Which meet location?

[Ant]

Of all of the meet locations around the US... Which is in the best location for a foreigner to make the trip and come and see what's going on over in the States? Which has the "best" scenery and roads as well as the local atmosphere?
I just need to know when I need to start saving my money  

[twist]

Of all of the meet locations around the US... Which is in the best location for a foreigner to make the trip and come and see what's going on over in the States? Which has the "best" scenery and roads as well as the local atmosphere?
I just need to know when I need to start saving my money  

I'd have to say Colorado.  You've got 10 months to get ready  

[miles]

Well, I've only been to two- West Coast and National in Arkansas.  Of the two I'd vote for WCRM.


miles

[Leanintree]

Ant, if your coming to Colorado, I'll start stocking up on PB&J. Heck, I'll have a fully stocked cabinet full waiting for you.

Leanintree

[Ant]

Ant, if your coming to Colorado, I'll start stocking up on PB&J. Heck, I'll have a fully stocked cabinet full waiting for you.

  Right, that settles it. It won't be 2009

Hmmm, I just need to win the lottery... Then everything will be so much easier! $800 just to fly over there, and that is before I even think about hiring a bike (which I would guess is going to be pretty damn expensive)   Maybe if I start saving now then 2010 will be a possibility

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I'd have to say Colorado.  You've got 10 months to get ready  

+1

Maybe ask (like Dred did) about hiring an STNer's bike - that should cut down on costs a bit. And hell, we've got an extensive list of peopl with couches. This could be a practically free trip for you! (and surely you can find a ticket for less than that??   )

[mxvet57]

This could be a practically free trip for you! (and surely you can find a ticket for less than that??   )

especially if you book it 2 years in advance.  

[twist]

(and surely you can find a ticket for less than that??   )

With the current price of oil?  Yeah, right.

[Orson]

Of all of the meet locations around the US... Which is in the best location for a foreigner to make the trip and come and see what's going on over in the States? Which has the "best" scenery and roads as well as the local atmosphere?

I would say the WCRM in Fortuna.

Northern California is one of the most beautiful places in the world...and the roads don't suck  

add to that, if you can only ride 1 road before you kick the bucket, that road would have to be the Pacific Coast Highway  

as far as local atmosphere, I dunno nuttin bout that...does aging hippies growing cash crops up in da hills pass for local atmosphere?  

[greench440]

I think you have a hard time getting some "atmospherere" if you're an out of towner.

[stefrrr]

ESTN's going to be in West Virginia this year. It'd be quite the cultural diversion.  













The   is meant to imply that this is a joke - our STNers in WV are all smart, dashing, erudite intellectuals. They all seem to have all of their teeth, too.  

[Ant]

+1

Maybe ask (like Dred did) about hiring an STNer's bike - that should cut down on costs a bit. And hell, we've got an extensive list of peopl with couches. This could be a practically free trip for you! (and surely you can find a ticket for less than that??   )

That might not be a bad idea... I'll have to have a think about whether I could really make the trip, if I decide to take the plunge then I'd start asking around.
A National would be the ideal since it'd let me meet up with more faces from the forums, I just remembered that the National is in different locations each year so I was wondering which was best
The plane tickets I found were just to give me an idea of what to expect, I just plugged in some airports in one web site. Normally I'd hunt around a lot more! I'd think it is a safe bet that it'd be in the £400 region.

[mtrider16]

... and that is before I even think about hiring a bike (which I would guess is going to be pretty damn expensive)  

I just rented a bike in Denver.  Two days with insurance, et al. for $326.  See you in 10 months!!  

David

[DredheadV2.0]

Ant, PM Snowdog and ask him what's what, what?  

[Orson]

A National would be the ideal since it'd let me meet up with more faces from the forums,

akshully, I believe the WCRM attendance rivals that of the Nationals, due to so many people wanting to look at Dr. Gil's Moto Guzzi.

[miles]

akshully, I believe the WCRM attendance rivals doubles that of the Nationals, due to so many people wanting to look at Dr. Gil's Moto Guzzi.

Fixed that for you.

