Kalispell, MT - Aug. 3-5, 2010

[cyclecat]

Oh and I forgot, we will definitely be there.

[Netnorske]

Landman and Cyclecat,
Thanks for your input. Due to the fact I am really busy umpiring Little League Baseball right now (getting ready for State and the Western Regional Tournament), I asked schoeney to do a little research so we can lock up a place for next year before too much time gets away from us. He has done a great job narrowing things down a bit.

We have had some discussions and have an idea based on certain criteria, but good suggestions are always welcome! I'm hoping that we can get lots of early commitments/bookings from our membership (from both in and out of our NW Region) once we have a place finalized.

I'm already looking forward to next year...and I still have a lot on my plate for this year....but we ARE working on it. More to come as we start to firm things up... !

Thanks Greg for all your hard work on this thing. Now...can you get me another beer... ;) ??

[schoeney]

Kris...another beer? I am on it. Wait right there I will be back with it. ;)


Cycle Cat ...you are right. There are lots of possibilities in the area. I reviewed 15-20 but many did not make the cut due to size, proximity, price, or layout. I have narrowed it down to a handful.

That is great that you will be there....here are the other ones that we are considering if you notice any of them. Please don't feel obligated to check them out but if you happen to be by any of them any input would be helpful....Thanks

Grouse Mountain Lodge
2 Fairway Drive
Whitefish..

Pine Lodge
920 Spokane Avenue
Whitefish

Holiday Inn Express
275 Treeline Road
Kalispell....looks much nicer than your typical HIE and a good setup for our event.


Our main criteria is as follows;

*Walking distance to food/drink (could be on site) so we don't have to ride after a couple beers.

*A gathering area to socialize for 20-25 people on site (like a patio, fire pit, outside pool area, deck, lounge, extra large lobby, etc)

*Clean

*Good Parking set up for bikes (security/line of site)

I have spoken to each of them already and know what they told me about these issues but an unbiased opinion on any of them would be helpful.

I am contacting each regarding a group rate discount so don't worry about price if you happen to stop at any of them.


And if you don't stop...don't worry about it as I have a buddy that also visits the area and will do some checking as well.

Thanks

Greg (Schoeney)

[cyclecat]

Getting the impression my input was not as welcome as I thought. One thing though, the Holiday Inn Express is quite expensive, we stay there all the time in the winter and their rates are quite high then, and the summer rates are higher yet. Most of the amenities your looking for are at least 2 blocks away, the only 'grocery' store in that area for getting beer is Costco, and most of the restaurants are on the other side of a 4 lane highway.

[schoeney]

Originally Posted by CycleCat

Getting the impression my input was not as welcome as I thought. One thing though, the Holiday Inn Express is quite expensive, we stay there all the time in the winter and their rates are quite high then, and the summer rates are higher yet. Most of the amenities your looking for are at least 2 blocks away, the only 'grocery' store in that area for getting beer is Costco, and most of the restaurants are on the other side of a 4 lane highway.

Cycle Cat...hope you didn't get the wrong impression. I would love your input but I didn't want to impose upon your already planned ride and your time to check out all these places. Heck if you got the time and don't mind I will take all the info, pictures, reports that you might offer!!

[cyclecat]

We will be in Kalispell for 5 or 6 days, so plenty of time.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by CycleCat

We will be in Kalispell for 5 or 6 days, so plenty of time.

Cyclecat,
We really do appreciate any information you can help us with. Not being familiar with the town or it's lodgings, we are at a bit of a disadvantage. Greg is right about the criteria, but as I told him...to me, the most important thing for a good base camp is parking for the bikes, a place we can all lounge around in the evening and BYOB without any hassles from the management.

We can ride to different restuarants for dinner and such, but we need a good place to hang out at night without everyone having to ride after the party.... ;).

[schoeney]

Thanks Cycle Cat...I see we ride the same vintage Nomad!

How does it feel to have the best color? And how come you don't have a sig pic of it? When you have the best color you need to show it!


Ride safe on your trip!

[cyclecat]

Don't know how to put pics on and the only ones I have are with the old black leather and not the new chestnut leather. I'm going to get some pics of the Nomads when we go to Kalispell and will send a good one in to Trips' contest. If you want to see my Ruby, look at the rally video and there she is in all her glory. Red really is the best colour , and they are faster too, but I do like the colour of Brians' Nomad also.

[cyclecat]

Not quite sure if the original post of mine is here or not, can't find it so it's either gone or moved somewhere else, so here we go again.

Just got back last night and the ride and weather were great. My internet has been a sporadic thing in the campground, the wifi was not working correctly, so I have not been able to post anything, anywhere. Got in lots of riding, Logan Pass 4 times and went south of Kalispell a few times. Never got to Whitefish but we have stayed there a few times at the Holiday Inn Express and it is a nice motel in a quieter town.

I would recommend looking at the HIE in Whitefish. Nice location, outside doors on the rooms, and there is less expensive motel next door. It has a pool, hot tub, and patio area, if I remember correctly, and is located back off the main highway a bit to cut traffic noise. There are a few restaurants right there a close by, a mall across the street, and Whitefish is located closer to Glacier National Park where the good riding is. Not quite as hot in Whitefish in August, since it is smaller than Kalispell and has less traffic. Whitefish has a nice little downtown with a historic park centered around the train station. A few higher end restaurants are located around Whitefish also.

The Garden Hilton Inn was built 2 years ago on 93 South in Kalispell but I do not think they have any rooms with outside doors since we see bikes in the parking lot in front all the time. Nice looking hotel but right on 93 South so it might be a bit noisy.

[schoeney]

Thanks Cycle Cat

[rank]

Just saw this thread. We are close by (80miles) so hope to make it up to meet some of you folks.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by rank

Just saw this thread. We are close by (80miles) so hope to make it up to meet some of you folks.

Rank,
Here is the thread with the complete details. Hope to see you guys there!

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/v...=11583&start=0

[delivery58]

Old News...But I'm just curious, why was the NW Rally scheduled for the middle of the week? Vacation days are valueable during riding season, I will have to burn up 3 vacation days during the week, compared to a Friday, Saturday, Sunday Rally (only 1 vacation day).... I'm not retired, I don't work for the State or Feds,... I'm a working class hero.

[ballast]

Originally Posted by delivery58

Old News...But I'm just curious, why was the NW Rally scheduled for the middle of the week? Vacation days are valueable during riding season, I will have to burn up 3 vacation days during the week, compared to a Friday, Saturday, Sunday Rally (only 1 vacation day).... I'm not retired, I don't work for the State or Feds,... I'm a working class hero.

2 days there, 2 days back. Minimum 5 days leave no matter when during the week it is held and it is usually easier getting leave spanning monday to friday as opposed to spanning either side of a weekend.