| Author | Message | ||
     Lake_bueller |
I know this subject has been approached before but......What has BRAG done from us lately?!?!? Following on the success of the Buell 20th Anniversary, I think we need to start something new. I don't have the time to get totally committed but I'd be willing to get involved. Anyone interested?!?!? | ||
| Mikej |
Are you talking national, international, or regional? The demise of the Homecomings was said to be due to the 100th Harley Anniversary allocation of resources (of which someone on a different site posted a partial report relating somehow to costs vs. expectations of same). Future events have yet to be announced. Don't know directly and apparently no insiders are discussing considerations about future events or rides or gatherings for the 2004 season. It would be great if we could snag RoadAmerica for a weekend track class, but that is probably well out of the range of a grass-roots effort at this point in time. What are your thoughts? | ||
| Lake_bueller |
My thought is that there are too many BRAG chapters (Suburban, Hals, Ukes) without enough involvement. Starting a regional club (ala American Sportbike Night) would include all three of the above. In addition, it wouldn't have to be limited to Buell or Harley riders. What made me think about this again was the lack of enthusiasm and leadership for the BRAG chapters. Maybe the club would only meet from April - October. Have weekly planned rides (2-Wheel Tuesday, etc) with one big monthly destination ride. Those were my thougts. | ||
| Whatever |
Gee Lake, Nice generalization for 'lack of enthusiasm'... see,um, er no Dennis at any of our BRAG meetings. BTW, if you are inclined to wonder why we cancelled our last meeting... Three of our officers were out of town and I had the flu. Hope you show up at Doc's soooooooon!!!!  | ||
| Nevco1 |
Interesting concept. Similar to the one Dennis was trying to launch unifying the BRAG Clubs from WI, IL, MN and IA before he left for his new position with the Packers. If I remember correctly, it would be summarized as follows: One and/or two day Destination Rides with participants riding either individually or en masse from their respective home bases. Somewhat similar to the Slimey Crud Run. Picnics, camping, local riding, gimmick rallies and more would be all a part of the planned activities. I could go on about the concept but feel it would be best to have those that would be interested in a venture like this to expound upon the idea and create a unified group with common interests that can grow. | ||
| Dynarider |
I like Dennis's way of thinking. I know what he is getting at as far as the Brag club involvement goes. We have meetings & even attend a couple rides but thats it & even the meetings are piss poor attended at times. Sometimes the rides are well attended but more often than not only a handfull of folks show up. If we had a larger member base to draw from it would be great. I brought up a similar thought quite a while back at a Ukes meeting. I wanted to open the club up, not so much to get folks to join & displace the Buell riders, but to get more bikes involved. There are a lot of Ducati, Honda, Kawi, etc etc riders in this part of the state that have no club, nothing like Brag or HOG to even start from. I know Bomber is interested in just such a deal as well. I have no idea how to get the word out about such a club starting up, unless you wanted to use the power of the internet & go thru the various cycle boards. Cycleforms.com, sportbikeworld, etc etc. There are literally thousands of folks in this neck of the woods that we could draw from. Just need someone to spearhead it & make it happen. Oh yea, a really cool name would help a lot as well  I kinda like the sewer concept. | ||
| Dynarider |
The demise of the Homecomings was said to be due to the 100th Harley Anniversary allocation of resources (of which someone on a different site posted a partial report relating somehow to costs vs. expectations of same) I have always thought that was a BS excuse. It would be great if we could snag RoadAmerica for a weekend track class, but that is probably well out of the range of a grass-roots effort at this point in time. Road america may be out of the budget, but Blackhawk farms can be had rather cheaply. I think if you can guarantee 25-30 riders it works out to something like $100 a person. There are a lot of folks who have no idea about these type of BBS message boards & info on a club & or events could be posted in the local bike shops. Most have some sort of cork board near the board with for sale stuff & such. | ||
| Spiderman |
Dennis sounds like a great Idea I'd be down. Let me know cause there is definatly a lack of involvement in certian areas including local chapters. IE I sent out a letter to every BRAG club for card pages for the 20th an only recived 10 or 15 pages. Look how many so called clubs are out there. | ||
| Nevco1 |
I don't perceive it as BRAG letting us down. I feel it is our opportunity to organize activities for multiple BRAG Clubs to participate in. There will be those that want some annual events and those that are satisfied with never leaving their neighborhoods. No need for any dealers to sponsor these events. We can all afford a lunch or picnic basket. Some of the events could even be family events where the Sig O's and Kids can come. I see no problem with doing the family outing thing with games and contests. Could actually turn out to be the missing link that would bond a multi-club relationship. The only problem I foresee is that of scheduling. Especially among those with family and work related conflicts. Then again, that is the reason for the plan including monthly events during the riding season. Some can make them all, but those that can only make one or two are still a part of the same family. In reference to keeping the functions open to all brands, again there should be no problem as most, if not all of the BRAG Clubs, allow guests to participate. Heck, just because your friends don't ride Buell's doesn't mean that they would not enjoy and be an asset to these events. Who knows, by merit of their inclusion you may be responsible for selling another Buell! These are just some more ideas that were previously discussed. Hopefully, this concept will be discussed at the upcoming BRAG club meetings and given some consideration so the ball can begin rolling. | ||
