Pro's and Con's of 2024 Redmond Rally

[bernie]

Pro's and Con's of the Rally in my opinion.

Pro's
Beautiful ride to and from. Took Lolo Pass going and Interstate home. The section of I-90 from Spokane to St Regis was the best.
Beautiful site location.
The right temperature for daytime activities.
Very soft grass. I forgot my cot so I slept on the ground.


Con's
No rally book. DIDN'T CARE FOR THE APP.
Cold nights
It seems like the number of vendors were down. I think there were more tour companies than any other type of vendor.
It reminds me of the BMW Motorad rally in Berchtesgaden, Germany in '16.

 

[glenfiddich]

I also missed the booklet as the app seemed limited with our demands on the bandwidth. And some older than me were digitally impaired. But being from Vermont i found the night temperature perfect. And there were enough vendors to lighten my billfold a bit

 

[lee]

the app seemed limited with our demands on the bandwidth

I was wondering if the wifi was good enough to use the app when you wanted.

 

[mikegalbicka]

I was wondering if the wifi was good enough to use the app when you wanted.

I am surprised it is even offered since most people have phones with data plans now. To do wifi for that size crowd and space properly is no easy task. When not done right it is very frustrating for everyone.

 

[omega man]

I am surprised it is even offered since most people have phones with data plans now. To do wifi for that size crowd and space properly is no easy task. When not done right it is very frustrating for everyone.

I’m not familiar with event sites providing wifi as that means each group needs to password in- which can be automatically done. Having wide open wifi is something that site owners may have but a quick join-up has been historically not secure for those that join- think the free wifi at McDonald’s restaurants.
I am more familiar with a site providing a dedicated cell infrastructure to accommodate the groups that attend these event sites- think cell service at a concert event. The dedicated cell sites are usually built robust enough to support a lot of streaming.
OM

 

[61996]

Con's of the Rally in my opinion.

I think there were more tour companies than any other type of vendor.

Thats the primary reason I did not attend. Thats been the trend in the last few rallies. And if it doesn't change, I probably won't attend another national rally. But thats just me.

Joe

 

[PGlaves]

Thats the primary reason I did not attend. Thats been the trend in the last few rallies. And if it doesn't change, I probably won't attend another national rally. But thats just me.

Joe

Interesting point, but to my mind it depends. If this trend means fewer vendors I might buy from then it might matter. On the other hand, if it means a bunch more tour companies then the more the merrier. We are not tour folks anymore, even though we have motorcycle toured in five countries in southern Africa and also in New Zealand. But lots of folks are wishing to take tours, so to me the more choices they have for locations and prices then that is all good.

As for on-site product vendors I do expect they will decline as time goes on. On-line shopping with dedicated web sites and Amazon and other means can provide lower costs and better inventory control compared to traveling to events. But, vendors who need to showcase their new or unusual products are likely to continue to attend rallies like ours. Time goes on, as does change.

 

[lee]

We gave up on closing ceremonies because of the long commercials the touring companies had.
From what I understand that has changed the last few years.

 

[PGlaves]

We gave up on closing ceremonies because of the long commercials the touring companies had.
From what I understand that has changed the last few years.

My big issue was the use of tour company prizes as "grand prizes". $1,500 off a $6,000 or $10,000 or more tour for one person when many if not most winners would add their spouse or other plus-one at the full price is a come-on: not a grand prize. After some loud complaints that scam pretty much got discontinued, making those offers minor prizes or separate drawings at the tour company booth.

 

[lee]

My big issue was the use of tour company prizes as "grand prizes". $1,500 off a $6,000 or $10,000 or more tour for one person when many if not most winners would add their spouse or other plus-one at the full price is a come-on: not a grand prize.

At Lebanon we agreed to not go up to the stage if one of our names was picked.
If you did not go up they picked another name.

 

[61996]

Time goes on, as does change.

Yup. Time marches on; as does change.
When the tour companies see the declining attendance, they too will drop out.

Joe

 

[52184]

There are more tour company booths at the rally because there are a lot more tour companies than in the past. And the booth rentals they pay help contain increased costs for parts, accessories, and gear vendors. And part of the over-abundance of tour booths might be just perception, as the costs of shipping or transporting product and labor cross-country is causing a number of old-line vendors to shrink their travel radius and not have a booth. I was glad to see helmet, gear, and tire vendors show up with products available onsite.

I thought Redmond had a lot of positives—good local riding, a great facility, nice ride to & from the rally, and more. My biggest negative takeaway was with the beer garden, where for the first time ever I didn’t spend a dime. $7 for a Coors Light? $9-$11 for a local microbrew? If we can’t operate the rally beer garden we need to at least negotiate some price controls.

Best,
DeVern

 

[lee]

How were the shower facilities? Did they have enough showers?

 

[flyhi2cfar]

No… not enough showers.
Our new “real club people” mantra:
One less band from Nashville…
One more Shower Trailer !

 

[flyhi2cfar]

AND the trailer was substandard in its operation & maintenance.

The Coors was $8. Not 7.

 

[glenfiddich]

How were the shower facilities? Did they have enough showers?

No waiting at 4:30am

 

[52184]

The Coors was $8. Not 7.

Thanks for the correction! My sticker shock was such that I couldn’t remember the correct price!

Best,
DeVern

 

[PGlaves]

Thanks for the correction! My sticker shock was such that I couldn’t remember the correct price!

Best,
DeVern

$8 is not the correct price for Coors anything! I hate to sound like a cheapskate, but the motel/hotel prices were right up there with this beer price.

 

[skibum69]

I'm paying $11 for craft beers in bars and breweries while I'm working here in Nashville. The days of cheap beer are long gone!

 

[52184]

Local craft brews run $7-$8 per pint here, and there’s a good selection. Guess I’d better enjoy them while I can!

But then, I’m not where I’m getting “fairgrounds pricing,” either. The $16 plate of two tacos, arroz, & frijoles is $11 at my local food truck- and actually has THREE tacos. The sub truck was the best option I found at the rally, they did a nice hot sandwich and would turn it into a salad if you didn’t want the carbs.

Best,
DeVern