Whats up with the SW-FOG

[pinhead]

Thanks for the invite Don. That's not a bad idea. I'm not sure how I missed that RoadRunner post but I'll look at my colander and see if that might work. Sounds like fun.

How many riders typically attend one of these events? One of the primary reasons I was attracted to SW-FOG was for small size. NAFO (my first FJR gathering) was great, but I'd also like to experience some of the smaller regional get-togethers.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[sgoat]

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?”)

The two New Mexico versions of SW-FOG were pretty much a one man show. Reid Hester was the organizer and he has since left the FJR clan. I think he occasionally checks in here and believe he is still a member. His forum name is Kindofblue, so you should be able to contact him. He's a good guy and I know he'd be more than happy to help in any way possible short of running the show again. Good Luck!

 

[beemerdons]

Hola Dave, We have had as many as 500 attend the Roadrunner Rally and as few as 350 attend. But with the economy the way it is in Year 2009, I do not believe that we will break 300 this year. Normally, by April 7th we have over 300 pre- registrations in our hands; but this year we have half that number at 160. It is really fun, in an absolutely beautiful location!

sgoat: Reid Hester is a fine gentleman and a friend of mine. I attended all SW-FOG's that Reid orchestrated. And you are indeed correct, I'm 100% completely sure Reid would share his wisdom on how to organize SW-FOG for interested parties!!!

 

[Khunajawdge]

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

Yo, what the Don said!

We do it this way in CA too. For some reason, CA FJR pilots are not usually into camping(?) :unknw: , but we "FJR boy scouts" manage to hit the BMW campouts like the 49er' rally in Auburn, CA every year.

https://bmwnorcal.org/49er/

 

[beemerdons]

Verdad Jorge! 49er Rally is King of the BMW Rallies West of the Mississippi. All makes are welcome and it's a real fun blast!

You're supposed to have a BMW Sponsor to attend. Just tell them you are with BMW Club #89 and Don Stanley MOA #24810.

 

[HotRodZilla]

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

Hey Beemer...I don't think you are diluting any efforts. I actually think that is a hell of an idea and I really appreciate the invite. I keep meaning to go on one of your rides, but work, kids and responsibilities just don't seem to mesh as well with my riding plans as much as I would like. I really have to look at what I have going on, but I may absoultely go to this. For $39 to hang out with other riders...You almost can't beat that. I may PM you for more details.

 

[beemerdons]

HotRodZilla: We AZ Beemers sincerely hope that you and other FJR Forum Members can attend our Heber Roadrunner Rally.

I'm having dinner with SkooterG this evening and I'm going to appoint him "Den Mother" for FJR Members riding to Arizona.

 

[twistedcricket]

FJRChik and Jackson have both put together SFO and CFO respectively. I've been a part of the "help" for both in various roles. It seems, from my perspective, that the most difficult part is getting the hotel/restaurant together. That's the most time-consuming part. You can solicit help from other interested people to get help with raffle give-aways. Aside from that, it's about the riding.

I don't know anything about that area so I'm of little help. I can't make SWFOG this year so I'll just go crawl back under my central states rock

 

[RockiesRider]

Thanks for the invite Don. That's not a bad idea. I'm not sure how I missed that RoadRunner post but I'll look at my colander and see if that might work. Sounds like fun.
How many riders typically attend one of these events? One of the primary reasons I was attracted to SW-FOG was for small size. NAFO (my first FJR gathering) was great, but I'd also like to experience some of the smaller regional get-togethers.

Thanks,

Dave

Well then Dave, you need to come to SFO.

 

[beemerdons]

Just a bump reminder that the AZ Beemers Roadrunner Rally is two weeks from this Friday and all Southwest FJR Forum members are cordially invited to attend this as a: "Mini" SW-FOG. Big-D, Dan Compton of Lake Havasu City, AZ has already confirmed that he'll be coming. We're undecided if we're both going to camp, or perhaps I'll reserve a room at the Best Western Hotel in Heber, AZ; with two double beds and a roll away bed for my Son Seth (12), and share the hotel costs.

So, you already know that at least 4 FJR's will be there; besides Dan and I, Jack Chapman and Greg Marbach will be there!!!

 

[pinhead]

...and Greg Marbach will be there!!!

Well, that settles it for me. I don't even want to be in the same state as that guy, much less the same camp ground

 

[Badcat]

I made an attempt at hosting SWFOG last year. We had some really great folks show up but the weather did not cooperate. I would "help" with whatever I could do if someone wanted to head up an event this year. I have no major events that I am attending this year so a regional rally would be great.

The rally in Taos was great a few years ago. Reid did an outstanding job of setting that up.

Unfortunatly I am out of town during the BMW rally in Heber or I would be all over that.

Keep the ideas flowing, we might make this dog hunt.

 

[fjrchik]

How about something in southern Utah or northern AZ in late October? Like Page, AZ? Would that allow warm days, cool nights? I'd really like to come out there then, since taking a trip this summer isn't in my budget.

Planning a rally isn't hard or all that time consuming folks. Pick a town, pick a date, get a block of rooms somewhere, find a restaurant to handle us within walking and away we go. Keep it simple if ya want. That's how SFO started and maybe that's what SW-FOG needs to do to get re-established.

Of course, if 100 people wanna come then your in trouble (right CFR? :lol: )

 

[Badcat]

How about something in southern Utah or northern AZ in late October? Like Page, AZ? Would that allow warm days, cool nights? I'd really like to come out there then, since taking a trip this summer isn't in my budget.
Planning a rally isn't hard or all that time consuming folks. Pick a town, pick a date, get a block of rooms somewhere, find a restaurant to handle us within walking and away we go. Keep it simple if ya want. That's how SFO started and maybe that's what SW-FOG needs to do to get re-established.

Of course, if 100 people wanna come then your in trouble (right CFR? :lol: )

You are on to something there Chik. I am going to look over the maps and see what I can come up with. Simple works best for me. I will post up some ideas in a few days. Then we can see if there are any takers.

b