North Central Nat'l Rally Planning

[stretch]

I am pretty sure I am going. Made a reservation. I would be interested in meeting up for the ride down. I am in Central Illinois.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by stretch

I am pretty sure I am going. Made a reservation. I would be interested in meeting up for the ride down. I am in Central Illinois.

Hope you can Tim... picking you up along the way will be simple to do since we'll have to go through near your area on the way down. Keep me posted... ;)

I have been checking the area out down there... it is going to be some unbelievable roads to ride down there. Can't see where you wouldn't love it the way you like to ride.

[stretch]

I am looking forward to it. I am sure we will all have a great time.

Keeping up with you on the twisties is a workout!!

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by stretch

I am looking forward to it. I am sure we will all have a great time.

Keeping up with you on the twisties is a workout!!

I'm sorry about that... don't mean it to be. I suspect down there we'll be taking is a bit easier... in fact, my wife has already informed me that "we'll" be taking it a bit easier!!!

It will be a great place to ride. And a good portion of the ride down there will be great riding also. I figure from somewhere around southern Indiana it should start getting "good" and only get better every mile after! :)

[cbutteris]

I made reservations for 13th to 16th.

For me it will be a 3-day ride, figuring about 1200 miles one way, so I would have to leave Saturday to get there Monday.

Gibby and Dmac might be the same.... your thoughts? Any other Minnesotans?

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by Cal

I made reservations for 13th to 16th.
For me it will be a 3-day ride, figuring about 1200 miles one way, so I would have to leave Saturday to get there Monday.
Gibby and Dmac might be the same.... your thoughts? Any other Minnesotans?

One thing could be that you could ride down to our house on Friday -- which would be at the northern-edge (dead-center) of Illinois.

Stay over night here at our place, and then we'll all take off early Sat morning. Then we'll make it to somewhere around southern Indiana/northern Kentucky... then ride Sunday the rest of the way... arriving late Sunday afternoon. Coming back could be a reverse of that. Just a rough plan idea. That would give one extra-day of riding around the area.

It is roughly around 750 miles from my place to Maggie Valley.

We live in a relatively small house that has two extra bedrooms (just the two of us and two cats) . And if we have to... we could put out the big-air mattress on the floor of the living room.

Not exactly the Ritz... but you'll feel less broke!! Unless you are allergic to cats; otherwise we keep our house spotless, so you won't have to wonder about that. ;)

If you, Denny & Sally, and Gibby come down, then we'll meet-up with Tim in Central-Illinois, and hopefully we'll be able to catch-up with Ray somewhere in Indiana. That would be six bikes. Maybe Dave will be going... or others along the way.

I believe I am fairly committed to heading out on Saturday from here and arriving late on Sunday though. I want to have the extra day of riding in the area.

[1600bluekaw]

Hey glad to see this thread. We are making plans to attend tha Nat Rally. We would be more than happy for everybody to make a stop in Columbus, IN I will keep an eye on this thread & will aslo start thinking about making reservastions in Maggie Valley.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by 1600bluekaw

Hey glad to see this thread. We are making plans to attend tha Nat Rally. We would be more than happy for everybody to make a stop in Columbus, IN I will keep an eye on this thread & will aslo start thinking about making reservastions in Maggie Valley.

Bluekaw... Columbus, Indiana is somewhere we would be passing through on the way. It could be a stop-over for the night. If not, possibly a bit further south; but it is just about near where a stop would be best. We could get hotel rooms (where ever you suggest would be a good-priced/clean place) for that night, and then all of us pick-up and head the rest of the way from there. I am assuming we could make that ride to MV in one-day -- unless you find that is being a bit optimistic. (I'll let you be the judge on that.)

Anyway... it could be a lot of fun heading down there in a group!

Tell Melody... I'll ride in the back so she doesn't have to smell oil or dodge parts falling on the road!

[1600bluekaw]

Hey GLW it all sounds good to us. The trip from Columbus, IN to MV is onlay about 6 hrs, so yes we can make it the next day. I will do some scouting for hotel/motel rooms with good pricing. I do have some connections here.

Melody said that she has a total black out fit to wear on the bike as not to show all the oil flying back on us if we are following.

the brands of bike being purchased by our friends do vary
1- 1700 VTX Honda
1- 1100 V-Star Suzuki
1- Dyna Wide Glide HD
1- Soft Tail HD
1- 1200 Custom Sportster HD
1- 883 Hugger HD
We are not prejudice, as long as you have your hair in the wind. In my case I have no hair so as long as your on 2 wheels with power.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by 1600bluekaw

Hey GLW it all sounds good to us. The trip from Columbus, IN to MV is only about 6 hrs, so yes we can make it the next day. I will do some scouting for hotel/motel rooms with good pricing. I do have some connections here.

