InZane XIX...

[f6gal]

I think y'all may be mistaken as to why Willow found those guesses disturbing.

Willow, I don't think I made a threat... just stated a possible course of events.

[Disco]

..., but I'd really like IZ to be in a state that we've only blasted through on our travels.  While hitting them all in a relative hurry, we've seen lots of places we'd like to go back to and spend more time. 

Name off a few.  Maybe it will give us some ideas for the future.

I know how hard it is to pick a place that works for everyone on all levels.  It's hard for us in DFW to maintain interest in monthly meetings and I watch the same struggle in Houston.  Move them around and, depending on location, they become more and less convenient to everyone.  Keep them in the same spot and they're boring.  Keep them within a tight radius and they just take longer to get boring.  Expand the area and number of participants by orders of magnitude to put on an InZane and it gets really difficult really fast. 

So, for all the work that has to be done to organize an event every year, thank you again, Staff!   

I realize the natural tendency is to try to "fish where the fish are" by keeping locations somewhat focused.  But focused on what?  Curvy mountain roads?  Other natural wonders?  Areas with rich history?  Higher latitudes / elevations / cooler temperatures?  Concentration of VRCC members?  Close enough for participants from states "that travel well"?  Locations that can be attended by taking only a week or a week and a few days off?  Finding the right blend of all of those is difficult enough without the filters that then must be applied regarding facilities, etc.  Even then, no one can foretell or control the rain or heat.

The drop-off in attendance at repeat locations is well documented.  What I find very interesting are the several attendance spikes when visiting a location for the first time. 

All InZanes have been in these states


No InZanes have been in these states


As you can see, there are lots of unexplored areas to choose from.  Do they all deserve equal consideration?  Of course not.  Without getting too scientific trying to tie attendance to latitudes, elevations, miles away from the last event, etc, here is my butt dyno list of states I'd like to spend more time in.

Disco's personal suggestion for states to be considered for first time InZanes


As f6gal and Horace Greeley seem focused on the west, that's where I'll start and go clockwise.

Northern New Mexico - Taos or Santa Fe (more pricey, though) - mild temps, mountains, scenery, history
Northern Arizona - I've never been to the Grand Canyon - is there anywhere to stay close by?  Flagstaff?  Kingman?  St George, Utah?
Utah - so much to see there - I'd imagine temperatures would be a major consideration, but the beauty is hard to describe
Nevada - I know it's sparse - Carson City and Reno are close to Lake Tahoe, and that is something to see.
Northern California - north of a line between Lake Tahoe and the coast - our ride from Chester to Fortuna may be my favorite day ever, and we barely scratched to surface
Oregon - again, we only scratched the surface by riding the coast, but that is something everyone should see - lots of natural beauty in Oregon
Washington - it's Pacific Northwest, mountains, trees, it's great - riding 14 along and above the Columbia River = Wow
Idaho - we only crossed the panhandle from Clarkston, WA and Lewiston, ID to Lolo, but that was spectacular - lots more to see in Idaho
Western Wyoming - it's greener on the western side - anything close to Grand Teton and Yellowstone
Minnesota / Iowa / Missouri - Duluth, north shore of Lake Superior, forests, the Mississippi River - lots of history in Amerca's heartland
New England - SO many neat towns (and most have ice cream shops) - history, natural beauty
North Georgia / S Carolina - anything that close to eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina is fine by me

No offense intended toward the states I left out.  I've enjoyed being in every one of them.   

Another thing: I realize some places are really far from where you live and riding those distances isn't always possible.  But, if you can't ride all the way, drive and pull a trailer, or consider flying and renting a car.  It's not always how you go; it's that you go. 

I heard something neat a few years ago about committing to visiting a place for the first time at least one time per year.  Isn't it better when you know people when you get there?    

[f6gal]

Response to Disco's post:

But focused on what?  
Curvy mountain roads? Yes, critical
Other natural wonders? Yes, but not critical
Areas with rich history?  Yes, but not critical
Higher latitudes / elevations / cooler temperatures? Yes
Concentration of VRCC members?  Not so much
Close enough for participants from states "that travel well"?  Not so much
Locations that can be attended by taking only a week or a week and a few days off? For whom?
regarding facilities, etc.  Critical
Even then, no one can foretell or control the rain or heat. Amen to that!

The drop-off in attendance at repeat locations is well documented.  What I find very interesting are the several attendance spikes when visiting a location for the first time.  

As f6gal and Horace Greeley seem focused on the west, that's where I'll start and go clockwise.  I did channel Horace, but he was not well traveled in many of the given areas.

