What type of lodgings for the national?

[stefrrr]

So wherever we decide to have the National this year, I wanted to start kind of looking at options for lodgings.

What's preferable - more remote a little distance from town/food/beer/attractions, or within walking distance of all the town has to offer?

I've been to two ESTNs, the first one right in town in Sparta, NC. It was nice to be able to walk to dinner although it was slightly further than the estimated 1/2 mile.  

Marlinton was slightly out of the way, which meant that we didn't have to worry about bothering the neighbors, not that we really did in Sparta either. We did have to ride to pick up beer, and those of us who showed up late had to go to bed without dinner. *sniffle*

What do y'all prefer?

[sterling]

I prefer camping, because I'm cheap like that!

[stefrrr]

So probably the ideal place would be somewhat isolated while within easy walking distance to food, inexpensive, and also have camping, yes?  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Most people get rooms. And drink. I suggest finding a low-key motel well within walking distance of dinner and drink. I love Fortuna (WCRM) for the simple fact it has hotel/camping/cabins/beer/dinner all within two blocks of each other, but that's hard to find at most places.

Sorry to dis the campers, but they do tend to be the minority  

Also, a lot of motels have been good at giving us a "group rate" when we all stay at the same place (or most of us, at least). Something else to keep in mind  

[sterling]

Forgot that part

But yeah, I like the somewhat isolated idea, as to not bother others, the walking distance to food doesn't bother me, I can bring my own, or go eat somewhere, it's all the same to me. Than again, a group effort on the food sounds better to me, might be hard to get a grill, etc out there, but that would be more fun to me than any restaurant, as it would be way more social.

[chornbe]

So wherever we decide to have the National this year, I wanted to start kind of looking at options for lodgings.

What's preferable - more remote a little distance from town/food/beer/attractions, or within walking distance of all the town has to offer?

No camping. I want a real bed and a real and private shower after a long day in the saddle. Whether that's arriving or just after the day-riding. I like smaller mom-n-pop or non-chain places. They're usually a little cheaper, but the service is usually better and you're not paying the premium for foo-foo shampoo and uber-soft nutsack towels.

[Ant]

I would say walking distance to food/drink... Stumbling distance to drink is the main requirement   Having to get kitted up on the bikes just to get food would be a pain in the arse and it'd mean you couldn't have a beer with your food.

Other than that I'll just say "cheap"  
A motel/cabin or whatever with a shower and somewhere to put my head each night is all I need  


(already scraping money in to a savings account to try and make this trip a reality for me...)

[twist]

What DantesDamex said.  Most people stay in a hotel and drink, so it'd be best if dinner and drinks could be had without having to ride.

[bubba zanetti]

I want to share a room with someone I have never met, listen to their remarkable and bison like sleep apnea and night terrors, wake after little sleep and ride like a demon on roads I have never seen before.  

I camp but walking distance trumps cheap.

[Ant]

I want to share a room with someone I have never met, listen to their remarkable and bison like sleep apnea and night terrors, wake after little sleep and ride like a demon on roads I have never seen before.  

I camp but walking distance trumps cheap.

I've been informed that my bison impression is very good  

[bubba zanetti]

I've been informed that my bison impression is very good  

Fine then. I get the bed near the window.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

And sharing rooms really cuts down on the cost too  

[greench440]

I'd prefer a swanky hotel with 600 thread count sheets, feather beds and large cocktail lounge in the lobby.  The bellman can take me up to my room on the luggage cart at the end of the night.

[maddjack]

beer in walking distance if posible,food close but it doesn't HAVE to be right there,but better if it is,gas nearby for those ,I  gotta top off before I get lost today mornings
Oh and there was beer next door at ESTN,but you high fluting micro drinkers turned your nose up at it

[Mac]

Do they have a motel with indian tee-pees like in Arizona?

[stefrrr]

beer in walking distance if posible,food close but it doesn't HAVE to be right there,but better if it is,gas nearby for those ,I  gotta top off before I get lost today mornings
Oh and there was beer next door at ESTN,but you high fluting micro drinkers turned your nose up at it

They were closed when we got there on Friday.  
 
Guess what I found when I was unpacking yesterday? A bottle opener in Ray's GIVI. I knew I had one somewhere.    

[maddjack]

Guess what I found when I was unpacking yesterday? A bottle opener in Ray's GIVI. I knew I had one somewhere.    

