Can the group chime in, who wants to reserve Cherohala Campground for next falls rally? It is currently open for our usual weekend.
Nancy and I always liked Cherohala Campground. Really miss the old KOA but I don't have any hope that it will ever be rebuilt.
I like Waynes place too, and I would go for it again if everybody is in. But I gotta say.. all of us staying in that big "cabin", eating a big breakfast, hanging out drinking beers with football on the big screen.. It did not suck. I wish we could find a cabin about 3x that size and all stay in that.
And while I'm at it, also wish we could live their permanently, every morning eat lots of bacon followed by motorcycle riding instead of working. :good2:
Danny, I'm fairly certain we can find a rental that would comfortably accommodate double what we had this year. It might not be within a couple miles of Tellico square, but they're out there, because I looked.
I think it's unrealistic to expect all of us to go to that campground, as there are a few of us that just don't care for it.
Carey and I tossed around the idea of having the rally in a radically different location for next year, but we know how people don't like change.
What'dja have in mind? How radically different?
I don't mind a bit of change. I wouldn't have ever wanted anything different than the Tellico Plains KOA, which was great as far as accommodating all of us and giving us room to have a decent fire and being close to the good riding. If it ever comes back, it'll be worth celebrating. But it hasn't, and I don't think it will any time soon.
I like Wayne and Kelly, and their place is very pretty. But if we get a decent FJ rally crowd staying there, four toilets just ain't enough - especially since each toilet shares a room with a shower and a sink, so only four people can use a plumbing fixture of any type at any one time. Two people showering and two others brushing their teeth? Nobody can use the john. That's pretty much all morning every morning. And just my contingent (I swear it's coincidence they all ride Italian twins) constitutes a decent FJ rally crowd all by themselves.
I liked the Bryson City location just fine; the campground was close to a cool town full of good beer and food, and there were lots of cabins, and it was well located compared to most of the fun roads, with the sun at your back morning and evening.
What are other suggestions? It's a big ol' world out there, I wouldn't mind riding some other parts of it.
Danny, I have a spreadsheet that says in 16 more years I can just get a place up there & ride all the time.
Quote from: Motofun on September 19, 2017, 06:30:47 AM
Nancy and I always liked Cherohala Campground. Really miss the old KOA but I don't have any hope that it will ever be rebuilt.
and i'm sure the rest of us would like it as much as you guys did, if we had your accommodations at that campground. unfortunately, most of us don't...
bill (r),
two possibilities that we threw around were north georgia, because we seem to spend so much time on those good roads, or virginia.
north georgia: when we ride, i'm always looking around for cool places to stay, and i always noticed quite a few cabin rentals, often times cabins clustered together as we would like, along some of our favorite rides. one of the criteria that i prefer to prioritize is near to a city (as bryson city was) in case we need supplies, whether they be motorcycle- or food-related. so we wondered it someplace like dahlonega (sp?) might fit the bill.
virginia: on one of the prior boone rallies, i spent a couple days prior to arriving in boone in sw virginia, based on recommendations of some riding coworkers of mine. this area had some amazing roads, and clearly they've seen how marketing to the motorcycle crowd can be a positive.
http://clawofthedragon.com/ (http://clawofthedragon.com/)
i seriously doubt we will make any changes this coming year; i tried to find us a location that had the best of everything with little compromise, we tried it, and still a certain few decided we should go back to tellico. people don't like change. i'm also noticing a bit of a split in the group, so not sure what the future holds. stay tuned, i suppose?
Quote from: mst3kguy on September 28, 2017, 07:25:39 PM
virginia: on one of the prior boone rallies, i spent a couple days prior to arriving in boone in sw virginia, based on recommendations of some riding coworkers of mine. this area had some amazing roads, and clearly they've seen how marketing to the motorcycle crowd can be a positive.
http://clawofthedragon.com/ (http://clawofthedragon.com/)
...
Re: that claw of dragon map, town of Marion VA would be a cool place to try, decent sized town with restaurants etc.. just north is Hungry Mother state park with a bunch of cabins, lake, rv spots, etc. Great riding around that area. All the roads on the map above are all really good, particularly Rt 16 north out of town, it's one of those snake/dragon theme roads- "back of dragon". On top of all that still very close to Damascus/58, 91, shady valley..
And easy to get to, right of I-81. I think that would be a great spot.
oh yeah, almost forgot.. the crucial piece of the pie.. Marion has a Macado's.
There's a KOA in wytheville.......
Quote from: ddlewis on September 29, 2017, 07:10:10 AM
oh yeah, almost forgot.. the crucial piece of the pie.. Marion has a Macado's.
