Camping at the rally?

[PGlaves]

Quick question for those who've been to these camp sites/rallies and tented.

Do folks leave their gear in the tents without worrying about their stuff growing legs? Is the consensus it's

rare
very rare
a risk one has to take
likely

I have been to 33 of the past 34 MOA rallies. Most gear stays in the tent. Cooking stuff, coffee pot, etc sits outside the tent. Helmet may hang on a bike footpeg.

Is that careless? I prefer to consider it care free! So from the list above I consider any problem to be very rare. I am sure somebody had something ripped off at some rally somewhere but we certainly don't hear about it very often. More likely misplaced stuff is found at the lost-and-found station at the rally.

 

[brownie0486]

Thanks guys, that's what I wanted to hear.

Now the only question I have remaining, if the members don't mind. I've not registered yet as I'm still not sure of my schedule at the moment. It's my understanding I can just ride in and register and get a location to pitch the tent at the event?

If so, what's the best day/time to arrive to do that to avoid any pitfalls upon getting there?

 

[flyhi2cfar]

I only wish...

I have never heard of anything ever being stolen by rally goers at any rally I ever attended. People leave jackets and helmets and tank bags on their bikes all the time.
The lost and found booth is a popular spot as many people who find wallets, phones, keys etc bring them there.
Chances are that if you're missing something it'll end up there.
Having said that, it is prudent to lock valuables in a pannier just like you would anywhere.

At the Top of the Rockies rally one year, some people did find some things missing but it turned out to be the local kids who were promptly turned in by their parents and everyone got their stuff back AFAIK.
The local town's folk in Paonia CO like the rally, as a portion of the proceeds are donated to local charities so they took action and all turned out well.

... That the TOR thing you speak of was in 2013, when my two month old MOTORAD GPS NAV ...was stolen off my stack of gear on the new RT.
While in the rally parking/camping area!
It didn't come home and cost me another near cool grand ($) a few days later. Police Report filed, Rally Management/Staff notified, fliers posted ect... didn't help.

And of course there's no insurance covering "portable electronic devices".

Has BMW designed a locking mechanism YET for the RT's? I've went the GS route in 15' partially to get a gps that locks in mount.

While I now volunteer in security at Rally's, I have never heard of an incident at the National. And that's way good!

As an important side note; Paonia and the TOR is still a favorite of mine.

"travel'n" john

 

[20774]

If so, what's the best day/time to arrive to do that to avoid any pitfalls upon getting there?

The info from the FAQs on the main website ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/page/rallyfaq ) say the following:

Anyone arriving prior to Thursday, July 12, should be an identified volunteer with a rally committee and will be expected to volunteer for rally set-up duties. Rally set-up is a big effort and the set-up volunteers need an opportunity to get their work done in a timely fashion. Please give these volunteers a chance to get the party ready before your arrival.

The Registration area will be staffed 24/7 from Wednesday at noon through Saturday at 8 pm. Gate security will direct all first-time entrants to the Registration area. Anybody already on-site at noon on Wednesday will be asked to visit the Registration area.

Set-up volunteers will begin arriving on Monday, July 9, and regular rally services including food vendors, restrooms, showers, etc., will be limited until the rally officially opens.

 

[lee]

Quick question for those who've been to these camp sites/rallies and tented.

Do folks leave their gear in the tents without worrying about their stuff growing legs? Is the consensus it's

.

We have never had a problem.
The Fairgrounds in Des Moines is surrounded by a high fence and there will be someone at the gate 24 hours.
The fence should prevent anyone from wondering through the grounds.

 

[lee]

Now the only question I have remaining, if the members don't mind. I've not registered yet as I'm still not sure of my schedule at the moment. It's my understanding I can just ride in and register and get a location to pitch the tent at the event?

If so, what's the best day/time to arrive to do that to avoid any pitfalls upon getting there?

No problem with registering at the gate. Because of work I only remember one time we pre registered for a National.

The grounds are very large so you wont have a problem finding a camp spot if you show up on Thursday.

 

[riderr1150gsadv]

... That the TOR thing you speak of was in 2013, when my two month old MOTORAD GPS NAV ...was stolen off my stack of gear on the new RT.
While in the rally parking/camping area!
It didn't come home and cost me another near cool grand ($) a few days later. Police Report filed, Rally Management/Staff notified, fliers posted ect... didn't help.

And of course there's no insurance covering "portable electronic devices".

Has BMW designed a locking mechanism YET for the RT's? I've went the GS route in 15' partially to get a gps that locks in mount.

While I now volunteer in security at Rally's, I have never heard of an incident at the National. And that's way good!

As an important side note; Paonia and the TOR is still a favorite of mine.

