I'm gonna try to be honest and not offend anyone.(long)

[solo1]

As many of you know,  I have been to some Inzanes, some CBRs and even was involved in passing Thors Hammer which goes back aways.   I'm definitely not as active with the VRCC as I should be but I try my best to meet with the good folk in the VRCC as often as I can.  I will admit that I've driven a cage more than I rode to these events. However, at my age, I feel that I can be flexible as suits my ,ahem, maturity.  I've earned my place in riding motorcycles.  Now, having said that, I've gotten all my excuses, lame and otherwise behind me.

Bear with me here as I'm changing stride.

Over the years, my family, Mark (Mad6Gun), Chris (PsychoticBovine), and myself, have tried a number of times to contribute to the VRCC events by hosting a group ride, and, or feed here in New Haven.  In every case, all our planning was overkill. We did have faithful friends come to our events.  I won't mention them as I might forget someone. They, for some reason or other, put up with us.  I thank them with all my heart, You know who you are.

When I posted about the New Haven Mayors Ride, I just put it out there to see if we could get some Valks to change the monotony of Vtwins.  That's all.   Mark came up with the idea that maybe we could put on a feed or more importantly, a meet and greet.  I told him that maybe it wasn't a great idea based on our past experience.

As of this posting, You can see the response.  Fudgie (thank you, Brian) can't make it.  He's one of the faithfuls.  Henry on the Ohio board might come and we don't even know him but we hope to.  The lack of response, especially from points south of us in Indiana, has been disappointing.

Now my question to you is this.  What are we doing wrong? What can we change?  

I am posting this on my own.  I no longer own a Valk but miss mine. I've not been posting much on this board anymore.   I still think that the Valkyrie riders are the best!  Mark and Chris still own Valks but I've not asked them for permission to post this (FAT Chance!! )  These are only my thoughts.

Jes letting it all hang out here.  My .02

Wayne, solo1

[Daniel Meyer]

I don't think you're doing anything wrong Wayne, I'd make it if I could.

Life's busy. Work takes advantage of the economic situation by heaping abuses on remaining employees, gas is 4 bucks a gallon, tires are $200, there are a lot of events.

Don't get the money I used to (for the moment), don't get the time off I'm entitled to etc.

I had to scale back, just work on hitting the major ones (inzane/hotglues) and getting some "lone-wolf" time in. I've missed tucumcari and Alabama, both rides I intensely miss, for a couple years now.

I haven't made a DFW monthly meeting in a couple years (2nd thursday nights) because I can't get away from work in time.

That's happening to everybody.

"If you build it, they will come." If they can!

[solo1]

Daniel, of all my friends I would least expect you to make it.  Much too far to travel to visit the flatlands, especially with the price of gas and cut back hours for many employed. 

Yes, the economy and inflation is affecting my fixed income too. 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

That's a sunday ride its hard for out-of town ( state ) folks to make a sunday ride.Another thing for me is the group deal with all the yuppie Harley rider that can't ride I hate riding these kind of rides. Maybe y'all should pick a motel make a post and just tell folks to come hang out and ride and if you do pick a motel stay at it and hang out with folks . I've stayed in a motel less than 8 miles from my house on several of the rides I've had around here. That's as big a deal as anything being with the folks that you have invited to come ride. Hangin' out at night around the bikes in the parking lot is where you get to know folks.....Everything here is just my opinion 

[The Anvil]

I'd echo what Daniel said. People are working longer hours these days for less money, life only gets busier for many of us.

Joe makes a good point about these events. I tend to view motorcycle rallies the way alcoholics view New Year's Eve; it's amateur night. Therefore, I don't typically attend rallies. I'm imagine that at least a few riders feel the same way I do. So maybe an off-weekend meetup would work better?

[Oss]

+1

The only ride thats a day away that I try as hard as I can to make is the POWWOW started by 3wlonerider and Chrome (and FY but he is long gone from the scene)  That ride starts thur evening memorial day weekend which makes it tough as I always have some case in Court that missing costs me money to find some one to cover my case and not screw it up  IF I make it this year, and it is sadly a big if, I would have to cut my stay short and leave saturday because of family commitments

If you was closer myself and maybe Gman would come out We both really wanted to do a CBR but for some reason it was always the weekend of the jewish new year and I cant be away from family THAT weekend.

