Why attend a VBA Rally?

[waterman]

Rally season is about to begin in VBA. As new members, many of you have probably asked yourself "Why should I attend a Rally? What are the benefits?"

As one who has attended many rallies for this forum as well as another I once thought that as well. Well, I was surprised after attending my first rally and have tried to make at least one a year. Sometimes I have been lucky to get to two of them.

Rallies are where you get to meet the individuals on these boards. As one member has stated "Putting a face to the name." There are benefits to being a member on this forum, but nothing beats putting that face to a name, shaking hands and sharing a drink (alcoholic or non) or eating a meal with members as well as driving in some fantastic locations.

This is where I can definately say I have met some great individuals and developed some great friendships. On my travels for work or fun, I have called on my friends as I have driven by their homes and stopped and shared a pop or coffee.

I know that some people either have problems with getting the time off or apprehensions about meeting new people or driving long distances to some rallies. I know that as well because I am an introvert and was shy (everyone shut their mouths). I was apprehensive about my first long trip to a rally. However, once you get there everything changes. The first rally I ever attended, my wife and I had just pulled into the parking lot and taken our leathers off when a certain individual walked right up to us and put his hand out and introduced himself and said "Welcome". Now, if I can get the time off, I'm going to a rally.

If you do attend a rally, here is one bit of advice that was given to me by several members that I now call friends. If we are in a group talking, don't take it as we don't want to talk to you. We are just renewing our friendships. However, walk right up to us and introduce yourself. You will not be ignored but will be accepted and welcomed.

The forum is a great tool but even better is meeting the many great individuals on these forums. So, as you join I would highly recommend that at some point you try to attend your regional rally or better yet come to the National Rally next year. I'll place money on it that you won't regret it. You might make some new new friends (more than likely) and you will definately get to ride on some great roads.

[blowndodge]

dont interupt me again when Im talking Joel.

[Top Cat]

Well said Joel.
Brad, go iron your shirts.

[cactusjack]

The first rally I ever attended was the then-Kawanow regional rally in Mesquite, NV in 2008. I was very apprehensive about riding 400 miles to spend a few days hanging out with a bunch of people I didn't know, other than on the forum. Other than it was 118° one day, it was the best time I'd had in years. The Hotel-Casino we stayed at had a nice air conditioned lounge, so you could get out of the heat.

The following year I went to the national rally in Custer SD, the year after that I went to the SW rally in Cortez CO and last year I attended the Rally in the Redwoods in Crescent City CA. This year I am going to the SW rally in Kanab UT and Nightmare's Fall Rally in Antlers OK in October.

These rallies are the highlight of my summer. I look forward to them all year long. Attend one and you will, too. They are a great experience.

[usranger74]

I would also add do not be intimidated about riding with others that may (or may not) be more skilled that you. The rally rides that I have been on have been on moderate roads and at a moderate pace. Some riders may take a more aggressive road and pace but there is no pressure on you to do the same.

[chainsaw]

Make up your mind and "JUST DO IT."

[schoeney]

I have enjoyed our rallies.

It is important that the group ride leaders maintain a REASONABLE pace to keep the pack together and keep it safe. I have been on group rides that the leaders just ride as fast as they can creating large gaps, lose riders at lights or intersections, cars fill the gaps, and riders start riding beyond their abilities and comfort zones to keep up.

The idea is to enjoy the ride/scenery, keep its safe, enjoy the company, and have fun. Riding aggresively and fast is best done on your own.

That said, our small groups and comraderie has been great. I strongly encourage newbies to jump in and try one.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by schoeney

I have enjoyed our rallies.

It is important that the group ride leaders maintain a slow pace to keep the pack together and keep it safe. I have been on group rides that the leaders just ride as fast as they can creating large gaps, lose riders at lights or intersections, cars fill the gaps, and riders start riding beyond their abilities and comfort zones to keep up.

The idea is to enjoy the ride/scenery, keep its safe, enjoy the company, and have fun. Riding aggresively and fast is best done on your own.

That said, our small groups and comraderie has been great. I strongly encourage newbies to jump in and try one.

