Re-titled: this ino longer and official ESTN event idea

[chornbe]

Edited without Chris' consent or knowledge  

If we do something like what is listed below, it'll be it's own, stand-alone event. The ESTN thread will be unlocked and an official ESTN event can be planned there

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So, what's the deal with ESTN 2011?

Have you ever considered a regional meet and thought that if it was only 200 miles closer, you could do it without taking that extra day off work? Or maybe thought the roads around Such-n-Such-burg are nice, but it's really only a one-day area? Or thought that riding farther to get somewhere, while making your way home as part of the meet experience was a good option? Or maybe thought that it would be good to catch up with folks, only to find that they're the ones who couldn't get that extra day off work and had to cancel?

The idea being presented for ESTN 2011 can help with some of those concerns.

The suggestion is a "run" rather than a "meet-n-greet". ESTN attendees spend up to three nights and four days having a mobile meet. Probably starting in the North and working South and West. Each evening will see the ST.N members who wish to join up or continue on with the next leg of the run all gathering at one place in one town, then doing the same the next night at a new location.

So far, the thinking includes Lake Placid for the first night, Central or Southwestern PA for the second night, and West Virginia or parts South (North Carolina ?) for the third night.

Having the meet spread out across a long weekend and in such a diverse geographical area may allow more people to attend at least a portion of the meet, while also providing the opportunity to spend more time riding different roads as part of the meet. Since attendees have to ride from one point to the next, and they have all day to do so before the evening's parking lot festivities, riders are free to pack up and go at their own pace, select a route from suggestions or from their own experience or curiosity, and of course to ride with others who they may not get to see very often.

Stay tuned for more details concerning the 2011 ESTN Rallye!

[Mrs. DantesDame]

 

[Cablebandit]

I put the page count over/under at 10.

[scottzilla]

I like it.

[JReazor]

Just to get the obvious question out of the way:

Why not let ESTN be what it always has been and make this run a separate event?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I like it.

Asshole.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I can see the appeal of the Run vs Meet; a lot more scenery to see, a lot more geographic variety, a bigger chance to get more people involved from various states...


I like the idea of moving from one place to another. What if we did something more like a "circle tour"? Pick out 2-3 places that are within a day's ride, but more centrally located to somewhere random, like Kentucky  That will keep it more centralized (like the current ESTN Meets) yet give us some variety of the roads seen day-to-day.

Also, depending on where the circle is, it might be easy for people to jump in for only a couple of days if their time is limited  

[shil]

What about the beer?  And provisions?
And agreeing on three hotels?

[MrsCablebandit]

ESTN 2010 was my first meet and I thoroughly enjoyed the "format" since Cablebandit and I were able to turn it into a five-day trip.  We took our time (and the scenic routes) to get there and back again, meeting up and heading home with others as our travel plans overlapped.  

It's easy for me to say this is what I would prefer, since I don't know any better...however, I can also see the appeal of the "run."  I am interested to see where discussion about this goes; if this idea is pursued and Central PA does become a stop, I (we  ) could help with some of the logistics for this area.  

[garry]

For me, ESTN is usually a multi-day "loop" ride anyway. I'm not sure how this idea would work in practice as a three-day weekend if it takes someone a day just to get to the official "loop". But a rolling rally sounds like an interesting idea, so continue discussing the possibilities.

As someone else mentioned months ago, we are not limited to one eastern event a year. We can have several long weekend get-togethers or loop rides. Just post up and idea and see who is interested...

[falcofred]

Any excuse to ride

[R Doug]

What about the beer?  And provisions?
And agreeing on three hotels?

There you are, I haven't seen you around in awhile.

Anyhow, regarding your point, this has the potential of a hotel logistical nightmare the way we hem/haw around on just one.  

Other than that, I really like the idea.  

[beachy]

it might be like doing the wave at the stadium you just get in there when its your turn but even better you get to ride

[Guy]

Just to get the obvious question out of the way:

Why not let ESTN be what it always has been and make this run a separate event?

Yeah, I've always felt that there was a dearth of eastern meets.

Call it the Rolling Roadblock Meet, and set it for the beginning of summer instead of the end. Maybe May or sumtin'. Gives more of an option for peeps to make a meet in this neck of the woods.

[maddjack]

As far as agreeing on Hotels, hey, my 2 cents is the organizer should pick , there can be disscussion , but somebody has to make a call, if people want to join up they will. We are way too poll/ democracy oriented for events when nobody can ever agree.
chris do it, maybe look at a loop of 4 or the open ended thing could work.
The only disadvantge is you lose leverage to get a group hotel rate with one night stays.
Just my thoughts folks

[Mrs. DantesDame]

As far as agreeing on Hotels, hey, my 2 cents is the organizer should pick

We did something like this over in BC (the Banff Run). The organizer there picked (more like "suggested") the hotel and restaurant and then everyone made their own arrangements. Only in one particular location was there a choice, as the main hotel of choice was quite spendy, so an alternative was named. Dinner was still at the chosen location. It seemed to work out very well  

[Skee]

16 posts without any negativity - that's rare here's my take.

I like it.  But I'm flexible, don't mind riding under any conditions, and don't bitch when the weekend or location doesn't suit my personal schedule; although I may occasionally whine annoying at higher RPM!  STN is such an anarchic democracy that achieving any sort of consensus on dates an times is likely improbable.

I still like the idea.  

We start by agreeing on a core date & location - just sayin' - Sparta on Sat night, then expand with links forward & back.  For example, Lewisburg WV Fri night, Hocking Hill OH Thurs night, Lake Placid WED; then Maggie Valley NC Mon Night, etc.  

Alternatively - I'll just throw this out there - What about doing 3 ESTNs: Spring Summer Fall.  Each one a weekend in a different locale, maybe VT mid-summer, Spring in NC/WV, and fall in OH.  I already know I won't be able to make all 3, but it gives everybody an opportunity to make at least one sometime.

[maddjack]

In truth we have been doing 2, with the meet and eat a spring ESTN although its not called that, I put foreward the multiple Idea earlier in the year and I agree 3 would be good, call what you like

[MrsCablebandit]

In truth we have been doing 2, with the meet and eat a spring ESTN although its not called that, I put foreward the multiple Idea earlier in the year and I agree 3 would be good, call what you like

ThreESTN, perhaps?!?

[maddjack]

Spring out meet
Mid summer meet
 ESTN
My 2 coppers