Contest Starts NOW!

[davecb]

How about at Ecks house. I heard he will supply the beer !!!

[Scooter]

I think the only logical place to have the 2009 rally is right here at the center of the universe, Alliance, Nebraska. Specifically Carhenge. (It's all that we've got here.) http://www.carhenge.com/photogalleries.htm

 

My second choice would be Custer South Dakota, or even Keystone, Hill City or Rapid City.

[Scooter]

Lebanon, Kansas touts itself as the geographical center of the lower 48 states. One of the rides could be to nearby Cawker City to see the world's largest ball of twine.

[spear]

. . . and Alice Springs is that close to the geographical centre of Australia, it doesn't matter from which direction you come - there is plenty of room and riding for EVERYBODY!

 

Go on. Somebody tell me to pull my head in!

[HALRSV99]

How about Kitchener again. Reiny would love to have a visit from his 2 special friends.

 

Hal

 

ps: anywhere will be great.

[bongobobny]

So far I've read a lot of good suggestions and many good reasons why, along with an equal amount of reasons why not, to have the Rallye there. It's too hot, too cold, too expensive, too far, no accomodations, not motorcycle friendly, etc. I personally think Squidley hit the nail right on the head by saying that it's really about the fellowship. I agree, we need a little less riding, and more time getting to know each other. I know firsthand from having to miss most of this years meet I missed out on that very important aspect of the entire experience. Also, as mentioned many times, what really matters is people taking the iniative to organize the meet.

 

That being said, and for the very reasons I stated i n my first suggestion as to catering to the West coast crowd this year, I would like to nominate Pueblo Colorodo as a possibility.

 

 

 

OK I'm really just trying to double my chances at the $100 gift certificate...

 

 

PS: I nominate Western New York for the 2010 Rallye and will help organize that!

Edited July 16, 2008 by bongobobny

[Guest gary howards]

My vote is for Madison, Wisconsin. Lots of riders, several good Yamaha Dealers, a great central location with exciting country roads, the Univ. of Wisconsin, lakes, and plenty of housing and food........oh yes, cheese, beer and the Packers!

Gary Howards........Oregon, Wisconsin:322:

[hig4s]

For those that said South Dakota is "Fairly centrally located" It is too far North to be central, especially from Florida.

 

 

Eureka Springs or Pueblo CO, are about a central as you can get and still have decent roads. The actual center is around Wichita KS.

 

Eureka Springs: 1250 miles from New York, NY: 1890 from San Francisco, CA: 664 from Minneapolis, MN: 664 from San Antonio, TX:

 

Pueblo CO: 1818 from New York, NY: 1381 from San Francisco, CA: 1029 from Minneapolis, MN: 837 from San Antonio, TX:

 

 

I say Eureka Springs, I have a hard time getting more than a week at a time off from work, so anything over about 1400 miles becomes out of enjoyable range.

[Guest sotobetohe]

I WOULD LIKE THE EVENT TO DONE AT RUIDOSO NEW MEXICO IN THE SUMMER:fingers-crossed-emotHE PEOPLE THERE WELCOME BIKERS.

[gibvel]

For those that said South Dakota is "Fairly centrally located" It is too far North to be central, especially from Florida.

 

Hence the "Fairly". Guess it's all relative, ain't it!!

[rosebud]

NewTrk and I have been talking about our choice for a 2009 rally we think North West Arkansas would be great - it's just a hop skip and jump for us, however look at the pros and cons of being in Arkansas in the summer.

 

Pros -

great roads

Ozarks are beautiful

Branson and Springfield MO nearby

Close enough to ride to OKC

Close enough to go to Hot Springs

Close enough to go to Little Rock

Fun ferry on Hwy 125

Motorcycle friendly area

War Eagle Mill

Trout Fishing

Camping

 

Cons -

Hot and Humid

[Guest BluesLover]

Here's the proper methodology for choosing the location:

• Somebody get a BIG map of North America, and post it on a wall (maybe one with some cork board behind it);
  
• Gather all the moderators (even the SUPER ones) together;
  
• Hand each of the moderators 3 darts;
  
• Blindfold all the moderators;
  
• All moderators throw the darts;
  
• Location of the 2009 Rally will be the location with the most darts
  
  • In case of a tie (or if the moderators need to bone up on target practice), our fearless leader gets final say on the location
    

Seriously now ... I'm hoping to have a lot of free time on my hands by the time the rally takes place next year, and really don't care where it will take place, 'cause I plan to be there - and this time, for the whole event, not just for a 1/2 day! That's my plan, and I'm sticking with it.

 

Cheers,

[Gentleman George]

Oh-boy, I love contest!

My VOTE would be Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It's on the International Boarder. Bike friendly town, Great scenic roads, Casino (which would give us discounts on rooms) with huge ball room. and accesable roads from all areas

 

Sault Ste. Marie Visitors Bureau, UP Northern Michigan Lodging, Hotels ...

 

 

Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau located in the Upper Peninsula or UP of northern Michigan, Lodging, hotels, accommodations, attractions, vacation ...

 

www.saultstemarie.com

[BlueWarrior]

I would like to throw out another idea to everyone.

 

How about Grand Junction, Colorado. You have a moderately large city with plenty of facilities to hold the event. The weather is almost perfect year around. You have great desert rides on the west side of the city and stunning mountain rides on the east side of the city. Moab, Durango, Montrose, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, And Delta are all within a day ride, there and back. They have a large airport that caters to several airlines and numerous motorcycle dealerships.

 

If you want great riding, great views, abundant wildlife, and a friendly town, Grand Junction is about as perfect as you can get.

