MEET IN THE MIDDLE RIDE 2012

[3fan4life]

The arrangements for the NORTHERN leg of the MEET IN THE MIDDLE RIDE 2012 have been made.

The DAYS INN in Waynesboro,VA will again be GROUND ZERO for the Gathering on

FRIDAY AUGUST 31st.


WE presently have 20 rooms blocked off:

15 Non Smoking and 5 Smoking.

The rate will be $60.00 plus tax.

The likely hood of getting anymore non smoking rooms blocked off is very slim, the availability of additional smoking rooms is only slightly better.

The manager told me that the hotel is already nearly sold out due to other events in the area (this is Labor Day Weekend).

So if you want to join the northern leg of this ride, give the hotel a call ASAP.


The Days Inn phone number is:  540 943 1106

Tell them that you are with the "VRCC RIDE" when you book your room to get the special rate.


The hotel is located just off of I-64 at VA exit 94. 



If by some chance you don't know what the "Meet in The Middle Ride" is, let me explain:

A group of VRCC members will be meeting in Waynesboro, VA on August 31st for some tire kickin' and BS'n.

Then on Saturday September 1st we will ride the Blue Ridge Parkway south until we meet up with another group of VRCC members riding north (somewhere near the middle).

Smokin' Joe will be handling the details of the starting point for the southern leg and for the "MEETING IN THE MIDDLE" on Saturday night.


EVERYONE had a great time at this event last year and we expect nothing less this year.   

So, pick an end to start from and get signed up. 

[3fan4life]

I forgot something very important:


THE HOTEL WILL ONLY HOLD THE ROOMS UNTIL JULY 31st,  AFTER THAT ANY UNUSED ROOMS WILL AGAIN BE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.


So if you are thinking that you might like to go, call and book a room soon. 

[Ice]

We are in, reservations made. Cant wait to se all the folks again.
If you never been you should go, its a great time had by all, and the ride is spectacular.
Mark thanks for setting this up again this year.

[Jess from VA]

I'm in.   

[xman]

Is there any hotel arrangements for Saturday night?

Tom

[Jess from VA]

Is there any hotel arrangements for Saturday night?
Tom

As explained above, Joe is working the Southern end of the ride and will let us know of the Sat nite motel in due course.

[Ice]

BUMP!!!!! 

[3fan4life]

  BUMP 

I want to make sure that everyone has a chance to see this.


Really hoping for a big turnout.

[3fan4life]

  BUMP 

[3fan4life]

  BUMP 


Time is running out for a guaranteed room on the Waynesboro, VA end.

July 31st is the deadline for the Days Inn.


Smokin' Joe said that he has the south end taken care of and will be posting details after Inzane.

The ride is definitely a go.


If you are even thinking that you might like to ride with the Northern Group don't wait reserve your room NOW.

If you snooze, you might be able to get a room at one of the nearby hotels but it will be more $$$$.
   

[Ice]

Mark you beat me to it, I was just going to give this the mid week BUMP 

[3fan4life]

Mark you beat me to it, I was just going to give this the mid week BUMP 

Thanks for having my back buddy. 

[Ice]

Friday BUMP....

Its hard to beleive that last year we sold out the block of rooms in a week, and this year no intrest???

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Friday BUMP....

Its hard to beleive that last year we sold out the block of rooms in a week, and this year no intrest???

Right now you have a bunch of folks that's reeling from the $$$$ they will spend at InZane...That's why I'm holding my end until after InZane too give folks that want to make this ride alittle time to recover and see if they have the buck$ to make this ride.

[3fan4life]

Friday BUMP....

Its hard to beleive that last year we sold out the block of rooms in a week, and this year no intrest???

Right now you have a bunch of folks that's reeling from the $$$$ they will spend at InZane...That's why I'm holding my end until after InZane too give folks that want to make this ride alittle time to recover and see if they have the buck$ to make this ride.

I do realize what it means to have to plan and budget for things, especially in these tough times.


I just spoke with the manager at the Waynesboro, VA Days Inn.

So far only 3 of the 20 rooms that they blocked off for us have been reserved.

She is happy to continue to hold the rooms for us until the agreed upon cutoff date of July 31, 2012.

However, there is NO possibility of her holding any unreserved rooms beyond that date.

It seems that there is a major college soccer tournament going on in Charlottesville, VA that weekend and ALL hotels in the area are selling out.

