What's your priority at Nationals?

[SWriverstone]

The discussion about where to hold the 2010 Nationals got me wondering about STNers' priorities when attending Nationals. It's clear that for some people, it's all about riding, riding, riding—as much as humanly possible! For others it's more about the camaraderie and socializing.

Me? I ride plenty all year round, and I always choose a great scenic route to/from Nationals...so on the main day of Nationals, I'd rather do just a little riding and mostly hang out and get to know other STNers.

I remember being bummed out after two previous Nationals that there wasn't much time to hang out with other STNers and just shoot the bull. Everyone blew into town the night before, got up that morning and rode from dawn to dusk...there was a little bit of time to hang out around the dinner, then everyone blew out of town again the next morning.

I sort of felt like, what's the point? If everyone's just gonna ride nonstop, then why have Nationals?  But that's just me.   (It's possible that many people have no interest in hanging out for more than an hour with other STNers!   )

Scott

[garry]

I don't see the difference between the first two choices: all-day equals dawn to dusk, doesn't it?

Put me down for ride all day (8am - 6pm) and socialize at night.

[SWriverstone]

  Well, you have a point. I guess the difference between options 1 and 2 is...option 1 means people just flat-out don't care about socializing at all---they're at Nationals for one thing and one thing only: to RIDE.

Option 2 is more moderate...people who want to ride a lot, but also care about socializing.

Scott

[phoenix]

I haven't made it to a National or regional meet (other than our trackday meets) in a few years, but here's my 2 cents anyway.

Usually getting there and back are long days, with less than interesting rides. A fair amount of interstate unless I want to add a lot of distance to an already long trip. As such, when I get there, I'm not in the mood to do much more than maybe 250 or 300 miles in a day.

Ideally, the days at a meet would involve something like 75 miles on the bike and then stop at a destination to take in a meal or some interesting site. Maybe kill an hour or an hour and a half at that stop. Then go for another 75 miles to the next destination. Hit 3 or 4 destinations and then come back to the starting point. Something like that. I DO NOT like to go out and stop every 10-15 miles. And I am not about to go 500 miles in a day, my body just can't take it. Shoot, its a vacation, I don't want to think back and remember all the pain involved.

[kendenton]

I haven't been to a National, but I've done the Denny's Meet and Eat several times.  For me the event is mostly about socializing, but I wouldn't want to sit around all day swapping stories.

This year's Denny's meet was perfect for me.  Arrived in time Friday night to hang out and get dinner with some early arrivals, did a ride from 8am to dinner on Saturday, shoot the bull all evening/night, nice loop Sunday morning and then Denny's.  Ride home after that.

I'm heading up to ESTN in September, and while I'm planning on doing a long group ride on Saturday I'm most looking forward to meeting friends, both old and new.

[chas]

Let's see what happens at ESTN 2009 and make a call after.  Sort of a test run.

[Scoop]

Personally, I like to sample the roads around the National base.  Just sample though, I don't take part in the 400 mile day long area rides that some love to do.  I (and my SO) would rather explore the area a bit, take in the scenery and local towns, do some nice twisties.  But only for a half day or so.  The rest of the time I (we) like to take some time off the bike, socialize and relax.  Relaxing is important, as we are always a long way from everywhere.  

[R Doug]

(with some nice socializing in the evening, of course.)

[blackbeltrider]

I'd prefer to ride all day and socialize in the evening. Since it will be an interstate drone there and back for me, I'd like to explore the roads in the area, then engage in social pastimes in the evening.

[Corbeau]

I remember being bummed out after two previous Nationals that there wasn't much time to hang out with other STNers and just shoot the bull.

Scott

... said the guy who had mapped out a 400+ mile "all you can eat" buffet ride out of Canaan Valley...

It was memorable and remains one of the best single-day loop I've ever done.

[SWriverstone]

  Yeah, that was in my "rabid" period of riding, where I was just like Garry and R Doug!   (But I grew out of it...)

Scott

[sprocket]

I always found riding all day with other STN'ers to be uniquely socializing. Watching the way others ride, their form, the way they shift and brake. I love that stuff!

[garry]

  Yeah, that was in my "rabid" period of riding, where I was just like Garry and R Doug!   (But I grew out of it...)

You just got old Scott  

I'm trying to keep my ESTN days down to about 350 miles, so maybe I'm getting old too...

[Grove Rat]

Well, for me breakfast then about 6-8 hours riding with several breaks but not for lunch. Back by about 4 pm to socialize and get ready for dinner. If there is a group dinner probably knock off a little earlier for that.

