ESTN 2012

[Heaven Bound]

Well?

When?
Where?
Who?

[maddjack]

Well?

When?
Where?
Who?

Your suggestions for a location????

Maybe a poll?
We should discuss it some for ideas on where.

[garry]

My recollection is that ESTN has been in these locations in the past few years:

2011 - Marietta, OH
2010 - Sparta, NC (STN National was in Lewisburg, WV that year)
2009 - Lake Placid, NY
2008 - Marlinton, WV
2007 - Sparta, NC
2006 - none (STN National was in Canaan Valley, WV that year)
2005 - Stowe, VT

I haven't been to any of the pre-2005 ESTNs, but I recall Flatwoods (WV) and KY being mentioned in various "history of ESTN" threads.

Marlinton is surrounded by great riding in all directions (paved, goat paths, dual-sport), so I wouldn't mind doing that again. That's a no-brainer to organize. Just reserve some rooms at the MMI. The on-site restaurant was even more under-whelming this past summer, so if a group dinner would be planned, maybe the BBQ place from Marlinton would cater something at the MMI. Or do Lewisburg for a slightly more southern option. That is well-known from the 2010 National.

I wouldn't mind trying some place new ala Roanoke area. I know SWriverstone is all about Peaks of Otter ($118 per night w/ AAA discount). Traffic on the BRP on a weekend could be an issue, but there is no shortage of fine riding off the BRP.

The Staunton/Waynesboro area might be interesting too. Easy access via interstate. Right where Skyline meets the BRP. Route 250 takes you west to twisty goodness.

Personally, I like having ESTN in September, but would be open to whatever.

[Spanky]

He said route 250  

[R Doug]

Since I'm not going to make the national next year (focus more time on the track bike), I plan on making ESTN in 2012.  

+ 1 on Marlinton.  Sparta was pretty excellent too.  

[R Doug]

I have mixed feelings about Sparta.  The first time was great, but the second time through my bike ended up staying there...maybe I need a third time to make it right  

Did you ever replace the Bandit?

[maddjack]

My recollection is that ESTN has been in these locations in the past few years:

2011 - Marietta, OH
2010 - Sparta, NC (STN National was in Lewisburg, WV that year)
2009 - Lake Placid, NY
2008 - Marlinton, WV
2007 - Sparta, NC
2006 - none (STN National was in Canaan Valley, WV that year)
2005 - Stowe, VT

I haven't been to any of the pre-2005 ESTNs, but I recall Flatwoods (WV) and KY being mentioned in various "history of ESTN" threads.

Marlinton is surrounded by great riding in all directions (paved, goat paths, dual-sport), so I wouldn't mind doing that again. That's a no-brainer to organize. Just reserve some rooms at the MMI. The on-site restaurant was even more under-whelming this past summer, so if a group dinner would be planned, maybe the BBQ place from Marlinton would cater something at the MMI. Or do Lewisburg for a slightly more southern option. That is well-known from the 2010 National.

I wouldn't mind trying some place new ala Roanoke area. I know SWriverstone is all about Peaks of Otter ($118 per night w/ AAA discount). Traffic on the BRP on a weekend could be an issue, but there is no shortage of fine riding off the BRP.

The Staunton/Waynesboro area might be interesting too. Easy access via interstate. Right where Skyline meets the BRP. Route 250 takes you west to twisty goodness.

Personally, I like having ESTN in September, but would be open to whatever.

Lewisburg would also be a good spot, close to311 and the Tazwell gap and Some other tasty roads  

Also do we need to go east so those folks have a better shot at a meet?

[Skee]

 

Lewisburg would also be a good spot, close to311 and the Tazwell gap and Some other tasty roads  

Also do we need to go east so those folks have a better shot at a meet?

+ 1 on Lewisburg if we do a repeat - not all that far from Marlinton & there's that great section of 219 in-between - plus more dining options within walking distance, and that suits the impromptu group dinner format better.

I like the sounds of Kentucky - haven't ridden there yet - should I start looking for a shotgun rack for the Wee now?

