When to have the 2009 National Rally Poll

[trip]

In revisiting the dates we had set for the National Rally in 2009, there were those that needed the dates changed so they could possibly attend.

Please vote on which date range would be best for you. Or, if none of these listed will do, feel free to suggest a date range in a post.

We decided that it would be best to hold the rally on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the week. This will aid those that need 6 to 8 days for traveling to and from the rally. And, since the rally will be in Custer, SD, we need to plan the rally around two things, Sturgis, which is Aug 3-9, 2009 and the heat of the summer, in July and August.

I have it set to where you can retract your vote before the poll is locked. So, if you change your mind and want to change your vote, you can.

In case of a tie, the staff will decide.

Trip

Voting will close on Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 6PM, CDT.

[cactusjack]

Trip,

If it were totally up to me, I'd vote for May, for selfish reasons. June-July-Aug is too hot.

I realize we have schoolteachers and others as members who have a fairly limited period in which they can take their vacation. My vacation time is flexible, so I'll go with whatever the majority decides.

[waterman]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Trip,

If it were totally up to me, I'd vote for May, for selfish reasons. June-July-Aug is too hot.

I realize we have schoolteachers and others as members who have a fairly limited period in which they can take their vacation. My vacation time is flexible, so I'll go with whatever the majority decides.

Cactus,

I don't think you want to be riding to much in the hills in May. This year was miserable and cold. They can and do catch a late snow and they can be quite impressive. Getting there will be more of a struggle for heat. Once you enter the hills, they can be 10 or more degrees cooler than outside the black hills. I was there this week and it very cool with lows in the lower 40's. Tenting was quite invigorating the first night.

[audiogooroo]

Heat in SD won't be that much of an issue. Of course, I just did Mesquite so nothing seems like it would faze me right now. lol
September weather will be nice, but kids are back in school which can make it difficult for the wife to attend. I would prefer June, July or August...dodging the Black Hills Rally, but I'm coming no matter when it is.

[nightmare]

September will make for excellent camping weather

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by audiogooroo

Heat in SD won't be that much of an issue. Of course, I just did Mesquite so nothing seems like it would faze me right now. lol
September weather will be nice, but kids are back in school which can make it difficult for the wife to attend. I would prefer June, July or August...dodging the Black Hills Rally, but I'm coming no matter when it is.

I wasn't thinking of the heat in SD. I was thinking of the 400 miles to Santa Fe. Once you're past Santa Fe, it gets cooler.

[audiogooroo]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I wasn't thinking of the heat in SD. I was thinking of the 400 miles to Santa Fe. Once you're past Santa Fe, it gets cooler.

You could store your Nomad in Sante Fe next April and fly in and get it in September on your way to the rally. It's too hot to ride where you are then anyway! ;)

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by audiogooroo

You could store your Nomad in Sante Fe next April and fly in and get it in September on your way to the rally. It's too hot to ride where you are then anyway! ;)

Now why didn't I think that? That's why you're the gooroo!

[pirate]

I vote for having the rally anytime between June and August. The reason I say that is because I'm a teacher, and that is my time off. I don't have enough vacation time during the school year to make it after the year begins. I just returned from the Black Hills, and it was a perfect temperature with highs in the low 80s. Riding up in the hills was cooler than that, but I was still in short sleeves. I posted some pics from our trip in the travel section if you'd like to check them out.

PC

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by prairie cruiser

I just returned from the Black Hills, and it was a perfect temperature with highs in the low 80s.

That's what I wanted to hear. Works for me.

I'm afraid sept will be too cold. It wouldn't be impossible for me to run into a snow storm crossing wyoming. The last trip I took up north in late August was down right cold in the mornings

[MarkG]

SD is an enigma when it comes to weather. Late May snow and cold can get pretty wicked on a motorcycle. This year they have been about drowned several times in early June. July and August get pretty hot going across the prairie. Maybe not as hot as Mesquite however it can still surprise the unsuspecting.

Besides being hotter in July and August, I have always disliked the heavy portion of the tourist season when I was growing up in Rapid. Nobody pays any attention to their driving. Hotels are always quite a bit higher during the middle of the tourist season. Once the dates are fixed it might be wise to look into booking early to see if there is a possibility of a price break.

Actually in September right after the holiday is just about the best. Everybody immediately goes back to school. Tourist season for the most part is officially over. Prices are starting to drop a bit and the weather is still pretty good.

The alternative would be toward the end of June just before the 4th of July. The weather predictions this week are 50s to mid 80s with possible thunderstorms in Rapid City. This is about normal for this time of the year. It will be slightly cooler in Custer around the mid 40s to lower 80s. When the sun goes down it does chill out fairly quick, not a good idea to be caught without a jacket.

There are considerations that it may be prettier in late June verses a long hot dry summer and seeing the hills in September. It can go either way depending on the prevailing weather. So there arguments for both.

I see Waterman has been there within the last week. I am planning on going up to show off the Nomad to the family in early September. I'll compare his temperatures and weather to what I experience. Having been raised there, regardless of the time of year I will carry cold, mid-range, and hot weather gear. I will be very surprised if we don't use all of it at one time or another on our respective trip segments.

[ells]

I usually count on early September (first week) being okay in these parts but May can be touchy, like it sure was this year. Have seen snow on the first of June and 10th of September on the high plains.

[ells]

CJ,

Make that first run at night. Either that, or vote/hope for Mid-June and leave in late May for an extended trip - maybe slightly more practical than AGR's idea.

[coacha]

I am selfish and want to attend the rally. I hope it is in June!

I am appointing myself as the official president of the "Elect June for Rally Date" campaign. If elected, we promise to provide numerous bottles of National Rally Wine!