| Spiderman |
Amen Nev Amen | ||
| Nevco1 |
Another concept to be considered is for each of the participating BRAG Clubs to host an event. No cost other than some time in planning and coordinating the event. Simply pick your favorite local rides and stops; map them and do a route sheet; add in the names of a few camp sites and motels; coordinate/communicate the dates via SEWER; and, Voila...you have an event that will draw riders from all over the place. One ride I am dying to do is up to Northeast Wisconsin. Last year, I rode all over the place on Hal's KMC Statewide Poker Run, but didn't do any long rides this year due to all the local HD/Buell events. Since Char started a BRAG Club, I have been wanting to go see Doc's Zoo and do a Reservation Tour with some local insight and history provided. Should not be too hard to do and would really add to the value of the trip. Wisconsin isn't the only area with fun roads to ride with scenic areas. I bet Windy City, Waterloo, Twin Cities, Ann Arbor, Doc's, Uke's, Brew City, etc can put together similar events with their favorite routes that is within easy access of most of the Clubs. Just some more ideas to kick around. | ||
| Dynarider |
I love the concept. Dont know how well it will be accepted by some of the Buell elitists who dont want any "jap" bikes joining the flock. Bomber & Rog will be home in a day or 2 & lets get their input. | ||
| Nevco1 |
Dyna...agree about Rog and Bomber, but I think I take exception to the Elitist thing. We had a few Jap and Italian bikes ride with us at Brew City this year and all seemed happy. Ferris Bueller's OktoberFast was another mixed brand affair and I am confident there are others like it. Then again, I can't speak for other BRAG Clubs that may participate in SEWER as I simply don't know their ideological intricacies. As SEWER is a new entity, I would suggest that it be up to the leadership of the participating clubs to address the integration issue. One could argue that SEWER is a BRAG derivative and as such it is a Buell organization. Objectively, I am comfortable with that as long as there is a proviso allowing guests on other brands. Using Roger for an example, this means his wife can ride to the functions on her Ducati. I am relatively confident that he is not the only Bueller out there with a "mixed marriage" motorcycle wise. Subjectively, I am concerned that if SEWER is fully open to all brands that the percentage of Buells participating will be quite low and only the serious riders will participate. Thus, the question is do we want a private or semi-private organization. A private Buell only organization that allows for guests is wonderful if there are enough participants. If not, semi-private, or open to all brands, is the way to go. Just some more miscellaneous ramblings to consider during this charter forming period. I am reserving my personal opinions for later discussion once there is meaningful input from the other factions on this board. | ||
| Gearhead |
Greetings Guys, Daves had put together basically what you're talking about and it has been going for 3 years. HDCC/Buell has a BRAG chapter but our group is made up of all makes. The only time the Buell only riders have had something unique was for Erik's birthday card and when we had our photo taken for Fuell. We get together once a month at a local resturant mainly to laugh and lie to each other as well as a monthly ride which is usually 200 - 300+ miles. We have to ride 50-60 miles just to get to the twisty roads from here. The last one of the year was the Slimy Crud Run when ten of us from Waterloo trekked a total of 430+ miles that Sunday. Heck, the last track day I attended, Daves, was responsible for bringing 17 bikes!! We were 1/4 of the whole event! None of the other shops around here do anything like this so we've managed to attract lots of guys and gals to the group. We keep it very low key, it's all about the bikes and riding. Gearhead Ralph Iowa Corn Mafia | ||
| Daves |
Hey Ralph, that's the Iowa Farm Mafia not corn.  I think this is a great idea. I'd love to see more of my WI and IL friends. Scheduling will always be a problem for some but make the rides that you can. I already have one event in mind, the annual Prairie Du Chein ride, last Sunday of June. We are also doing 3 more BattleTrax events next season. I am working right now to get a track day lined up at Blackhawk Farms. Ride to the edge! Iowa Farm Mafia Dave Iowa HD/Buell (Buell Cycle Center) | ||
| Nevco1 |