That kinda seals the deal, eh?
virginia: on one of the prior boone rallies, i spent a couple days prior to arriving in boone in sw virginia, based on recommendations of some riding coworkers of mine. this area had some amazing roads, and clearly they've seen how marketing to the motorcycle crowd can be a positive.
http://clawofthedragon.com/ (http://clawofthedragon.com/)
i seriously doubt we will make any changes this coming year; i tried to find us a location that had the best of everything with little compromise, we tried it, and still a certain few decided we should go back to tellico. people don't like change. i'm also noticing a bit of a split in the group, so not sure what the future holds. stay tuned, i suppose?
[/quote]
=======================================================================
That looks interesting. We could switch up every other year for the Fall Rally. Tellico one year and somewhere else the next.
Quote from: Motofun on September 29, 2017, 08:32:51 AM
There's a KOA in wytheville.......
Yep, that's where i stayed when i came down before the boone rally. wish i could remember more about the koa itself, but i do remember that at least they had a town there.
http://clawofthedragon.com/maps.html (http://clawofthedragon.com/maps.html)
so, the question. do we actually consider this? if you recall, the reason we moved _back_ to tellico from bryson city was because jeff hoffman opened up a discussion with some core members to say that majority of members wanted it in tellico and not bryson city. are we to actually do the research to make this happen?
Bryson has nice cabins and town and food, we all seemed to find room mates easy enough, it did require one individual to be on the hook for the cabin in full if they were stuck solo or others plans disintegrated, not all of us have the blessing in life to float that bill either on a single card or solo. I have had years where it would have gone either way, if the location allowed splitting of the bill, that solves part of that.
My only dislike of Bryson was the location was all about the $5 a day for parking each vehicle, $10 a day for a dog, $8 a day I recall, but $8 for the stay makes more sense just for sheets, maybe they changed them and $8 daily makes sense. I nearly forgot, the 10pm hard shut down of noise, it had no centralized socializing and I really missed the entire group relaxing. This centralized social gathering prevents breakage, like dean pointed out, there are signs or fracturing, and this group is full of good people with differences that make life interesting, lets keep it mixing and watch the chemical reactions. There is strength and longevity in numbers.
I for one am hoping to find a bike to spend a rally chasing Smola, Hoffman and Frank for once, well, following their dust trail anyway.
I am in for alternating locations and/or one here, one Tellico and out again. I also look forward to the day when I can scout locations like Dean and others, work is just too profitable for the foreseeable future.
I have decided that I will attend one of the East Coast Rally's for 2018. For this discussion and my lack of experience in this area of the country, plus I know that the majority of the rally attendees have been riding this area for many years. Please don't beat me up for chiming in. :flag_of_truce:
Has this been considered before, the Ironhorse Motorcycle Lodge in Stecoah, NC ???
http://ironhorsenc.com/ (http://ironhorsenc.com/)
Fred
Fred, Keep in mind, if you attend an East Coast Rally, Spring in Boone NC is rain, rain and rain, with the occasional sighting of sun most years as I have been told. The Fall Rally, is generally great weather with occasional rain days. This year looked like a rain fest due to a hurricane, but turned out dry, I saw a drizzle early in the week before other attendees arrived.
It will be good to see you again.
Dave
Quote from: aviationfred on October 13, 2017, 01:03:41 AMPlease don't beat me up for chiming in. :flag_of_truce:
Has this been considered before, the Ironhorse Motorcycle Lodge in Stecoah, NC ???
http://ironhorsenc.com/ (http://ironhorsenc.com/)
Fred
Come on, Fred, we all gave Dean a bunch of shit for finding Bryson City, and Dean is one of the rally Originals. (Plus, Bryson City was actually kinda cool, except that the people who ran the campground were kinda dicks about running their campground.)
Stecoah is beautiful, and it's on the correct (east) side of things. One of the objections everyone had to Tellico is that it's on the west side of all the fun roads, so the sun is in our eyes at the beginning and the end of every day. Ironhorse would solve that. It seems kinda pricey, but it may be awesome enough to make up for it, or they may be hard-asses about how many people are in each tent on each night. ("Do I really need to log my kid and his dog in and out when they show up mid-week?") It's hard to predict in advance; I had a nice time at Hunt's Lodge (they even helped us do a birthday cake for Jack) but we never went back for some reason. For me, the more of us there are together, the more I enjoy it ("Kumbayah...") and it's even better if there's a place for an appropriate rally campfire. (which, to be fair, excludes a lot of places.)
