Poll: Gaging Interest in FJR-NERDS '11

[fjrob1300]

Sounds like a NEOM.

Zooom ol' pal it's definately NERDS. Not NEOM. New England Ride,Drink and Smoke!!

Rob

 

[ice_station_zebra]

I'm in! I try to do this area every summer and never get tired of it.

 

[Fred W]

Now, I just have to figure out how to do over a 1,000 miles in less than 24 hrs. to get there. Help me out will ya!

I like the plans so far. Stowe can be a little pricy. I may be able to get a Condo at the Von trappe lodge, wouldn't that be awsome. I have stayed there a couple of times. It's even worth the drive through to check it out.

Dave

Easy peasy, Dave. Just ride through Cleveland on your way to Vermont!

And yes, you are quite right. Stowe can be a pricey area, especially during ski and leaf seasons. It is really the epitome of old school, cutesy Vermont ski areas. That is one of the reasons we are targeting it as the destination of choice. But fear not, our primary concern is to get a rockin' good group rate that everyone will be happy with. If we can't find a place that meets our stringent (read cheap) criteria, then Stowe will be out and Killington will be considered.

One other thing that I neglected earlier is telling you who the other voluntary NERDS event coordinators are. Just so that you don't think this thing will be some kind of lame-ass Fred W production, I give you:

VT local, FJRed (Ed)

VT local, snikr (Tom) who doesn't want to be called a nerd!

"Professor" ionbeam (Alan)

and me. Just think of me as "the mouth" of the team.

 

[Fred W]

Sounds like a NEOM.

Zooom ol' pal it's definately NERDS. Not NEOM. New England Ride,Drink and Smoke!!

Rob

Or if your 80 year old mother asks, it's "Riders Doing Stuff".

 

[timk]

We went to Vt in Augest this year, and it was a welcome relief from the heat. We met up with almost 50 in our club. I was concerned at first of the size of the group, as we tend to go out in one wave. Well the relatively thin traffic made for a really nice ride. We stayed in Quechee, and had the host motel and campground within 2 miles of each other. Probably won't attend as we have a trip out west on the schedule, but if you've never been up that way, you could do a lot worse>

 

[fastpappy]

This would be very interesting to me if i could get the stars in alignment.

 

[kolonial72]

Oh, hell yeah.

 

[ALDAWG]

Yup, I'm down! I ride up there all the time.

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Fred,

As much as it pains me to admit it, perhaps BikerGeek has something to his logic in one of his EOM posts- he pointed out that the CFR group does a midweek rally so as to allow the two weekends for travel. I think that is a brilliant idea! To me, this would perhaps allow more folks from farther away be able to attend since the weekend would allow for travel instead of having to worry about weekdays for travel in two consecutive weeks (the friday/monday thingy). In addition, it would seem to reason that perhaps traffic may be lighter during the week.

Either way, you can count on me being there for as much of the riding days as possible! I know what a huge undertaking something like this can be, so my (ass)hats off to you! Oh, and I'll try to leave my bride at home- she is the weather albatross from hell and in fact, I am convinced she was the one responsible for the downpours on this years greens/whites! I am speaking from experience . . . the week we rode the parkway last month, we got rained on four of the six days including that monster tropical depression that brought monsoon-like rains from hell!

 

[SLK50]

Fred,

As much as it pains me to admit it, perhaps BikerGeek has something to his logic in one of his EOM posts- he pointed out that the CFR group does a midweek rally so as to allow the two weekends for travel. I think that is a brilliant idea! To me, this would perhaps allow more folks from farther away be able to attend since the weekend would allow for travel instead of having to worry about weekdays for travel in two consecutive weeks (the friday/monday thingy). In addition, it would seem to reason that perhaps traffic may be lighter during the week.

I really like the way this guy thinks. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way.

I typically turn five days of PTO into a nine day roadtrip by anchoring M-F with two weekends.

By comparison, a weekend event that requires five days PTO ( W-T-F plus M-T ) would only give me

seven days on the road. This directly impacts how far and long I can travel.

 

[Fred W]

This is one of the things that we (the organizers) have been discussing between ourselves, which has not been fully decided or established.

It is definitely a trade-off of the convenience of the locals vs. the more distant folks.

Locals (like you CJ) would be able to participate taking minimal time off (or just one day) if the event is held over a weekend.

If it is midweek the same locals will have to take all of the time off and get no benefit out of the weekends.