DaveS...Thanks to you and Chainsaw for the input. We always look forward to your schedule as it is the most comprehensive. Until SEWER gets some organization, I will start a regional calendar with all the 2004 riding events and forward it to the folks at the respective groups as events are added. I suggest that anyone from WI, IA, IL, MI, MN or any other nearby State that has a planned ride or activity should post it on this thread so it can be included in the regional calendar. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Bill....good idea on the regional schedule! Up here in the northwoods (or northflats ), I haven't seen but 2-3 Buells on the road. There is a good group of riders here at work. Almost all H-D with a small pocket of "others" (a few customs that the players ride & 1 Triumph Bonneville & my lonely Buells). I saw your post on the Doc's page. I'm not sure how many people would venture up here for a ride. Those that do would be in for a great day. I'll go out and spend all day just bombing up & down Hwy 55. Maybe a weekend trip to west-central WI would be a good multi-group gathering. It's about equal distance for MN, IA & WI. I guess I'm just wishing it would stay warm all year. I'm going to miss riding once the snow starts to fly  | ||
| Nevco1 |
Dennis...Pray for Global Warming!!! I like the idea of weekend trips to a destination that participants can, at their option, do in one or two days. Some can make the round trip and local ride in one (read: either) day and others can spend the night and enjoy both days of riding/comradery. Nice thing about this part of the country is that, with few exceptions, all the surrounding clubs are only a two or three hour ride from the good destinations. Thus the weekend (one or both day) ride concept works. Wisconsin is truly blessed with a huge network of fantastic riding roads in low population areas. The best that can accommodate a seasons worth of multi-day rides are virtually anywhere West and South of I-90 & I-94. You can either buzz the superslab or create your own network of fun county roads to and from these areas. As you know from living in SE Wisconsin, our selection of roads is limited to the Kettle Moraine areas. Outside of that, we are looking at long straight farm roads that few would enjoy. Not to mention, the Kettle is best run in small groups of like skill levels for safety and law enforcement reasons. It could make for a good weekend event by merit of running the southern on one day and the northern the next. However, I feel that with the heavy concentration of weekend traffic, it would not be the best choice. For events outside of the Western Wisconsin area, think of the locations of the clubs, the scenic riding areas and then imagine a Venn Diagram that represents a two to three hour one way ride for potential participants. Is interesting how the concept can grow by merit of overlapping clubs. Granted the Minnesota folks may not want to do a ride that Windy City puts on, but then the Michigan Groups would be included. The group I rode with back home did rides that included points of interest based on historical sites and tried to avoid the tourist traps if at all possible. Was really interesting and made for some great conversation and photo ops. On longer rides, we tried to do them on themes. For example, Civil War Battlefields, Historic Trails, the Gold Rush, Mining Towns, Native American History, Geological Formations, Gunfighters of the West, You name it...with a theme and access to the internet, you would be surprised how you can keep the interest going with factoids even when you are traveling a lot of the same roads. I really would like to see Doc's Zoo and do a scenic/historical tour of the Reservations. Lots of history and important current political issues up there. Consider the Crandon Mine thing Char was posting about. If that is going to effect our water supply in Southern Wisconsin and Illinois, it might make for a great 15 minute lecture at a rest stop. Oh well, just some more input from a frustrated rider facing the reality of a long cold winter. | ||
| Newguy |
I like the idea of a multi-brand club. it just seems their isn't a whole lot of motorcycle riding going on in the ukes club just because we are limited to the number of members we have. Nothing against any of them, I think every single person in the club is great. But it seems that the average population consists of "normal people". I would like to say that I'm normal but I know I'm not. see the "average joe" that can afford a Buell is probably settled down, married, has kids, and a good......a......I mean "demanding career" and theirfor is a bit more limited to being to be able to take off and go riding whenever they please. I myself have a demanding career and tend to work roughly 60 hours a week but still find the time to go riding nearly every day, simply because I am only 23, have no girlfriend or wife, no kids, basicly no major responsibilities. I wish we could as a club get together and go riding more often. Bottom line is that we are surrounded by a world of "normal" people that don't rank motorcycling as a high priority activity. I feel that the beniefit of having a multi-brand club is it will simply bring more people to the table. a similar percentage of them will be "normal" but we may stir up a few more avid riders. only problem I see that is a sad reality... as you bring on more people you run the risk of bringing in a few bad apples i.e. reckless riders, younger roudier people, bike thievs etc. I'd like to think they don't exhist but I have crossed paths with to many of them in the past. Well I guess it goes to show, their are pros and cons to both sides of the coin. Bottom line, if you guys want to form a multi-brand club "count me in" drop me a line at the ukes thread All I can say is click your heels together think happy thoughts and lets go riding. Speaking of which my head hurts form all of this deep thinking... I'm goin ridin | ||
| Nevco1 |
Just a suggestion... Let's leave club politics out of S.E.W.E.R.. This is for folks that want to ride and meet others with common interests. If anything other than destination rides evolves out of it, such as family functions, that will be fine. However, in the interim, we are riders (both male and female) and that is the first and foremost issue. Nothing else matters, so leave the petty stuff at the local level. |
