| Author | Message | ||
     Jlnance |
I recently got back from the BRAG event in Lavale, MD, and I'm susposed to email Peggy feedback. I want to compose this online that others can contribute. If you didn't go to Lavale, I'd particularly appreciate your input. Let me pose some questions as a starting point. Any comments are appreciated. If you didn't attend and live reasonably close to Maryland, why didn't you go? Didn't know about it? Didn't sound fun? Couldn't get time off during the week? Couldn't afford it? No free time? If you went, why did you go? Did it meet your expectations? What would you change? Where would you have the next east cost adventure? Anything else? | ||
| Jlnance |
I'll go first.  I'm concerned that these adventures are not well attended. The fact that they are small is one of the things that makes them fun, but I think they could double in size and still feel cozy. They are a lot of fun, which makes me think that people just don't know about them. I'd like BRAG to put out a press release a few months before each event. Then these releases could be picked up by Badweb and other Buell web sites so people would at least be aware of them. It would also be good to have a page on the Buell website that explains what a BRAG adventure is like. In particular, I find a lot of new riders are hesitant to go because they don't know if they will get left behind. They need someplace to get information about things like this. I went to the event because I had a great time at running the ridge last year, and I wanted to see the friends I had made again. I enjoy seeing other people with Buells because they are so difficult to find in the wild. I had a good time this year, despite the rain. It would have been nice to have scheduled John Fox'es talk for Thurs night, particularly since nothing else was planned for that evening. That way it wouldn't have cut into riding time. Asheville, NC and Snowshoe, WV were mentioned as good places for an adventure like this. I'd like to get ahold of the pictures the photographer took. I understand that people always ask and no pictures are forthcomming. I assume this means there is a leagal problem with releasing them. Would anyone at BRAG get upset if I registered an amateur photographer as a BRAG participant, and got them to take pictures and make them available (for free)? I've got a couple of excellent photographers in my family, and I think people would enjoy seeing the photos at the end of the day. | ||
| Rex |
Agree with posting of the events ahead of time. Events should be planned and posted a year in advance to give folks time to schedule vacation, etc. I have limited vacation time, and generally businesses ask their employees for their vacation plans starting in November or earlier for the next year. Photos are great too. I too would love to go back to the site and see all of the photos that were taken at an event. We are all Buellers and are willing to help with events close to where we live. Peggy and Mary are just two people and need help when the event is in our areas.....rex | ||
| Pa_xb9sx |
I did not attend because it was originally scheduled for a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Then it was changed to Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I would have attended the weekend one. I realize that they probably do this to avoid traffic. It is close next year, I will be attending, no matter what days it is held. | ||
| Court |
>>>Where would you have the next east cost adventure? I keep thinking it would be fun to do a New York City gig. Set up the event at some location out around Bedminster in the hills of NJ with ready access to the Delaware Water Gap, Port Jervis area (where BMW films car commercials in that famous "ribbon" road) and within reach of the city. Anyone who would be interested to do an "all night ride through the city stopping at favorite all night places for cheesecake and coffee (look with 18,000 licensed restaurants many great ones are open 24/7)then a group photo (the Blue Knights can provide traffic control) in Times Square and then off for the Jazz Jam (most places have them and they typically get started about 1:30AM) Do one of the midnight "coffee and cheesecake:" rides through Times Square with a Jazz (generally starts about 1:30AM) session. Just a thought . . . . Then | ||
| Coolice |
Wow Court a night owl's dream! And Bueller's too! I'll respond later, back to work I go..... | ||
| CJXB |
a New York City gig. That's one I would NOT miss !!  | ||
| Tripper |
I think Court just stepped forward. Or everyone else in line took a step back, but same effect. Do it Court. | ||
| Cruisin |
Unfortunately I couldn't get the time off. The next one needs to be up here in Vermont. These are the roads the bikes were built for. Stay in a central location and you have the notch roads north and the gap roads south. No need to get distracted by staying up all night and being too tired to ride the next day.  | ||