Spring in Boone is *not* always rain, rain, rain, sometimes there's sleet, and I can't remember but I think Andrew & I got a dusting of snow one year when we showed up early. Our KOA is way up the mountain, and there have been times it was cold and rainy at the campground but 70F and dry 30 miles away where the twisties are. That's part of why we build a campfire the way we do ("visible from space") and when the weather is good, it's *perfect,* and when it sucks, it's still the FJ Brotherhood.
Either way, the riding in that part of the world is amazing, it's a large part of why I stayed in Atlanta after college in the 80's and it's a large part of why my kid moved to Rome, Georgia after college last year. It's worth the trip, even though it's a long day on the road each way for you. (16h to Boone, 14h to Tellico.)
Quote from: aviationfred on October 13, 2017, 01:03:41 AM
I have decided that I will attend one of the East Coast Rally's for 2018. For this discussion and my lack of experience in this area of the country, plus I know that the majority of the rally attendees have been riding this area for many years. Please don't beat me up for chiming in. :flag_of_truce:
Has this been considered before, the Ironhorse Motorcycle Lodge in Stecoah, NC ???
http://ironhorsenc.com/ (http://ironhorsenc.com/)
Fred
Yeah Fred come on! That stecoah campground has been on our radar for a while.. I've been in there, it looks cool. can't remember why we didn't pick it, but I'm game.
I slightly favor the roads down there over Boone and the weather tends to be better. but Boone campground situation a lot better. toss up.
We haven't picked it because it makes Tellico look like New York City. There is nothing nearby for food, supplies, etc
Quote from: mst3kguy on October 15, 2017, 08:48:25 PM
We haven't picked it because it makes Tellico look like New York City. There is nothing nearby for food, supplies, etc
No Dean,
You're describing the Tuskegee Inn. Has about 10 rooms, no food, a pay phone outside the office.
That pay phone was important my first couple of rallies. I had no cell phone (and I doubt there was even service there back in '01) and used the pay phone to call home with "calling cards" (remember those?)
At least the rooms have cable TV
Fred
[/quote]Come on, Fred, we all gave Dean a bunch of shit for finding Bryson City, and Dean is one of the rally Originals.
[/quote]
Well, that's only 'cause Dean won't give props to the original FJ rally the year before. :biggrin:...The (in)famous half-cabin rally! :rofl:
Quote from: mst3kguy on October 15, 2017, 08:48:25 PM
We haven't picked it because it makes Tellico look like New York City. There is nothing nearby for food, supplies, etc
it's all about food ...SMH....
Henry I don't see you stepping up to the plate and actually making any attempts at contributing to the rally. Shocking...
My girlfriend and I are leaving tonight for Bryson City, although we're traveling by car. She's always wanted to stay in a yurt, and there's a place up there that offers these accommodations.
This past year I have been dealing with my Mother's passing, and all the details related to settling her estate, so I was unable to attend any of this years' rallies. I'm hoping to change that, this coming year.
I DEFINITELY like riding in the Tennessee/North Carolina/Virginia area, and really don't care where the rally point is. I've slept in some very nice ditches in the past, so...
Some things to be said for the motorcycle resort in Tellico Plains: The owner(s) are very friendly and accommodating. I was able to change out both front and rear tires on-site, as they had everything necessary to do so. The Cherohala Skyway is readily accessible. Plus, I know where the site is, and could easily find it again. That said, I don't have an issue with trying new places, either.
Fred, it will be nice to ride with you again, if you are able to make it to this side of the Mississippi River.
Dean, FJScott passed your old `92 FJ on to me a while back. I'd love to make it road-worthy again, and bring it to a rally. That's on my "to do" list.
I also have fond memories of trying to keep up with Frank and Jim (and Jeff?). They seem to know the area very well.
Hanging out with Leon, Dave, and Bill and his son, are fond memories. Naturally, Randy's snoring will be missed, and his little dog (Gizmo?), too!
All told, I'm looking forward to joining the group for riding again, this coming year.
Cheers!
Steve
Quote from: mst3kguy on October 20, 2017, 11:57:03 PM
Henry I don't see you stepping up to the plate and actually making any attempts at contributing to the rally. Shocking...
That's easy lets' go to Tellico next year i hear there is some good riding there.. The 100 pounder pizza is to die for.... See i even mentioned food for you..
Quote from: mst3kguy on October 20, 2017, 11:57:03 PM
Henry I don't see you stepping up to the plate and actually making any attempts at contributing to the rally. Shocking...
