Move the National from Montrose

[Thundergod]

I respect the decisions of the Admins who plan the National meet.

But as an Avid Motorcyclist and  NATIVE COLORADAN, I have to say that MONTROSE IS HOT HELL.
Set in the west-plateau at the end of the valley...Montrose is just hell plain and simple...always hot, always flat.

Please consider moving the National ONE HOUR EAST to Gunnison or Paonia.
In doing so you will gain the following OVER Montrose.

1. Cool daytime temperatures. (80 instead of 100s)
2. Beautiful Scenery surrounding the entire town
3. Biker Friendly town
4. Biker Friendly Restaurants/Hotels for large groups
5. ** Most importantly** There are at least 5 Major Day Routes within moments of Gunnison. ALL are perfection for motorcyclists. Twisty river canyons, rolling sweepers etc. Montrose has ZERO. You ride in and ride out to get anywere.

PLEASE...I BEG OF YOU....MOVE THE NATIONAL OFF THE PLATEAU and INTO OUR BEAUTIFUL COOL MOUNTAINS

[Leanintree]

What 5 day routes are you talking about? I'm a Gunnison native (30 years although I'm now in Grand Junction), and I sure don't see the others that you are referring to... They all tie into one another really...

East Hwy 50 to Monarch, Southeast down 141, south 149, west Hwy 50 to Montrose, West NW down hwy 92 OR Kebler Pass west out of Crested Butte.

If you want to make a super short loop, Monarch and 141 are tied together, or one must be bypassed (and will make a loop through Montrose anyway) for a longer ride.

South to lake City, through Creede, Durango up 550 and returning to Gunnison via Montrose is good ride, but no points for that since it can start from Montrose as well.

Hwy 92 is halfway between Gunny and Montrose, and the only outlet there won't lead easily back to Gunny (over McCleur pass, over Independance, Salida, Monarch pass, Gunny). Only one option there though. If you go the other way, its slab to Glenwood, Grand Junction,  Montrose and back to Gunny (although, there is a possible side trip over the Grand Mesa).

Basically, multiple day trips lead to riding the same roads there and back for half the time. Out of Montrose, there are all these routes, and multiple others in the southwest corner of the state to make into round trips.

Not that I'm complaining though, If it's in Gunny, I have a place to crash within 20 miles and probably could offer camping to any and all ST.Ners that wanted it . With a hot tub.  

Leanintree

[DredheadV2.0]

I know Gunnison was in the running last time, along with Moab.  I don't know why Montrose was chosen overall - I mean, I knew once, but have long since forgotten.  All the polling and discussion disappeared when the old board died.

[sprintrock]

I heard discussion at the National about southern Utah.  From pictures and stories, I think that I'd prefer Utah.

Rockford

[Orson]

I don't know why Montrose was chosen overall - I mean, I knew once, but have long since forgotten.  All the polling and discussion disappeared when the old board died.

I seem to remember it was bantied about quite a bit.

I'm thinking it had something to do with hotel choices and availability.

[twist]

I don't remember either.  Just a quick search shows a bunch of hotels in both Montrose and Gunnison.  Where we stayed at Montrose, there was an awesome dealer walking distance to the hotel, Davis Service Center.  They had Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki/Kawasaki/KTM.  Gunnison has Sun Sports Unlimited - Yamaha/KTM/Kawasaki - are they any good?  Where's the nearest Suzuki and Honda dealer?  The nearest BMW dealers are still Grand Junction and Colorado Springs.

Assuming Gunnison has all the same amenities as Montrose, it's beneficial to move there just for the temperature drop, even if all the rides are the same.

[DredheadV2.0]

I wish there was SOMETHING from the old board left, on a CD-ROM somewhere.  Just one day's worth of archiving in the spring of 2005.  SOMETHING.

With the old board gone, I cannot brain.

[SWriverstone]

So...Thundergod sounds like he knows what he's talking about. Is STN so dogmatic and inflexible that this can't be opened up for discussion again?

 

Just wondering.
Scott

[Orson]

So...Thundergod sounds like he knows what he's talking about. Is STN so dogmatic and inflexible that this can't be opened up for discussion again?

maybe only the locals notice the heat.  

I seem to remember a lot of people coming away thoroughly "chuffed" (had to throw that word into conversation) after the Montrose national.

Throw up a poll and see which way the shingle tilts  

[Thundergod]

What 5 day routes are you talking about? I'm a Gunnison native (30 years although I'm now in Grand Junction), and I sure don't see the others that you are referring to... They all tie into one another really...

East Hwy 50 to Monarch, Southeast down 141, south 149, west Hwy 50 to Montrose, West NW down hwy 92 OR Kebler Pass west out of Crested Butte.

If you want to make a super short loop, Monarch and 141 are tied together, or one must be bypassed (and will make a loop through Montrose anyway) for a longer ride.

South to lake City, through Creede, Durango up 550 and returning to Gunnison via Montrose is good ride, but no points for that since it can start from Montrose as well.

Hwy 92 is halfway between Gunny and Montrose, and the only outlet there won't lead easily back to Gunny (over McCleur pass, over Independance, Salida, Monarch pass, Gunny). Only one option there though. If you go the other way, its slab to Glenwood, Grand Junction,  Montrose and back to Gunny (although, there is a possible side trip over the Grand Mesa).

Basically, multiple day trips lead to riding the same roads there and back for half the time. Out of Montrose, there are all these routes, and multiple others in the southwest corner of the state to make into round trips.

Not that I'm complaining though, If it's in Gunny, I have a place to crash within 20 miles and probably could offer camping to any and all ST.Ners that wanted it . With a hot tub.  

Leanintree

Here are four that are worth while, all originate from Gunnison. But these could be easily expanded.


View Larger Map

[DredheadV2.0]

So...Thundergod sounds like he knows what he's talking about. Is STN so dogmatic and inflexible that this can't be opened up for discussion again?

 

Just wondering.
Scott

We're having a discussion right now, Scott.  Did you miss it, somehow?

[Scoop]

I move that we form a subcommittee to ride to both areas and do an exhaustive comparative evaluation.  Based on those findings, and on pure whim, we can then select a location.

[stefrrr]

I think that's a great idea! Who volunteers?

[Scoop]

I forgot to mention that it needs to be a subcommittee with an expense account......

[stefrrr]

Sure. Just turn in your receipts.  

[twist]

Sure. Just turn in your receipts.  

If you're paying, I'll go book my plane tickets, 5-star hotel accomodations and motorcycle rental right now

[stefrrr]

All I said was turn in your receipts. I never said anything about giving anything back.  

[greench440]

Second the motion to move to Gunnison.

[bobnflorida]

This discussion is taking on a very political feeling :lol:I would mention names but then all hell would break loose. Scoop - how are things up north?

[DredheadV2.0]

I'm all for throwing it up for another vote.  Montrose worked out really well, but we'd all agreed that another Rockies location might be cool for the 2008 meet also.

The voting last time was between Gunnison, Montrose, Moab, and... crap.  Can't think of the fourth option.  No matter.  We'll throw it up for a vote after people voice their choices and make their cases over the next few months.