[maddjack]

Kentucky was a ESTN spot in the deep dark past, good choice.
What about Romney or Moorefield WVA ? Some tasty stuff there too

[sprint_st]

Just some suggestions: good roads and portals to more good roads.
Waynesville, NC
Johnson City/ Bristol/ Elizabethton, Kingsport Area
Mountain City, TN
Franklin, NC

[Guy]

Kentucky was a ESTN spot in the deep dark past, good choice.
What about Romney or Moorefield WVA ? Some tasty stuff there too

Every time someone rolls out KY as an option, the dreaded "dry county" rears it's ugly head. You have to be careful where you pick home base, if you pick poorly, you don't get to drink the beers.

[maddjack]

Every time someone rolls out KY as an option, the dreaded "dry county" rears it's ugly head. You have to be careful where you pick home base, if you pick poorly, you don't get to drink the beers.

Good point ,I always forget about those dry counties

[garry]

Attendance was way down this year for Marietta. I don't know whether to blame the economy, the somewhat western location (for an "Eastern" meet), that southeast OH isn't a "name" riding area, or what. I suspect a bit of all three.

Remember, it's a three day trip for most people, so you need to consider what population centers you can draw from (250 mile radius of location?) to get there in a fun day. No location is going to work for everyone on the east coast, so it needs to move around year to year.

[Huron52]

I really didn't get to go much of anywhere this season. I was lucky to make it to the burger run in April  

[bungie4]

I really didn't get to go much of anywhere this season. I was lucky to make it to the burger run in April  

Same. Especially after last summer

What say we reunite the 3 Amoebas and do the Haines trip after Castlegar. We'll camp this time. Promise LOL!

[sprint_st]

Attendance was way down this year for Marietta. I don't know whether to blame the economy, the somewhat western location (for an "Eastern" meet), that southeast OH isn't a "name" riding area, or what. I suspect a bit of all three.

Remember, it's a three day trip for most people, so you need to consider what population centers you can draw from (250 mile radius of location?) to get there in a fun day. No location is going to work for everyone on the east coast, so it needs to move around year to year.

Garry,
IMO, it wasn't the location that was the issue.  I really wanted to go, but I'll swear, it seemed like there were a zillion things going on that weekend to include two events boxing it the weekend before and after.  Just a week or two before ESTN, MSTA had their Mail Pouch Fly By there.  It is their biggest draw, sometimes beating their National.   BMW had a very big event there last summer and so has the VFR guys in the past.  As you well know you can get to some great places.  

Loved your pics on your trip.  I rode a lot of the same roads going the other way the same weekend except for KY, which I need to go see.  My ride was great for two days but the ride from Marlinton south to home wasn't the greatest.  Hit a twenty foot stretch of deep, fine gravel half way up Big Walker Mountain on US52, and demonstrated how you convert a low side into a high side.  (No physical damage to me and rode the bike six hours to home.  Ready to go again  )
Take care,
Rod

[Scratch33]

During my rides through VA & WV the last couple months I passed through the town of Galax, Virginia.  

It struck me as being close to lots of twisties in all directions, and large enough to provide choices in lodging & dining.

I'm also quite   with Staunton & Waynesboro.

[Skee]

During my rides through VA & WV the last couple months I passed through the town of Galax, Virginia.  

It struck me as being close to lots of twisties in all directions, and large enough to provide choices in lodging & dining.

I'm also quite   with Staunton & Waynesboro.

Last time I stayed in GALAX - several years ago - there were few hotels (maybe only one) - and the Days Inn I stayed at was none too clean.  Maybe somebody has more recent information.  Agreed that it is a good location, but maybe we could do better somewhere nearby.

[R Doug]

I like the location of Galax, VA

Lodging:  Hampton Inn, Roadway Inn, & Knights Inn (Roadway and Knights Inn are closest to downtown resturants, etc...)  


Resturants:  Bogey's, Galax Smokehouse, Macado's Resturant & Bar, Aunt Bea's BBQ, and Tlaquepaque Mexican Resturant.  

[ConPilot1]

Every time someone rolls out KY as an option, the dreaded "dry county" rears it's ugly head. You have to be careful where you pick home base, if you pick poorly, you don't get to drink the beers.

I'm sure you can round up a jar of 'shine down there if you check in with the right farmhouses.