2013 Big Money Rally - 1st Bonus List Released!

[Justin]

Update: 1st bonus list has been released - http://bigmoneyrally.com/2013/?page_id=4582



Overview:
The Big Money Rally (a.k.a. BMR) is a “Tour” style rally that runs from January 1 through May 25, 2013; with bonuses designed for riders to participate throughout the USA. Whether you’re a Saturday morning rider, DAKAR veteran, or one of the BMR’s world-famous ”point whores”: You’ll find this rally fun, engaging, interesting and unique. It’s purpose is for people to have fun on their bikes , while sharing the fun with fellow riders and friends.

Details:
The Big Money Rally will run from January 1st, 2013 through May 25th, 2013. Initial bonus packs will be released to riders on December 1st, 2012. The object of the rally is to visit bonus locations listed in the bonus pack, and take a picture, using your cell phone, containing your rally placard, your bike, and the bonus location. Once the bonus has been captured to the participant’s phone, it will then be sent from the bonus location, via email from your phone, to a unique email address (each participant receives a unique email address that posts in real time to the BMR website!).

Unlike other events, the BMR scoring and bonus submission process is 100% web based; which makes for a whole bunch of fun. Participants and visitors can comment on each others posts and join in the camaraderie as submissions come in to the site in real time. The scoring will also be done in near-real-time, with standings shown live on the BMR site. There will be different levels of achievement based on points standings. While reaching finisher status is the primary objective, there will also be Bronze, Silver and Gold achievement levels, for the folks that wish to be a bit more competitive.

Remember the main goal of the BMR is FUN. Whether you’re a weekend rider, or weathered rally veteran, or a rally rookie; this event is guaranteed to be fun and rewarding.

Event finishers will receive a high quality shirt and other fun swag, and will hopefully be able to join us at the finishers rally in May!

Please take a moment to review the links below for more info, and let us know if you have any questions not covered in this announcement.

Important Dates:
Nov. 15th through Dec. 15th, 2012 – T5 Practice Rally
December 1st – Initial Bonus pack released
January 1st – BMR starts
May 25th – BMR finishes and Finishers’ banquet
(Finishers’ Banquet will be held in Minden NV – if you cannot attend, you’re swag will be mailed to you)

Useful Links:
Q&A - http://bigmoneyrally.com/2013/?page_id=4235
10 Free Tips - http://bigmoneyrally.com/2013/?page_id=4241
Hints and Tips for participants - http://bigmoneyrally.com/2013/?page_id=4461
Rider Expectations - http://bigmoneyrally.com/2013/?page_id=4414

Links to last year's (BMR2012) bonus listings:
* Please note - these are provided only to give an idea of how the event works, and this year's bonii will be completely different*
Initial Bonus Listing - Right click and save
2nd Bonus List (April 1) - Right click and save
Final Bonus List (Final 36 Hours) - Right click and save

[Nodaclu]

I love all things Iron Butt.

Unfortunately, that site does a great great job of explaining everything except what the rally actually *is*.  

Am I missing it, or is there someplace on the site that actually explains what the rally is all about? All I've been able to glean is that it goes from January to May, and you submit pictures of various places.

I might want to sign up, but I can't quite figure out exactly what I'd be signing up for!  

[Justin]

Fair enough - let me try to give a run down on how it works.

- The rally runs from January to May

- There is an initial bonus pack sent in December with the bonus locations. There will most likely be one or two supplemental bonus packs sent out over the course of the rally. Last year the second bonus pack went out April 1, and the third 2 days before the end of the rally.

- You get a placard to print out and laminate for bonus submissions, that must be in the picture with your bike and the bonus.

- Photos are taken with a phone, then are sent to a specific email address you get that are posted to the site when received (yes - a phone that can take pictures and send email is required)

- Like other rallies and tours, there are points associated with different types of bonii and locations etc

- At the end of the event there is a finishers banquet, where prizes are awarded etc. Last year it was in Minden NV, this year is TBD.  If you cannot attend your swag (finisher shirt etc) will be sent via mail.

That's pretty much the basics, and it was a lot of fun to participate in. Here's my submissions from last year to get the idea of the types of bonuses - http://bigmoneyrally.com/2012/?author=83. The links on last years rally site may have some more info too. I will work on a better description of the rally format later and run it by the rally bosses.

[Nodaclu]

Justin, that alone helped to clarify some things. I think where I was getting lost was thinking about it in terms of the IBR, where this can be done much more locally/regionally.

I appreciate you taking the time to write that up!  

[greench440]

This was pretty awesome  http://www.austinmedia.net/BMR/2012a_BootlegRider/

[ScubaDave]

Is this a west coast, central or East coast rally or can it be done Nationally?

[Justin]

Is this a west coast, central or East coast rally or can it be done Nationally?

The rally is designed to be run in the entire US, so no matter where you live the bonuses are designed to give anyone a chance to earn decent points.

For example, last year, the primary bonuses were post offices and summits. While summits are typically limited to mountain states, that was compensated for be giving more post office and other bonuses in other locations.

While the bonuses for this year will most likely be completely different, reviewing last years bonus packs will give you a good idea.

Last years bonus listings here:
Pack 1: http://bigmoneyrally.com/2012/pgs/misc/docs/BMR_BonusList1_F01.pdf
Pack 2: http://www.austinmedia.net/7-11/BMR_2ndBonusListing_J01.pdf
Pack 3: http://bigmoneyrally.com/2012/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/FinalPacketThumbnail1-232x300.jpg

And here's a map showing the spread of the initial post office bonuses last year: http://bigmoneyrally.com/2012/pgs/misc/docs/googlemap/

Note: This year a lot of effort was put into making the rally more geographically "fair"

Hope that answered your question  

[ScubaDave]

Yep you did, it sounds like a great idea for a rally.

