XV1100SE Posted February 16, 2014 #1 Posted February 16, 2014 Since Don is unable to host this year's Maintenance Day, it has been suggested that someone else host it this year. Please respond to the poll if you would attend an alternate location and if you have resources/space to host it. Maintenance Day is not a trivial event. 3 1/2 months to the original date and consider that : - need tools, compressor, covered area to work on bikes - dinner - has been catered before and would require collecting money from attendees. Could be set up similar to International registration with pre-payment. Could do dinner at a restaurant where everyone pays their own dinner. - accommodation - do you have an area where people can camp (hopefully free or low cost)? Hotels in the area that would discount to a reasonable price ? I'm sure there is a lot more to hosting Maintenance Day so before offering to host, consider the time requirement, organization, and financial commitment.
MidlifeVenture Posted February 16, 2014 #2 Posted February 16, 2014 Yes would love to but would depend on location and date. So a big maybe
steamer Posted February 16, 2014 #3 Posted February 16, 2014 My head says yes, but my heart says no. There is another MD already scheduled in Wi. and I think one in TX. I just think we should leave this alone for now.
XV1100SE Posted February 16, 2014 Author #5 Posted February 16, 2014 The Texas MD is at the end of March which is too iffy weather wise for us in the North. - http://venturerider.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=397&day=2014-3-29&c=1 March 29th in GA as well - http://venturerider.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=386&day=2014-3-29&c=1 The WI MD is June 28 - http://venturerider.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=391&day=2014-6-28&c=1 There may already be enough MD's set up. Not sure if those events could handle the increased numbers that would normally have attended Don's.
BIG TOM Posted February 16, 2014 #6 Posted February 16, 2014 MD to me was not about working on my bike...IT was a ride of respect to the man who started this all...md any where else would not be the same....
RockinRobin Posted February 16, 2014 #7 Posted February 16, 2014 MD to me was not about working on my bike...IT was a ride of respect to the man who started this all...md any where else would not be the same.... Well said.
XV1100SE Posted February 16, 2014 Author #9 Posted February 16, 2014 Can one of the moderators close this thread? Might be a bit premature to be discussing this.
Flyinfool Posted February 16, 2014 #10 Posted February 16, 2014 MD to me was not about working on my bike...IT was a ride of respect to the man who started this all...md any where else would not be the same.... I agree. While another location would not be the same, MD is also a great opportunity for members to meet many other members all in one place. That aspect will be missed by many. I also agree that it may be premature to be making other plans at this time. That is also a double edged sword, It may be to early to be looking for an alternative, it also takes time for someone to put something together.
steamer Posted February 16, 2014 #11 Posted February 16, 2014 Right now we should just hope and pray that whatever has happened in Don's life will be resolved and all will be right in the world next year.
Flyinfool Posted February 16, 2014 #12 Posted February 16, 2014 Right now we should just hope and pray that whatever has happened in Don's life will be resolved and all will be right in the world next year. Of course:sign yeah that:
OrlinEngh Posted February 16, 2014 #13 Posted February 16, 2014 I am going to jump in here and say that everyone that wants to come to our MT,Day is wellcome thats what it is for. I would be willing to have a bigger one but it will have to be the date that has allready been set, I have plenty of camping room and there is motels 6 miles away, I have a big enough building to park all of the bikes in and set up a nice work area both inside and outside. Most of all is I still feel as I am a new guy on here and I do not want to feel as I am stepping on anyones toes, Sharon and me have got to make some very good friends and to me that is what this is all about and if we can keep that going that is what is impotant. Orlin
DarrinGT Posted February 16, 2014 #14 Posted February 16, 2014 I am sorry to hear that Don is not able to host this year and hope that all goes well with his situation very soon. That said, Lori and I would be willing to host the event at our car lot here in Grand Rapids, MI. We have a large, fully outfitted garage and plenty of outdoor space for parking etc. There are motels very close to the shop and a campground a few miles away. I have been very successful at hosting Diesel Truck Rally's over the years so this wont be my first rodeo,..just the first with Bikes. If you want to check out the area google maps 79th and Division Grand Rapids MI. For some reason my our address (7876) is not correct on Google. We are on the NE Corner. I just thought I would throw this out there and make the offer. Let me know what you think, I appreciate any input.
