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Our 2025 Rally : The What, Where & Why... Lebanon Tennessee : June 19-21 2025

lee said:
Yes, I don't remember ever seeing organized rides at a National.
Last time at Lebanon we had a motel 2 or 3 miles from the rally grounds so we ate off site at end of the day.
If I remember right we at at the BBQ across the road, Demos' and Cuerno Grill Mexican.
Click to expand...


Last time at Lebanon (my first rally) there were some marked out routes and there was a way to load them into your GPS if you brought it inside. There WERE groups heading out together, but I think those were folks that arranged it between people that knew each other. In Springfield, I worked out some of my own routes in advance and saw packs of riders going the other way. I'm a "ride as soon as I'm up and coffee'd" guy and I don't seem to do well in group rides. So my info is worth what you paid for it.
 
zer0netgain said:
I’ll ask here. How do meals work? At smaller events, some are on your own, some meals are hosted by a local organization (e.g., pancake breakfast), and some are event dinners. I’m not sure what to expect or to plan for. Do organized rides include a stop for lunch or do your plan your own?
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It's a Make Your Own Adventure style event. No meals unless you figure them out. Organized rides? More like we have routes the locals have put together that you might want to ride with your friends.

There aren't going to be any HD style processions around the local area, though some past rallies have had a bike parade.

There's usually food on site, but it's going to all be brown and deep fried or grilled. If eating well matters to you, you'll probably be eating off site.
 
kbasa said:
It's a Make Your Own Adventure style event. No meals unless you figure them out. Organized rides? More like we have routes the locals have put together that you might want to ride with your friends.

There aren't going to be any HD style processions around the local area, though some past rallies have had a bike parade.

There's usually food on site, but it's going to all be brown and deep fried or grilled. If eating well matters to you, you'll probably be eating off site.
Click to expand...
Are there any off site eating options within walking distance?
J
 
kbasa said:
Organized rides? More like we have routes the locals have put together that you might want to ride with your friends.
Click to expand...

Not to sound pathetic, but I have no friends. :cry: :ROFLMAO:

I’m not looking for huge group rides, but a group of two or three is fine. I simply won’t know anyone or how to connect with them to arrange a group outing. Hate to come and spend all the time on my own.
 
Anyone know the current state of lodging in the area (quality wise)? I booked a hotel, but the reviews overwhelmingly indicate the facility is dirty and infested with pests. I thought to maybe pick another place, but most everyplace near the fairgrounds had similar negative reviews of being dirty and infested. I don’t want much from a hotel but a clean bed and hot shower, but it’s looking rather sketchy.

I could bring my camping kit and do that (not my first choice), but I’m trailering in (pickup truck and 5 X 8 utility trailer), so I don’t know if I simply set up camp and park elsewhere or if I need a particular camping spot. If I ride in, getting the camping gear on the bike will be a challenge as I’ve never done that with the BMW (less cargo capacity than my prior bike).
 
zer0netgain said:
Not to sound pathetic, but I have no friends. :cry: :ROFLMAO:

I’m not looking for huge group rides, but a group of two or three is fine. I simply won’t know anyone or how to connect with them to arrange a group outing. Hate to come and spend all the time on my own.
Click to expand...
I knew no one at my first MOA National Rally, the 2006 Vermont Rally. At subsequent rallies I started volunteering doing two or three shifts for different committees. Do this and you will very quickly meet new friends, not only for the 2025 Rally, but for future rallies.👍
 
zer0netgain said:
Anyone know the current state of lodging in the area (quality wise)? I booked a hotel, but the reviews overwhelmingly indicate the facility is dirty and infested with pests. I thought to maybe pick another place, but most everyplace near the fairgrounds had similar negative reviews of being dirty and infested. I don’t want much from a hotel but a clean bed and hot shower, but it’s looking rather sketchy.