The remaining rooms at the hotel next door are already up to $120 per night and a Hindu Hilton in Charlottesville is up to $500 per night for theirs.

Given the low interest to date in our block of rooms and the fact that another group is chomping at the bit to get them and are willing to pay more $$, I think that the manager should be commended for sticking with us.

Additionally, The hotels liberal 24 hr cancellation policy still applies (the manager also hinted that emergency cancellations would be accepted without penalty as late as the morning of Aug 31 st).

So if you are sitting on the fence or are even thinking about going on this ride:

BOOK A ROOM NOW. (PLEASE  )   

[GiG]

Right now you have a bunch of folks that's reeling from the $$$$ they will spend at InZane...That's why I'm holding my end until after InZane too give folks that want to make this ride alittle time to recover and see if they have the buck$ to make this ride.

Joe:
I need some help with the Saturday accommodations.
After InZane is GiG`s extended North American Tour 2012 and I probably will miss your post with hotel info for Saturday. LuLu & I are really looking forward to this ride and don't want to miss out on Saturday accommodations.
Can you shoot me an email with Saturday hotel info so I may make arrangements from the road while away from computers? 
I will wait until after InZane, not trying to "get the jump" on anyone, just don't want to miss the boat while running down some major roads out West, so if you can let me know the location and secret password, that would be Smokin'...
Cheers,
GiG

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Right now you have a bunch of folks that's reeling from the $$$$ they will spend at InZane...That's why I'm holding my end until after InZane too give folks that want to make this ride alittle time to recover and see if they have the buck$ to make this ride.

Joe:
I need some help with the Saturday accommodations.
After InZane is GiG`s extended North American Tour 2012 and I probably will miss your post with hotel info for Saturday. LuLu & I are really looking forward to this ride and don't want to miss out on Saturday accommodations.
Can you shoot me an email with Saturday hotel info so I may make arrangements from the road while away from computers? 
I will wait until after InZane, not trying to "get the jump" on anyone, just don't want to miss the boat while running down some major roads out West, so if you can let me know the location and secret password, that would be Smokin'...
Cheers,
GiG

Tell you what I'll do when I get my room I'll get you one as well I can take your word you will be there    Single king no smoking <---Correct ?

[f6gal]

Right now you have a bunch of folks that's reeling from the $$$$ they will spend at InZane...That's why I'm holding my end until after InZane too give folks that want to make this ride alittle time to recover and see if they have the buck$ to make this ride.

Joe:
I need some help with the Saturday accommodations.
After InZane is GiG`s extended North American Tour 2012 and I probably will miss your post with hotel info for Saturday. LuLu & I are really looking forward to this ride and don't want to miss out on Saturday accommodations.
Can you shoot me an email with Saturday hotel info so I may make arrangements from the road while away from computers? 
I will wait until after InZane, not trying to "get the jump" on anyone, just don't want to miss the boat while running down some major roads out West, so if you can let me know the location and secret password, that would be Smokin'...
Cheers,
GiG

Tell you what I'll do when I get my room I'll get you one as well I can take your word you will be there    Single king no smoking <---Correct ?

What city is the starting point for the Southern part?

[GiG]

Tell you what I'll do when I get my room I'll get you one as well I can take your word you will be there    Single king no smoking <---Correct

You Da MAN Joe! Thanks a million - you KNOW I will be there with whatshername!!! 

Yes - Single king no smoking 1st floor, please - (2 Queens OK if no King, Smoking OK if non-Smoking is not available)

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you - this takes a load off, so I don't hafta woory about it while I am on the road out West...
CHEERS! 

[3fan4life]

     JUST GIVING HER A LITTLE MID-WEEK BUMP     

[3fan4life]

OK GUYS

The DEADLINE is here for room reservations for the NORTHERN LEG of the

MEET IN THE MIDDLE RIDE 2012.


IF YOU WANT TO RIDE WITH THE GROUP THAT IS LEAVING FROM WAYNESBORO, VA and YOU WANT A PLACE TO STAY ON FRIDAY NIGHT (AUG 31st)

YOU MUST  BOOK YOUR ROOM  TODAY



The Days Inn in Waynesboro will release any unsold rooms that they have blocked off for us TOMORROW.


They have been REALLY good to work with but for the REASONS outlined earlier in the thread they cannot hold our rooms beyond the cutoff date.


They do have a liberal cancellation policy and the rooms are at a discount rate,

so if you are even just considering going on this ride I HIGHLY suggest that you give them a call: NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW  NOW. 