Thats why I always carry a leatherman type tool,I can even open the can -o-beans at the campground
I think (back on topic) that another critera would be room cost,we don't want it too high,yeah you can share to decrease cost,but sometimes thats not a viaable option,or desired,reasonable rates (for the area involved as it varies from tourist trap to tourist trap).

[Netminder]

What about the Motorcycle Ranch in Pikeville, Tennessee?

http://www.motorcycleranch.com/

[greench440]

It's a little far to get home each night since the 09 national is in Gunnison.

[stefrrr]

That kind of situation would be ideal, though. Price is right, plus they have camping - and tepees!  

There's nothing like that in Gunnison that I can see, but I'm sure we'll find something.

[JoBu]

I'm digging the walking distance option as well.  Just my $.02.  

Cheers,

Joe

[Huron52]

For rallies

I like motels that have the door to the room on the outside. So you can park your bike right at the door. One floor or maybe two floors max.
 
Parking lot away from the other motelers that they don't mind a few people outside chatting to the wee hours.
 
Gasoline maybe right across the street or just down the way.

 A late night store nearby (a short walk) that sells pop, chips, beer etc.

 Places to eat within walking distance.  

[DredheadV2.0]

For rallies

I like motels that have the door to the room on the outside. So you can park your bike right at the door. One floor or maybe two floors max.
 
Parking lot away from the other motelers that they don't mind a few people outside chatting to the wee hours.
 
Gasoline maybe right across the street or just down the way.

 A late night store nearby (a short walk) that sells pop, chips, beer etc.

 Places to eat within walking distance.  

That's the setup we had in Eureka Springs, and also in Montrose in '05.

Add a plus for a nearby multi-brand motorcycle shop.

[Bunbun]

yeah, the montrose place was pretty good last time.  Ideal type of setup.

Bun

[Huron52]

That's the setup we had in Eureka Springs, and also in Montrose in '05.

Add a plus for a nearby multi-brand motorcycle shop.

Yes I know!   You did a excellent job in Eureka Springs.


(now just don't let to go to your head  )

[stefrrr]

Is there anyone in the area who can tell me if there are any motels as described above in Gunnison? I saw a few online, but they look like they only have about 25 rooms, and I'm not sure if that'll be enough.

[Scratch33]

Trip Advisor is one of my favorite sites:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g60740-Gunnison_Colorado-Hotels.html

Hey, there's a Rodeway Inn listed!

[DredheadV2.0]

Trip Advisor is one of my favorite sites:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g60740-Gunnison_Colorado-Hotels.html

Hey, there's a Rodeway Inn listed!

Woot!  And since I made all the reservations last time, I get all the RodeWay Points!!!




ha.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Woot!  And since I made all the reservations last time, I get all the RodeWay Points!!!


ha.

 

[Leanintree]

Camping might be difficult. I'll make a couple of inquiries though.



Leanintree

[miles]

So when do we set up a poll to designate the official motel?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I say check with someone like the Alpine Inn (small, family-run, bike friendly) and see if they have lawn space for tents  

[Mr Sunshine]

I thought the exact location had to be determined first.  Isn't that still in a poll?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I thought the exact location had to be determined first.  Isn't that still in a poll?

shhhhhh!  

[chornbe]

Guess what I found when I was unpacking yesterday? A bottle opener in Ray's GIVI. I knew I had one somewhere.    

Consider yourself appropriate bitch-slapped!  

[Bunbun]

I vote for the holiday inn express.  Especially if it's a new one!  Plenty of rooms, never had bad service and with a group rate it'll be good.

Bun

[Scratch33]

HIE's are my preferred hotel on road trips; though they're kinda pricey.  Love them cinnamon buns in the morning...

[stefrrr]

Consider yourself appropriate bitch-slapped!  

It's not my fault you couldn't open beers with the door latch mechanism like everyone else.  

[Andrew]

Where ever we all end up I vote cheap with enough rooms that all (who are not camping) can stay

Best Western is nice but a bit pricey.
The WildWood sounds good, and cheap (I hope)

[Scoop]

I'd prefer a swanky hotel with 600 thread count sheets, feather beds and large cocktail lounge in the lobby.  The bellman can take me up to my room on the luggage cart at the end of the night.

This is what we want too.  Go big or go home  

[Scoop]

Boy, you guys are all so Canadian. "Lets have rooms far enough out so we don't bother others and we don't have to drink beer and then drive our bikes"......eh?
If we were pirates, it would be a place in the middle of town where we could annoy others and beer far enough away so we can rip through downtown on the way there and then while drunk on the way back.....