I  think Joe hit it on the head having your big ride Saturday give folks time to get home if they are within 700 miles.  I hosted a powwow and put up some and made sure I checked out the hotel darn well includin the beds before I posted it and the group rate

I dont think its folks dont like you mad or the bovine just the way it is.  Well maybe they just dont like you Wayne................NO that CANT be it

[Rams]

Solo (Wayne)
I apologize for not responding to your Mayor's Ride thread, I seriously considered trying to come but, as other's have mentioned, it's a bit too far for me in my alotted time and quite frankly, I can't afford the trip.  

I came up with an idea to have a Meet, Greet and Eat in Kentucky recently and feel blessed that 13 people have responded that they will be coming to Bardstown, KY for it.  I'd like to actually do as Joe suggested and go get a room at the Meeting place, (Quality Inn) but, it just isn't in the cards.
My recent helicopter ride and subsequent visit with the folks at Baptist Heart Center have the bills rolling in so my traveling will be extreemly limited for a while.  Had no idea that helicopter ride was gonna cost over $22,000.00.  They don't tell ya that.     And that's not the biggest bill by a long shot.     So, I've had to modify what I wanted to do to the Valk and where I wanted to take her.  It's expensive have a phat gurl mistress ya know. 

Regardless, I don't think you're doing anything wrong, I think you're kind like me and not surrounded by a bunch of Valkyires locally and folks don't have the time and money to do as much as they would like to.  So, they (like me) have to decide where and when they are gonna do what they do.  I'm still trying to go to Inzane but, that's also in great jeopardy.  It seems that everyone wants a part of me, especially of my wallet.

Don't give up on what you want to do, just consider the circumstances and plan accordingly.

[henry 008]

"Henry on the Ohio board might come and we don't even know him but we hope to."
hello wayne, i met you briefly at the CBR in08. you were talking to RJ, outside of a hotel room, which was right down from mine.  i believe RJ had on Wegs name tag at the time. this was my 1st VRCC event (i bought my 2000IS in the summer of 07, and discovered this wonderful club that winter) i also remember saying hi in passing at the inzane X in Mich. you have made an impression on me with your posts, and i admire your desire to ride despite your... ah....age?  i feel i have become good friends with brian (fudgie) and was hoping to see him and his lovely bride too.  the guys in ohio are gettin together for a picnic on sat. and this is the begining of my "busy" season here at the farm. so i hope the weather is good and i can get away on the valk for the weekend, before my summer gets sucked up working 70hrs a week.  i hope to see you again may20. henry

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

It's hard for me to make plans in advance because of my job. (assuming I still have it when I'm healed up) If I'm headed home on Friday afternoon and somebody breaks something important I've got to go back in the plant and fix it. It might take 10 minutes or it might take 48 hours and I've got no way to know in advance. It order to be sure of getting to go somewhere on the weekend I sometimes have to take Friday as a vacation day.

Don't get me wrong, catastrophic failures like that don't happen often but I never know when they will. If the other mechanic/electrician is off work then I have to be at the plant from open till close. This year, because of my leg, nearly all my time off is already gone and all of his is still ahead of him.

It's so hard to get guaranteed time away time away from work, that I just don't get to make many rides.

[RainMaker]

It's a bit far for me, but even for those close, life sometimes keeps us away from the things we like.  

We have a hard time stirring up more than 5 or 6 bikes for a local ride in the DFW area and it's not because they don't want to ride - they just can't fit it in with their family schedules and work.

As a ride coordinator for 4 years, I learned not to be upset if there were only 1 or 2 on a ride - just decided to enjoy the ride even if I rode it solo.  Uniqueness helps, but even that wears off.  Our first polar bear run had 20+ riders - the one this year had 1. The only exceptions seem to be Inzane and Hotglues GOTF.

