Whats up with the SW-FOG

[HotRodZilla]

On a different note, would it be too big of a stretch to say that west-central Colorado is in the Southwest? Probably, BUT I just happen to be "affiliated" with a mountain resort that's more than capable of handling this kind of an event. I'm not really in the position to organize an entire event (t-shirts, swag, etc.), but I could certainly take on the lodging and dining organization. Regardless, I can certainly get a bid for the person that eventually steps up to organize SW-FOG (and I know somebody will ).

This is my point exactly! Why has Arizona become the only point in the SW that seems interesting? NM is pretty centrally located, and during the summer, we have better roads, better weather, and better access to Colorado. Pinhead had a good idea. Ski areas are usually jonesing for buisness during the summer months, and there are towns that are perfect for this type of gathering. Durango, Gunnison and Taos immediately to mind. If this thing needs help, I am willing to help, but seeing as how I have never done anything like this before, I could not do it alone.

 

[SkooterG]

This is my point exactly! Why has Arizona become the only point in the SW that seems interesting? NM is pretty centrally located, and during the summer, we have better roads, better weather, and better access to Colorado.

Eh? Arizona is NOT required. The first ever SW-FOG was held in the Santa Fe/Northern NM area back in 2005. There has only been one other IIRC, and that was last year (2008) in Arizona.

SW-FOG is WHEREVER some poor soul who will volunteer a LOT of TIME and EFFORT decides to have it. You want it in your back yard, then by all means, ORGANIZE it.

As of for ski areas, I too think that's a great idea but I think they are generally pretty darned expensive. Perhaps pinhead can get us a deal, or with the 'new' economy, things will start to get cheaper. But in the end, all that matters is what the person that decided to organize a get-together thinks.

Edit: Doc Reid hosted the first ever SW-FOG in New Mexico in '05. Photos are HERE. He also did it again in New Mexico in '07. Info HERE. So it ain't like NM has been ignored. The point is, whoever takes on the responsibility of organizing it gets to pick the place.

 

[pinhead]

As of for ski areas, I too think that's a great idea but I think they are generally pretty darned expensive. Perhaps pinhead can get us a deal...

Skooter is right that ski areas, even in the summer, can be a bit pricey when compared to regular hotels. While I'm sure I could get a block of rooms in Crested Butte at a group rate, the rates would still be more than the typical Holiday Inn Express.

This is what I was able to set up for some people around NAFO last year and honestly, I don't think I could do any better on the price this year.

 

[twistedcricket]

If I had the time off, I would make a run to Crested Butte, CO for a weekend. It's only 760 miles from me

 

[Fz1Pilot]

So far we have 5 people who have expressed an interest.

I personally like the idea of Colorado but pushing the date into October could setup some pretty chilly weather if anyone wanted to camp. Colorado (or northern NM) would be really nice in late July or August. Northern AZ might also be an option. Southern NM really shines early in the season and Silver City has a Blues Festival on memorial Day if anyone would be interested in combining the rally with another event.

The BMW group has used the Taos area a number of times in mid September, everyone I know has raved about the rally. The MGNOC folks used to have a rally in Datil NM in Sept-Oct.

Sooooo many choices........

 

[pinhead]

Pinhead had a good idea. Ski areas are usually jonesing for buisness during the summer months, and there are towns that are perfect for this type of gathering. Durango, Gunnison and Taos immediately to mind.

If I had the time off, I would make a run to Crested Butte, CO for a weekend. It's only 760 miles from me

So far we have 5 people who have expressed an interest.
I personally like the idea of Colorado...

Well, there seems to be at least some interest in Colorado.

[You want it in your back yard, then by all means, ORGANIZE it.

Honestly, I'd rather have it elsewhere so that I get to go on vacation. But as I said, I can't dedicate the time required [SIZE=8pt](or I'm just not smart enough)[/SIZE] to organize it so I don't really get to vote. I should probably aspire to attend a SW-FOG before I volunteer to organize one.

If some sucker leader steps forward and agrees to organize, and IF that person considers Crested Butte to be a viable option for the gathering, I'll provide all the assistance I can.

[Edit]...and if that person wants to come here in advance to personally see if this area would be a good fit to host a SW-FOG, I think we could make that work in a pretty "economical" fashion. B) [/Edit]

 

[Wolfhound]

Isn't Crested Butte still at the end of a road ? EXTREMELY pricy to eat in the area aso. I would think Montrose would be awesome with cheap rooms & plenty of places to eat/party with excellent rides in every direction !

 

[pinhead]

Isn't Crested Butte still at the end of a road ?

Yup.

EXTREMELY pricy to eat in the area aso.

Nope (unless you're comparing it to Wendy's)

I would think Montrose would be awesome with cheap rooms & plenty of places to eat/party with excellent rides in every direction !

You volunteering to check it out?

 

[HotRodZilla]

Isn't Crested Butte still at the end of a road ? EXTREMELY pricy to eat in the area aso. I would think Montrose would be awesome with cheap rooms & plenty of places to eat/party with excellent rides in every direction !

