Poll: Ramble Location for June 2009

[luvtoride]

More inclined to stay at a hotel? Really? Over decently appointed cottages (that are inexpensive) w/ lots of other FJR riders?

 

[Geezer]

Cheap cabins sound good to me.

I vote is for June 5 & 6.

 

[yamaholic]

Any ideas on were you might be starting from? Bob Evans? Gas Station? Athens? For the folks that might be more inclined to stay in a Hotel.

The itinerary will probably go as follows:

Meet in the am on a Friday, gas up, rider meet, clutches out by 9:30ish. Starting location TBD and probably not anytime real soon.

Probably will have 2 loops (one short, one long) planned for Friday. Get dinner as a group Friday evening. Fri night stay in cottage as a group. Next day start at cottages, go to breakfast and gas up, ride all day (again 2 loops to choose from, I'm hoping). Go to dinner before going to cottage Sat night. Stay in cottage Sat night. On your own Sunday, event ends Sunday morning. I'm guessing some will stay in the area longer and you can extend your own ramble as you see fit.

 

[thompsonian]

Hmmm....I *might* be able to catch up at some point on the Friday, since I'll be on midnites by then. But the Saturday, I'll be up for anything. Again, I might just play the "meet up at some point" game. Easiest for me since you/we will more than likely be heading back towards my home.

-Dave

 

[Greg E.]

Cheap cabins sound good to me.
I vote is for June 5 & 6.

Those dates work for me.

-Greg-

 

[Bluebullet]

I'll roll with whatever dates! This is shaping up very well.

 

[luvtoride]

Off Topic: Wheaties... we're waiting to see the new bike pics. Good for you, stayed w/ a gen 1 regardless of the heat whiners... bunch of cryin' babies.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Off Topic: Wheaties... we're waiting to see the new bike pics. Good for you, stayed w/ a gen 1 regardless of the heat whiners... bunch of cryin' babies.

Yeah, mine was never an issue but I bunch my trips into spring and fall so ambient temperature doesn't affect me as much.

My new bike pictures can be found now on the tail end of the wheatonFJR goes down thread...

Back on topic...

-edited-

 

[El Toro Joe]

I might do an earlier "scout out the area" ride...cuz you never can learn too much about SE OH.

Mark, I think you might be able to find a couple other people interested in "scouting out the area" if you end up doing so

 

[wheatonFJR]

I might do an earlier "scout out the area" ride...cuz you never can learn too much about SE OH.

Mark, I think you might be able to find a couple other people interested in "scouting out the area" if you end up doing so

oops...I'm not setting up any competing ride. Mike's doing alot of work here and I am not gonna get in the way of that.

 

[Murph]

Yeah, all this talk makes me want to scout the route this weekend. Hmmm.... :search:

 

[thompsonian]

I wouldn't scout too much round here just yet. TINY bit of snow flew and I'm sure there are funspots all over the roads. Hell, we ran into that last year IIRC.

 

[yamaholic]

OK, I talked to the park office and reservation folks at Lake Hope.

Not as easy for a group as we may like.

Here are the facts. Discussion welcome.

Booking:

4 person cabins booked June 5-6, the preferred Ramble date.

5 person cabins: 11 cabins available $75+tax each night (about $83 total )

8 person cabins: 6 cabins available $95+tax each night (about $105 total)

So availability is no problem really.

Reservation is a little complicated, and supposedly this is the same for all Ohio State Parks (per reservation clerk).

Max hold is 5 cabins in one transaction/group block (single phone call to reserve) with first nights deposit due by those 5 responsible for the tab in 7 days.

Multiple calls to reserve multiple groups of five is permitted. You have to pay at least one night for one cabin in the block when holding them. That means a few of you guys (maybe me+ 2 others) need to call in separately and book the group blocks. I'm sure we can work that out.

But we NEED to pay each block (again one nights' deposit) within 7 days to hold rooms in the block. If the block does not fill, those who have reserved still have a reservation for their cabin.

Also another bogey is parking. We cannot park right next to the cabins, per the Park Office. There is a large central lot and as I'm told only a short walk...unless you're way back in high number cabins.

Pro's of Lake Hope: Cheap, nice area, looks comfy, good group atmosphere

Cons: Reservation complicated (but doable), cannot park next to your cabin, nothing available closeby (15 miles) to eat, possible alchohol restriction?

Some quick opinions please...standing by to book the first block or continue hunting.

 

[yamaholic]

Scouters, by all means let's boil up a real good route this time. The route doesn't have to be firm until just before the event, so tons of time to scout.

 

[Murph]

While initially sounding good, the parking situation and the food & alcohol issues are making the cabins sound less appealing. Besides, the reservation system and space per cabin are probably making it more difficult than it needs to be....especially when the inevitable last-minute cancellation occurs and there is an empty bed or two in a cabin. I suggest just posting the route and the meeting time/place and let participants arrange their own lodging plans and partners.

 

[Geezer]

I'll probably be riding in on Thursday. If we go with the cabins I'd like to get one for three nights even if I'm there alone on Thursday night.

 

[wheatonFJR]

While initially sounding good, the parking situation and the food & alcohol issues are making the cabins sound less appealing. Besides, the reservation system and space per cabin are probably making it more difficult than it needs to be....especially when the inevitable last-minute cancellation occurs and there is an empty bed or two in a cabin. I suggest just posting the route and the meeting time/place and let participants arrange their own lodging plans and partners.

sounds reasonable...and less work for the organizer. That way, Ramble central could be more towards Athens and alcohol imbibers could chat while lying about how good a rider they are.

 

[luvtoride]

I will be with the group & as such, will do what they do. I definitely thought the cabins were it. It's sounding like a PIA, now.

I'm prone to agree with Murph... as much as I thought the cabins were a good idea. The cabins might be better for a smaller group. This sounds like there may be lots o' folks.

I really don't like not being able to park where my cabin would be.

Do you have any decent mom & pop type hotels around that has better access to the must-haves (like beer)?

 

[thompsonian]

Not really in the Lake Hope area. Might as well just center in Athens. Lots of hotels, beer, food, Walmart, grocery, anything you could need. It's a college town. Also fairly easy to loop back into Athens. Just my .02

 

[road runner]

Not really in the Lake Hope area. Might as well just center in Athens. Lots of hotels, beer, food, Walmart, grocery, anything you could need. It's a college town. Also fairly easy to loop back into Athens. Just my .02

+1