As far Arizona is concerned, there are some awesome roads in eastern AZ.  It's not too hot, due to elevation... such as Sunrise Ski resort.  But I can't ever convince my co-coordinators, because they are afraid ppl would not attend at the mere mention of Arizona.

[Willow]

...
Disco's personal suggestion for states to be considered for first time InZanes

Disco, many of your hopes will be logically deleted because they are too far from concentrations of large populations of VRCC members.  The coastlines and corners of the country are in that category.  I count seven of your hopes that are very much alive.  I predict that in the next couple of years you will be greatly pleased.

[GiG]

Your map is incorrect.
Just saying 

..., but I'd really like IZ to be in a state that we've only blasted through on our travels.  While hitting them all in a relative hurry, we've seen lots of places we'd like to go back to and spend more time. 

Name off a few.  Maybe it will give us some ideas for the future.

I know how hard it is to pick a place that works for everyone on all levels.  It's hard for us in DFW to maintain interest in monthly meetings and I watch the same struggle in Houston.  Move them around and, depending on location, they become more and less convenient to everyone.  Keep them in the same spot and they're boring.  Keep them within a tight radius and they just take longer to get boring.  Expand the area and number of participants by orders of magnitude to put on an InZane and it gets really difficult really fast. 

So, for all the work that has to be done to organize an event every year, thank you again, Staff!   

I realize the natural tendency is to try to "fish where the fish are" by keeping locations somewhat focused.  But focused on what?  Curvy mountain roads?  Other natural wonders?  Areas with rich history?  Higher latitudes / elevations / cooler temperatures?  Concentration of VRCC members?  Close enough for participants from states "that travel well"?  Locations that can be attended by taking only a week or a week and a few days off?  Finding the right blend of all of those is difficult enough without the filters that then must be applied regarding facilities, etc.  Even then, no one can foretell or control the rain or heat.

The drop-off in attendance at repeat locations is well documented.  What I find very interesting are the several attendance spikes when visiting a location

No InZanes have been in these states


As you can see from the last event, etc, here is my butt dyno list of states I'd like to spend more time in.

Disco's being in every one of them.   

Another thing: I realize some places are really far from where you live and riding those distances isn't always possible.  But, if you can't ride all the way, drive and pull a trailer, or consider flying and renting a car.  It's not always how you go; it's that you go. 

I heard something neat a few years ago about committing to visiting a place for the first time at least one time per year.  Isn't it better when you know people when you get there? 

[Willow]

Your map is incorrect.
Just saying 

What?  you don't remember the two poorly attended Hawaii and Alaska InZanes?

The map is correct in what is said that it represents.  It's just not as thorough as it could have been.   

[baldo]

  I predict that in the next couple of years you will be greatly pleased.

Oh boy....let the Inzane XX speculation begin !!!!!!!!

[Serk]

  I predict that in the next couple of years you will be greatly pleased.

Oh boy....let the Inzane XX speculation begin !!!!!!!!

I'm personally really looking foward to Inzane XXX...

Wait a minute... I've met many of you fine folks.

[baldo]

  I predict that in the next couple of years you will be greatly pleased.

Oh boy....let the Inzane XX speculation begin !!!!!!!!

I'm personally really looking foward to Inzane XXX...

Wait a minute... I've met many of you fine folks.

DOH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rams]

Don't really care where it's at, travel time/distance will most likely determine my participation.     It is, what it is.....

Rams

[fudgie]

Well, I'm not one to be controlled by threats, even from my boss.  I will tell you the guess of Missouri in the Ozarks was very disturbing.   

How about Lake Ozark in Missouri 

[Disco]

Your map is incorrect.
Just saying 

Not anymore.   

[vanavyman]

From Willow's comment that there are 7 states very much being looked at for future InZane's that we have not gone to before, which are not on either coast or one of the corners of the country still leaves a lot of interesting places to visit.  Here would be my guess of the 7:

NW Georgia (on the coast but close to Smoky's)
Western Pennsylvania
Missouri
Western Wyoming
Southern Utah
Southern Indiana
Southern Idaho

Dan

[Willow]

Guesses are fun, aren't they?

Just so you know, historically next year's InZane location is not under consideration until this year's InZane is done.  Be careful what you assume is being said.  

(BTW we agree on five that are possibilities in the next few years.)

