Maybe this needs a New Post!! Mountains any one?

[FloridaValkRyder]

Once again, depending on exact time and location selected for Inzane 14, I too might just spend that week in Smokehole or some other Appalachian area. If the location is way west I might just do the replacement trip in mid June with "slightly" cooler temps and less rain than hot July.
James

James, you and Bill may have something there.  If InZane is somewhere we would rather not travel to, like Bill so aptly stated, the wilds of BFE, Colorado, Arizona (TMBK), New Orleans (Really?) South Dakota (Not a chance for me) , we could have our own little "Florida In The Mountains" event!! We all know some great places up that way, most of us have extensive ride time up there, I have a trailer to haul my bike up there (no 10 hour ride for me thanks).. , We could do it while it's still cool up there, like early June, late September or when ever we all decided to "wander on up thataway". Just a thought...... Heck, just getting up there could be a major good time event if we all met and went up together! I would certainly be willing to put forth some of the organization required to pull it off if I could get some help. Whatchall think?

Just picture it.... 15 or 20 Florida Valks leaning into this turn.....

...at 110 MPH, pegs scraping, sparks flying everywhere, people running for their lives......


       

[Grumpy]

Always have room for a couple in my toy hauler. I will probably take it if staying for a week or so.

[Grumpy]

Always have room for a couple in my toy hauler. I will probably take it if staying for a week or so.

As to a date, later part of May or Early June works for me, weather is still cool then and roads are a little less congested then. But that said, the majority rules, some thing that works for all that want to go.

[Pappy!]

Gees - I cant leave you guys anywhere without y'all getting in trouble !!!
Having said that.....save a spot for me guys!

[FloridaValkRyder]

Gees - I cant leave you guys anywhere without y'all getting in trouble !!!

That's hilarious Pappy... We have put that behind us now. I guess I was bad but now I'm better!

Bill, I'm kind of partial to latter part of May myself, before school's let out and after the rafting places open up!! And I'm certainly up for a week myself but y'all can stay as long or as short as you want to. Thanks for the toy hauler offer Bill. I'll be trailering mine as well. I don't know if I can get 2 on there or not.
If we really want to do this, and I really do, we need as much feedback as quickly as possible. Consensus rules. Probably looking at the S/W NC area, Maggie Valley, etc. Let's do this!! strike that..I hear that at HD all day every day, it's our new slogan. 

[valkchik]

That's a great idea if the Inzane location sucks.  We like the middle to end of May for Maggie Valley. That's the best time before schools let out.  But there are two events in May that will make the roads and lodging busy that time of year.  Maybe we could go a week earlier? A group of Valks would be a hard act for the HDs to follow.

• Maggie Valley Spring Bike Rally - May 23–25, 2014
• Memorial Day - May 26, 2014

[FloridaValkRyder]

That's a great idea if the Inzane location sucks.  We like the middle to end of May for Maggie Valley. That's the best time before schools let out.  But there are two events in May that will make the roads and lodging busy that time of year.  Maybe we could go a week earlier? A group of Valks would be a hard act for the HDs to follow.

• Maggie Valley Spring Bike Rally - May 23–25, 2014
• Memorial Day - May 26, 2014

Good research Pennie. I definitely don't want to compete with the Spring Bike Rally. They say it's a well attended event and of course the Holiday weekend would be best missed as well. A week earlier would be OK with me. The prior weekend would be 17th and 18th, maybe get out of town by the 22nd or 23rd. The week after the rally would be the 31st of May/June 1st. That would also avoid the holiday weekend and rally. But, we might be dealing with the schools letting out and vacations starting for people. Don't know when their official "Peak Season" begins.

[indiandave]

Count me in if work will left me off. Need a firm Date 1st. 

[FloridaValkRyder]

We are going to try and nail some stuff down as quickly as possible Dave. Haven't been getting a big response as yet, but I got into a discussion yesterday that slowed things down a bit, so folks may be mulling it over. Thanks for responding! Jeff

[larue]

You got my vote Jeff
+1

[billyboy]

I'm in on this.     I may go to Inzane also if it's not too far away.
Maybe get with Smoking Joe as he seems to know all the good places to stay
but to get a discount on rooms we will need to have so many booked for the stay.
Not sure how many it takes though. This could be alot of fun. Will help in anyway I can.
Just let me know.     Bill

[IamGCW]

If my schedule permits we are in.