OTOH, midweek does give both weekends to the distant folks to travel in and out. And it would also quite likely reduce our hotel rates and result in less traffic on the roads / rides.

There is definitely something to this idea. I have added that question to the poll. Please weigh in ONLY if you have a preference. If it really does not matter to you, you can just abstain.

 

[kolonial72]

I really like the way this guy thinks. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way.

I typically turn five days of PTO into a nine day roadtrip by anchoring M-F with two weekends.

By comparison, a weekend event that requires five days PTO ( W-T-F plus M-T ) would only give me

seven days on the road. This directly impacts how far and long I can travel.

SLK, the center of VT is only about 500 miles from you by highway. It's pretty much a day ride. So, for example, if you're there for 3 days, add 1 day for the ride there and 1 for the ride back, and boom. Only 3 days PTO (e.g. Thur/Fri/Mon) with a single weekend thrown in.

 

[RaYzerman19]

I had to weigh in on the timeframe, wouldn't accept my vote unless I had answered every section...... I have no preference, though. But, if we're going to travel distances, might as well make it a worthwhile 3 days if you ask me. As for rides, what has worked very well at other biking events is to post a number of routes and let people choose their own riding itinerary, which keeps group sizes down if there's a good variety. Accomodations, if you locate a suitable facility or two, we could just book our own and share as desired, of course group discounts if we can get it and a camping option for those so inclined (I'm not, but cabins OK).

 

[Fred W]

I had to weigh in on the timeframe, wouldn't accept my vote unless I had answered every section...... I have no preference, though. But, if we're going to travel distances, might as well make it a worthwhile 3 days if you ask me. As for rides, what has worked very well at other biking events is to post a number of routes and let people choose their own riding itinerary, which keeps group sizes down if there's a good variety. Accomodations, if you locate a suitable facility or two, we could just book our own and share as desired, of course group discounts if we can get it and a camping option for those so inclined (I'm not, but cabins OK).

 

Thanks very much for your thoughts.

 

Yes, our intention is to create and make available, a good number of ride routes, with varying goals, and in all of the appropriate formats, so that riders can form up into smaller groups and head out with other riders of the same ilk. We'll also solicit some route leaders and have "sign-up sheets" or something similar so that people have the opportunity to ride a route with a group, should they desire to. You can always go off on your own if you prefer it, but we don't want folks being "left out" of the groups.

 

Ideally, we'd like for everyone to have the opportunity to stay at the same facility. It makes the parking lot bench racing, and late night beer swilling tasting far more convenient. To be honest, it might be the most enjoyable part of these group events, just getting together with folks from different walks of life, and parts of the country and shooting the shit.

 

Once we nail down a place, we can explore alternate opportunities (like nearby camping, etc) but when you don't stay at the command central hotel you do miss out on a lot. Plus we are striving to make this very economical. Hey, you can always camp on the way there and home , if that floats your boat.

 

[cota95]

The wife (on her own bike) and I are on. We have no preference as to day of the week but it may be easier to get a block of rooms if it's during the week as the weekend are always busier. Just don't get rid of the chowdah run as we both really enjoy eating... :lol:

 

[wheatonFJR]

...Just don't get rid of the chowdah run as we both really enjoy eating... :lol:

True...this is the weight watchers meeting...and only parsley sprigs and carrots will be served.

 

[TheAxeman]

Will this be an FJR only event?

P.S.- I think you may have to put "no preference" as an option in the last question since it didn't accept my submission without an answer.

 

[Fred W]

Will this be an FJR only event?

Nah. It will be primarily an FJR event, and we will only be spamming the FJR forums, but if someone wants to ride something else to hang around with a bunch of FJR codgers, they'll be welcome. Probably get publicly ostracized for showing up with straight pipes or a scooter.

Why do you ask? Are you planning on getting rid of your '06, Chris?

Or maybe were you thinking of bringing Martin along on his Beemer again?

Either way, you know you guys are always welcome, even if you drove up in a car!!

edit - Thanks. I did not know that. I'll get right on that.

 

[TheAxeman]

It certainly was entertainment watching my brother knocking down bushes with that beemer of his when he took a corner to hot. :lol: I'm just hoping my '06 doesn't self destruct before next August. I'll let you know after the "Ride to the Rock".

 

[Fred W]

I hope to see you there.

Maybe this year I'll actually make it.