Ideas for 2010 Rally

[rksaw]

Hey guys,
I was on the Southwestern Board today and noticed that they have been talking about their 2010 rally. Now first of all, I'm not sure if the 2010 rallies are supposed to be strictly regional or are geographical--I will PM Trip tonight to get a little clarification.

In the event that the 2010 rallies are to be regional, do any of you have any preferences as to where you would like to go or know of locations that should be considered and voted on? A couple that I thought of off the top of my head were Coeur D' Alene and Missoula. I thought these might be fairly central except for those in SE Wyoming and those in SW Oregon.

Thought? Ideas?
Rich

[Netnorske]

Rich,
I think you are on the right track. I think someplace in Montana would be great as it is such a beautiful state and centrally located for everyone. Missoula, Butte, Great Falls, Bozeman, anywhere in MT really....

A plus for Missoula is that we could make a great group ride southwest on Hwy 12 over Lolo Pass to Kooskia, ID and back (300 miles round trip). I have not done it (want to) but everyone who has raves about that run. I'm up for anything, but Montana seems like a no brainer. JMHO.

It would be good to have a few choices then put it up for a vote.

Cheers...Kris

[schoeney]

Good thinking Rich. Since we are having a somewhat informal one night stopover/rally in Missoula in 2009 maybe we should do something else in 2010?

We have so many great areas in the NW to ride I am sure most anything will work.

Here is some ideas.

Yellowstone,WY
Grand Tetons, ID
Couer D Alene,ID
Leavenworth,WA
Lake Roosevelt,WA
Baker City,OR (access to Hells Canyon/Snake River)
Bend, OR
Joseph,OR (Wallawa Lake)
Just about any coastal town

I am open to anything...not just the above. I have only been to 4 of the above (Bend, Cour D Alene, Joseph, Coast). I will probably not vote as I will do what the rest want....I just love to ride + check out new places, especially, little, out of the way places.


I would propose wherever we decide that we don't meet in the middle of the tourist district...maybe stay off the beaten path yet close enough (20-30miles) to ride to the attractions for those who desire. Just to avoid traffic and keep the cost reasonable for everyone.

The beauty of the NW is no matter where we decide there is a great ride to get there.

[schoeney]

I am also good with returning to Missoula since there are many different routes to get there.

[landman]

i would be game for most anywhere but like the idea of northwest
wyoming or montana.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by landman

i would be game for most anywhere but like the idea of northwest
wyoming or montana.

I agree Landman....and also with you schoeney that we probably need to avoid the tourist routes to what degree we can. Besides, I don't want it too close to my house as half the fun is riding there... ;).

Kalispell or Whitefish, MT (Glacier National Park...Going to the Sun Road....

[schoeney]

Glad to hear from you Landman!

Well we have quite awhile to decide so why don't we wait awhile (the end of December?)to let some of the others weigh in and then we can post a poll with the suggestions at the end of December and let it run until the end of January. Does that seem reasonable?

I suspect that most of you feel the way I do....If any of our other KawaNow members from other regions would like to join us that would be great too.

Again...anywhere we have it in the NW region is fine with me.

[rksaw]

Yeah, I knew that it was very early to start planning anything, but had noticed the SW boys talking about it and thought I'd throw it out there.

The idea of coastal tows has a lot to offer, but is definitely far for Bud and Landman and others. Glacier NP sounds interesting...I've never been there and would love to go. I'm sure that it will not take long and we'll have a list of 20 spots that we'll have to put into a poll.

Bottom line is that we'll need something central for all to get to. I get the impression that this is to be more accessible to all in our region than the National rally will be for most. There's no rush, but something to mull over in our minds.

Rich

P.S. Considering the location of the '09 National Rally, I'd bet that the 2011 Rally will most likely be held further East. That would make it much harder for us to get to. Just a thought.

[landman]

i have ridden the going to the sun highway thru glaicer park
and it is awesome.

[rksaw]

<marquee>Ignore this post and go to page 2 to the link that actually works!!! ::)</marquee>

Guys,

I was trying to make it easier for us to figure things out by making a map.

Here is the link.

Make sure that you only see the 2010 NW KawaNOW Rally. Hopefully it won't display the ideas that Dan Lund has been displaying for the SW guys.

Rich

[Netnorske]

I have been pouring over Google Earth and Google Maps looking at potential sites. I know....I have no life at the moment... .

To me...the site must meet several criteria. First, it must be centrally located within our region. Second, it must offer varied and scenic highways/biways for us to conduct group rides. Third, it should be a bit off the totally beaten path to avoid mass crowds (ie Yellowstone).

I must be honest....the choices, while on the surface seem unlimited, in fact are limited to a great degree given the above criteria. You would be amazed at the land mass in Montana that is unaccessible by road.

I am like everyone...open to anything anyone wishes to do...but after scouring the maps, if I had to pick two places in Montana to gather, it would either be Missoula or Kalispell for reasons I previously mentioned.

Jackson, Wyoming looked interesting, but it is nestled in very mountainous surroundings with what appears to be limited riding opportunities (as far as loops go).

Don't worry Rich....it is never to early to plan stuff like this and for sure I would expect some of our Canadian contingent might wish to join us!

As for more people weighing in....good luck with that! Look at the lack of input we get in our region as it is. Hopefully however, at poll time it would be nice if lots of folks chimed in for their favorite location. As always....JMHO.

[schoeney]

Good points Kris.

I too am hoping some of the "quieter" NW members chime in but if it ends up being just a handful of us that is OK too...we may not be a big group but we will have fun!

You know BIg John and Idaho will post at some point. The NW list isn't that long...maybe when the poll list of choices is done we can PM the other NW members.

Thanks for getting this thing rolling Rich...I had read the SW discussuion as well but I wasn't smart enough to put together 2+2 and think to start the discussion....I guess that is why you are one of God's chosen one's and I am the one that he just shake's his head at...kind of like all my school teachers did and my wife does now !

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by schoeney

....I guess that is why you are one of God's chosen one's and I am the one that he just shake's his head at...kind of like all my school teachers did and my wife does now !

+1...don't feel special Greg.....I'm right there with ya

[bigjohn]

OK, boys, get off the pitty party, we'll all fallen and need to get planning. <G>

Kris is right about many of the locations. Limited access in and out. I've been to Jellystone and most of the bigger tourest areas. Done Beartooth too many times. Great Falls just seems too cosmopolitan, the last time I passed through.

Of the suggestions I like Kallispel most. Looking at Google Maps, there are a bucn of nice rides through out the area. Looks like a real nice loop from kalispel up to Libby and on around for the return.

Another suggestion would be Sandpoint, ID. Easy access, relativley inexpensive, lots of places to see and explore, interesting little shops for the ladies to drag us through.

[landman]

kris is the man,even if he doesn't have a life now !i like kalispell,
even though for me, it would be two days ride away.