[maddjack]

I vote for the holiday inn express.  Especially if it's a new one!  Plenty of rooms, never had bad service and with a group rate it'll be good.

Bun

I'd go for the HIE,well what ever is picked just make sure we don't need 50 overflow motels to accomodate everyone,its a PIA

[stefrrr]

Boy, you guys are all so Canadian. (snip)

 

My main concern is to find a place with at least 50 rooms total. So far, most of the motels I've seen have very few rooms. Motel = walkways on outside, which I think is a preference.

[Leanintree]

Now if I can just con my old man into letting us all camp down by the creek at their place... so, 50 tents? That's what, 2 porta-johns?  Probably have to work out a rotation schedule in the hot tub though...
Leanintree

[stefrrr]

Chornbe'd have to rent an RV.  

That would be pretty cool, though. Maybe we could have a vote when our current polls finish.  

[twist]

<----------   NOT CAMPING

[stefrrr]

 

[maddjack]

<----------   NOT CAMPING

Amen to that  

[megillet]

I'd go for the HIE,well what ever is picked just make sure we don't need 50 overflow motels to accomodate everyone,its a PIA

+1, I think I'm gonna try to make this this year!

[bobnflorida]

I think the HIE is a great idea BUT I can't sleep if I spend over $100 a night. Let me be the first for a roommate non-smoking request. $50 is much better!!

[Canuck]

I stayed at the HIE in Gunnison this summer on a 16 day trip with a buddy. It was a good place. Seemed quite biker friendly. There were a fair number of people on bikes staying there. I can't remember what we paid anymore, but I didn't think it was over $100. Generally we looked for cheaper places than that, but the other places might have been sold out. I do remember there was a pretty good restaurant/bar across the street.

Had a great ride from there up the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Incredible twisties, stunning scenery, not much traffic. Was great until coming round a switchback curve with a 15 mph sign to find cowshit everywhere. Still wet, and slippery. Thankfully we didn't go down. It would have been easy to do there. Could you imagine doing a lowside and sliding in that stuff. At least the lubrication would help with abrasion resistance. It went on literally for about 20 miles although it got thinner and drier as we went, but we had to slow down a lot. Worse than riding in rain. Apparently they run big cattle drives up into the mountains along the road a couple of times per year. And once that stuff dries on your bike, it ain't easy to clean off. Hopefully the National will be timed properly to miss that. Oh yeah, gas up in Gunnison before heading up the Black Canyon. We got close to empty because we didn't gas up and figured we'd hit a gas tank somewhere along the way. Nope.

[stefrrr]

I just called the Gunnison Inn. They have outside corridors, said that their capacity is 60-80. They only have 24 rooms, so that'd be pretty much maxed out. If we used all of their rooms, we'd probably be able to have about 48 - 32-40 in the double queen rooms and 10-16 in the kings. They don't have camping on site, but they are a couple miles from the KOA, and a couple blocks from Main street - bars, restaurants, etc.  

Sounded really friendly, said they had a lot of motorcyclists in the summer, and seemed to know what we'd be looking for (he mentioned the outside corridors, parking).

Alpine Inn has more rooms, but the person I spoke with kept asking me repeatedly if I was with the Rockies bicycle tour until I just said, "NO." I'll try calling back.  

[twist]

This year we ended up split between several nearby motels due to space constraints.  It'd be nice if we could all fit into one motel - if not, we should at least make sure there are several motels nearby to handle the overflow.

[stefrrr]

I agree. Time for a poll!

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I agree. Time for a poll!

 

[stefrrr]

Want to make sure everyone has a say, you know.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Want to make sure everyone has a say, you know.  

 

Do the research, pick the place. Someone will always bitch, but most of us are just happy to be told where to go  

[twist]

most of us are just happy to be told where to go 

... must ... resist ...

[Leanintree]

Resistance is futile...

"You've been a bad girl! Go to my room!"

There, happy?
Leanintree

[county]

I just talked to my brother who lives in Gunnison and he's friends with a guy who;s got a place by the river outside of Gunnison.

Anyway I suggested he have the guy come on here and present his place....so we'll see.

[stefrrr]

We also have blocks of rooms reserved at the Quality and Gunnison Inns. There's a stickied thread at the top of the forum.