Crystal and Gil

[Grumpy]

I may stay at an rv park with the toy hauler, found a nice one in Maggie Valley about 1/4 mile from Wheels through Time.

[James III]

Yes, I believe it can be a very enjoyable gathering. As an earlier planning date that keeps us out of the extreme heat, I'm sure the timing won't conflict with the national meet, no matter the location or timing. As to a date; I as semi retired yield to those that must schedule vacation time. I would like to avoid holiday or other bike events in the chosen area. I am planning to attend Hotglue's & Flamingo Babe's BBQ charity event that happens in April, in Texas.
We have a couple of already scheduled meet - ups so hopefully we can take a little time and discuss our options together.
I still wouldn't mind a long weekender up in the panhandle area yet this year.

James  

[flsix]

This ride would be at a time of year that is good for me to get away, just before the growing season season starts in SW Fl.

And the area is hard to beat as far as great roads are concerned.

I'd love to do this if it actually comes together.

Just got what could be considered approval from my better half. That's a good thing because as we all know,  "If Mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy".

First or second week of May sounds good if it works with others schedules.

[FloridaValkRyder]

Thanks for all the input you guys. So, if I'm reading this correctly, seems to be a lot of interest in the 2nd or 3rd week of May. I have been checking annual weather stats, reliability unknown, but a good planning tool. The difference in May and June temps is only a couple of degrees, rain fall about the same, definitely a quieter time up there. Spring has sprung but still may hit some cooler temps, which is just fine by me (BTW, I will never be caught without adequate riding gear ever again). I'm going to begin looking at motels that can accommodate a larger group and may give us a discount of some sort, maybe with a fire pit out front, saw several like that last month. InZane is looking like some time in June, maybe 2nd or 3rd week. Carl stated that to go from the VOAI National Ride-In to InZane would be an Iron Butt ride, which usually means 1000 miles or so. The VOAI thing is in Arkansas so it doesn't appear that InZane will be in the southeast. I'm purely guessing here, but my point is that if one were so inclined they could do both events, ours and InZane, without any conflict. I would definitely like to hear from any one who may even be remotely interested in doing this. I think this would be such a great time. So planning presses on.

On a different point. I want to apologize to you guys for the diatribe between myself and Carl (Willow). I felt unfairly attacked and as a result, felt obligated to respond in kind. I regret the incident but feel like it was necessary and warranted. I have the utmost of respect for Carl and still do today. Thanks for understanding. Jeff

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

Hey Jeff,We are interested also.

[FloridaValkRyder]

Hey Jeff,We are interested also.

Thanks Bert. I'm starting a list of possibles! 

[FloridaValkRyder]

Well, I'm going to have to put this thing on hold for a few weeks. I have had some things come up that need my attention. I'm going to keep checking around but can't give this much time right now. We still have plenty of time to plan something, even in May. Everyone needs to give it some thought as to whether you may or may not want to proceed. We will get back to this soon. Thanks.

[Pappy!]

Ya' know....another option is to put the bikes on the Auto Train in Sanford.....ride up in comfort and let the fun begin on the way back South!

[flsix]

Pappy I've never done anything with the auto train but that may be a fun option.

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

I have always wanted to do the Auto Train Ride. We may just have to do this one in the Near Future.

[F6MoRider]

+1 on the try out of the auto train.

[FloridaValkRyder]

That might be an adventure for sure. I have never done the train. Doesn't it go to DC? Then a short ride west to the Skyline Drive, which turns into the BRP.......

[James III]

As recorded in another post, I have done the autotrain several times. Sanford, Florida to Lorton, Va. in seventeen hours. (Lorton is about 30 miles south of D.C.) If you can sleep well in a semi upright coach seat then you would be ok; otherwise by the time you get to Lorton, you will be beat. The ride is good, bar is good, and the dinner is actually pretty fair.(I always get the braised beef. Chicken cordon blue is the other option as I remember) The train stops during the night for about 30 minutes or so to refuel and change crews. Private sleepers in several arrangements can be purchased but must be done so at the time of your basic ticket.(online) Reservations and check-in should be done together if wanting to be in the same coach car. Coach passengers cannot go to sleeper cars. Smoking is permitted in the lower smoking car area. A lot of pluses and a few negatives to the autotrain. Each time I affirm that I won't do coach again, I do it anyway....