BTW:

The CAPS aren't meant to be YELLING at you,

I just used them to get your attention.     

[lonewolf/va]

Mark,  I've been debating this for awhile I can't make this one funds will not allow sorry you guys have a great time and ride safe.

[3fan4life]

The Hotel manager in Waynesboro, VA just called me.


She will continue to hold our un-booked rooms until Close Of Business (5 PM EST) TODAY.


If you are still on the fence, NOW is the time to get off of it.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Answered PM Mark.....You need to post here and see if you can get someone to handle the south end...My world is upside down and I doubt I'll be makin' this ride.

[3fan4life]

As you can see from Joe's post above he has some things going on and won't be able to make any arrangements for the Southern end of this ride after all.

(Sorry Joe, I feel for you brother and I'm wishing you all the best). 


I have made arrangements for the Northern end and should be able to make arrangements for the middle (SAT NIGHT) soon.


But, I cannot handle both the northern and southern ends.

If we are still going to make this ride happen,  I need for someone to step up and handle arrangements for the southern end on Friday night Aug 31st.



At present we only have 3 bikes that are committed to riding from the north.

I spoke with the hotel manager in Waynesboro yesterday and while our rooms are no longer guaranteed, she did state that if someone called and mentioned VRCC RIDE that if any rooms were available that they could still be had at the discounted rate.
 

Even if we can't make this ride happen again and I hope that we can.



We will still do something on our end.

I'm not sure what yet but it will be a ride of some kind.




I'm going to start looking for a MEET IN THE MIDDLE location now, but before I can firm anythng up I need to know that someone has the southern end covered and that this ride is going to happen.


So, if you can and are willing to help please get with me soon.

Post, or  Shoot me a PM or E-mail and I will give you my cell #.   

[Ice]

Mark, cant help you with the southern end, but Petra and I will be there, and if it does not happen for whatever reason I am sure we will have a good time as always.
This was a great event last year and I hope that we can make it a regular thing...

[Jess from VA]

IF a Southern end does not come together, I suggest we consider a ride West into WVA instead of due South.  250 is awesome. 

[3fan4life]

IF a Southern end does not come together, I suggest we consider a ride West into WVA instead of due South.  250 is awesome. 

I sent you a PM with some alternative ideas to kick around.

That is definitely one of them. 

[3fan4life]

   BUMP   

[Oss]

we took 50 out from Winchester area a few years back then south to Marlinton

Some great roads  I like 33 and 39 also

Not so much fun if pulling a trailer and 2 up in the rain though

have a great ride whichever route you take

[Ice]

Joe, Correct me if I am wrong, but from the sounds of your converstaion with Motor City you had some plan for a motel along the route? 

@ all the southern folks that attended last year or would like to attend this year, maybe one of you could get with Joe and get the information from him and coordinate???
Its just a suggestion seeing that Joe unfortunately is unable to make the ride this time.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Joe, Correct me if I am wrong, but from the sounds of your converstaion with Motor City you had some plan for a motel along the route? 

@ all the southern folks that attended last year or would like to attend this year, maybe one of you could get with Joe and get the information from him and coordinate???
Its just a suggestion seeing that Joe unfortunately is unable to make the ride this time.

Galax,Va is pretty much half-way on the BRP the motel we used last year was the one I was going to contact...I can't remember the name of the place I live on the road working and all motels look the same to me .

[Rams]

Maybe I missed it but, I was wondering, just where is the middle?   Not saying I can make it but, a little more info would help me look into it.  Little chance of meeting up with either group for the ride there but, there is a possibility I could also meet some in the middle  if I knew where that was.

[3fan4life]

Joe, Correct me if I am wrong, but from the sounds of your converstaion with Motor City you had some plan for a motel along the route?  

@ all the southern folks that attended last year or would like to attend this year, maybe one of you could get with Joe and get the information from him and coordinate???
Its just a suggestion seeing that Joe unfortunately is unable to make the ride this time.

Galax,Va is pretty much half-way on the BRP the motel we used last year was the one I was going to contact...I can't remember the name of the place I live on the road working and all motels look the same to me .

Maybe I missed it but, I was wondering, just where is the middle?   Not saying I can make it but, a little more info would help me look into it.  Little chance of meeting up with either group for the ride there but, there is a possibility I could also meet some in the middle  if I knew where that was.