[stefrrr]

I'm pretty sure than ESTN attendance was higher than the national last year as well - it looks to be big this year too.  

Plus, I'll be there.  

[Ant]

akshully, I believe the WCRM attendance rivals that of the Nationals, due to so many people wanting to look at Dr. Gil's Moto Guzzi.

I'm pretty sure than ESTN attendance was higher than the national last year as well - it looks to be big this year too.  

Plus, I'll be there.  

Damn it, you're all just confusing matters now  

Ant, PM Snowdog and ask him what's what, what?  

Eh what what what what what  
Will do, though I'm still in the pondering stage rather than the "must find a bike now" stage!

[Jeff N]

Book it like this-

UK to SFO. Hook up with whatever local rental company will loan you a VFR. Ride up HWY 1. Join us at a WCRM and have a laugh. See the Napkin of Doom. Drink some more and then get a good night's rest because Jim will show you a ride like you wouldn't believe. Return to Fortuna for laughs and good drink and food. Next day ride back down HWY 1 because it really is different going the other way. Get on a plane and return home. Once you're able, post it.

[Snowdog]

Will do, though I'm still in the pondering stage rather than the "must find a bike now" stage!

I found that finding a bike was the critical bit. My whole trip over for the 2004 National revolved around where I could rent a bike I was prepared to ride.

[garry]

As much as I enjoy the roads in the east, I would say head to the west coast. Great scenery and roads, but perhaps more importantly, more options for renting a motorcycle. You've got some major cities to be a tourist in if you're so inclined (LA, SF), beaches, mountains, etc, etc, etc.

I've often thought that doing a tall/long loop that basically rides up the west coast into BC, then back down the Rockies and across the desert back to LA (or whatever) would be a great trip.

EDIT: I just played around with GoogleMaps and you could do an awesome loop from the Bay Area to up to Vancouver, over to Calgary, then south following the Rockies via a lot of National Parks to Las Vegas and loop back to the BA via Death Valley and Yosemite. That's about 4500 miles (allow at least two weeks for the ride). Actually, that loop sounds so good I might have to do it next summer. Just a matter of how to get the bike out there and back home for a sane amount of money.

[greench440]

Several people have rented bikes from dubbelju.com in San Francisco.  KSann and BMW-K had a line on a good rental company in LA, and there is always http://www.sportbikerental.com/motorcycles.php at multiple locations around the west.  Seattle also has a few rental companies that I can't think of right now.

[Ant]

Damn it, what date is the meet again?
None of the hire companies I've been able to find in my first preliminary hunt will hire to an ickle baby like me. 25 and over only, I of course will be 25 in July next year - the meet is in June right?    

[Snowdog]

None of the hire companies I've been able to find in my first preliminary hunt will hire to an ickle baby like me. 25 and over only

Over 21 here - Tourbikes. This is where I rented my bike in 2004.

[Andrew]

YO Ant, I have a ZX11 or a R1100GS ready and capable of the ride with ease (the FJR is mine )
Here just 35 miles south of SF (heck I work net to SFO could pick up in the way home) Actually closer to San Jose International, up to you.
I plan on doing a scenic ride over to CO. come company never hurts.

PM me if interested.

[Ant]

YO Ant, I have a ZX11 or a R1100GS ready and capable of the ride with ease (the FJR is mine )
Here just 35 miles south of SF (heck I work net to SFO could pick up in the way home) Actually closer to San Jose International, up to you.
I plan on doing a scenic ride over to CO. come company never hurts.

PM me if interested.

Wow, that is incredibly generous of you... Grrrr, now I really am going to have to give it some serious thought!    

[stefrrr]

Woohoo! Main dinner event for the 2009 national: PB&J competition! Makes a good cheap dinner too.  

[Ant]

Woohoo! Main dinner event for the 2009 national: PB&J competition! Makes a good cheap dinner too.  

Well that makes that decision a lot easier to make!!  

[stefrrr]

Glad to help.  

[twist]

Woohoo! Main dinner event for the 2009 national: PB&J competition! Makes a good cheap dinner too.  

yeah, I'll be going elsewhere for dinner then, kthxbai