2023 Richmond VA: The 50th National MOA Rally

[gsinnc]

I've never been to the annual rally. I've read the program from this year and a lot of this thread but can't seem to find anything to indicate if the local club(s), or anyone else for that matter, will be providing information on good riding routes in the rally area or is the rally essentially a large "trade show" type of event? I know I could get out my maps and study them for possible routes but IMHO routes suggested by local folks usually provide the best riding. Just trying to get the most best information about the rally before I commit to spending the funds and vacation time on attending. In short, is the riding aspect of the rally the trip too and from the event and the focus of the rally is the seminars etc? TIA for positive input for all the never ever attendees out there.

motorhead ... it looks like you will be coming from NY State so you have an amazing number of great routes to and from the Rally in Richmond. The Richmond location itself I don't think offers a lot of close by riding but a short ride west would put you in some great roads. I can only speak for myself in that the ride to and from the event are where I do most of my riding. While I am at the Rally there is usually so much going on that my time is spent looking at gear and farkles, attending seminars, checking out local unique dining establishments and meeting and chatting with old and new friends. In addition there is the ability to check out 5000+ BMW motorcycles all in one location. I travel up to Americade usually every year so am very familiar with some nice roads and neat POI's so if interested just shoot me a PM and happy to share.

 

[rangerreece]

Pete,
Your presence at the rally has become a staple to many rally goers. I too understand about vet bills and having to make tuff decisions in this economy. I hope both the surgery goes well, and the cost is sustainable enough to see you and Glenny in Virginia. Great article this month by the way; keep ‘em coming.

 

[Visian]

I know I could get out my maps and study them for possible routes but IMHO routes suggested by local folks usually provide the best riding.

Somehow we have forgotten that. If we were to view from the members' eyes, the rally actually begins as they ride down their driveway, not Thursday morning.

We used to do that and local clubs both near the rally and along the way to it were the key source of information. Articles were written and published in the BMW ON. When the Internets were invented, this information also moved on-line. GPS routes were added as the technology matured. See the image below from the Rally Home Page, 20 years ago.

At this point in time, our entire web site was managed by volunteers, and over the years that I led this effort, over 75 different members contributed.

About 10-12 years ago, the GS Giants came up with a cool idea: Gypsy Tours. The idea was to create rides to the rally from a number of directions, with places to meet up at night to camp and party together.

Here is an example of what has been done, all volunteer. After the GS Giants pre-party in the St. Croix Forest, several hundred riders then rode in to the rally where one could see literally HUNDREDS of GS Giants flags at tents throughout the event.

Part of the experience was to collect "GS BS Points" along the way.... below is a screen capture of one page from the GS Giants scorebook, which riders would use as they rode to the rally.

As you can see, this is along the lines of the Grand Coddiwomple, except it actually tells people cool things to see and experience as they ride to the rally.

This idea progressed a couple of years ago to something everyone could do, the MOA Posse:

The idea for this was to have stops for the night along the way, mostly motels (that could be reserved via the MOA web site) where members could meet each other as they rode towards the rally.

There *was* a thread about this on the Forum, but unfortunately a member chose to dump all over it with Covid fear porn... There was also an active social media component in the MOA Facebook Group in an effort to attract non-members to join the MOA.

Here is a small capture of the spreadsheet .pdf that members could use to plan their ride:

All these volunteer efforts were done in the interest of demonstrating what makes up a great membership experience. No idea why we no longer pursue efforts like this. imo, this type of thing is what makes (made) the MOA exceptional...

Ian

ps -> equally frustrating is that ALL this work could be saved, cataloged and turned into a reference source containing hundreds (thousands?) of fantastic roads to ride and moto-friendly places to stay. Well, I guess one could pay REVER or Butler Maps for a mere subset of this valuable information provided by our members.

pps -> (on edit) Here's a nice video, one could say a vision of the possibilities.