Dean, Henry's choice is quite easy. Plot all the BBQ shacks on a map and find the most central point...easy peasy. :rofl2:
"Hanging out with Leon, Dave, and Bill and his son, are fond memories. Naturally, Randy's snoring will be missed, and his little dog (Gizmo?), too! "
All told, I'm looking forward to joining the group for riding again, this coming year.
Cheers!
Steve
(quote)
Steve,
Gizmo (Quebert or as he is also now referred to Roomba) More on Roomba in a minute, he is with my wife and I in Mississippi and may make more rallies. As for Roomba, he is now blind and deaf and walks around the world using his head as a feeler bouncing around a room like the vacuum cleaner only dropping leaf bits along the way and once or twice a month, other odiferous gifts.....
Randy too can be had for a talk, some of his ashes are residing with Wayne and Kelly in the camp office on the top shelf just inside the door.
As for seeing you again, I look forward to it. I am trying to bring my nephew to the next ECR and even springs WCR. We need to replace a cluch bearing on his Buell Ulysses.
Dave
Quote from: rvnmaniac on October 21, 2017, 06:12:27 PM
Quote from: mst3kguy on October 20, 2017, 11:57:03 PM
Henry I don't see you stepping up to the plate and actually making any attempts at contributing to the rally. Shocking...
That's easy lets' go to Tellico next year i hear there is some good riding there.. The 100 pounder pizza is to die for.... See i even mentioned food for you..
Good luck with that, Henry. Didn't know you owned your own trailer. And tools. And e z up. And truck. Bahahahaha!
Just got back last evening from a really nice getaway vacation at the yurt village overlooking the Natahala Gorge. We had the place completely to ourselves, and it was everything we hoped it could be. I would recommend this as a possible rally location, but there are no provisions for RV's.
I must say that it's a VERY romantic spot!
We took a leisurely drive out to the Dragon's Tail by way of the Fontana Dam, just for a bit of sightseeing. Only a few bikes were out, but they were sure having fun. We passed by the Iron Horse location, so now I know where that is.
Admittedly, I'm a bit envious of those who live in and around the area. Such amazing roads, and beautiful scenery! I sure can't wait to get back up there with the bike!!!
Good luck with that, Henry. Didn't know you owned your own trailer. And tools. And e z up. And truck. Bahahahaha!
============================
Have no idea what that's all about...SMH.
Never had a need for my OWN trailer.. I do own Tools..I also own an EZ-UP but kind of awkward trying to put it on my bike.. I could use a truck or even an SUV though...
All,
Friday Dec. 1st 2017 I received a phone call from Wayne at the Cherahola Mt. campground. The campground is booked for our normal weekend by another group. For a pleasure to some and displeasure for others, We need to find a camp for the 2018 fall rally.
Many have mentioned other options and others have lent their experience on many of those suggestions. Some have no supporting businesses nearby for food or tires, others had good support and big full service cabins but user unfriendly policies where everything from linens, second cars and dogs cost a nightly extra $5-10 per and a ten pm curfew or group sized gathering amenity.
East or West of the Skyway, each has its attraction. Is there anything in North Ga?
On a side note, I am planning on attending the West Coast Spring Rally and like before, I am happy to be a transporter of east coast bikes and persons to said rally if there is interest.
QuoteAll,
Friday Dec. 1st 2017 I received a phone call from Wayne at the Cherahola Mt. campground. The campground is booked for our normal weekend by another group. For a pleasure to some and displeasure for others, We need to find a camp for the 2018 fall rally.
Many have mentioned other options and others have lent their experience on many of those suggestions. Some have no supporting businesses nearby for food or tires, others had good support and big full service cabins but user unfriendly policies where everything from linens, second cars and dogs cost a nightly extra $5-10 per and a ten pm curfew or group sized gathering amenity.
Dave,
IMO, this may be the "beginning of the end" for Fall East Coast Rally's, at least as we've known them. Since the demise of the Tellico KOA, the group has been looking for a replacement. We've tried a few different locations, but each has been a compromise. After staying in a rental unit with my own shower, I'd prefer not to stay in a cabin and hike to the showers. Others prefer to camp. I thought the house rental last Fall was good, at least for the 8-10 people that stayed there, although, the driveway sucked.
Looking at the Spring Rally in Boone, the KOA seems to have very few compromises. If you want your own shower, camp in a tent or toyhauler, have numerous choices for food, the Boone KOA meets all the criteria.