It was the Allegheny Inn in Sparta, NC.

I just spoke with the manager there, he says that room availability for Sep 1st is still good @ the moment.  Rooms would be $69 + tax.

This is Labor Day weekend, the same weekend that nearby Galax, VA hosts a HUGE flea market, so the availability could change quickly.

I didn't ask him to block off any rooms since at the moment there is no starting point for the southern end.      



There is just no way that I can handle making arrangements for a southern starting point.

Well I guess I could make some phone calls, but since I couldn't be there to meet with anyone on Friday night it just doesn't make sense for me to.


Hopefully, someone will step up to arrange a southern starting point.




Just in case this doesn't come together, we ARE STILL planning something for the northern end.

ICE, JESS and myself are kicking around some ideas.

There are a few rooms available at the Days Inn in Waynesboro, VA and management there has agreed to still give the discount rate to anyone that mentions VRCC RIDE when they book their room.


SO,

We are still trying to put together the  2012 MEET IN THE MIDDLE RIDE.


HOWEVER,

If we can't make it happen, you can still meet us in Waynesboro, VA on Friday August 31st for the

2012 LABOR DAY WEEKEND MYSTERY RIDE  




 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Maybe I missed it but, I was wondering, just where is the middle?   Not saying I can make it but, a little more info would help me look into it.  Little chance of meeting up with either group for the ride there but, there is a possibility I could also meet some in the middle  if I knew where that was.

You can't get more " middle " than Galax,Va and still be close to the BRP. I've used West Jefferson,NC also as a mid-way over-night.

[3fan4life]

Maybe I missed it but, I was wondering, just where is the middle?   Not saying I can make it but, a little more info would help me look into it.  Little chance of meeting up with either group for the ride there but, there is a possibility I could also meet some in the middle  if I knew where that was.

You can't get more " middle " than Galax,Va and still be close to the BRP. I've used West Jefferson,NC also as a mid-way over-night.

That was going to be my second choice.

It might just be a coincidence but I had to buy "Ginger" a new camera shortly after she took that PIC 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Maybe I missed it but, I was wondering, just where is the middle?   Not saying I can make it but, a little more info would help me look into it.  Little chance of meeting up with either group for the ride there but, there is a possibility I could also meet some in the middle  if I knew where that was.

You can't get more " middle " than Galax,Va and still be close to the BRP. I've used West Jefferson,NC also as a mid-way over-night.

That was going to be my second choice.

It might just be a coincidence but I had to buy "Ginger" a new camera shortly after she took that PIC 

I'm still not out 100% on this ride and will let you know by tomorrow ( saturday ) if I'm a go or no.If I go I'll post the southern end information by the evening of 8-4-12.

[3fan4life]

I'm still not out 100% on this ride and will let you know by tomorrow ( saturday ) if I'm a go or no.If I go I'll post the southern end information by the evening of 8-4-12.

That's cool Joe.

As far as the "Middle" my thought is to just post the hotel info for the Allegheny Inn and have those that want to join us call them and make reservations.


 

[hubcapsc]

I'm still not out 100% on this ride and will let you know by tomorrow ( saturday ) if I'm a go or no.If I go I'll post the southern end information by the evening of 8-4-12.

That's cool Joe.

As far as the "Middle" my thought is to just post the hotel info for the Allegheny Inn and have those that want to join us call them and make reservations.


 

I've been on the fence about helping out as the
Southern-coordinator because I'm on-call that
weekend.

Were I to go and/or coordinate, I really like the
Holiday Motel in Maggie Valley...

http://holidaymotel.net/



-Mike

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I'm still not out 100% on this ride and will let you know by tomorrow ( saturday ) if I'm a go or no.If I go I'll post the southern end information by the evening of 8-4-12.

That's cool Joe.

As far as the "Middle" my thought is to just post the hotel info for the Allegheny Inn and have those that want to join us call them and make reservations.


 

West Jefferson,NC is around 260 plus miles for the northern folks from mm#0 at Waynesboro,Va. its about 210 plus  miles for the southern folks from Cherokee,NC at mm#469 . However if I do this the hook-up point for the southern end will add another 95 miles to this making our group do a 300 plus mile ride that saturday 8-1-12....I'm liking West Jefferson better since the world largest flea market is in town at the Allegheny Inn in  Sparta, NC.I've talked to both motels and West Jefferson just seems a better deal with the local stores and restaurants all in walking distance.