It sounds like you are making a very appealing offer and the ride well organized.  Maybe the fact that it allows cages in detracts from the exclusiveness a motorcycle rider is looking for.  Just a guess.

RM

[Toledo Mark]

Even with me being only about 2 hours away I have a hard time commiting to anything outside work.  You can say I pretty much work 7 days a week.  I don't even get to pick which weeks I take a vacation.   I usually ride about 5000 miles a year but most rides are last minute decisions.  You might think I work for the government or something but I just manage a buch of guys that sell potato chips.  Great job, excellent pay, just long hours.

[solo1]

Thank all of you for your thoughtful responses. They're really helpful.

I've talked to Mark about just getting a few together for a ride.  That's where it's at really.  When you start planning to put on the feed it gets more complicated.

I think Smokin' Joe has the right idea. He always seems to have great responses.  Northern Indiana doesn't have the nice riding (curves, etc) but I think that we would have better luck with just putting a ride together and finding a decent place to eat and meet.  Makes it a whole lot easier.

The big problem that we have in New Haven (and Ft. Wayne) for overnight stays is that our solitary Holiday Inn is VERY proud of its place and the room costs is high.  Ft. Wayne rates are even higher. We do have Mom and Pops motels but you would have to bring protection and bug spray, Yechh!

This Mayors Ride is Ok but the director of that has a bit of an  attitude.  He wanted to put on a loud pipe contest because "we need that to get the riders to come"   The first year that did happen.  The last year and this year, it won't happen.  I'm a Board of Works member who approves events and it was no way for me.

To be honest, I've always signed up for the ride and donated toward it but haven't ridden in it yet. I, too, don't like to ride with unknown riders for obvious reasons.  The ride is ok and afterward, is great and it's a worthwhile charity for veterans.  The veterans display in the park has been done very well with all the flags of the services flown, along with memorial bricks.

I'm going to suggest to Mark to play it by ear.  Maybe we can get a few riders together and kick tires after the ride. Maybe hit a decent restaurant.   If not, that's ok too.

Thanks a lot for the ideas.

[rainman]

That's a sunday ride its hard for out-of town ( state ) folks to make a sunday ride.Another thing for me is the group deal with all the yuppie Harley rider that can't ride I hate riding these kind of rides. Maybe y'all should pick a motel make a post and just tell folks to come hang out and ride and if you do pick a motel stay at it and hang out with folks . I've stayed in a motel less than 8 miles from my house on several of the rides I've had around here. That's as big a deal as anything being with the folks that you have invited to come ride. Hangin' out at night around the bikes in the parking lot is where you get to know folks.....Everything here is just my opinion 

+1
I think Joe hit the nail on the head. Sundays are bad for a lot of forks me for one

[Gear Jammer]

While discussing similar situations with T.P. ,  he commented " it's like herding cats"    ,,,,,, I found this to be a pretty accurate assessment 

[f6john]

     I echo what has already been said. It's 9:30 PM and I just decided I can get away tomorrow for the meet and greet in Bardstown Ky . Not   necessarily the best decision for family harmony but I need a day! I for one am hoping for better days in the future, I really didn't see the economy and life in general going in the direction it has for me. Not crying here, I am blessed, and better off than an abundance of people.

[Phil57]

I'm about 3 hours north and thinking of making the trip. I'm not working so that's not a issue as far as Sunday ride. I am not sure I can make that long of a ride but I'm. Sure I can't do it in one day. Is there a close by hotel /motel that would work. Not a flea bag but not the ritz. New and clean. Keep posting your plans and I'll see if it will work for me. I would spend Sat and Sunday if I make it.

[doubletee]

Solo1,
I simply don't participate in those mass public rides any more. There are too many idiots who don't know how to ride who show up for those things. I just don't want to be part of them.

I'd be much more inclined to participate in a smaller, more intimate group ride. And, I know I didn't make it to your last organized ride. I apologize for that. It wasn't that we didn't want to attend. We were dealing with end of life issues with my mother in-law, not to mention a horrendously busy work schedule on top of it.

