Spyderfest 2015 Ride Routes

[mac spyder]

Can you believe it, we are starting to plan for Spyderfest 2015. We have listened and read responses to the ride routes of Spyderfest 2014. One of the most frequent responses was the lack of group rides. The decision not to have group rides was based on safety concerns due to the number of riders and rider experience on the rides. Based on your feedback, we have decided to re-institute the group rides for Spyderfest 2015. I would like to use this post to get feedback on the number of rides and the types of rides you as attendees would like to see. Also anyone that would like to volunteer as a ride captain, you can pm me. As this event keeps growing, so will the need for ride captains. The ride routes for 2015 will also include points of interest for the rides. One other negative response was that the ride routes were not in the program. The ride routes once determined will be placed back in the program for 2015. So, to help us plan for another great event please share your ideas for ride routes. Thanks in advance.

Mac Spyder

[jcthorne]

We don't know that area but look forward to attending our first Spyderfest and going on the group rides. We did one at the Durango owners event and while not the most thrilling of rides, it was great for sightseeing and the social aspect of the ride. We enjoyed it and will sign up for group rides at Spyderfest 2015.

When do you plan to announce dates and host hotel for Spyderfest 2015, we need to get vacation time and reservations in place. Hopefully well before end of the year.

[ChicoFowler]

Can you believe it, we are starting to plan for Spyderfest 2015. We have listened and read responses to the ride routes of Spyderfest 2014. One of the most frequent responses was the lack of group rides. The decision not to have group rides was based on safety concerns due to the number of riders and rider experience on the rides. Based on your feedback, we have decided to re-institute the group rides for Spyderfest 2015. I would like to use this post to get feedback on the number of rides and the types of rides you as attendees would like to see. Also anyone that would like to volunteer as a ride captain, you can pm me. As this event keeps growing, so will the need for ride captains. The ride routes for 2015 will also include points of interest for the rides. One other negative response was that the ride routes were not in the program. The ride routes once determined will be placed back in the program for 2015. So, to help us plan for another great event please share your ideas for ride routes. Thanks in advance.

Mac Spyder

I like the idea. I would suggest having 2 options for these rides. 1) a guided (lead) rider that takes a group on the ride. This would be someone really familiar with the area. Limit the number of riders per group for safety reasons, but if necessary have several guided groups; 2) let smaller groups form and ride at their own pace/leisure. And of course provide quality maps for individuals who want to go it alone. If there are any pubs/restaurants along the way that might extend courteous discounts to Spyder riders, that would be cool too !!! If this comes off, it would be nice to have pre-sign ups for guided rides when you register.

Chico

[Bob Denman]

with the idea of limiting the number of riders in a "Herd"...

If you can do it; try to schedule mutliple starting times, and take out a more manageable number of riders at a time...
If the "leads" are on their best game; half-hour spacing should be enough...

[mac spyder]

I like the idea. I would suggest having 2 options for these rides. 1) a guided (lead) rider that takes a group on the ride. This would be someone really familiar with the area. Limit the number of riders per group for safety reasons, but if necessary have several guided groups; 2) let smaller groups form and ride at their own pace/leisure. And of course provide quality maps for individuals who want to go it alone. If there are any pubs/restaurants along the way that might extend courteous discounts to Spyder riders, that would be cool too !!! If this comes off, it would be nice to have pre-sign ups for guided rides when you register.

Chico

Thanks for the reply. A lot of what you have mentioned we have discussed. We are in contact with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce in regards to points of interests along the routes. Again, thanks for the reply.

[mac spyder]

with the idea of limiting the number of riders in a "Herd"...

If you can do it; try to schedule mutliple starting times, and take out a more manageable number of riders at a time...
If the "leads" are on their best game; half-hour spacing should be enough...

That's correct Bob, we are going to have to set a safe number for the herds. LOL I have started putting together notes and one point was the staggered starting times. One key item is getting enough leads for all the rides. We had 55 to 60 people signed up for rides at Spyderfest 2013 and was hard to manage. We plan on doing things better for 2015.

[cyclelover63]

Thanks again for all of the work you two do...It is appreciated!!...Just a suggestion...How about a ride from Springfield leaving early in the morning,and going down to Bull Shoals..There are some nice roads and views....I haven't been to these,but there are caverns that can be toured..might be a good destination...Maybe someone who lives close can chime in....I think it is about 3 hours from Springfield... Is this too long?..The wineries and the distillery were also good last year..

[DJFaninTN]

how about selling an SD Card for a GPS with the routes already downloaded on them?

[mac spyder]

Thanks again for all of the work you two do...It is appreciated!!...Just a suggestion...How about a ride from Springfield leaving early in the morning,and going down to Bull Shoals..There are some nice roads and views....I haven't been to these,but there are caverns that can be toured..might be a good destination...Maybe someone who lives close can chime in....I think it is about 3 hours from Springfield... Is this too long?..The wineries and the distillery were also good last year..

That's a nice idea, I will add that to the list for consideration.

[mac spyder]

how about selling an SD Card for a GPS with the routes already downloaded on them?

That's a possibility! I will bring that up for discussion!

[ruthie]

Let hear the date for Spyderfest 2015. Can't volunteer if we don't know when the event is.

[mac spyder]

Let hear the date for Spyderfest 2015. Can't volunteer if we don't know when the event is.

The exact date hasn't been set but it has always been around the same time each year, which has been around the end of April, first of May. The dates will be announced in the near future. I can't wait to find out also!