How does this impact the Fall Rally? It seems to me, we need to find another KOA. Thinking outside the box, does the KOA have to be near the Dragon? In NC, I see KOA's in Cherokee, Asheville, and Murphy. In TN, I see KOA's in Gatlinburg, Chattanooga, Towsend, Bristol, and Sweetwater. In Va I see KOA's in Fancy Gap, Luray, Lynchburg, Staunton, Lexington, and Wytheville.
I have gathered some route information for rides near the Wytheville KOA. Unless I hear otherwise, I'm working to organize a gathering there Fall 2018. Will it be perfect? Will everybody be happy? Will some people have to travel farther? Will some people have to travel less? Will some people be pissed? I see the answers as no, no, yes, yes, yes. I'm looking at this location as a new adventure. Try it for a year, and then go back to Tellico in 2019, and maybe try something else in 2020. I'm sure I can find some straight boring roads wherever we go :rofl: I see it as kind of a Lilith Fair for motorcycles.
Another issue about the Fall rally I've heard is the date. Nancy and Jeff haven't been able to make the last few Fall rally's because of work commitments. Can the 3rd weekend in September be changed?
I'd appreciate anybody's feedback.
Quote from: DR.GTS.DUCATI.FAZER Dave on December 03, 2017, 10:19:37 AM
....On a side note, I am planning on attending the West Coast Spring Rally and like before, I am happy to be a transporter of east coast bikes and persons to said rally if there is interest.
^^^Good to hear this Dave. You will have a polished 1992 FZR1000 USD front assembly waiting for you in Petaluma.
I know that my input on a location has very little weight. I will weigh in though. I am planning to attend the Fall East Coast Rally for 2018. The main reason was because of the more southern location of Tellico Plains and the proximity to the Dragon. If the Rally is held in Virginia, it will be a no go for me for 2018.
Fred
Nancy and I would be up for a date change...the third week of Sept is problematic for us. I know everyone has issues, but for us the second week would be ideal. As to location, as long as we can get our TH in I have no problems with location...after all 50% (or more) of the rally is about sitting around BS'ing...and beer... :wacko3:
No issues with a date change... or location change. I just wanna hang out with my friends, ride some sweet roads
and not be hassled by the man :good2:
I'll add that Nancy and I have stayed at the Fancy Gap KOA several times on the way to Rd Atl. It doesn't quite fit the bill for a FJ rally. Town is about 15 miles away via the interstate. From what I've seen there aren't many cabins..if any. This is mostly a RV KOA. Finally, the only really convenient decent road is the BRP. We've stayed at the Wythville KOA a long time ago...Frankly I don't remember much about it, good or bad. DAMN, getting old sucks!
Carey, all that you said is oh so true. While 2018 might be tough for us to get to VA, we'll try to make it work. the weekend of the 15-16 of Sept might be the only weekend that won't work for me.
Nancy G and I talked on the phone yesterday, Jeff and I will be at Boone this year with my pup in tow.
Something else to throw out for the weekend in Sept 2018, I don't think it will affect our area too much because we are to the west, but over in the Tryon area the equestrian center is hosting the World Equestrian Games. I know there are going to be people staying in Ashville for this. So traffic may be something (or not) to think of.
IF as Dean says you could find a place to rent that all of us could fit into and I can bring my pup, then I'd even go for that.
The KOA in Townsend TN, several of us stopped in there one day. For the toy hauler crowd it would be tight. But the cabins are beside the creek. Don't know about size of campfire though. The KOA in Sweetwater is a little off the beaten track, but it was certainly nice enough. Just count on an extra 30 min at least to get over to the Cherahala. I have not been in the KOA at Murphy, was hoping that Scott could do that and tell us what he thinks since he has a cabin near there. Kavin is staying (if you follow him on FB) at a campground in Gatlinburg this weekend. Maybe he could tell us what he thinks.
I LOVE N GA.
And for S&G i just browsed for a few....course you never know until you drive in and stay whether it's someplace you would like....but here's a couple
http://www.baldmountainpark.com/ (http://www.baldmountainpark.com/)
http://www.whisperingpinescampground.com/index.htm (http://www.whisperingpinescampground.com/index.htm)
then there's the KOA in Murphy, NC. It might work....
DEAN, don't roll your eyes! I can see you doing it now!
Anyway, that's my chime in.....Jeff and I will be back.....hopefully soon.
NancyK
I'll make another pitch for Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, just SW of Wytheville. 15ish miles.
I recall them having a lot of cabins, dozens. Electric sites for 5th wheel type campers. It's a big nice place. I have only pitched a tent there a few times so I've never been inside the cabins. There's a lake in the middle of the park with swimming hole. The town is pretty cool too, about 3-5 miles from the park, has a little river running through, and a Main St. Complete with a Macados.