I like to find that happy median of riding some really good roads and the social aspect of it. Thats why its good to have the rally in an area of many good roads. Guess thats why I thought Wytheville, Va. would make a good spot.

[Corbeau]

You can tell that your day ride at the National was epic by the lack of temperature of the food..

[SWriverstone]

Hmm...looks like with 46 voters, it's a tie (so far) between "ride all day with a little socializing" types...and "ride, but not all day and more socializing" types.

I'm a bit surprised at the number of people who seem to ride the slab all the way to Nationals and so are starved (understandably) for quality riding when they arrive. I guess my personal philosophy has always been...if I can't take enough time to ride great back roads all the way there and back, I'm not going!

Scott

[blackbeltrider]

I'm a bit surprised at the number of people who seem to ride the slab all the way to Nationals and so are starved (understandably) for quality riding when they arrive. I guess my personal philosophy has always been...if I can't take enough time to ride great back roads all the way there and back, I'm not going!

Scott

I've tried riding back roads down into the US twice. I'd be 763 years old by the time I got there, given where I depart from.

[Scoop]

Hmm...looks like with 46 voters, it's a tie (so far) between "ride all day with a little socializing" types...and "ride, but not all day and more socializing" types.

I'm a bit surprised at the number of people who seem to ride the slab all the way to Nationals and so are starved (understandably) for quality riding when they arrive. I guess my personal philosophy has always been...if I can't take enough time to ride great back roads all the way there and back, I'm not going!

Scott

We have two issues with that.  One is time.  If there is a group, one person will inevitably be pressed for time.  The other is location.  Where we live, we now have to drive for 3 days before we get someplace new.  So, we either have to go a few days out of our way to find an interesting route down, or slab for a bit to bypass the same old same old.  Maybe it's time to move  

[county]

Well, for STN rallies I been to Arkansas (Multiple times), Colorado, West Virginia and Kentucky.

MOstly when I arrive I like to get off the bike.  One of the most memorable times I had was watching "Faster" in a big conference room on some guy's laptop with about 20 stn'ers.  I enjoy hanging out and looking at people's bikes etc.

I think if it was offered a lot of people would participate in group activities.....I think there should be a designated restaurant for breakfasts and dinners every day....and a group ride to lunch.  Not 100 miles.

All the focus on motorcycle rides seems kinda redundant, I came on a bike.  Although once on a group ride in Kentucky I did get into a race with a kid on a dirt bike, which I won.

[scottzilla]

Well, for STN rallies I been to Arkansas (Multiple times), Colorado, West Virginia and Kentucky.

MOstly when I arrive I like to get off the bike.  One of the most memorable times I had was watching "Faster" in a big conference room on some guy's laptop with about 20 stn'ers.  I enjoy hanging out and looking at people's bikes etc.

I think if it was offered a lot of people would participate in group activities.....I think there should be a designated restaurant for breakfasts and dinners every day....and a group ride to lunch.  Not 100 miles.

All the focus on motorcycle rides seems kinda redundant, I came on a bike.  Although once on a group ride in Kentucky I did get into a race with a kid on a dirt bike, which I won.

Ah, I see you were working on getting to this thread but must have been busy elsewhere, huh?
See, when you hang out in politics, time just wizzes by.

[Mac]

  Although once on a group ride in Kentucky I did get into a race with a kid on a dirt bike, which I won.

Is that how you remember it?  

[1KPerDay]

Although once on a group ride in Kentucky I did get into a race with a kid on a bmx bike, which I won.

fxd

[chornbe]

I don't see the difference between the first two choices: all-day equals dawn to dusk, doesn't it?

Put me down for ride all day (8am - 6pm) and socialize at night.

I like to be off the road in time for a shower and good dinner, then let the parking lot festivities ensue.

8-5 or 8-6 is a good run, if it's looking like the route will end up after that, I'll trim short and head back.  

[Loki]

I am hoping to make it to this one,

A good day trip maybe 6 hours would be great..then I would like to actually meet some of you deviates, I picture County as a big guy, about 6'2' or so....maybe 235lbs....

Would like to actually get the real picture.

Of course, from what I have heard of some of you...I would have to be careful on who I associate with, I understand there are some, how to say this, "Deviates" out there in ST.N land...

So we will see. It is even again with my vote. 30  30.

P;

[Papa Lazarou]

Looking at the local insect life.

[county]

Is that how you remember it?  

That's how me and Tiger remember it, he was the only witness.....

[twist]

That's how me and Tiger remember it, he was the only witness.....

That's not what Tiger said at lunch after that, and I wasn't the only one who heard it  

[Oilhed]

I like to ride all day but start late (9-10) then take a lunch break and end early enough for talking shop, eating and drinking til past midnight