[OJ UK]

That would be nice as some have to book flights in and out.....if I can make it I will. BUT I am NEVER
flying with effing UNITED again....they couldn't organize a bus service with one bus and one destination.
Bunch of wankers they are.....(Wanker is a highly derogatory British term which I can explain via PM
if anyone wants to know! Likewise if anyone wants to know the gory details of their failings to get me
back to the UK in one piece!)

[bruiser]

United is a misnomer. Wanker? yeah, I know what that means .

[Yazz]

Lived in Australia for a while and knew a guy named Wayne King. No joke

Bad parents!

[Yazz]

Can you believe it, we are starting to plan for Spyderfest 2015. We have listened and read responses to the ride routes of Spyderfest 2014. One of the most frequent responses was the lack of group rides. The decision not to have group rides was based on safety concerns due to the number of riders and rider experience on the rides. Based on your feedback, we have decided to re-institute the group rides for Spyderfest 2015. I would like to use this post to get feedback on the number of rides and the types of rides you as attendees would like to see. Also anyone that would like to volunteer as a ride captain, you can pm me. As this event keeps growing, so will the need for ride captains. The ride routes for 2015 will also include points of interest for the rides. One other negative response was that the ride routes were not in the program. The ride routes once determined will be placed back in the program for 2015. So, to help us plan for another great event please share your ideas for ride routes. Thanks in advance.

Mac Spyder

PM sent...

[edmarino]

The size of the group can be better managed if the lead and the trail bike have away of communicating with each other. I would say CB's but BRP's are expensive and not very good. So it may be hard to find many Spyder's equipped , I am not that familiar with blue tooth and what can be done with them. But have ridden in groups of 20 or more with CB's and no problem with managing the group. If some one has to drop out, some one can stay with them and tell the group what is happing. Communications is the name of the game. If you are riding two up the co rider could have a hand held CB. They are cheap if bought in quantity and used over and over again each year. I just check and you can get walkie talkies with a 22 mile range for under 30 dollars apiece.

[Big F]

Can you believe it, we are starting to plan for Spyderfest 2015. We have listened and read responses to the ride routes of Spyderfest 2014. One of the most frequent responses was the lack of group rides. The decision not to have group rides was based on safety concerns due to the number of riders and rider experience on the rides. Based on your feedback, we have decided to re-institute the group rides for Spyderfest 2015. I would like to use this post to get feedback on the number of rides and the types of rides you as attendees would like to see. Also anyone that would like to volunteer as a ride captain, you can pm me. As this event keeps growing, so will the need for ride captains. The ride routes for 2015 will also include points of interest for the rides. One other negative response was that the ride routes were not in the program. The ride routes once determined will be placed back in the program for 2015. So, to help us plan for another great event please share your ideas for ride routes. Thanks in advance.

Mac Spyder

Chico and the Big F from Omaha want to go on some rides during Spyderfest 2015. We also know of others that want to go.

[Big F]

Can you believe it, we are starting to plan for Spyderfest 2015. We have listened and read responses to the ride routes of Spyderfest 2014. One of the most frequent responses was the lack of group rides. The decision not to have group rides was based on safety concerns due to the number of riders and rider experience on the rides. Based on your feedback, we have decided to re-institute the group rides for Spyderfest 2015. I would like to use this post to get feedback on the number of rides and the types of rides you as attendees would like to see. Also anyone that would like to volunteer as a ride captain, you can pm me. As this event keeps growing, so will the need for ride captains. The ride routes for 2015 will also include points of interest for the rides. One other negative response was that the ride routes were not in the program. The ride routes once determined will be placed back in the program for 2015. So, to help us plan for another great event please share your ideas for ride routes. Thanks in advance.

Mac Spyder

THE BIG F and Chico from Omaha are coming. we want scenic rides - maybe 100-200 miles RT - agree in smaller groups - say 12-15 for safty sake. would like everyday and posted in the program. thansk
THE BIG F

[Chupaca]

there are probably only two suggestions..have radio communications between captain and sweep and lable your ryde by ryder ability. If groupd are larger have a middleman with route knowledge...but I'm sure you have that covered...

[Slagiatt]

We have a lot of (police) escorted rides in Indiana and they are great fun and can accommodate large groups. No, I have NO idea what they cost (fees, etc.) but since we're just brainstorming here, thought I'd mention this option.

Also...the earlier suggestion of smaller groups/staggered departure times should work well toward reducing the chaos of managing a large group.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to whatever you put together. If the rides are handled like the other parts of Spyderfest, they will be a class act. Thanks for all of your efforts.

[lookerjdc]

look at the rides that were done in 2013 - weather not withstanding the rides that were offered were really good and a nice mix of things

[ARtraveler]

The idea of "herding" the riders is a good one. We limit our group rides here to 8 or less per group. We also leave a five minute gap between groups.

Groups should also have similar riding capabilities. Slow riders, fast riders, experienced riders, newbies.

Motorists get less ticked off if they can get around a small group. It is very cool to be a part of a large group (have ridden in 100+), but not good for safety factors. Large groups encourage cagers to cut in or forget about safety just to get the heck away from there.

[Yazz]

Had years of experience on two-wheelie pack rides. My first pack ride on a Spyder didn't go so well. In the twisties, I lagged way behind because I hadn't learned how to handle the Spyder in turns.

Would I ever tell the pack leader I was a newbie? No. I'd ridden in packs before, knew pack protocol, and thought everything was going to be hunky-dory.

Thus my learning curve began...

Totally agree on small groups.

[dlby]

Eureka springs - lunch - coffee coffee cruise back
You wil Njoy
Any where in Twain forest and finally (rt 76) after you get past shepherd's tower wow it is awesome