[fudgie]

From Willow's comment that there are 7 states very much being looked at for future InZane's that we have not gone to before, which are not on either coast or one of the corners of the country still leaves a lot of interesting places to visit.  Here would be my guess of the 7:

NW Georgia (on the coast but close to Smoky's)
Western Pennsylvania
Missouri
Western Wyoming
Southern Utah
Southern Indiana
Southern Idaho

Dan

Western WY- Don't think there is a hotel big enough in the west without paying high dollar for a room. Still a lot of snow in Tetan/YS in June.
Southern Utah-Would be awesome but not a lot of big facilities also. Plus not a lot of roads to travel on, maybe 1 highway. We just came back from doing the "Utah 5".
Southern Ind- Hmmm....I may attend!

[Andy #7759]

Here is the full post to which Willow referred, with updated numbers:

The 2 first years are a bit vague (we've learned some lessons along the way).  At InZane 1 & 2, the Honda folks said they counted over 800 as we passed through the plant entrance.  However, that is far more than we counted for our official Guinness record breaking paperwork, which was just under 350 (I don't have the exact number at hand, I think 346 at IZ1).  Despite redoubling our efforts to get every bike counted at IZ2, we had less than the year before (330ish).  The 800 count (meaning about 1200 attendees), simply doesn't make sense from the hotel room and Sat. dinner count.  Based on our bike count, hotel bookings, and the number of ppl served at Sat. dinner,  we've estimated the attendance IZ1 at about 475 and IZ2 at 445.  So with all that said, this is my best calculation for each InZane:
IZ1 -  475 - Zanesville, OH
IZ2 -  445 - Zanesville, OH
IZ3 -  310 - Zanesville, OH (This is why we started moving it around the country)
IZ4 -  436 - Paducah, KY
IZ5 -  296 - Paducah, KY
IZ6 -  526 - Frisco, CO (First year we went West)
IZ7 -  415 - Johnson City, TN
IZ8 -  326 - Johnson City, TN
IZ9 -  318 - Frisco, CO
IZ10 - 515 - Bellaire, MI
IZ11 - 351 - Bellaire, MI
IZ12 - 320 - Eureka Springs, AR
IZ13 - 312 - LaCrosse, WI
IZ14 - 362 - Asheville, NC
IZ15 - 364 - Spearfish, SD
IZ16 - 403 - Morgantown, WV
IZ17 - 308 - Billings, MT
IZ18 - 319 - Roanoke, VA
IZ19 - 14 - Surprise, AZ (hahaha, just kidding)

Two years we broke 500 (highlighted) and 1 year we fell below 300.  As you can see, without fail, each successive year in the same location attendance is lower, which is why we started moving it around.  Seems folks want to see new places... go figger.

Hey Connie. I was at inzane 2. I came over for one day to be part of the Valkyrie March. I don't remember registering so I'm  not sure I would have been part of the official hotel count.

The low turn out for the second Paducah might have had something to do with the heat..lol..

The primary factor in my calculation was our bike count at the Wal-Mart organizing spot.  The hotel bookings and ppl at Sat. dinner were mainly for confirmation.  Obviously we can't go by hotel rooms, because there are locals, day pass folks, etc.  However, using the bike count could actually overestimate our InZane count, since folks that only did the Valkyrie March, didn't really attend InZane.

And, yeah, Paducah heat was even worse the second time.

But beside the heat we had lots of fun at the pool, Lol

[J.Mencalice]

Moab, Utah. 

https://www.pbs.org/video/pbs-presents-national-park-symphony-mighty-five/

The whole program is on PBS, if anyone needs convincing of that section of the country to be one of magnificence.

[fudgie]

Moab, Utah. 

https://www.pbs.org/video/pbs-presents-national-park-symphony-mighty-five/

The whole program is on PBS, if anyone needs convincing of that section of the country to be one of magnificence.

We just did the Utah 5 at the beginning of aug. Spent 2 days in Moab and rented a jeep to go off roading.

[97BLKVALK]

All this talk of Inzane the started cruising the You Tube and found this!

https://youtu.be/pMz_02r6Nxk

Michael

[John Schmidt]

All this talk of Inzane the started cruising the You Tube and found this!

https://youtu.be/pMz_02r6Nxk

Michael

Oh yeah, I remember that IZ-3, was my first Inzane and was blown away by all the stuff going on. Don't believe I had paid in advance, it was my first and wanted to "get a feel" for the club as a whole and was pleasantly surprised. The first painting on my Valk was by The Moutain Man, finished up well after dark and it still looks great there on the front fender. I was staying at my sis-in-law's place in Westerville, a Columbus 'burb, so I commuted each day. I think that's the first time I saw Connie pull her bike up against a curb and do a burn out. A lot has changed since those days, wish the enthusiasm and all the vendors were still the same but things change with time as we all know. I've attended many of the Inzanes, have missed of few in recent years due to my wife's health but the fire still burns. I sincerely hope it's still there for the majority of you all, you'll never know what you missed in the early days....it was exciting. If Honda would reconsider and come out with a retro version of the origninal Valk, I think it all would come rushing back. Maybe not but I prefer to be optimistic.