"travel'n" john

Dang! That is certainly different from what I was told at the time...

 

[brownie0486]

Thanks guys, I'll plan on arriving Thursday between 10am-12pm at the gate, register and go set up the tent. Sounds easy enough, and of course my gps etc that COULD be grabbed will be stowed in the bags which will be locked.

I'm excited to be able to just ride in and get a spot for the tent then.

Appreciate all the tips and information I've requested. See everyone there that weekend.

Brownie

 

[lee]

Appreciate all the tips and information I've requested. See everyone there that weekend.

Brownie

Keep an eye on the "RALLY" section on the BMWMOA home page for any updates.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/

 

[brownie0486]

 

[lkraus]

Thanks guys, I'll plan on arriving Thursday between 10am-12pm at the gate, register and go set up the tent. Sounds easy enough, and of course my gps etc that COULD be grabbed will be stowed in the bags which will be locked.

I'm excited to be able to just ride in and get a spot for the tent then.

Appreciate all the tips and information I've requested. See everyone there that weekend.

Brownie

Pre-registering gets you in faster, so you miss fewer of the events, seminars and training starting first thing Thursday. Be a volunteer and they will let you in the day before to pick a choice spot AND you get to meet and work with some nice folks.

 

[flyhi2cfar]

brownie0486 approved for early arrival....

Thanks guys, I'll plan on arriving Thursday between 10am-12pm at the gate, register and go set up the tent. Sounds easy enough, and of course my gps etc that COULD be grabbed will be stowed in the bags which will be locked.

I'm excited to be able to just ride in and get a spot for the tent then.

Appreciate all the tips and information I've requested. See everyone there that weekend.

Brownie

...if as usual, there's a need for early set-up volunteers. Usually help is needed for site organizational needs. This can be as early as a Monday arrival for busy work
a few hours on Tuesday & Wednesday. There will not be full services on site... food, showers, ect... as the Rally hasn't officially kicked off yet.
But that's what being close to town offers; nearby food & fitness clubs.
Visitors in any town like to eat & work-out/shower!
Often times motorcycle proficiency training begins on Wednesday morning; and the beer garden opens at 2pm!
You may need to be there and set-up/camped Tuesday nite for that.
Yes, you can get in... but please consider helping as a volunteer when able. Don't count on staying with Sherpa that early though.
The official word will get out, and it varies depending on site location.
With double digit National's under my belt I'll state this; If you arrive Thursday... You'll camp in the sun & feel as though your late! See post #5 picture.

"travel'n" john

 

[brownie0486]

Thanks John, do I have to preregister to just show up Tuesday morning and volunteer?

 

[flyhi2cfar]

I don't remember it being mandatory to be pre-registered for arriving early and volunteering for set-up.
Last year when I was arranging the layout & set-up of near 150 chairs in a seminar hall, by myself... I could have used some help!
Never turn away someone that can help, anyone... and especially Paul F. our Volunteer Chairman knows that.

"travel'n" john

 

[brownie0486]

I don't remember it being mandatory to be pre-registered for arriving early and volunteering for set-up.
Last year when I was arranging the layout & set-up of near 150 chairs in a seminar hall, by myself... I could have used some help!
Never turn away someone that can help, anyone... and especially Paul F. our Volunteer Chairman knows that.

"travel'n" john

communicated with Paul last night via email. I'm registered [ as of last night ] and will arrive late Tuesday/very early Wed. to volunteer with wherever he needs me.

 

[flyhi2cfar]

communicated with Paul last night via email. I'm registered [ as of last night ] and will arrive late Tuesday/very early Wed. to volunteer with wherever he needs me.

Some of the most sought out duty last year at the "Salt Lake Sweat"...
was volunteer "set-up operations" in the Air-Conditioned MOA Store area and co-located Rally Central duties.
Paul F. and our Committee Chairman, would also like folks to volunteer for other opportunities during the Rally... from Thursday through Sunday.
Always rewarding and entertaining!

"travel'n" john

 

[skibum69]

Booked to show up early to help out and pick a good tent spot. This will be good as long as my run from Tuk has no issues.

 

[MHRUTTER]

Would love to see where the campsites are located.

 

[blender]

Would love to see where the campsites are located.

There supposed to be a rally map here: https://www.bmwmoa.org/page/rally_sitemap
However that's not working for me under Firefox or Safari.

 

[lee]

Would love to see where the campsites are located.

RV camping is on the East side of the fairgrounds.
Tent camping is throughout the fairgrounds except for spots marked as no tents.
The rally map is not up on the website at this time.

Edit: I meant to say the RV camping is on the east side of the fairgrounds.