Now that you are back what would you do different?

[schoeney]

OK....most of you are back from Custer...I know Mike (hit deer-but sounds like he is OK)) and Charlie (still riding another week or so) are not back....but I have a couple questions for the rest of you.

What would you do differently (packing, route, time spent, sites seen, etc) if you had it to do over?

What accessories do you wish you had for the trip that you don't already? and which ones were invaluable?

Bike run good?

This was my first long distance ride in years. Almost everthing I have done in recent years has been less than 300 miles per day and only 2 days max. so I re-educated myself on a few things.

1) On my little 1400 mile jaunt to Missoula I found I am soooooo glad I mounted the GPS before I left...I also found it was a smart move to preload my stops/route by synchronizing my route off the HD ride planner....made it simple to follow the route while underway....no fumbling with any paper maps. After several hundred miles you just don't feel like thinking.

2) Next time I will make sure my camera memory card is not full...I could only take about a dozen pics.

3) Also wish I had satellite radio at times...also found I liked stopping more (think sore butt) than I thought.

4) I didn't need to bring 2 jackets (textile + mesh). I could've just packed the mesh and layered under and over it. I am glad I brought both helmets.

5) I really hate the Interstates (super slab) and love the secondary roads....that is where you find real Americana, and very little traffic. Thankfully only about 40% of the ride was on the superslab.

6) Bike ran like a top!

[dogdoc]

Good questions bro,,,,I'm listening.

[dantama]

Just some random thoughts.

I wish everyone was staying at the same place, like the 2005 Kanab, Utah vroc rally, rather than dispersed around town. Sitting around talking at the end of the day was a highlight, but some weren't there, they were at their own motel.

I'm glad I tried to sit with different people at breakfast to get to know them, but still didn't talk with everyone. I wish I had been able to. Continental breakfasts are pretty slim, but that is where the best get to know you stuff was going on.

I was pleased with the choice of rides and the conversation at stops.

The Canadians were a good mix, too bad there weren't some Aussies and Brits too.

Old Bikers was just getting to the point where I could understand the accent, but then it was over :) How he managed to get the quality of Mrs Bikers, I'll never know :)

The fact that so many bikes got there safe, rode around safe, and returned home safe is amazing in a good way. I know there was one get off while there, and the deer incident going home, but it was a great safety record considering the distances and numbers.

Kawgirl is a rowdy woman in person, I was expecting her to be a little milder :)

The variety of rides that the Black Hills offers is going to be hard to match.

Seeing those with GPS systems mounted made me jealous. Wish I had one for the bike.

It's fun to ride with a group, but limits the stop and make a U-turn photo ops.

38 Nomads going down the road in a line is impressive.

The quality of Nomad owners was impressive. I made a late night guess as to why. Perhaps with the Nomad being an all around good bike, but not the testosterone fueled bar hopper type of bike limits it's apeal to those who want to ride, not posture? At any rate, it was a good bunch of people.

I wish we had some biker games like a slow ride etc.

I was asked to help somebody with tight turns, then didn't see them again. I wish I did.

I went out to get something to eat, and missed the wet T-shirt contest and weenie bite.

Blown Dodge is a snappy dresser :)

[waterman]

Change jobs so I can take more time off this time of year. ;) I really wish I had another day or two up there. Just love it but don't make it there that often and I only live 300 miles from Custer.

[dabull]

what would i change? ummm... i would go!!!

[ponch]

I agree about staying at the same place.


Just some random thoughts.

I wish everyone was staying at the same place, like the 2005 Kanab, Utah vroc rally, rather than dispersed around town. Sitting around talking at the end of the day was a highlight, but some weren't there, they were at their own motel.

I'm glad I tried to sit with different people at breakfast to get to know them, but still didn't talk with everyone. I wish I had been able to. Continental breakfasts are pretty slim, but that is where the best get to know you stuff was going on.

I was pleased with the choice of rides and the conversation at stops.