Wherever we go, this far out I'm flexible on the date. So pick something that suits everybody and I'll be there.
Bad news for me on '18 Boone/ECSR - I'm out. Got a bunch of guys together for a UT BDR trip in mid May. The good news is I'll have pictures and stories ready for Sept, so you won't have to hear about CO again. Did I tell yall about that time I went to CO? :)
Hungry Mother would be great, brings in a lot of new roads, different sights to see, etc. Even though it's a state park there are quite a few accommodations. We should decide rather quickly as it is a popular location and might fill up quickly. I'll put my vote in for the week leading up to Sept. 22nd.
If the consensus is to find a place in or near Murphy (which I'm partial to) then I would recommend the KOA in Murphy/Peace Valley. its in Marble just outside Murphy city limits on 129/64. great spot to hit all our favorites and I can show you some of my newfound favorites I've discovered since buying my cabin there.
Another spot is 2 wheels of Suches, motorcycle themed campground with cabins, RV spots, campsites and an outstanding restaurant on site.
Towns of Blueridge, Blairesville and Dahlonega close by.
My Vote is Murphy.
Scott
This really isn't as much of a poll, or request for suggestions, as it is a heads up from Carey and me and a couple others that wytheville is where we are going to go for 2018, if you'd like to join.
I agreed that fracturing is what I see happening. I also agree the where is less important than the who. I give Dean credit for scouting and booking for us Bryson City. We had good food close and the rides are the traditional roads still within striking distance. The nickle and dime and lack of the big gathering site was the bad But without Dean's effort, we might have missed each other entirely as a group.
As for changing weekends, later in the year will bring more cool weather and traditionally more rain.
As for distance, here or there, its just miles and as already stated, what is more or less for me is the opposite for another.
As to my availability, I am my own boss, so my attendance is what my wish makes it, or others encourage it to be. Rockoff brought me to my first rally, I found the groups members engaging and welcoming and hate to see it loose a great weather scheduled meet for Riding and bench racing. Boone does not entice me for all the cold rain. I am going to try traveling each year for far off rallys, Canada anyone, maybe we can get Clavdy or other to provide a US rider a bike for an Ausie rally.... and maybe try to bring a gathering to the Ozark Mountains.
Quote from: mst3kguy on December 29, 2017, 03:49:04 AM
This really isn't as much of a poll, or request for suggestions, as it is a heads up from Carey and me and a couple others that wytheville is where we are going to go for 2018, if you'd like to join.
Understand. Wytheville is 750 miles from me, Doable. Ill be there
S
So now the Fall Rally is going to be approx. 50 miles from where the Spring Rally is held?
No Dragon, Cherohala, TN28 or North Georgia Mountains?
Does this location add in a bunch of new roads?
Lots of roads in Va, none that I remember that are quite as technical as the dragon....but then I don't care much for the Dragon anyways. More like Rt 28.
Here's the latest on the Fall 2018 Rally.
Henry, Dean and Suzanne, Jack and Nancy, Nancy and Jeff, Dan Lewis and I will be staying at the Wytheville KOA. Henry and I will be arriving Tuesday, September 18th and departing on Monday September 24th.
The KOA still has a good selection of kabins, tent and RV sites available.
I have found some routes in the area that cover an area called "Claw of the Dragon". I also have some other resources I plan to research to find some even more possible routes.
I look forward to seeing everyone.
Carey, would you please add the rally to the calendar.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=17519.msg176684#msg176684 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=17519.msg176684#msg176684)
Thanks, Randy - RPM
Randy,
The event has been added to the calendar.
Quote from: FJ_Hooligan on December 29, 2017, 08:16:33 PM
So now the Fall Rally is going to be approx. 50 miles from where the Spring Rally is held?
No Dragon, Cherohala, TN28 or North Georgia Mountains?
Does this location add in a bunch of new roads?
anyone who prefers to ride in tellico/deals gap that week is welcome to. all carey and i and a few of us are saying is we will be at this location, on these dates, and all are welcome to join us.
Quote from: mst3kguy on January 06, 2018, 04:15:32 PM
Quote from: FJ_Hooligan on December 29, 2017, 08:16:33 PM
So now the Fall Rally is going to be approx. 50 miles from where the Spring Rally is held?
No Dragon, Cherohala, TN28 or North Georgia Mountains?
Does this location add in a bunch of new roads?
anyone who prefers to ride in tellico/deals gap that week is welcome to. all carey and i and a few of us are saying is we will be at this location, on these dates, and all are welcome to join us.