We wouldn't necessarily have to stay at Crested Butte. It is just north of Gunnison, and I have used Gunnison as a launcing point for lots of cool rides. Aspen, Indepencence Pass, Monarch Pass and some other nice roads are not very far away. Depending on how many people would go, I would think Gunnison could accomodate a meet like this.

As far as Souther NM is concerned, there are lots of events surrounding that area too in the fall. There is the Whole Enchilada Festival in Las Cruces, but getting rooms in LC during that time would be a *****. Still, there is great riding out of Silver City.

 

[Wetdog]

I'm most flexible with time in the summer, I can ride through the heat for the most part, but I like to head to the mountains. Great rides in Utah and I've been to Durrango, Telluride and most of SouthWest Colorado. Some really nice places to ride up there. Arizona has some cool mountain rides. A lot of the rides in the lower elevations and higher temps. are best done in the spring or fall. If anyone set up a ride I'll try to make it.

 

[Fz1Pilot]

It would appear that what we need is someone to setup and organize this event. Would everyone agree? Or do we need to all agree on a location first?

 

[fjrchik]

I'm interested. If work allows and i'm not broke again anytime soon, i'd love to come over. i missed out on the million dollar highway after nafo and i can't stop thinking about it. anywhere in NM, AZ or CO is of big interest to me!

 

[protondecay123]

Sorry, brian frat.

 

[jbh]

I have been to Red River, NM several times to ride my ATV and camp as there are several jeep roads there. It seems like this area (also around Taos) could have potential. Roads seems to be nice a curvy out there. This is a easy place to get to for us Texas folks.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Who says it must be held in the Summer?
June might provide more moderate temperatures.....

Hell, you can beat the heat. Have it at NIGHT!

I'm interested. If work allows and i'm not broke again anytime soon, i'd love to come over. i missed out on the million dollar highway after nafo and i can't stop thinking about it. anywhere in NM, AZ or CO is of big interest to me!

Think outside the box. I just looked at a map. Went all the way south, then all the way west. And there I was in . . . San Diego! And they have a nice beach.

 

[Khunajawdge]

Hell, you can beat the heat. Have it at NIGHT!

Yeah, once my dad told me a story about the space race, he said;

"... while the Soviets and the Americans are trying to put a man on the moon, the Italians are going to put a man on the sun"

What? I asked, and Dad went on...

"Yes, they plan to land him on the sun at night!" :blink:

 

[08Missile]

I'm interested in riding NM, AZ, and/or CO. Day or night (LMAO). Take your pick. I'll stay tuned.

:clapping:

 

[pinhead]

While there’s still time, early indications are that nobody is going to step up and take charge of SW-FOG this year. I hope I’m wrong. Having never attended one myself (I’m always late to the party) and not being familiar with most of the past attendees, I’m a little leery of just jumping up and proclaiming that “I’ll do it.” Call me chicken.

I am curious about the way the previous SW-FOG’s were organized. Was there a committee like the larger regional gatherings? Was it a one man show? How does the torch get passed from one organizer (rally master?) to the next? What happened to the last organizer(s)? Is there a general feeling that having a Southwest gathering is just competing too directly with the efforts of the larger regional gatherings?

I hope I’m not stepping on anybody’s toes by asking the questions. I was just REALLY looking forward to attending a SW-FOG this year and getting to know some more peeps. Other than the bad luck with the weather, there’s just not a lot of info to be gleamed from the previous year’s SW-FOG posts.

(Greg, are you going to post now just to call me “Chicken?”)

 

[HotRodZilla]

I'm kind of under the impression that the SW-FOG is a lost cause. Maybe there are just not enough of us in the area to make it worth anyone's while. I basically have the same questions as Pinhead...I can't figure out where the last organizers have gone to that they are not at least attempting to help 'pass the torch' so to speak.

This option looking to be gone, I am heading to WFO and then probably EOM. I'll ride NM whenever I have a day off work and can take the time, and I'll take a few weekends and spend them in Colorado.

 

[beemerdons]

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=113769 HotRodZilla and pinhead: I am not trying to dilute the efforts for those of us wanting to resurrect SW-FOG in the Southwest; but I am just throwing out a suggestion, as food for thought.

My BMW Club hosts an annual Rally May 15-17 in Heber, Arizona; this will be our 28th year of putting on this real fun event.

A lot, if not all, of your Phoenix FJR Forum Members attend this Rally: SkooterG, vectervp1, PHXJack and all of the FJR rest.

I will be there with my son Seth this year on our 2003 FJR. What I am suggesting, as AZB Club Rally Organizer, that if our Southwest FJR Forum wanted to come to this Rally: I would set aside a separate camping area just for SW FJR Riders tents.

Consider it a Rally within a Rally. For $39 - covering your camping, 2 meals, showers and free coffee; you can't go wrong!

This would allow the SW FJR Forum Members to get together face to face, and plan out SW-FOG for 2010! 480-917-3863