Having said all that, I'm anxiously waiting to see where the next rally is located. I will again start to plan for it, in hopes of getting some assistance that will allow me to travel. I have developed many friends over the years that I've not been able to mingle with for much too long, and many more members I've not met but really look forward to that day.....even if they are Democrat(Baldo, Meathead) 

[The emperor has no clothes]

All this talk of Inzane the started cruising the You Tube and found this!

https://youtu.be/pMz_02r6Nxk

Michael

Oh yeah, I remember that IZ-3, was my first Inzane and was blown away by all the stuff going on. Don't believe I had paid in advance, it was my first and wanted to "get a feel" for the club as a whole and was pleasantly surprised. The first painting on my Valk was by The Moutain Man, finished up well after dark and it still looks great there on the front fender. I was staying at my sis-in-law's place in Westerville, a Columbus 'burb, so I commuted each day. I think that's the first time I saw Connie pull her bike up against a curb and do a burn out. A lot has changed since those days, wish the enthusiasm and all the vendors were still the same but things change with time as we all know. I've attended many of the Inzanes, have missed of few in recent years due to my wife's health but the fire still burns. I sincerely hope it's still there for the majority of you all, you'll never know what you missed in the early days....it was exciting. If Honda would reconsider and come out with a retro version of the origninal Valk, I think it all would come rushing back. Maybe not but I prefer to be optimistic.

Having said all that, I'm anxiously waiting to see where the next rally is located. I will again start to plan for it, in hopes of getting some assistance that will allow me to travel. I have developed many friends over the years that I've not been able to mingle with for much too long, and many more members I've not met but really look forward to that day.....even if they are Democrat(Baldo, Meathead) 

John, I do hope it works out this year 

[Serk]

All this talk of Inzane the started cruising the You Tube and found this!

https://youtu.be/pMz_02r6Nxk

Michael

Oh yeah, I remember that IZ-3, was my first Inzane and was blown away by all the stuff going on. Don't believe I had paid in advance, it was my first and wanted to "get a feel" for the club as a whole and was pleasantly surprised. The first painting on my Valk was by The Moutain Man, finished up well after dark and it still looks great there on the front fender. I was staying at my sis-in-law's place in Westerville, a Columbus 'burb, so I commuted each day. I think that's the first time I saw Connie pull her bike up against a curb and do a burn out. A lot has changed since those days, wish the enthusiasm and all the vendors were still the same but things change with time as we all know. I've attended many of the Inzanes, have missed of few in recent years due to my wife's health but the fire still burns. I sincerely hope it's still there for the majority of you all, you'll never know what you missed in the early days....it was exciting. If Honda would reconsider and come out with a retro version of the origninal Valk, I think it all would come rushing back. Maybe not but I prefer to be optimistic.

Having said all that, I'm anxiously waiting to see where the next rally is located. I will again start to plan for it, in hopes of getting some assistance that will allow me to travel. I have developed many friends over the years that I've not been able to mingle with for much too long, and many more members I've not met but really look forward to that day.....even if they are Democrat(Baldo, Meathead) 

John, I do hope it works out this year 

And in this recent era of strife, belligerence and disagreements, there's one that Mr. Head and myself DO agree on! Hear! Hear!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Be careful in the parking lot if Serk is around though. (Cops might be involved) 

[Serk]

Be careful in the parking lot if Serk is around though. (Cops might be involved)  

Pfft, I was one of the few well behaved ones that did as we were told by staff BEFORE the police needed to be called!

I think you were too busy chatting up that Alaskan hottie to remember clearly, obviously...

[The emperor has no clothes]

Be careful in the parking lot if Serk is around though. (Cops might be involved)  

Pfft, I was one of the few well behaved ones that did as we were told by staff BEFORE the police needed to be called!

I think you were too busy chatting up that Alaskan hottie to remember clearly, obviously...

she felt sorry for me. Thought maybe I was her long lost grandpa. 

[Serk]

Be careful in the parking lot if Serk is around though. (Cops might be involved)  

Pfft, I was one of the few well behaved ones that did as we were told by staff BEFORE the police needed to be called!

I think you were too busy chatting up that Alaskan hottie to remember clearly, obviously...

she felt sorry for me. Thought maybe I was her long lost grandpa. 