The other general thing I'll throw out there is that NE Indiana isn't exactly a hotbed of great riding roads.    So, I can see why more people aren't terribly excited to come here for a ride. I don't believe you're doing anything wrong.

[fudgie]

Not sure what we can do.  Its always a good time up with you all.
With my work schedual I'm usually gar to work at least 1 weekend day so it makes it even harder. If kit gets her tt's done she will be off bike for a couple weeks. Ind has been lacking for yrs except with the HSRI/CBR. When those closed Ind kinda died off. With scobbys/ rainmans ind ride coming back those are picking up steam. Ind will be back on the map. Like we know, not alot of stuff to do up here. Kit and I and a HD bud usually head to the reservoir to ride. With 3 of them here in 3-4 counties, it makes for a long day. We pick a county road and see where it goes. We are into history/Indian cutlures/battlefields and there is alot of it along the Wabash River.
Its gonna be hard to please everyone. Pick something ya like and roll with it from there and see what the interest would be.

[solo1]

You're right Brian, NE Indy is not a good place for lots of curves plus blacktop roads have a habit of changing to deep gravel around the next curve. I know, last year I ended up in deep gravel and wasn't ready for it.  Luckily, the Vstrom was.

I posted the Mayors ride just to let you know about it.  It's sponsored by the Park Board and attracts mostly Harleys with riders of unknown skills. Last year, the ride was on interstate only. Not much fun . 

Maybe Mark and i can come up with a Saturday ride up to the lake region. Some nice roads but no curves.  Highway 327 is nice.  If we do, it'll be just a posting and meet somewhere and follow up with a decent restaurant. 

We would welcome Valk riders to the Mayor's Ride but, as you can see, it's not even close to what Smokin' Joe or others, come up with.  Mark will probably ride it but maybe I won't.

[fudgie]

Yea that ride sounds good. 

[rainman]

Yea that ride sounds good.  

mark pm me when you get the ride up.  How far is to the Amish country do some lakes and take in some of amish country. May be some amish cooken

[rainman]

any nice chep mon & pops around your area with out staying in Fort Wayne?
then we could all meet up there and do the norm.

bring on and lets ride

[Lyn-Del]

Maybe y'all should pick a motel make a post and just tell folks to come hang out and ride and if you do pick a motel stay at it and hang out with folks . I've stayed in a motel less than 8 miles from my house on several of the rides I've had around here. That's as big a deal as anything being with the folks that you have invited to come ride. Hangin' out at night around the bikes in the parking lot is where you get to know folks.....Everything here is just my opinion 

That's how Early Bird got the Mid Winter Gathering started.  He asked me what I thought and I told him exactly that -- pick a motel, post the information, and relax.

We hold wrench parties here (it's been a while, need to work on that), and sometimes we get 1 or 2, sometimes 12 or more.

I don't ride with non-Valk folks I don't know either, don't care for group riding much at all.  But I do enjoy the gatherings at the end of the day!

[YoungPUP]

Sorry, I seem to have missed the post for the Mayors ride. Unfortunately I'm limited on funds/available time do rides outside of maybe 1 a month. 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Maybe Mark and i can come up with a Saturday ride up to the lake region. Some nice roads but no curves.  Highway 327 is nice.  If we do, it'll be just a posting and meet somewhere and follow up with a decent restaurant. 

That sounds good. With that type of ride if someone realizes at the last minute that work is gonna let them off the hook they could just show up without feeling bad about sticking you with unplanned mouths to feed.

[solo1]

mark pm me when you get the ride up.  How far is to the Amish country do some lakes and take in some of amish country. May be some amish cooken

Quote

We have Amish farms within about three miles of New Haven.  There's a Mom and Pop restaurant in Woodburn that has Amish baked pies about 12 miles from here.   

The Amish 'tourist traps' are in Nappaneee, too far to ride for touristy IMO.

About Mom and pop motels,  i'll have to see. As i mentioned, the Holiday Inn here is not cheap and our Mom and Pop motels are bad.

I'll talk to mark.