cowpuc Posted February 16, 2014 #15 Posted February 16, 2014 I am sorry to hear that Don is not able to host this year and hope that all goes well with his situation very soon. That said, Lori and I would be willing to host the event at our car lot here in Grand Rapids, MI. We have a large, fully outfitted garage and plenty of outdoor space for parking etc. There are motels very close to the shop and a campground a few miles away. I have been very successful at hosting Diesel Truck Rally's over the years so this wont be my first rodeo,..just the first with Bikes. If you want to check out the area google maps 79th and Division Grand Rapids MI. For some reason my our address (7876) is not correct on Google. We are on the NE Corner. I just thought I would throw this out there and make the offer. Let me know what you think, I appreciate any input. RIGHT OUT MY BACK DOOR DARRIN!! While Tip and I dont have the space to do anything even close to what you are talking about (live in an urban area on the Lake Shore) we do have some AWESOME riding over here!!! If you needed someone to assist as a tour guide who knows some of West/Northern Michigans finest biking scenery I would be happy to help!! Puc
pmelah Posted February 16, 2014 #16 Posted February 16, 2014 just my opinion but every event held always has a different feel about it thats what makes each one uniqe in its own way they all have the same general purpose for every body to meet old and new friends and discuss things in general putting faces to the names of those who have helped others and to learn new things about our bikes new short cuts to fixing things no event held could replace dons or the others that are held and hopefully everything will turn out for the best for him and his family i have never attended one but my heart sunk when i read cancelled as i have been trying to figure a way to attend it and the many others that are held all we can hope for is 2015 for the freebird MD day so lets just keep up the hopes and attend the other events as scheduled as if nothing is wrong but keep don and his family in our thoughts and prayers
Frogger Posted February 16, 2014 #17 Posted February 16, 2014 MD to me was not about working on my bike...IT was a ride of respect to the man who started this all...md any where else would not be the same....[/quote Well said I agree
GAWildKat Posted February 17, 2014 #18 Posted February 17, 2014 Mike and I are running the GA maintenance day. We have room in the house for ppl to sleep, hotels, all the yard space, and the conversion van if someone is a last minute guest. I haven't called the hotels to get a group discount. If there's enough interest, I can do that. Our roommate is giving us a hand and grilling. We look forward to the assistance and getting together with friends. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
rickardracing Posted February 17, 2014 #19 Posted February 17, 2014 I respect Don and his decision to cancel for what ever his reason may be. But I enjoy meeting with other Venture Riders and will try to attend what ever MD is planned that is within a reasonable distance from me. Wisconsin, maybe the answer. Unless someone else organizes one. Grand Rapids..........I am definitely there if it pans out. If it were me, I would want everyone to attend whatever one they could and enjoy themselves.
DarrinGT Posted February 17, 2014 #20 Posted February 17, 2014 RIGHT OUT MY BACK DOOR DARRIN!! While Tip and I dont have the space to do anything even close to what you are talking about (live in an urban area on the Lake Shore) we do have some AWESOME riding over here!!! If you needed someone to assist as a tour guide who knows some of West/Northern Michigans finest biking scenery I would be happy to help!! Puc Thanks Puc, I would certainly take you up on your offer if it pans out, You could be in charge of the Rides, and YES,..WE do have some of the finest biking scenery around! I just want to be clear,,,If Lori and I have the Honor to host Don's Maintence Day this year, It would hopefully only be a one time deal, Next year have Don take it over again, . depending on his situation We are only stepping up just to help to make this years MD happen. Thanks for your consideration,....