It's a coup! Viva la ecfr revolución'
CABIN RESERVED. I'm not gonna make the Spring Rally this year (truck transmission took a dump = too broke), but I've reserved a cabin for the fall - Tuesday through Monday. If anyone's interested in sharing space, let me know... :yahoo:
rossi
Quote from: rlucas on January 17, 2018, 07:19:22 AM
CABIN RESERVED. I'm not gonna make the Spring Rally this year (truck transmission took a dump = too broke), but I've reserved a cabin for the fall - Tuesday through Monday. If anyone's interested in sharing space, let me know... :yahoo:
rossi
I'm your huckleberry! :good2:
Quote from: ddlewis on January 25, 2018, 09:58:14 PM
I'm your huckleberry! :good2:
Cool! If we can get Mojo Mike involved, we can have a reunion - without the panic alarm and the 3 AM Underwear Dance. (I moved and I can't find that damned alarm, but if it ever turns up...someone may see it again...)
God that was funny.....
Quote from: Pat Conlon on January 30, 2018, 08:40:55 PM
God that was funny.....
The sound, not so much. Watching Rock, or was it Danny, hitting the smoke alarm with the broom handle trying to make the sound stop, that was funny.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on January 30, 2018, 08:40:55 PM
God that was funny.....
Yeah, Pat, good times.. sorry bastard.
(http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7386/358/400/realkid.jpg)
Quote from: rlucas on January 26, 2018, 06:46:53 AM
Quote from: ddlewis on January 25, 2018, 09:58:14 PM
I'm your huckleberry! :good2:
Cool! If we can get Mojo Mike involved, we can have a reunion - without the panic alarm and the 3 AM Underwear Dance. (I moved and I can't find that damned alarm, but if it ever turns up...someone may see it again...)
That was actually my first rally. I was hooked from that point on :Facepalm:
Quote from: zero26tb4u on July 25, 2018, 02:49:15 PM
Quote from: rlucas on January 26, 2018, 06:46:53 AM
Quote from: ddlewis on January 25, 2018, 09:58:14 PM
I'm your huckleberry! :good2:
Cool! If we can get Mojo Mike involved, we can have a reunion - without the panic alarm and the 3 AM Underwear Dance. (I moved and I can't find that damned alarm, but if it ever turns up...someone may see it again...)
That was actually my first rally. I was hooked from that point on :Facepalm:
That was my only Fall Rally to date. Klavdy added some flavor to that one. Plan on being there this year with the new FJR ES.
Quote from: rlucas on January 26, 2018, 06:46:53 AM
Quote from: ddlewis on January 25, 2018, 09:58:14 PM
I'm your huckleberry! :good2:
Cool! If we can get Mojo Mike involved, we can have a reunion - without the panic alarm and the 3 AM Underwear Dance. (I moved and I can't find that damned alarm, but if it ever turns up...someone may see it again...)
By the way...I found the alarm a couple of weeks ago, in a box of old odds and ends...and it still works.
BWAAAHAAAAAHAAAAAAA!!!! :diablo:
The Screaming Mimi returns.....be afraid....be very afraid :gamer:
... it would behoove you to plan a stop in Burke's Garden . really cool gen store & restaurant . take cash . really cool place, google it - referred to as 'God's Thumbprint' ... ironically , it's also where rt 666 is . been there several times but never could get a pic of the route sign because the tourists kept stealing it
Quote from: Pat Conlon on July 26, 2018, 12:27:29 PM
The Screaming Mimi returns.....be afraid....be very afraid :gamer:
I'll bring my baseball bat.
So does anyone have an open bunk or want to split a cabin? MD is not making this rally so I just need a place to crash each night. Plan on arriving Tuesday leaving Sunday.
I just got word that Jeff and Nancy won't be able to make the rally. This means I have an extra cabin reserved. Anybody need a cabin before I release the reservation. (Dan B., you can ignore this.)
Quote from: carey on August 11, 2018, 04:02:44 PM
I just got word that Jeff and Nancy won't be able to make the rally. This means I have an extra cabin reserved. Anybody need a cabin before I release the reservation. (Dan B., you can ignore this.)
Hey Carey, My friend Jim is interested in a cabin.. does this one have a bathroom?
Maybe he and Calvin would split one.
Frank
Carey, I'll jump on it. Free up some room for Danny and Rock. Thanks.