James

[Pappy!]

Well, if the sleepers have two bunks, we can share costs and get there all refreshed!

[FloridaValkRyder]

Well, I checked their web site. 2 adults, my wife would probably come too, with the bike and the roomette $786.00. Was a little more than I expected. I think it would be quite an adventure though.

[flsix]

That is more than anticipated. If a roomette were to be shared you would have the cost of another bike added to that total.

[James III]

Just a couple of notes: My last trip on the Autotrain was Sept, 2012. With AAA discount the cost, one way(north) was $217.00. I have never ridden the train back south, we always ride home(3 of us). Our first overnight stop is always Waynesboro, Va. after riding around scenic Shenandoah. No matter your sleeping accomodations, you must purchase a coach ticket, then add the roomette or multi sleeper rooming. Add the cost of your bike transport to the basic ticket. Coach passengers are not permitted to visit roomettes or other sleeping quarters.
In my three trips, the train has never been, or we were never put in a crowed car. We always checked in together, so the assigned seats were close in area but not together. None of us ever had another passenger sitting with us. A movie is played during the trip, but I bring my DVD player and watch a movie of my choice. My small group takes advantage of the bar/adult beverage area and snakes well into the trip. Smoking lounges are at the lower area of the selected smoking cars. You can carry your drinks or snacks to your coach seats to enjoy or sit in the bar area. The ride is fairly smooth but the coach doors are noisy during the night. I have never been able to sleep more than a few minutes at a time during the night. The coach seats lay back a few degrees but not as much as really needed. Breakfast is pretty simple but enough to get you moving. The train enters Lorton, Va about 10 or 10:30 am the next morning. Your bikes are unloaded and off you go. It is hard to justify the sleeper cost for a seventeen hour ride, but the general coach discomfort does make you think twice about it. I checked the autotrain site and it looks like the prices have gone up slightly. I also believe you have to make your reservations online only. One last note: The autotrain only runs Sanford, FL to Lorton, Va. or Lorton to Sanford....there are no other autotrain routes. The autotrain when I last checked was the only profitable Amtrak line in America........It is booked solid at certain times of the year.

James

[Pappy!]

Hell, $217 is pretty reasonable..........only way I know of to drink and sorta drive legally!
And....a cigar will stay lit on that sucker!
Would rather do it that way and spend an extra day tooling around in the mountains...I hear fresh air is good for the body!

[Pappy!]

Talked to Lesa tonight. She will be riding her VStar 1100 with us.
It is a definite. Depending on when and where Inzane is of course. One or the other we are going.
If it is the mountains, we will be putting two bikes on the Auto Train and going up that way. The experience of doing it will be fun. We are not getting any younger, folks.....and you can't take it with you!  So the Auto Train it is for us. Who's in???
May make a stop around Warner-Robbins on the way home but would like to experience whatever back roads you use to get back to Fla. without super-slabbing it.

[flsix]

And just where and when is Inzane going to happen? That is the $64,000.oo question.
This still sounds like a good time.

[RonHolly]

After living in Tennessee and South Dakota, the bumps of Florida are a real let down for me.  The "hell" of it all is that when living in those states I didn't even own a moto!  Fun times and adventures lost!   

[Pappy!]

After living in Tennessee and South Dakota, the bumps of Florida are a real let down for me.  The "hell" of it all is that when living in those states I didn't even own a moto!  Fun times and adventures lost!   

Well................quit your cryin' and come on!

[Valkahuna]

All depends upon dates. We would have to fly back down to FL msince we leave for New England early May, pick up the Valk, take the Autotrain North, ride south, and then fly North again. Sounds a bit dumb maybe? Maybe I should just ride the HD south, meet up with you all, and then ride North again. 

Like I said, get some dates set, and I'll decide then.