2009 Tennessee National Rally

[CaptRehkopf]

Hi all,

I am planning on coming, however I need to know what is there to do around Johnson City for the non-rider? I had mentioned to my wife about going to which she mentioned taking our son (6yo in 09) & MIL. They'll be in the car, I'll be on the LT.

Is it worth the trip for them? If they don't come, I'm afraid SWMBO will nix the trip.

Thoughts???

Thanks in advance!

Hi,
The Biltmore House is in Asheville, NC about 50 miles away (per MapSource) and to see it completely would take the better part of two days, absolutely stunning! Grandfather mountain is also near Asheville and it is a nice ride too! I don't know about the Knoxville Zoo but I like visiting different zoo's too. Check the dam release schedule and you can go white water rafting/floating etc. From going to Deals Gap area it seems that there are plenty of rafting places in the area. Check out the web for close by businesses. That takes care of three days.

 

[razman10]

Thank you - there are quite a few things to do in the area. I was concerned because tripadvisor.com lists only the "Hands On Museum" in its "Things To Do in Johnson City"!

I checked the JC Chamber of Commerce website which linked me to the TN Vacation website which listed many things. I ordered a vacation guide which should arrive in a few days.

Hopefully this is enough to convince my SO to take the trip down there!

Thanks again!

 

[osbornk]

Thank you - there are quite a few things to do in the area. I was concerned because tripadvisor.com lists only the "Hands On Museum" in its "Things To Do in Johnson City"!

I checked the JC Chamber of Commerce website which linked me to the TN Vacation website which listed many things. I ordered a vacation guide which should arrive in a few days.

Hopefully this is enough to convince my SO to take the trip down there!

Thanks again!

In addition to Johnson City, look at Bristol VA/TN and Kingsport Tn. All three of the cities are close together and they are only a few minutes apart. I suggested Warrior's Path and Bays Mountain because they are good for younger children. Another thing that would interest children a great deal is Dollywood http://www.dollywood.com/ It is about 100 miles away but worth the trip if you are have kids. I took my kids there when it was Silver Dollar City (30+ years ago). They still talk about it.

 

[calmil]

Hi all,

I am planning on coming, however I need to know what is there to do around Johnson City for the non-rider? I had mentioned to my wife about going to which she mentioned taking our son (6yo in 09) & MIL. They'll be in the car, I'll be on the LT.

Is it worth the trip for them? If they don't come, I'm afraid SWMBO will nix the trip.

Thoughts???

Thanks in advance!

Abingdon, VA, is about 50 min from Johnson City, TN. In addition to an art museum, there are several arts/crafts stores, The Barter Theater, and The Virginia Creeper Trail (Rails-To-Trails walking, bicycling and horseback riding trail). The trail goes 35 miles into the mountains across some wonderful wooden trestle bridges and trout streams to the NC line. There are several bike rental options, and the trail is do-able by a 6 year old, especially the part from Whitetop Mountain near the NC line to the town of Damascus, VA, 16-17 miles down a 3% grade on a well maintained cinder trail for a 1 1/2-2 hour ride.

CMiller

 

[ARValkguy]

Got my hotel reservation 7 miles from fairgrounds, WOOHOO!! Now if July would hurry up and get here. I love that Military discount, at least it is good for something, lol.

Kelly

 

[WildBlue]

Just booked my room here:

July 16th-19th

Comfort Inn South (TN246)
4624 Fairlane Dr. , Kingsport, TN, US, 37663
Phone: (423) 239-7447

Got a decent Discount when I mentioned the BMW MOA as the event. ~$15-$20 a night off.

 

[osbornk]

Some folks have asked about RV accomodations at the fairground for the rally. According to Vance, there are approximately 22-30 sites with electric and sewer hookups (water?), about 10 with electric only and maybe space for 20 for dry camping. I'm not sure how level they are since level and East Tennessee are not usually used in the same sentence. Great mountain riding and level are not often found together.

 

[awillis858]

Looking forward to my first BMW national rally next year. I'm a Tennessee boy and very familiar with all the good riding in East Tennessee.

See everyone at the rally!

 

[dancogan]

Looking forward to my first BMW national rally next year. I'm a Tennessee boy and very familiar with all the good riding in East Tennessee.

See everyone at the rally!

And welcome to the Forum! And welcome to the MOA if you're also new to that. We'll be looking forward to visiting your state this summer. It won't be the first time for many of us, but it will sure be a fun time!

 

[greenwald]

Looking forward to my first BMW national rally next year. I'm a Tennessee boy and very familiar with all the good riding in East Tennessee.

See everyone at the rally!

Welcome aboard!

MOA hit a homerun with site selection for 2009.

After three trips to the Gatlinburg area in the last 2 1/2 years, I already have a laundry list of locations to re-visit next July in your fine state, and new ones to explore.

See you there!

 

[shoeman]

Great side trip!

While in Johnson City a quick run through beautiful country will take you to Bristol, Tennessee. Stop in at Pointer Brand Overalls and get some of the last, American made clothes- very comfortable and fairly cheap. Pointer stuff is really made well and they will work with you on odd sizes and then make it for you.

 

[razman10]

Hi all,

I'm curious. I have never been to a motorcycle rally and am seriously considering going to the 09 MOA rally. However, I have to convince my wife that the trip is worth taking. If I knew the "inner workings" of a motorcycle rally, I'd be able to plead my case a bit better! What does one do at a rally?

 

[RevWillie]

Hi all,

What does one do at a rally?

