2017 Colorado Rally, Ouray, CO June 8th-10th Who's coming? Head count please

[CutterBill]

Are we doing this again in 2017?  Same place?  I sure hope so.  

I am determined to make this rally...  I've already told the boss that I'll be gone for 3 weeks.  The freshly-painted engine cases are going in the oven today.  The frame, wheels and a box of small parts go to the powder-coater next week.  The new seals for FZR forks should arrive today.  Lots of work to do...

Who's in?
Bill

[Pat Conlon]

OH hell yes!  Hurray for Ouray!

[CutterBill]

Pat, glad you agree.  Now all we need is a date.  I see that the WCR is the first weekend in June so should Ouray be immediately following?  Or perhaps a few weeks later to give folks a chance to rest up?  Since I am new to this whole rally thing, I will defer to those with more experience.

But I really want to see this happen.  I have friends in Leadville that want me to stop by for a few days after the rally.  And I have a customer in Fort Collins that wants me to ride up his way.  Should be a fun trip.

[Pat Conlon]

What we have done the last couple of years was to hold the Colorado Rally the weekend following the WCR**
This allows plenty of time to ride out from Calif to Colorado. Some bitchen rides on the way to and from Colorado. You are welcome to ride to Colorado with us Bill. Guaranteed good time.



**The WCR is always the weekend (Thrus-Sunday) after Memorial Day.

[Firehawk068]

If the folks that are interested in attending want to move forward with this, I can set it up.
If you want the same dates as this year, and following the WCR, it would be June 8,9,10th 2017.

I unfortunately won't be able to attend next June, as my commitments for next summer are already filling up.

Let's get a head-count going as to who would be interested, and I'll make a couple phone calls for you.
Those that attended this year should be able to provide all the info about the good rides in that area.
I can give info about my favorite ones.

I wish I was able to set aside the time to attend this next June, but I just can't. 

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks Alan! Were you happy with Ouray?

I've re-titled this topic to ask for a head count.

[Firehawk068]

Thanks Alan! Were you happy with Ouray?

I've re-titled this topic to ask for a head count.

Absolutely I was!
I love that little town! If I could afford to move there, I would in a heartbeat.

[CutterBill]

...You are welcome to ride to Colorado with us Bill. Guaranteed good time.

I will probably pass on WCR but I could easily ride north and join up with you guys on Sunday or Monday, then follow to Ouray.  Sounds epic.

[FJ1100mjk]

Sounds epic.

Speaking from my experiences of riding around a lot in Colorado last year, it IS epic!

You will not be disappointed.

[racerrad8]

I will probably pass on WCR but I could easily ride north and join up with you guys on Sunday or Monday, then follow to Ouray.  Sounds epic.

Bill, that is disappointing to hear. Hopefully you can find a way for both.

Randy - RPM

[CutterBill]

Randy,
thanks for your encouragement but I think 3 weeks of riding will be just about all I can handle.  After Ouray, I'm heading to Leadville to see friends.  Then on to Ft. Collins to help a customer with his Cessna 310.  So as it stands, I'll be getting plenty of riding in.

Plus... I must admit a small amount of trepidation at joining a large group for a weekend rally.  I tend to do things alone anyway, but 2 years ago I got out of my comfort zone and met up with a large group of dual-sport riders in Death Valley.  I met them on one of those MeetUp things, and it sounded like fun.  Let me cut to the chase and say that they turned out to be the biggest bunch of arrogant, flaming assholes I have ever met.  And that's being charitable.

Later the next week, when I wrote about my experience on a ADVrider forum I belonged to, without me mentioning any names, several of the forum members chimed in, laughing, and correctly identified the group I had ridden with.  Apparently, this particular group is notorious for their rude behavior.  One guy related a story about the first and last time he rode with them... a group of about 10 guys and 1 single lady, in Mexico.  It was on the 3rd day, they were deep into Mexico, and the lady rider got a flat tire.  They left her behind.  In Mexico.  And it was getting dark...  

The guy telling the story was at the front of the group and didn't realize what had happened to her until the next gas stop.  Once the sweep rider mentioned her plight, the hero of the story immediately rode back over an hour to find her on the side of the road, terrified, trying her best to fix her tire in the dark.  They got her tire fixed and rejoined the group for the night.  The next day the two of them got up early, hit the slab and headed north for home.  Someone else chimed in and stated that the group motto should be: Those who fall behind, get left behind.

So that's just one story, but kinda, sorta the experience I have had with large groups.  I dunno... maybe I just don't play well with others.  But I've ridden with Streetmasters Mike and even had him over to the house for burgers and beer several times.  And I've had the pleasure of riding with Monkey Mark once.  I found both them to be exceptionally good company.  And the rest of lunatics on this forum seem to be ok fellows so I thought I would take a chance.

Sorry for the long-winded discourse but sometimes my fingers just won't shut up.  See you guys in Ouray...
Bill

Oh, I went to the Long Beach Bike Show yesterday... bought some Lee Parks gloves.  Ooooooo... nice...  

[Capn Ron]

Hey Bill...

Just had to chime in here!  I attended my first FJ rally in 2013 with many of the same trepidations.  My only purpose for attending was to meet RPM Randy face to face and to thank him for sending me a part a year earlier that saved my 17,000+ mile trip!  I too had no idea what to expect, so my plan was to show up, figure out who this Randy guy was, shake his hand and thank him profusely and if the rally was even a tad bit iffy, I was going to just ride home having accomplished what I set out to do.  Well, here it is going on four years later and I wouldn't miss a rally for love nor money.  I have attended as many as three of the scheduled rallies and even a few impromptu rally get-togethers ina single year!  Love this group!

The WCR this year will be a lot to take in with nearly 50 people in attendance!!!  That being said, it's a great opportunity to meet some of the "core" FJOwners and ride some amazing roads in the Sierra Nevada mountains.  If another Ouray rally comes to be, I will surely attend that as well...Great little town in the Rockies and SO many great memories from last year!!

Hope to meet up with you at one or both!   

[Pat Conlon]

I sure had fun with you Ron, riding out to the Black Hills of SD.
Dodging thunder storms across the plains of Wyoming while you kept an eye on the weather radar
App on your iPhone.
I will never forget that trip.  Good times indeed

[aviationfred]

Bill,

I have attended one WCR, and all three of the Central Rally's. I fully understand your trepidations about riding in a large group. Here is one of my group ride stories that had the potential for disaster.

New Years day a few years ago. One of the local biker Facebook pages had a Polar Bear ride set up. My 11 year old son wanted to go despite the 30* weather, we geared him up and off we went. The ride was a very short 10 miles or so with a mix of cruisers and sport bikes. As we were making our way through downtown, I could hear and view in my mirrors the sport bike riders doing wheelies and stoppies. Hence forth, I have not ridden with the sport bike crowd here since.

As far as riding in a large group at the WCR. Typically the groups are about 8 riders max. I remember that one member at the 2014 WCR missed the group line up photo because he was out riding on his own. Joining a large group ride is not mandatory. There are always a few that have similar views as you and would welcome a chance to ride with you in a 2, 3, or 4 person ride.

Fred

[Todd85fj]

Hello all!  It has been a while - I hope everyone is doing good.  Yes - I'll be there!  Todd