The Canadians were a good mix, too bad there weren't some Aussies and Brits too.

Old Bikers was just getting to the point where I could understand the accent, but then it was over :) How he managed to get the quality of Mrs Bikers, I'll never know :)

The fact that so many bikes got there safe, rode around safe, and returned home safe is amazing in a good way. I know there was one get off while there, and the deer incident going home, but it was a great safety record considering the distances and numbers.

Kawgirl is a rowdy woman in person, I was expecting her to be a little milder :)

The variety of rides that the Black Hills offers is going to be hard to match.

Seeing those with GPS systems mounted made me jealous. Wish I had one for the bike.

It's fun to ride with a group, but limits the stop and make a U-turn photo ops.

38 Nomads going down the road in a line is impressive.

The quality of Nomad owners was impressive. I made a late night guess as to why. Perhaps with the Nomad being an all around good bike, but not the testosterone fueled bar hopper type of bike limits it's apeal to those who want to ride, not posture? At any rate, it was a good bunch of people.

I wish we had some biker games like a slow ride etc.

I was asked to help somebody with tight turns, then didn't see them again. I wish I did.

I went out to get something to eat, and missed the wet T-shirt contest and weenie bite.

Blown Dodge is a snappy dresser :)

[glwilson]

More people staying at the same place.

More time to have met more people.

36 hours per day instead of only 24 while there.

A chance to improve my slow-tight-turns with Dan (I was the one who asked; but we didn't end up having time -- and yes we saw each other again Dan... practically every evening poping cold-ones of one sort or another!)

More time at Custer for me -- although I arrived two days prior to the rally.

Less clothes -- I over-killed on bringing clothes.

Wish I would have learned more about my camera's panoramic capabilites before going -- although most pics turned out great.

Wish I would have downloaded my pics each day so I would know better on how they turned out.

A full-faced helmet in some of the rain would have been nice.

More beer for when we were gathering around at night.

[strobe]

what would i change? ummm... i would go!!!

+1

[audiogooroo]

I agree that it would have been great to have everyone at the same place, but understand that it's not always practical. It would be awesome to just take over a venue. That way we wouldn't disturb the non-rally attendees with our late night parking lot conversations.
The only other thing I would change is to NOT have to work while I was there. :-/
Never the less, it was awesome!

[dantama]

A chance to improve my slow-tight-turns with Dan (I was the one who asked; but we didn't end up having time -- and yes we saw each other again Dan... practically every eveniing poping cold-ones of one sort or another!)




Oh no, I was overwhelmed with meeting so many people at the beginning that I didn't realize it was you who talked to me Greg. I kept waiting for that person to find me, and they never did. I didn't even realize it was you.

I even brought sidewalk chalk to make a circle in case anyone did want to practice.

Next time huh?

[schoeney]

Sounds like a little too much beer Dan! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif ;) http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[Todd]

I have thought about this one a lot.....

I am not much for "wasting time to rest" and probably never will be. I am glad that I was either sleeping, eating, visiting with others, or riding the entire time.

...but, for long rides to and from the rally, especially with 500+ mile days I will make myself start earlier in the mornings so the ride will be over by dark even with side trips, stops, etc. I kept seeing the estimated time of arrival on the GPS (new to me, never used one before) and found that it would increase all day by about 2-3 hrs as you stop for gas, food, drinks, sites...I think 7am starts or earlier would be good and then at the destination or stop by 8 or 9 at the latest.

As for time at the rally...I don't know how you could do it with all the riding I did, but I wish I could have visited more with everyone....even if I was staying at the Bavarian I think by the time I got off the rides I would have had to hit the hay just like I did at the Super 8.

[schoeney]

I agree Todd...I always add 1.5-2 hours (1 hour lunch and 2-3 stops...usually more than enough for a stretch, pics, and snack)).

My goal each day is to get to my destination before dusk....when the deer come out!

[chainsaw]

I think some sort of name tag would have been good. You introduce yourself once or twice and forget who was who. Wish we did have more days to spend riding. Much to see and do Loved the "camp fire" talks at night.