<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/45274986" width="750" height="422" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/45274986">ADVENTURE SUMMIT</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/jonbeck">Jon Beck</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

ppps -> Here's another video, check out the camaraderie that these kinds of experiences evoke.... ever heard of the Frog Bayou Boys?

 

[r65_steve]

Pete,
Your presence at the rally has become a staple to many rally goers. I too understand about vet bills and having to make tuff decisions in this economy. I hope both the surgery goes well, and the cost is sustainable enough to see you and Glenny in Virginia. Great article this month by the way; keep ‘em coming.

I'm upset I didn't see you, Pete in Springfield. You're only internet and print famous to me so I wanted to see the real dog behind all the posts. (And meet you too). I couldn't figure out where you were on site, but I didn't get over to the campground sections much.

 

[gsinnc]

I'm upset I didn't see you, Pete in Springfield. You're only internet and print famous to me so I wanted to see the real dog behind all the posts. (And meet you too). I couldn't figure out where you were on site, but I didn't get over to the campground sections much.

They were hanging with the cool kids at the Best Western. Glad I got to meet them too!

 

[glenfiddich]

I'm upset I didn't see you, Pete in Springfield.

In hot conditions i opt for air conditioning. I can sweat but Glenlivet can’t. We’ll connect eventually. Thanks for the kind words.

Pete

 

[gsinnc]

In hot conditions i opt for air conditioning. I can sweat but Glenlivet can’t. We’ll connect eventually. Thanks for the kind words.

Pete

Well it was great meeting you both and glad you opted for the AC at the Best Western. Was a great time for sure.

You will be missed next year.

 

[r65_steve]

In hot conditions i opt for air conditioning. I can sweat but Glenlivet can’t. We’ll connect eventually. Thanks for the kind words.

Pete

I stayed offsite as well - 100% glad I made that decision. I had associated you with being in camp as I think you had photos from that area fixing something. (I still haven't read the article). I'm pretty sure I saw you at the TN rally before I knew your celebrity status.

 

[skibum69]

Hey Glennfiddich, we passed you on the road a few weeks ago when I was at the CroMag rally. I knew it was you instantly! There were 4 of us wandering around the passes.

 

[MOONDOG59]

2023 Rally Tenting arrangement, is this a first there, first you get the spot type tenting arrangement?

 

[pglaves]

2023 Rally Tenting arrangement, is this a first there, first you get the spot type tenting arrangement?

Yes. But some clubs may have club camping areas designated. Are you in a local club? Will that club have a group area?

 

[MOONDOG59]

Yes. But some clubs may have club camping areas designated. Are you in a local club? Will that club have a group area?

Don't know any clubs here in Georgia but if some Connecticut clubs attend they will be camping.

 

[kbasa]

Don't know any clubs here in Georgia but if some Connecticut clubs attend they will be camping.

You need to talk with Visian and you should be aware of the Georgia Mountain Rally, usually run first week in May.

 

[Visian]

Don't know any clubs here in Georgia but if some Connecticut clubs attend they will be camping.

Check out bmwmcoga.org

They’re on FB, too, if that’s your preference.

 

[MOONDOG59]

You need to talk with Visian and you should be aware of the Georgia Mountain Rally, usually run first week in May.

I went to the GMR a few years ago. Good rally.

 

[jammin]

Woo Who!!!!

Just registered for the 50th! See y'all in June. Had a great time in Springfield, looking forward to Richmond VA. Be a good ride from Texas! I'm stopping at Camp Lejeune NC on the way to hang out with some Marines and drink some whiskey. If you're close lets hoist a few!

 

[fmdualexhaust]

Don't forget to call those lawyers first.
If you've even heard of Camp Lejuene, you might be entitled to compensation.

 

[179212]

Camp Lejeune

Not if you drink Whiskey

 

[pglaves]

Not if you only drink Whiskey

Fixed!

 

[88bmwjeff]

Not if you drink Whiskey

Must have it neat and not on the rocks