet him … until he shows up at the door wearing a Duke T-shirt.

In Allstate ‘check first’ ad, boyfriend with Duke shirt stuns girlfriend’s UNC family

Just in time for the week of the season’s first North Carolina-Duke men’s basketball meeting, a commercial has begun running that will amuse Tar Heels fans.

tarheeltribune.com

I have found that showing respect while traveling gains respect while traveling.

Safe, enjoyable, respectful travel in the future for all.

OM

 

[skibum69]

Far too much "us" and "them" being fostered today. Nobody seems to notice my Newfoundland plates when I'm out on the road.

 

[kbasa]

Far too much "us" and "them" being fostered today. Nobody seems to notice my Newfoundland plates when I'm out on the road.

I'm just another American. I live in a different place, where we do things differently than you might. It doesn't make either of us right or wrong, just different.

That's the beauty of this country, at least it used to be: we were all different and we loved that about our nation. It's exactly why I've been to 49 out of 50 states: they're all awesome and all different, generally full of interesting people living their lives.

We'll see how it goes. I'm traveling with my brother for part of it. He lives in S. Texas, so it'll be a California plate and a Texas plate riding together.

 

[lee]

Jerks. We were pulled up at a little store in the middle of the Illinois cornfields on our R100RS having a bit of water. Mass. plates on the bike. We're standing in the shade and a guy pulls up in his truck, tells us to "buy a real bike"

We've had a few comments like that over the years.
We just ignore them.
In 46 years of touring, a few bad comments is not bad

 

[PGlaves]

We'll see how it goes. I'm traveling with my brother for part of it. He lives in S. Texas, so it'll be a California plate and a Texas plate riding together.

We live in far southwest Texas about 30 miles from, and directly on the way to the entrance, of Big Bend National Park. We get some snowbirds from the frozen north. But we also get visitors coming to the national park in droves. We get folks from all over the United States including California and Wisconsin and Rhode Island and a number from Canada, as well as foreign visitors from many places in the world. In our 19 years here I have never seen hostility based on where somebody is from. We have a little bit of MAGA vs Woke among the locals but that is politics and not to the point here.

 

[collingsbob]

The posts have drifted off topic.
How about a poll of Canadians who will, or won’t be travelling to the U.S for the foreseeable future, without wasting time on the why?