[glwilson]

I think some sort of name tag would have been good. You introduce yourself once or twice and forget who was who. Wish we did have more days to spend riding. Much to see and do Loved the "camp fire" talks at night.

Chainsaw: you forgot to add... tools! I was the one you borrowed the wrenches from. You were not too happy with the Nomad toolkit if I recall... saying something like... "they need to pay you for taking the toolkit they put on the bike!"

I also agree about having some sort of name tag... it was difficult to remember everyone's names.

[glwilson]

A chance to improve my slow-tight-turns with Dan (I was the one who asked; but we didn't end up having time -- and yes we saw each other again Dan... practically every eveniing poping cold-ones of one sort or another!)

Oh no, I was overwhelmed with meeting so many people at the beginning that I didn't realize it was you who talked to me Greg. I kept waiting for that person to find me, and they never did. I didn't even realize it was you.

I even brought sidewalk chalk to make a circle in case anyone did want to practice.

Next time huh?

You bet. I was rather upset that we couldn't find the time to do it -- although... we found the time to sit around and have a few refreshments! I am going to have to get my priorities straightened out! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[dantama]

+1 on the name tags.

Perhaps wear T-shirts (BD excepted :) ) that are throw away and permanent marker your name and Kawanow handle?

[ells]

...even if I was staying at the Bavarian I think by the time I got off the rides I would have had to hit the hay just like I did at the Super 8.


Yeah, but somebody probably would have been beating on your door to keep ya going a little longer, and you wouldn't have had the quality time with BD. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Netnorske]

I think that by riding such long distances to get the Rally, all day group rides are tough to take part in after that. We did the Badlands ride the first day and that was it. The next two we kind of did our own thing with just a few other folks....and for shorter time periods allowing us to relax and chit chat back at the hotel.

Having time to just chill, chat and toss back a few at night was awesome and having a restaurant on site was great too. We were able to sit at dinner or breakfast and chat a bit with various people.

I was very glad for the long balcony and chairs/tables. That was very conducive to late night chatting, although personal nature was to hang close to your own room, so you saw the same people every night rather than getting around more like I wish I had....

[landman]

i too would have found nametags usefull as i am terrible about
remembering so many names.i would be willing to bet that most riders were a bit more skilled on the way home then they were
when they arrived.can you believe those roads !!

[kawgirl]

Okay, it sounds like name tags are a definite need. I would have liked to have chatted with other members that I didn't get a chance to visit with after I saw them at registration. I would add an extra day or like Todd said, start early in the morning for long ride days. Definitely stop before dark!

[blowndodge]

3 days up, 3 days there and 3 days back were not good numbers for me! 2/3 of my time was spent getting there and back. It didn't allow me to meet everyone as I'd like to have done.

Todd, as far as traveling time, I've used the ol' standby of 50MPH average no matter what. 500 mile days are going to take 10 hours no matter what your GPS is telling you. Scott and I used that and it was pretty much biblical. You have to stop, rest and eat and get gas. Riding over the Rockies (535 miles) actually took 12 hours that day.

Large 30 to 50 bike groups are not good for site seeing. I'm a person that takes in the sites when I ride. Stopping frequently to take pictures or talk to other bikers along the way. Splitting up into smaller 4-7 bike groups would be much easier logistically. 3 to 4 different groups could have rode to the Devil's Tower on the same day and took off at different times agreed upon by the riders themselves. Half of my riding when I was up there was by myself and that's when I had the most fun relaxing and taking pictures. Having a heard of Bison surround me on the highway in Custer State Park stopping my progress for a half hour was priceless! All those Todd wannabe's!!!!

Name tags: good idea. I have the worst memory for names imaginable. Unless you have a name like Chainsaw (killed 2 guys http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif ) I'm not going to remember!

[Todd]

3 days up, 3 days there and 3 days back were not good numbers for me! 2/3 of my time was spent getting there and back. It didn't allow me to meet everyone as I'd like to have done.