Carbon_One Posted February 17, 2014 #21 Posted February 17, 2014 I generally don't need work done on the bike but for me the MD at Don's was to share time with my fellow VR members. I just enjoy attending M & E's, Don's MD, and the International rallies sharing time & rides, & seeing & enjoying different parts of the country. I could be persuaded to attend an M&E or MD if near enough like Wisconsin or west Michigan. Larry
saddlebum Posted February 17, 2014 #22 Posted February 17, 2014 MD to me was not about working on my bike...IT was a ride of respect to the man who started this all...md any where else would not be the same.... I have to Agree with big Tom. Although the idea of a substitute MD is not a bad idea and no disrespect intended towards those who like the idea, its just that for me right now it would not feel the same. Freebird's MD is just that, Freebird's MD. Wether or not I would go to an alternate MD, remains to be seen as I still do enjoy meeting up with all the members I have gotten to know and have yet to meet. More importantly what ever has disrupted the flow of Freebird's and Eileen's life at the moment, I hope will soon be set right.
Squidley Posted February 17, 2014 #23 Posted February 17, 2014 I want to perhaps make a suggestion here. Lots of good conversations are going on here, I am in agreement with Tom in the fact that MD at Freebirds, to many of us, is about the camaraderie. Maintenance is done, some to great detail, but a whole lot of BSing ensues. Being Don has had to cancel this event at his place doesn't mean y'all can't pick up the ball and do one yourselves. There has always been a saying here on this site about planning a get together, be it M&E, a MD or a rally....plan it and they will come. I'm fairly confident in stating that you would not be disrespecting Don in any way if alternate MD's are planned and held. I know Don feels terrible about having to bow out of MD this year. I also know that he would not want to impede any efforts to have folks get together and share the love of our fellow brothers and sisters on this site. If you feel you can host a MD, please do it, it's a lot of work but very rewarding. Perhaps a regional MD can occur, we have been doing our spring MD here in SE Texas for 3 years now and the fall one for 2. Dont have any reservations in your mind, if you do host one, that it has to live up to Freebirds MD. Don has been doing his for 9 years and has a lot of practice doing it. Y'all wouldn't be stepping on Don's toes doing this. Many of us Love Don very much, he's one of my best and most trusted friends. He has always been very selfless when it comes to this group. As he has put it in the past, this is OUR site, not His, he means that when he says it. If y'all want to plan something, get after it and make it happen. Your not going to be disrespecting Don or his MD in any way, you'll be honoring a tradition.....
adventurer 08 Posted February 17, 2014 #24 Posted February 17, 2014 I am sorry to hear that Don is not able to host this year and hope that all goes well with his situation very soon. That said, Lori and I would be willing to host the event at our car lot here in Grand Rapids, MI. We have a large, fully outfitted garage and plenty of outdoor space for parking etc. There are motels very close to the shop and a campground a few miles away. I have been very successful at hosting Diesel Truck Rally's over the years so this wont be my first rodeo,..just the first with Bikes. If you want to check out the area google maps 79th and Division Grand Rapids MI. For some reason my our address (7876) is not correct on Google. We are on the NE Corner. I just thought I would throw this out there and make the offer. Let me know what you think, I appreciate any input. Grand Rapids would work real nice for me because my daughter just moved there with are first grandchild so we could see them also, plus lots of nice riding there.
OrlinEngh Posted February 17, 2014 #25 Posted February 17, 2014 Glad to see that there is those that would like to have one, they are a great time we sure had a great time with ours, And let me tell you if it doesnt go the way you planned it dont worrie about it I found that out last year. I cancelled ours but with the looks I got from Sharon and her telling me that her and our son will help we could still do it I said okay. So with alot of the roads washed out that I had picked for our ride soggy fire wood a water soaked campground we made due and we all had a great time. We got to work on bikes and most of all we got to see each other and spend time together and thats what it all comes down to. Ours is June 28 and it is on the calendar for those that want to come you are all wellcome it not just a Wisconsin event. The date for Dons we allready have a family event that we can not miss so we wouldnt have been able to go or be able to have it here on that date. For anyone who chooses to do one it can be alot of work but just have fun and go with the flow of it. Orlin
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