All cabins that I reserved have been spoken for. Look forward to seeing everyone in September 18th'ish thru 23rd'ish
If Pat C's screaming mimi isn't enough to annoy folks, this should, I will see you all Friday afternoon
So, is *anybody* headed to the Tellico Plains area the 15th/16th? Or are we just abandoning that timeframe / area this year? I'd hate to skip it, or plan on it as a day trip or two, thinking nobody else is going there, only to miss a dozen or so of the usual suspects.
I'll probably ride up Saturday night and tent in Wytheville that weekend, but if I can get to *two* of these things, that's pretty compelling.
Can't do the Tellico as I'm tracking it this coming week-end at Pitt race. Then it's off to Wythville by Monday afternoon. Looking forward to seeing all the folks, can't believe how fast this summer is going....
Remember to bring your rain gear. :-(
Does anyone have an ARK?
Quote from: FJ_Hooligan on September 13, 2018, 10:12:35 AM
Remember to bring your rain gear. :-(
And maybe a snorkel...
I'll be leaving Illinois on Sunday morning, with overnight stops in Shelbyville, IN and Barboursville, WV, arriving in Wytheville some time Tuesday afternoon. The only question is what\how much rain gear to pack. :crazy:
rossi
The first rule of fj rallies is NEVER talk about the weather beforehand.
I'll be pulling out o-dark-30 thursday morning.
Quote from: mst3kguy on September 14, 2018, 08:50:38 AM
The first rule of fj rallies is NEVER talk about the weather beforehand.
It's okay, Dean, I'm not going. :rofl:
Sheila & me are riding down tuesday. Riding home friday. Her first rally adventure without the trailer. :sarcastic: ...between a towering tankbag and a tailtrunk all I have room for is underwear & tequila :drinks: kookaloo motherfuckers :good2:
Quote from: TRoy on September 14, 2018, 06:40:05 PM
underwear & tequila
Having enough of the second will negate the need/want for the first... :wacko1:
I should be rolling into Wytheville sometime after 4p...
I'm in Huntington, meeting up with Sir Troy and Lady Shiela around 10. Coming down Rt 10/16 (Back of the Dragon). Should be there around 6 or so.
Back home safe and sound from the Rallye. It was great seeing everyone again after a few years away from attending the Spring/Fall events. Hope to make it a longer stay for some days of riding and hangin' in Spring '19, might even bring the FJ out of retirement.
Rally was terrific, great weather and fantastic roads. 4 straight days without rain was a minor miracle for this year. Got home Sunday to grass that was about a foot tall, have to get the brush hog on the tractor to take care of it!
Great to see everyone, again. Hope to make it to a Rally again, sooner, rather than later. Nice rides, great folks. It was good to wring out the new bike, a bit.
I bugged out early, Sunday, not too long after Dan. Didn't get a chance to say good-bye. Long wet, foggy, a little cool ride home. But a wet, cold day on the bike is still better than a dry, warm day in the office.
Got home around 6 PM Monday. It was misty when I left Wytheville, cleared up around Marion, and then set in raining with a purpose. Stopped for the night in Lexington, KY and it rained all night. Still raining Monday morning, but back on the road...
TRAVEL TIP: Riding through the center of Louisville at 9 AM on a Monday morning, in a driving rain, is not fun.
It rained all the way to the Illinois\Indiana border, then it let up until I got to Mount Vernon, IL and turned north, so I took off the FroggToggs (which weren't doing much good, anyway) It started again in Effingham, so I geared back up and just left it on.
890 mile trip, 550+ on the last day. Sore, tired, and everything's wet. But...
Fantastic Rally, one of the best I've attended. Terrific roads, good food, great people. Even managed to keep up with the Fast Group on Friday and Saturday, literally rode harder and faster than I ever have (that one's for Dean). Hope to see everyone in Boone next Spring!
rossi
Quote from: rlucas on September 25, 2018, 08:12:43 AM
890 mile trip, 550+ on the last day.
you mean 1890 ? :) Sheila & Me done about 850 . really hate to gloat but we never got wet :sarcastic: rolled out a couple hours after the hurricane remnants - started raining 10 mins after we got home. and rained for a week! great times :good2:
it was cool to ride to the rally, but we sure did miss the vehicle for the evenings. and haulin shit. we coulda stayed at the campground if we had room to carry bedclothes etc...
Do you know something, the scale of the US sometimes makes laugh out loud.
Your Fall "East Coast Rally" seems to be nigh-on 300 west miles of the eastcoast.
300 miles west of our East Coast, is 150 miles west of our West Coast
:Facepalm:
Anyway, great to read that it went well and you all had a good time - I'm feeling more than a bit jealous right now !!