| Rex |
wow, agree...a new york city, east coast adventure would be cool.....REX | ||
| Blackbelt |
NEW YORK!!! I am there... come on court.. start the ball rollin. w/ the list.. I live too far from Maryland to attend. | ||
| Tripp |
maryland was too far for me, but ny, hoohoo! new englanders could take the long island ferry from ct, it's only $20 each way. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
AAAH! that long island ferry is evil! Better to do an end run southwest and then come east Upstate New York is pleasant, The Troy dealership reminds me of a log cabin. Also, attractive female types work in there. | ||
| Lonexb |
the long island ferry it not that bad if you take the one to orient point, there are a lot of great roads out on the east end of L.I. heck i could spend half a day just on shelter island. brian p.s. the ferry to and from L.I. is now $23 each way.orient point and port jefferson. | ||
| José_quiñones |
If you went, why did you go? Did it meet your expectations? I go because I always have fun at a BRAG event, so it met expectations. The "suggested" roads were good, but they stuck with the safer main roads. Beautiful, but not as exciting. The twistier back roads, the kinds I like, were in the general area, those who rode with me, Linda or Ed's groups on Thursday rode some of them. The turn out was pretty good (around 100). I think Running the ridge and the Pocono had bigger turnouts, however. I was very relieved that this event was much safer than last year's in Boone (Running the Ridge). Only one or two minor accidents that I know about. Some mechanical issues, but the dealer tried their best to fix what they could. I'll give the dealer B+ for effort. What would you change? The schedule of the Technical Briefing/seminar. That was an excellent evening/dinner presentation, not a "we're burning daylight I want to go ride" morning presentation. The briefing itself was excellent, thanks to John Fox/BRAG/Buell for that. The Ride Maps: The software that they used (Microsoft Street & Trips) can print written directions in addition to the map. I find written directions easier to follow while on the bike than trying to read the map. Which is why I used a map on my own ride and got lost a bit...... The Wednesday ride that the dealer gave us had the map on one side and the written directions on the other side, perfect! Where would you have the next east cost adventure? NYC/NJ sounds good. If they ever open up that track near Wildwood, NJ that would be a cool area also. Snowshoe WV would be awesome a blend of Boone and LaVale type roads and excellent lodging at the ski lodge. To me that would be the best place to go next year for the east coast event. Anything else? Promotion: The events are currently promoted via the Buell Website and BRAG's FUELL magazine. If you are not a BRAG member or visit the website, you won't know about these events. Locally, we promoted the event via our newsletter and talking about the event at our local HOG chapter meeting. We had some HOG/HD riders last year and this year also, they all had a great time. I think the smaller rallies appeal to them too and the roads are a challenge. Promoting the events in HOG's magazines might be a good idea. I know some VRSC A/B/R/D owners who would be much more at home on these roads among Buells than at the typical HOG rally among the other HD's, but how do they find out about these events? Maybe a ThunderPress/American Iron/Cycle World advertisement/press release in the February issue with a full 06 schedule & contact information? (Message edited by josé_quiñones on October 11, 2005) | ||
| Gomo |
This was the first BRAG event that I attended and I really enjoyed the experience. It had the things I enjoy about motorcycling: -Visit new areas -Ride new roads -Meet Great Fellow Riders -Talk about all of the above at the end of the day As far as some of the questions: Did it meet my expectations? / Yes and more Things to add or change / -I agree with getting to event info out as early as possible for folks to plan. -Directions with the maps would be helpful, but make it easier not to get "lost". -Technical Briefing/seminar in the early evening, before dinner hour, would prevent itchy butts wanting to ride. Don't do it after a meal, people would fade out. -Trying to "promote" events in the press other than Buell/BRAG info may not spark much interest to the non Buell/BRAG folks. Perhaps try inviting the members of those publications to be guests at the event and let them enjoy/experience the event themselves and ask them to write about; it may have better benefits. The folks from American Iron/Roadbike magazines seem to enjoy the LaVale event. Press is good, but if they enjoyed it - it's Great. -With event registration, perhaps have a downloadable form for members to fill out if they can volunteer to help with event. With an average of 100 signing up, info shouldn't be to hard