The next STN Nationals!

[sprocket]

I don't know when the planning starts, or who even does the planning, but here are a few suggestions from the meet at Custer.
1. Have the meet whenever the lowest traffic volume is available. Custer was a blast and some really neat roads, but way to much passing had to be done! Too many vacationers and travelers.
I was told by some locals that a few weeks after Sturgis is by far the best time for cooler weather and minimum traffic.
2. Here's the hard one! Organize rides in (whatever) area according to uhh... enthusiasm! or maybe
    a. Slower than posted speed limits
    b. Maintain posted speed limits +/-
    c. Push posted limit threshold +/-
So what do you think?

[Bunbun]

1)  From the past, the board members that are going decide when it it is.  Typically there will be a number of different dates posted in a poll and we vote on 'em and the date range with the most votes wins.

2)  It's really up to the individual to grab a group.  I personally HATE riding in big groups and wouldn't be 'assigned' to a group if it were much more than 5, maybe a max of 10 ppl, but that'd seriously be pushing it.  In the past I've milled around and asked who was going where and what was being done.  So far I have yet to be disappointed finding a good, small 'gazelle' group.  Although I gotta say this year I had an absolute blast even if the speeds were... well... high    Never out of my comfort zone, but the po-po wouldn't have been very happy.

Unfortunately, any of the 4 places that were decided on a while back (and really any area thats "good") will have lots of RVs and vacationers starting in June.  It's usually really bad in most places starting August.  Colorado was wonderful and WV was also very very good in regards to traffic and rideable roads.  And of course the company was excellent.

Bun

[stromgal]

I wasn't real fond of the spiders in my cabin at Custer.    

As for the traffic, I looked for the out of the way roads, like 17 and farther out of town, so I wouldn't have to fight the RVs. Then again, I've been in the area lots of times and had no desire to see the same things as those who hadn't.

I recall the roads around NW Arkansas (next year's meet) as being great. Only real traffic was in Eureka Springs itself.

[mxvet57]

what ever u,all decide I'm in for next year.

[Req]

Ride dirt.  Never any traffic there.  Except Army dudes in humvees with machine guns.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Ride dirt.  Never any traffic there.  Except Army dudes in humvees with machine guns.

I'll take them over an RV any day. Those army guys can move!  

[SuperHans]

I don't know when the planning starts, or who even does the planning, but here are a few suggestions from the meet at Custer.

It pretty much comes down to who volunteers to do the planning. It's nice when someone local steps up like Servicerifle did at ESTN. He had some awesome routes planned out for everyone. The more people willing to help with planning the better.

1. Have the meet whenever the lowest traffic volume is available. Custer was a blast and some really neat roads, but way to much passing had to be done! Too many vacationers and travelers.

Like The Bun said, it comes down to people throwing out dates and then a vote being put up to determine the actual date.

When the time comes for STN 2008, suggest some dates you think would be best and explain why. 

I was told by some locals that a few weeks after Sturgis is by far the best time for cooler weather and minimum traffic.
2. Here's the hard one! Organize rides in (whatever) area according to uhh... enthusiasm! or maybe
    a. Slower than posted speed limits
    b. Maintain posted speed limits +/-
    c. Push posted limit threshold +/-

You saying I was riding too slow for you? I was riding 2-up ya know. Johnny Monsoon was lighting it up after you took off. Too bad you bailed on us early. You might have gotten that "spirited" ride in and not been stuck alongside the road by yourself. LOL

[hovmaven]

Given that I don't have a bike, I vote the location for next year's STN National be close to a Metro.  

[Biglar]

what ever u,all decide I'm in for next year.

Me too. The ride reports have been awesome. I just need to figure out if I want to put my old ass Buell through that or buy another bike...

[basco]

Ride dirt.

  , no thanks, I'll take my congested roads thank you. Just have to pick the right place at the right time.

[kmkirlin]

I don't know when the planning starts, or who even does the planning, but here are a few suggestions from the meet at Custer.
1. Have the meet whenever the lowest traffic volume is available. Custer was a blast and some really neat roads, but way to much passing had to be done! Too many vacationers and travelers.
I was told by some locals that a few weeks after Sturgis is by far the best time for cooler weather and minimum traffic.
2. Here's the hard one! Organize rides in (whatever) area according to uhh... enthusiasm! or maybe
    a. Slower than posted speed limits
    b. Maintain posted speed limits +/-
    c. Push posted limit threshold +/-
So what do you think?

Scott:

Eric's right! You missed the best ride of the day--down Spearfish Canyon chasing Todd.  We both had to put new tires on last weekend.  What does that tell you?  Hey "Johny" you owe me a Moose Drool for wearing out my tires. (Actually, I think I burned them out on I-90.)

I felt like I stumbled around looking for a riding group at Custer, but realized that I was a newbie and had to meet some folks first.  My guess is that it gets easier to find a riding group as we attend more meets.  I know it would be more fun if I arrived earlier, as I had originally planned.

It was great to meet you and many others in Custer. Come to Eureka Springs in September and let's strafe some RVs & cagers on Highway 62.

[sprocket]

You saying I was riding too slow for you? I was riding 2-up ya know. Johnny Monsoon was lighting it up after you took off. Too bad you bailed on us early. You might have gotten that "spirited" ride in and not been stuck alongside the road by yourself. LOL
[/quote]

No not saying that, You know talking about the pace creates a lot of controversy. What one would call a fast pace another would call slow. Theres nothing any more fun than freight training through the twisties with a couple of buds!
Y'all (that means "you guys") should be glad I bailed when I did, other wise you would have had to take care of me! You would have taken care of me, right?  

[SuperHans]

Y'all (that means "you guys") should be glad I bailed when I did, other wise you would have had to take care of me! You would have taken care of me, right?  

Of course. You and kmkirlin could have ridden 2-up back to Custer.

[1KPerDay]

Antarctica!

[Mac]

Antarctica!

the roads are too straight and holiday traffic is a mess.




I also hear its a dry continent.

[DredheadV2.0]

the roads are too straight and holiday traffic is a mess.




I also hear its a dry continent.

And we are NOT gonna ride across the border into Patagonia just to get beer.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

And we are NOT gonna ride across the border into Patagonia just to get beer.

I would.  

[DredheadV2.0]

That beemer's cool and all, but I doubt even YOU could make it across hundreds of miles of salt water.

But hey, with all that Nikwax I bet you'd stay dry.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

That beemer's cool and all, but I doubt even YOU could make it across hundreds of miles of salt water.

But hey, with all that Nikwax I bet you'd stay dry.

fair 'nuff.

Oh - didn't you hear about the special BMW option? "Water Wings" - for those extra long water crossings  

[SuperHans]

Oh - didn't you hear about the special BMW option? "Water Wings" - for those extra long water crossings  

I guess you two didn't see the side cases Twist had on his GS. He claims they will make the bike float. Just bring a paddle.