I could bring my camping kit and do that (not my first choice), but I’m trailering in (pickup truck and 5 X 8 utility trailer), so I don’t know if I simply set up camp and park elsewhere or if I need a particular camping spot. If I ride in, getting the camping gear on the bike will be a challenge as I’ve never done that with the BMW (less cargo capacity than my prior bike).
Click to expand...
The place we stayed last time was ok but the current reviews are so so now. We booked another motel this time and it doesn't sound like anything special.
We won't be at the motel much so we can be tolerant if it's not perfect.
 
zer0netgain said:
Anyone know the current state of lodging in the area (quality wise)? I booked a hotel, but the reviews overwhelmingly indicate the facility is dirty and infested with pests. I thought to maybe pick another place, but most everyplace near the fairgrounds had similar negative reviews of being dirty and infested. I don’t want much from a hotel but a clean bed and hot shower, but it’s looking rather sketchy.

I could bring my camping kit and do that (not my first choice), but I’m trailering in (pickup truck and 5 X 8 utility trailer), so I don’t know if I simply set up camp and park elsewhere or if I need a particular camping spot. If I ride in, getting the camping gear on the bike will be a challenge as I’ve never done that with the BMW (less cargo capacity than my prior bike).
Click to expand...
You are a prime candidate for the overland camp area, within the rally grounds.
Vehicle, trailer, bike & tent in your camp spot surrounded by others doing the same thing. And asking those you’ve recently met… hey let’s take a ride to breakfast tomorrow morning, for example.
I volunteer at 2pm and will be back in plenty of time even with a backroads ride somewhere. It’s easy.
 
zer0netgain said:
I could bring my camping kit and do that (not my first choice), but I’m trailering in (pickup truck and 5 X 8 utility trailer), so I don’t know if I simply set up camp and park elsewhere or if I need a particular camping spot. If I ride in, getting the camping gear on the bike will be a challenge as I’ve never done that with the BMW (less cargo capacity than my prior bike).
Click to expand...
Camping is the best way to experience a National. If you take the truck there will be a place to park it and the trailer somewhere at the grounds.
Most of the time you can park your bike near your tent.
There's also the Overland option which is a extra fee. This will give you a spot to park the truck, trailer, bike and tent on the same spot. looks like I typed too slow :)
 
lee said:
Camping is the best way to experience a National. If you take the truck there will be a place to park it and the trailer somewhere at the grounds.
Most of the time you can park your bike near your tent.
There's also the Overland option which is a extra fee. This will give you a spot to park the truck, trailer, bike and tent on the same spot. looks like I typed too slow :)
Click to expand...

If it wasn't for my allergies, that would be tempting. That's a big reason why I gave up on camping.

omega man said:
Lots of information on checking out a hotel room-

https://www.reddit.com/r/hotels/comments/1budxbw/are_you_game_to_check_your_room_with_a_uv_light

OM
Click to expand...

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. :whistle:

I may just have to pack cleaning supplies and take care of whatever I find. The bug issue is the most concerning. I certainly will check out the room before moving my gear in.
 
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zer0netgain said:
Not to sound pathetic, but I have no friends. :cry: :ROFLMAO:

I’m not looking for huge group rides, but a group of two or three is fine. I simply won’t know anyone or how to connect with them to arrange a group outing. Hate to come and spend all the time on my own.
Click to expand...
Volunteer. Seriously. It's a great way to meet people. I like working gate security. Security ALWAYS needs volunteers. I like gate because if you're there on Friday, you get to watch people come rolling in off the road with all their gear and you can give them a "YOU MADE IT" and a clap on the back.

And you'll make some friends that are also working the gate.

To quote an article I wrote a few years back, "put your hand up".
 
zer0netgain said:
If it wasn't for my allergies, that would be tempting. That's a big reason why I gave up on camping.



What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. :whistle:

I may just have to pack cleaning supplies and take care of whatever I find. The bug issue is the most concerning. I certainly will check out the room before moving my gear in.
Click to expand...
Pull the sheets up and check the mattress for bugs or stains that look like little speckles. If you feel a need, sandals in the shower.

As a veteran of hundreds of nights of business travel over the last ten years, I've yet to find any bedbugs or get athlete's foot. But be careful with the remote. They're the grossest part of a room beyond the duvet, which usually doesn't get laundered after every use. Some rooms now have a remote that's easier to wipe off to cleanliness.
 
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