One of the best things an old guy can hear from a younger female:

"You're so cute!".....

One of the worse things, is when they follow up that up with:

"You remind me of my grandpa!"

[fudgie]

All this talk of Inzane the started cruising the You Tube and found this!

https://youtu.be/pMz_02r6Nxk

Michael

Wow seen some familiar faces and bikes.

[97BLKVALK]

Would be fun to see some of those Valkries if they are still around...

[f6gal]

Would be fun to see some of those Valkries if they are still around...

Mine is still around... at 3:56 starting my burn-out.  Too bad they cut away, it was quite awesome.

[97BLKVALK]

We will have to see you do a burn out at Inzane 19!!!!!   I forgot where it's going to be, can you remind me(us)

Michael

[f6gal]

All this talk of Inzane the started cruising the You Tube and found this!

https://youtu.be/pMz_02r6Nxk

Michael

Having said all that, I'm anxiously waiting to see where the next rally is located. I will again start to plan for it, in hopes of getting some assistance that will allow me to travel. I have developed many friends over the years that I've not been able to mingle with for much too long, and many more members I've not met but really look forward to that day.....even if they are Democrat(Baldo, Meathead) 

Well John, you'll have to travel quite a few more miles than you would have this year.  Hope to see you there!

[baldo]

I have developed many friends over the years that I've not been able to mingle with for much too long, and many more members I've not met but really look forward to that day.....even if they are Democrat(Baldo, Meathead) 

The pleasure will be all yours.......

[Hook#3287]

Be careful in the parking lot if Serk is around though. (Cops might be involved)  

Pfft, I was one of the few well behaved ones that did as we were told by staff BEFORE the police needed to be called!

I think you were too busy chatting up that Alaskan hottie to remember clearly, obviously...

she felt sorry for me. Thought maybe I was her long lost grandpa. 

She was a cutie, but her beer sucked.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Be careful in the parking lot if Serk is around though. (Cops might be involved)  

Pfft, I was one of the few well behaved ones that did as we were told by staff BEFORE the police needed to be called!

I think you were too busy chatting up that Alaskan hottie to remember clearly, obviously...

she felt sorry for me. Thought maybe I was her long lost grandpa. 

She was a cutie, but her beer sucked.

 

[Serk]

She was a cutie, but her beer sucked.

It was my absolute favorite beer!

A free one! Only one better than that is a free beer given to me by a blond cutie!

Well John, you'll have to travel quite a few more miles than you would have this year.  Hope to see you there!

Depending on what "quite a few more miles" means to our Fearless Leader, this hint might move the Missouri/Arkansas Ozark region out of the top contender position...

[The emperor has no clothes]

She was a cutie, but her beer sucked.

It was my absolute favorite beer!

A free one! Only one better than that is a free beer given to me by a blond cutie!

Well John, you'll have to travel quite a few more miles than you would have this year.  Hope to see you there!

Depending on what "quite a few more miles" means to our Fearless Leader, this hint might move the Missouri/Arkansas Ozark region out of the top contender position...

uhoh....I only see a little waning crescent of your latest iteration that I'd be interested in. (Or is that waxing ?)

[Serk]

uhoh....I only see a little waning crescent of your latest iteration that I'd be interested in. (Or is that waxing ?)

Just to be clear, this one is an ANTI-Serkle... The distance from Orlando to Roanoke is inside the green circle, thus the location must be OUTside of it...

[The emperor has no clothes]

uhoh....I only see a little waning crescent of your latest iteration that I'd be interested in. (Or is that waxing ?)

Just to be clear, this one is an ANTI-Serkle... The distance from Orlando to Roanoke is inside the green circle, thus the location must be OUTside of it...

Damn it ! You've got to keep it simple. I'm just a butcher ! 

[ridingron]

Just to be clear, this one is an ANTI-Serkle... The distance from Orlando to Roanoke is inside the green circle, thus the location must be OUTside of it.

Oh Wow!! You had me excited there for a minute. I thought you were saying Orlando would be Ground Zero. We do have a lot of nice clover leafs to get in the hills and curves. 

[Gryphon Rider]

Just to be clear, this one is an ANTI-Serkle... The distance from Orlando to Roanoke is inside the green circle, thus the location must be OUTside of it.

Oh Wow!! You had me excited there for a minute. I thought you were saying Orlando would be Ground Zero. We do have a lot of nice clover leafs to get in the hills and curves. 

You'd have to have a vendor that installs tires at InZane to flip everyone's tires half way through the week to make them wear evenly.