OK, picture a BMW state fair, with everybody bringing their own rides. Add 6000 tents, every vendor and most of the people that you have seen in BMWON, and every kind of farkle on a BMW motorcycle that you can imagine. Include workshops on every subject from world travel to oil change, roast well in the July heat, pickle with a great beer tent/social hall with good live music from Wednesday to Saturday night. Season with a good ride from the Rally back to home, and you will understand a MOA National Rally is really all about, and you will understand why thousands of riders plan their whole summer around the National Rally!

 

[The_Veg]

The Rev'rend left out one very important thing: the chance to hang out with thousands of fellow BMW enthusiasts and make lots of new friends! The social aspect is my favourite part of the rally. In many cases, it's the only time I get to be face-to-face with many of my MOA friends.
Here's a hint- wanna meet lots of cool people at the rally? Volunteer to help one of the many committees. Most of them need a hand, and it's the volunteers that make the rally happen. In the process of performing your volunteer duties, you'll meet really cool new people and with any luck, you'll have new friends.
Volunteering is easy; you can raise your hand ahead of time by contacting a committee chair, or you can walk up to the volunteer-desk at the rally and ask them who needs help (there is always a last-minute need).

See you in JC!

 

[manicmechanic]

As the Reverend and Veg said. I also like to equate it to a family reunion with relatives you didn't know you had. Also, when people ask me what I'll be doing on my trip, I tell them that I'm going to hang out with several thousand of my closest friends.

Like Ben said, volunteers make it happen. A smile and a handshake go a long way at your first rally. After that, hugs and kisses are not unusual. It's all about hanging out, riding, visiting, meeting new and old friends, learning things, teaching things, and enjoying company and camaraderie. Telling stories. It's an event where you, your wife, and even kids can attend and feel safe and at ease, where we all watch out for each other.

Look for the Reverend and me in the beer tent, and Ben just about anywhere. I look forward to meeting up with you, and everybody else too.

 

[bmwchromehead]

In addition to the above it's alot about the ride. Getting to see new roads that you might otherwise never journey onto.

 

[RevWillie]

when people ask me what I'll be doing on my trip, I tell them that I'm going to hang out with several thousand of my closest friends.

It's an event where you, your wife, and even kids can attend and feel safe and at ease, where we all watch out for each other.

Look for the Reverend and me in the beer tent, and Ben just about anywhere. I look forward to meeting up with you, and everybody else too.

Yep, it's all about the people you will meet at a National. Good, dear friends that you see once a year, at a different location each time.

I must also second what Ben and Randy said: when you go to a National Rally, do your bit and volunteer. It is a great way to meet new folks and you will feel more "connected" to the event. It is a volunteer-run gathering, and we need help to keep it running well. I know that Randy and I will be the Head Bartenders in TN, and we always need volunteers in the Beer Tent!

 

[alabeemer]

Hi all,

I'm curious. I have never been to a motorcycle rally and am seriously considering going to the 09 MOA rally. However, I have to convince my wife that the trip is worth taking. If I knew the "inner workings" of a motorcycle rally, I'd be able to plead my case a bit better! What does one do at a rally?

These guys are all dead on with their previous replies. The only thing I have to add is a personal invitation to the 09 rally from the rally chair. Tell your wife to try one...this one and I will bet you both will be hooked! As previously stated you will be amazed at the dedicated group of volunteers come together with a great MOA staff to put on a such a party! And the entire team has been at work for months putting the details together.
If you like BMW motorcycles....lots of 'em...twisty roads and great scenery...music...food and fun, you can't go wrong!

I hope to see you guys there!

Vance Harrelson
2009 Rally Chair

 

[redclfco]

Hi all,

I'm curious. I have never been to a motorcycle rally and am seriously considering going to the 09 MOA rally. However, I have to convince my wife that the trip is worth taking. If I knew the "inner workings" of a motorcycle rally, I'd be able to plead my case a bit better! What does one do at a rally?

First of all, one gets there via motorcycle; which is a major fun to have a GREAT trip to someplace new, and have a final destination where you have more to do than your typical tourist activities!

From there, if you are a camper, you get to ""play house" and set up your camp in an area of your choosing, meet your neighbors and make some new friends that way.

I did my first Rally two years ago after many years of riding a BMW, and found my #1 occupation was to look at the THOUSANDS of different bikes, awestruck would be the better term in terms of the huge variety of BMWs AND other brands that literally surround the camp area and the rally site. You meet more new friends that way, and each rally afterward, those same people you met previous are now your friends to get together with every year. New, Vintage and all between!

This year I volunteered at the national, and plan on doing it again. Once again, it was fun, met tons of people, and felt a huge sense of pride!

You get to ride from the rally site, great roads, and destinations await you! This year in Gillette, the great fishing, the Devils Tower, Mount Rushmore made up the balance of the great destinations to ride around the Rally. In TN, it's all new to me, which makes it even more exciting, because I have never been there before.

There are contests to enter, give always at vendor booths, TONS of motorcycle related stuff to look and some to buy, such a great mass of commercialism and humanity to wander through and see what is new in the motorcycle world; not everyone’s cup of tea, but fun for me!

Now on to food! GREAT coffee, great food vendors, great restaurants to ride to eat...I did not go hungry or for lack of options.

Last but not least, the classes, and activities, anything from how to change a tire to first aid.

If you’re single, I am sure there were many unattached women to meet and dance at night when the band played, but being a married man, I never noticed any...NOT!

Seriously, many people of every age from young to old, many couples, many old geezers like myself, and many others of both genders made for a lively Friday and Saturday night of great music and camaraderie!

Looking forward to my third National in Tennessee! Hope to see you there!

Dale

 

[razman10]

Great stuff, everybody!!!

Thank you for your insight. I am now better equipped to plead my case to my wife (heck, I'll just send her here to read the great descriptions!)

Thanks again!