to look through. Examples - People willing to lead small group rides Give Tech/Riding info seminars Take photos for members If living close to event site - have trailer/truck/tools available Route layout suggestions As far as a NYC Run - Go for it. I know I would be willing to help out, as well as others. Do some rides out of the city during the day (Bear Mt, Hawks Nest, Hudson river area, etc) then do inner city stuff in the eveings. Schedule it during before the end of Sept, weather starts to become iffy after that. Do it early in the week so we could head to the EAR bar for bikenite or other venues. Other NY State locations Lake George, Adirondack Mt, Vermont Region - Great Roads & Great resort area with evening entertainment possibilites Finger Lakes Region - Great roads - wine country I think if these events countinue to be enjoyable, the word will get out and they will grow with time. PS - Great Job on the event to everyone at BRAG | ||
| Newfie_buell |
You can't get any farther east than . . . . . . . . . . . Newfoundland Its quite the adventure!!! | ||
| Crusty |
Another Invasion of the Rock? | ||
| Chauly |
I talked to Mary at Homecoming about the very questions of attendence, safety, and publicity. There are limits that an "organized" event have to stay within for liability and insurance reasons; that explains the main roads versus the interesting ones. I "belong" to a club for Honda ST1100/ST1300 (STOC)that is national in scope, has about 4000 members, no budget, no officers, no sponsorship, an active mailing list, and some great regional events every year. The secret is that there is a "disorganizer" that volunteers to scout out a suitable locale, maybe negotiate a group discount at a reasonable hotel, check out food and entertainment, and figure out good dates for the event. Maps are available of the area, but routes, pace and times are left up to the participants. Since there is nothing official, the event can be more interesting without liability that (possibly) hinders BRAG as a sponsoring organization. There is nothing stopping us as BRAG members from "disorganizing" our own getogether, is there? (Interestingly, FallSTOC this year was at Lavale MD the previous weekend!) | ||
| M2nc |
I like the disorganizer approach. C3 is considering such a non-event in Western Virginia. I went to Lavale because it was my first official Brag event that I could attend and my wife chose to come along to make it our first trip away from the kids since they were born. Did it meet my expectation? Yes, but my expectation was low. Southern Appalachain mountain roads are some of the best in the world. I was not expecting Maryland roads to be any better. I was riding two up so killing a 421 or 129 would not have happened on this trip so smooth rides and beautiful scenery was just the ticket. I still would have liked more technical roads. I thought the dealer did a good job with the event. I have to agree with Jose's grade. They did not have as much Buell gear as I would have like, but their customer service was A+++. I was very impressed. I understand the liability issue but we buy these bikes because they are the best mountain bikes on the road. The next location needs to have roads that are more technical than the ones in Lavale. To quote one of the guys I rode with in Suches, "Loop 1 was boring." Brag events will start to wither if Lawyers are setting the agenda. I like the Snow Shoe location. Maybe the Bluefield WV dealer would sponsor it. Not as technical but Beautiful, the area around the intersection of Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts would be neat. An event further North would give others a chance to attend. But if we go with Court's idea, I would attend. | ||
| Paulinoz |
The Big Apple at night and not one mention of the world class dumpster's to be had. Court you cant keep that side of your town a secret for ever. So what's the date for Bragging in NYC, I need as much time as possible to organise a cheap flight. "We are all Buellers and are willing to help with events close to where we live." We are also willing to help with events 14,000 miles away. I agree with Rex as a person who has now attended a number of events in the US the big problem is having enough leed time to be able to plan the trip. The 2 homecomings and Running the Ridge event last year, more than met my expectations as to event organisation and things to do etc etc. Keep up the good work Brag and if you need help or information in running an event there is a massive amount of talent available here, you only have to ask | ||
| Pa_xb9sx |
I like Court's idea of a NYC BRAG event. Sounds good. Keep me posted. | ||
| Rkc00 |
NYC!!! I am in. The dealer in LaVale is the best HD dealership that I have ever been in. I traveled there to get my Road Glide. I would have gotten his third Uly that he got but I wanted it now. Mike Long Island, NY XB12X (Message edited by rkc00 on October 12, 2005) |