 

Just a thought.

 

P.S. Besides, I'll be back from Afghanistan by then and would enjoy a few days of riding.

 

Stay Safe:bobby:

[Rich99]

Let's play like we're having a class reunion every two years, I think five years is too long. After reading 160+ posts, it all seems to point to this. It all started in Ft. Collins like a few of you have brought up, or we can make it a little more central since this idea will probably make us westeners go there anyway?? But I suggest the west coast getting together for half a Int. , and the east coast getting together for half a Int. Rally, and anybody in the middle can go to either one, lol; that way we can pick and choose where everybody might want to go in their half of the US. Then every other year, we all return to where it started, Ft. Collins, for a full everybody Int. Rally. We all know Ft. Collins which would make it easier to set up for everybody, or we can trade off the every other year central location between both the U.S. and Canada. So sorry, just wanted to vent and throw some ice water on this as it really seems like it's getting a little complicated. Me choosing Colorado Springs didn't seem to do anything, I guess there weren't too many takers on taking a ride up to the top of 14,110 ft. Pikes Peak.

Edited July 16, 2008 by Rich99

[TESchoener]

Very cool idea for 'split rallies'...but it also means twice the work with half the people - maybe.

These posts are clearly aligning for three areas...either the Rocky Mountains or the Smokey Mountains or Arkansas in the middle. Maybe we should move between the three sites each year...instead of 'splitting'.

I understand it was in Colorado last year....so...maybe we should go East this year, then Arkansas, then back to Colorado/Wyoming/Idaho/New Mexico next. If looking East the two areas getting the most play are Knoxville and Asheville. Both are SPECTACULAR. Smokies, Blue Ridge Parkway, Attractions, Great Rides, Biker Friendly.

THANKS !

Tom

[gibvel]

Okay, this thread has gotten a little less of a contest thread and more of a discussion thread.

 

Keep in mind that this thread was started as a contest. Basically, just state where you think it should be held and why and you're entered in the contest.

 

Not that discussion isn't good but maybe we can/should start another thread to discuss the ideas put forth in this thread

[dr.nemo]

2009 International Venture riders

annual meet

WHERE OCEANS COLLIDE

OMAHA NEBRASKA

 

Theme could be, transport Atlantic and Pacific ocean water to Omaha, or Pacific and Atlantic Salmon(on ice of course), Swamp monster, or whatever..., so long as "the item" makes it to the centre of the USA to the meet in Omaha..

 

 

Why not start the 2009 rally on the East coast somewhere, AND the west coast somewhere...??? Have the two groups head to the geographical centre of the USA... My google map estimate is "OMAHA NEBRASKA"...

Then have two planning committee's, East and West, and their job is solely to arrange the route from their coast in to Omaha, including sights to see(5 min. pic stops), an itinerary map so people can plan to join the group when it gets closer to their home/state, and assure that there will be enough hotels in the area where the group is spending the night...

Then have two large groups converging together for a day or two, just to meet, talk, swap stories and whatnot... No rides planned or anything like that, the journey to the meet IS THE RIDE.. Everybody will be tired so just sit around, rest, and get to know everyone...

 

T-shirts could have a list of the larger towns passed through to get to Omaha. Have an East coast and West coast version shirt..(double the sales...hehehe...)

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=San+Francisco,+San+Francisco,+California,+United+States&daddr=Omaha,+NE+to:portland+maine&mra=pi&mrcr=1&doflg=ptm&sll=44.150681,-58.447266&sspn=25.257752,54.140625&ie=UTF8&ll=37.926868,-90.703125&spn=27.676481,54.140625&t=h&z=4

[Iowawegian]

2009 International Venture riders

annual meet

WHERE OCEANS COLLIDE

OMAHA NEBRASKA

Now there's an idea!!

[IH Truck Guy]

I would like to nominate SW Wisconsin...Great roads and scenery,tons of places to stay and great 1-day rides to Dubuque,Ia..Savanna,Ill,,,Lacrosse,Wis.Lake Geneva,Wis.

[krome rose]

I agree with New Orleans. Our presence there may do good on all sides of the coin.

[cmacrider]

The northwest corner of Arkansas is pretty in spring, summer and fall. The mountains Ozarks are beautifu and the ladies love Eureka Springs for it's shopping. There's lots of hotels, eating places and entertainment too. It's reasonably priced. (Branson, MO. is not far a way if you want to see it) Eureka itself is nestled in a hilly area (public bus rides up the main street) with hills thick with hardwood trees. MTA's Chapter 6 has visited there many times and should be able to provide information if you need places and phone numbers. The roads are well known to many Texans. see www.eurekasprings.com/

 

Mac

[hig4s]

OK, I've already put my vote in for Eureka Springs AR,,, but to the idea of regions,, if you consider Edmonton the Northern edge of the bulk of the membership area, and Miami the

Southern edge, the Pacific Ocean the Western edge, and Halifax the Eastern edge, you end up with the center being about the same place as I said before: Wichita Kansas... So draw a horizontal and a vertical line through Wichita on your maps and rotate every 4 years into each quadrant.

 

And just to help gum up the works, how about Braselton GA, right by Road Atlanta, day trip distance from the Tail of the Dragon.

[Royal Venturer]

Hawaii,

and you must ride to get there.....really weed out the weekend riders.:rotf:

 

Anywhere in or near Tennessee.........great states all around with outstanding roads.

 

 

[BuddyRich]

Every other year bounce between the western half and the eastern half. Like Land between the Lakes one year and the next 4 corners. Pick a spot that is somewhere people would like to go to for vacation so its doing both a meet and vacation. That way more would show up.