Todd, as far as traveling time, I've used the ol' standby of 50MPH average no matter what. 500 mile days are going to take 10 hours no matter what your GPS is telling you. Scott and I used that and it was pretty much biblical. You have to stop, rest and eat and get gas. Riding over the Rockies (535 miles) actually took 12 hours that day.

Large 30 to 50 bike groups are not good for site seeing. I'm a person that takes in the sites when I ride. Stopping frequently to take pictures or talk to other bikers along the way. Splitting up into smaller 4-7 bike groups would be much easier logistically. 3 to 4 different groups could have rode to the Devil's Tower on the same day and took off at different times agreed upon by the riders themselves. Half of my riding when I was up there was by myself and that's when I had the most fun relaxing and taking pictures. Having a heard of Bison surround me on the highway in Custer State Park stopping my progress for a half hour was priceless! All those Todd wannabe's!!!!

Name tags: good idea. I have the worst memory for names imaginable. Unless you have a name like Chainsaw (killed 2 guys http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif ) I'm not going to remember!

Funny you say that about averages...before I send back the gps to my friend I need to get all the trip info off of it....I seem to remember the last time I looked that the average for time moving was right at 50mph.......It has total moving time, total time, etc.......will try to remember to pull that off and post tonight.

I'm a big boy, but I still ain't tanglin' wif no buffalo!!

[coacha]

I would have liked to have taken an extra day out and back along with a couple more days in Custer, but that is a wish.

Things I'd change: pack a little lighter (think we took a little too much stuff), download all pictures each day (like someone else said), spend some time kickin' tires before going to the campground, name tags would be great.

I know this is hard to believe but by nature I'm a tad on the reserved side in groups I'm not familiar with. I felt very comfortable around all of you and would have loved to have talked more to everyone.

[cactusjack]

What would I do differently?

I wouldn't have set my pristine HJC AC-2M Vulcan 2 helmet on my seat in Vermillion Cliffs, AZ while changing my jacket. A gust of wind picked it up and it landed about 5 feet away and the gravel on the parking lot put a handful of chips in it, just above the visor.

I was pi$$ed! I just ordered a replacement.

[Todd]

What would I do differently?

I wouldn't have set my pristine HJC AC-2M Vulcan 2 helmet on my seat in Vermillion Cliffs, AZ while changing my jacket. A gust of wind picked it up and it landed about 5 feet away and the gravel on the parking lot put a handful of chips in it, just above the visor.

I was pi$$ed! I just ordered a replacement.


That suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/angry.gif:(" title=">:(" border="0"/> http://s2.images.proboards.com/angry.gif:(" title=">:(" border="0"/> http://s2.images.proboards.com/angry.gif:(" title=">:(" border="0"/>

[mrfuni]

++++1 On name tags. Everyone looks the same in leather ;)

[Todd]

I think we were supposed to have nametags in the plan and I guess it was one of those things that got overlooked in the mad rush.....sorry 'bout that folks. We will do better next time and remember 'em.

[glwilson]

Todd...

just make everyone bring their own name tags... you guys had to do too much work as it was.

Delegate my man... delegate!!

[dabull]

maybe the folks that made the Ts could add names to the front logo....i just sayin...

[Netnorske]

What would I do differently?

I wouldn't have set my pristine HJC AC-2M Vulcan 2 helmet on my seat in Vermillion Cliffs, AZ while changing my jacket. A gust of wind picked it up and it landed about 5 feet away and the gravel on the parking lot put a handful of chips in it, just above the visor.

I was pi$$ed! I just ordered a replacement.

Look at the bright side CJ....your head wasn't in it when it hit the ground..... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif!

[cactusjack]

What would I do differently?

I wouldn't have set my pristine HJC AC-2M Vulcan 2 helmet on my seat in Vermillion Cliffs, AZ while changing my jacket. A gust of wind picked it up and it landed about 5 feet away and the gravel on the parking lot put a handful of chips in it, just above the visor.