Melody said that she has a total black out fit to wear on the bike as not to show all the oil flying back on us if we are following.

the brands of bike being purchased by our friends do vary
1- 1700 VTX Honda
1- 1100 V-Star Suzuki
1- Dyna Wide Glide HD
1- Soft Tail HD
1- 1200 Custom Sportster HD
1- 883 Hugger HD
We are not prejudice, as long as you have your hair in the wind. In my case I have no hair so as long as your on 2 wheels with power.

LOL!!! Tell Melody I'll have her outfit washed for her!!!

I agree with the bikes... whatever anyone wants; just as long as they are riding. It's all good ;)

One thing I mentioned, and don't know if this messes things up with any others, but I wanted to leave my house on Saturday morning to head to Columbus, IN to stay in a hotel there. Then leave from there Sunday morning to MV. (I just wanted to have an extra day to ride around the area before the rally officially starts on Tuesday -- since it is such a great place to ride. )

For this to work, those coming from Minnesota would have to leave on Friday sometime early to make it down to my place in northern Illinois -- which would be around a 400+ mile trip for them. Then on Saturday we would leave early to make it to Columbus, IN by Sat-night -- another 315-350 mile trip. Then make the final-leg on Sunday to Maggie Valley.

So... I was hoping a few others were going to be able to join-in on that schedule. We'll have to wait to see; but I hope the others can.

Regarding the hotel in Maggie Valley... I got a room at the "rally-hotel". They were giving a discount (don't remember what it was though.) It is fun to stay at the main hotel since that is where most will gather in the evenings over a few brews to talk-it-up.

Let me know your thoughts -- and I appreciate any suggestions for a room in Columbus. ;)

[1600bluekaw]

So if I am reading correctly your group will be arriving in Columbus on Saturday June 11th. Spend the nite here then departing for MV Sunday am. That sounds like a good plan. We are not certain on what day we will departing MV as the 18th is Mel's birthday. I need to do more research on that subject (I know you know what I mean) but would like to depart that day also as to make a ride together north. We also like to arrive in MV a day early just explore & get a feel for the lay of the land.

Time will fly by so fast that this trip will sneak up on us before we know it.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by 1600bluekaw

So if I am reading correctly your group will be arriving in Columbus on Saturday June 11th. Spend the nite here then departing for MV Sunday am. That sounds like a good plan. We are not certain on what day we will departing MV as the 18th is Mel's birthday. I need to do more research on that subject (I know you know what I mean) but would like to depart that day also as to make a ride together north. We also like to arrive in MV a day early just explore & get a feel for the lay of the land.

Time will fly by so fast that this trip will sneak up on us before we know it.

So far only Gibby has officially stated he was headed my way on Friday. We would leave my place early Saturday headed to Columbus to stay there Sat-night. Then head-out early Sunday to MV.

I had intentions of leaving early Friday the 17th... as I imagine most others plan on doing. That would get you back on the 17th to Columbus. The rest of us could stay in Columbus and head on north on Sat. Some will not be home until Sunday.

Anyway... that was the intentions. So, I'll be in Columgus later Saturday night for sure, joined by Gibby sso far. We have to wait to see if Cal, Dmac, Rayski, and any others intend to do the same.

You're right, it will sneak up on us... but my plans are as I stated and my room is booked in MV. All I need to do is book one in Columbus then I am set.

[1600bluekaw]

Ok that all sounds good. I will send you some info about rooms here after I do my homework in the next few days.

[minst7877]

How far is it from Columbus to Maggie Valley? I have a room reserved in Maggie
Valley starting on mon the 13th. It would be a hard days ride 400+ for us to get into Columbus. Exploring options at this point but planning on it at this point. Myself on the Nad and a friend on his 06 classic.

DC

[ponch]

Next to Green/Green, the Red/Red is the prettiest Nomad. I don't see many anymore.

Originally Posted by minst7877

How far is it from Columbus to Maggie Valley? I have a room reserved in Maggie
Valley starting on mon the 13th. It would be a hard days ride 400+ for us to get into Columbus. Exploring options at this point but planning on it at this point. Myself on the Nad and a friend on his 06 classic.

DC