While I agree 110% with you on keeping the pace reasonable during group rides, it can also become a pain for everyone around us when we have a 1/4 train of bikes, going slow, and not letting cars into their lane.

It's best if everyone knows where we are going and how to get there. Generally maps are posted months in advance. If there is a small split-up in the group, what's the harm?

[Jared]

The rallies that I have attended have been great! I wish I was able to get more time off from work to travel to some of the other rallies back east.

[markclark57]

My first and only Rally so far was last year at the Rally in the Redwoods. I really enjoyed the Rally even though it was way to soon after an injury accident. We had lots of laughs and fun. I wasn't able to do the group rides (too much pain/drugs) but the overall experience was worth repeating. This year at the Kanab Rally I won't have my wonderful wife with me, but I will already know several of the other VBA members there, and I don't expect to miss any rides.

[rayski271]

i wasnt sure about my first rally people at work thought i was crazy riding out to the custer rally by myself to go meet people i didnt know i went anyway and have been going to as many as i can afford too and have made more friends from this forum from all over the country you will not regret going to any rally buy the way is it rally time yet got to ride later

[GIBBY]

My first Rally was the National last June in Maggie Valley, NC. The plan was to meet Dmac and his wife and ride to Roscoe,IL and stay with Greg Wilson and his wife Kendra the first night. I had never met any of them and my family thought I was crazy. "What if they are ax murderers" said my oldest daughter. My reply was "Then I guess they will murder me." It turned out that they were not ax murderers and were very nice people. After that first night it seemed like we had been longtime friends. We all had at least one thing in common, we love to ride. I met many of the people that frequent this forum and for the most part they are all great people. The ones that are not, you know who you are The camaraderie is a great thing to experience and I believe the friendships will be life long. I have since been on rides with those same people, even though we live hundreds of miles apart. I am so happy that I overcame my apprehensions and went to the National Rally. I will not miss a Regional Rally or any National Rallies in the future as a great time is had by all.

[blowndodge]

You mean Greg's NOT an ax murderer???

He chops me up pretty good on here!!

[rickyboy]

What a great thread Joel. Like everyone has said already, you won't regret going to a rally. I went to the 1st National rally in Custer with a long time friend {and VBA member} "midge", thinking we were going to do a trip somewhere together anyway so why not the Black Mountain hills of South Dakota. The two of us had a great time meeting and socializing with a lot of the attendees. I was so disappointed that I couldn't make the 2nd National rally. Since I became a member of the then KawaNOW grp. in 2007, I always wanted to have a gathering or rally for the people in my neck of the woods, and now that dream is finally coming true this July ...{you all knew this was coming didn't you} in Canmore Alberta, Canada. The Canadian Rockies rally is a joint rally between the Canada West Region the U.S. Northwest Region being held July 17th, 18th, 19th and all the info can be found here -----> http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23973 I'm proud to say that this is going to be the first ever !! "In Canada rally". So get off your stump and come on out. You will have a great time.
Thanks Joel !
{this has been a paid advertisement by the Canada West regional Leader for the Canadian Rockies Rally}

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by rickyboy

What a great thread Joel. Like everyone has said already, you won't regret going to a rally. I went to the 1st National rally in Custer with a long time friend {and VBA member} "midge", thinking we were going to do a trip somewhere together anyway so why not the Black Mountain hills of South Dakota. The two of us had a great time meeting and socializing with a lot of the attendees. I was so disappointed that I couldn't make the 2nd National rally. Since I became a member of the then KawaNOW grp. in 2007, I always wanted to have a gathering or rally for the people in my neck of the woods, and now that dream is finally coming true this July ...{you knew this was coming didn't you} in Canmore Alberta, Canada. The Canadian Rockies rally is a joint rally between the Canada West Region the U.S. Northwest Region being held July 17th, 18th, 19th and all the info can be found here -----> http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23973 I'm proud to say that this is going to be the first ever !! "In Canada rally". So get off your stump and come on out. You will have a great time.
Thanks Joel !
{this has been a paid advertisement by the Canada West regional Leader for the Canadian Rockies Rally}

Can you say "shameless plug"?