I was pi$$ed! I just ordered a replacement.

Look at the bright side CJ....your head wasn't in it when it hit the ground..... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif!

I suppose so...

[duneseven]

too much beer? no such thing

[unwind2]

I agree with the name tags. Also think needed something where we all could get together to meet and greet besides the last dinner. Maybe one other group dinner at the first of the week. Although there did not seem to be a lot of interst I was planning on attending the workshops. Thought that would be good way to learn a bit more about my Nomad and would have allowed opportunity to chart with others about mods etc....

Like BD I wish I had more time than 3days up/3 there/3 back home. http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif Ken and I always stop and get a room before dusk...time of year determines when that is of course. So depending on time of year determines travel time to reach destination.

We (spouse and I) also just did the badland ride, then ventured out on our own....Guess we're old farts - we were tired after the badland ride that started at 0930 ending at 0630 after riding 3 days to get to Custer. On our ventures we did riding combined with longer stops for sight seeing...ie Crazyhorse, Deadwood etc....Had two yummy meals at that Sugar Shack MarkG tolds us about and what a pretty ride to get to it! So maybe shorter rides with some sight seeing stops and smaller groups...our badland ride group of about 16? I think was not too bad a number.

It was fun running into others at different places during the week...Chainsaw at Crazyhorse....had dinner one night with Carol and Chuck and late dinner one night with Todd/Amy and others. Followed Ron and Tammy out on a nice road for quite a while.....Ran into a few others in Deadwood.....etc

[phenrichs]

Well most of you know what happened to me. I won't actually say it here but I think you can probably guess what I would do different.

About the nametags... I was going to have my name put on my shirt but didn't have time cause I slacked and waited to late to order the shirt.

[cactusjack]

This was the first National Rally. I'm sure Trip, Todd, Amy, Jeff, Markg and the rest of the staff would agree that there were some mistakes made and some lessons learned.

This is valuable input folks. Please keep it coming.

[schoeney]

This was the first National Rally. I'm sure Trip, Todd, Amy, Jeff, Markg and the rest of the staff would agree that there were some mistakes made and some lessons learned.

This is valuable input folks. Please keep it coming.

Although my initial intent was directed to the members bike, route, preparation the input on the rally itself will help in planning the regional rallys next year as well.

I can see us now....5 members at the NW Rally....all with name tags!

Just kidding. We are hoping for 20 or more bikes including guests from other regions.

[unwind2]

This was the first National Rally. I'm sure Trip, Todd, Amy, Jeff, Markg and the rest of the staff would agree that there were some mistakes made and some lessons learned.

This is valuable input folks. Please keep it coming.

No matter what ...there will always be things that individuals would think they would do diffirent. You're right that this does help to get ideas of things to 'tweak' for next time.

It was a great rally....thing only thing I hate is the folks that met with the deers or took a spill....never want to hear that.

[chainsaw]

Very good impute. I hope more members can make it next time, no matter where it is.

[chainsaw]

GL, your right about the tools and I am glad you had some, even if it was a minor adjustment. Don't know where I would have put them though. The Kaw tool kit is a complete joke.

[coacha]

GL, your right about the tools and I am glad you had some, even if it was a minor adjustment. Don't know where I would have put them though. The Kaw tool kit is a complete joke.

Trailer. I carried all the tools I may have needed in the trailer but lucky for me, didn't need any of them.

[ballast]

http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gifMy wife asked me one night over the phone if I had found anything that I wished I had taken but didn't. I told her that next time I would lay everything, leave the room and she could take 2/3 of everything and put it back. Way too many clothes.
Also, I see a really light weight carbon fiber tripod in my future.

I got a Nuvi 250 at Wally for just $110 in New Mexico and it was quite useful for the rest of the trip. Did everything I need from a GPS.

I will probably break down and get a half helmet for sight seeing rides. It will make picture taking much easier.