[napper]

Seems like residents of the warmer states have a definite advantage if the rally starts in January.

[Justin]

Seems like residents of the warmer states have a definite advantage if the rally starts in January.

Last year that was compensated for by having more early bonuses in the colder areas than the warmer areas, then in the 2nd bonus listing, the warmer areas got more.

[napper]

Last year that was compensated for by having more early bonuses in the colder areas than the warmer areas, then in the 2nd bonus listing, the warmer areas got more.

I'm glad to see someone thought it out better than I.

[jdgretz]

I did the 2012 Rally and am one of the clowns searching out Fast Food joints and chain related things to test this year's revamped site.  I had a blast and did most of it while bringing a Honda 750 Shadow back from Louisiana.  There was some overlap between it and the Tour of Honor (time wise and bonuses) which I also did.  Found some neat places I probably would not have found otherwise and generally had a good time.

Highly recommended.  You don't have to do it as an Iron Butt, but you certainly can and some do.

jdg

[Specter]

Ran this last year and had a great time.  There were plenty of bonuses regardless of where you live. I ended up collecting finisher status in 5 full days, one overnight run, and 4k+ miles from my home location in the bay area. The Smart Phone bonus  capture system worked great.

Winter adds some challenges, but the bonus locations encouraged lots of unique rides.  They were mostly tiny post offices (probably selected from the "soon to close" list).

I'm signed up again this year.  It keeps the wheels turning until the summer  rally season starts.

[Justin]

Initial post updated with the official announcement draft!

Look forward to seeing some ST.N'ers participating

[playinatwork2]

Justin,

I've clicked the links and read more instructions than it takes to set a VCR and I still don't know how you tell what it takes to finish this thing.  I assume it's a set number of points but do they tell you that at the beginning or the end.  The only kind of rally I've ever done was in a car many moons ago so I am a newbie to this.

PS;  I can't set a VCR either.

[Justin]

Did you read the updated info above? I updated the first post to make it more clear.

But to clear up the points, you get a rally pack at the beginning that lists the bonus locations, and their point value. Last year it was 120 points to be a finisher which boiled down to a few weekends of riding. Then there were some crazy people that had 500-600 points. If you had any specific questions - let me know.

[Nodaclu]

Paid, signed up and looking forward to this!!  

Of course, now I suppose I need to, you know, buy a bike or something.    

[Justin]

Paid, signed up and looking forward to this!!  

Of course, now I suppose I need to, you know, buy a bike or something.    

Yeah, a bike is kinda one of the minimum requirements  

[Nodaclu]

Yeah, a bike is kinda one of the minimum requirements  

 

The current plan is to pick up something in December. Even if it drags a bit into January I should still have plenty of time to get back on two wheels. If nothing else, signing up is even more motivation to finish saving the cash, and get out there and buy something!  

[Justin]

Nice Mike - great test placard  . Now, if you just had a bike so you could use it  

P.S. Folks, original post updated with first bonus list link!

[Nodaclu]

Nice Mike - great test placard  . Now, if you just had a bike so you could use it  

Yeah....darn those small details!!    

[playinatwork2]

I just signed up.  
Dang it Justin I am going to blame you for all that goes wrong with this now.  Let's see, I am a computer and smartphone idiot and get lost going to work some days.  This should be a hoot.  

[Justin]

I just signed up.  
Dang it Justin I am going to blame you for all that goes wrong with this now.  Let's see, I am a computer and smartphone idiot and get lost going to work some days.  This should be a hoot.  

Excellent! Don't worry about messing up, you'll pick it up. Just have fun and ride  

[Justin]

Just over 3 hours now till the 2013 Big Money Rally starts!  

Good luck and safe travels to all the ST.Ner's participating  

[playinatwork2]

If anyone in the rally needs a place to stay for a night or help in Jacksonville FL. send me a pm.

[FireRunner]

 

While snooping the ST.n site looking for info on doing a SS1000, I came across THIS gem!

Just confirming if the better half will do it with me or not before I sign up. After doing the math, it would appear you receive a $0.10 discount for signing up with your spouse/riding buddy.

Can't wait to ride this weekend!!

[Justin]

Just confirming if the better half will do it with me or not before I sign up. After doing the math, it would appear you receive a $0.10 discount for signing up with your spouse/riding buddy.

Hell of a deal, no?  

Look forward to seeing your signup - it's been a blast so far, and it's a great reason to get out and ride

[Nodaclu]

Got my "easy" 20 points in to the site 90 minutes before the deadline. Between work and getting the bike situation settled, I nearly forgot all about them!  

[Justin]

Got my "easy" 20 points in to the site 90 minutes before the deadline. Between work and getting the bike situation settled, I nearly forgot all about them!  

Yeah, I saw you were right at the deadline . A lot of folks did the same and waited right till the end. Have you gotten a bike yet?

[Nodaclu]

Have you gotten a bike yet?

Yes.....two of them in fact.

Still have to pick up the Bandit...maybe this weekend. And the DR-Z is in pieces waiting for a carb rebuild. But I'll be out on the roads soon! (Already spotted a few populations signs to kick things off.)  

[Justin]

Yes.....two of them in fact.

Still have to pick up the Bandit...maybe this weekend. And the DR-Z is in pieces waiting for a carb rebuild. But I'll be out on the roads soon! (Already spotted a few populations signs to kick things off.)  

Yeap - just read that after I posted the question

Hope to see ya out riding soon