Factory Tour just for SpyderLovers prior to Americade?

[Lamonster]

Just got this from BRP and Steve was going to post this but he's away right now. So what do you think? :doorag:


Dear Spyderlovers Members,

It has come to our attention through Lamont Bryden ('Lamonster') that some of you would like to visit the Can-Am Spyder production line this Summer while in Upstate NY? Well, it would certainly be our pleasure to welcome you to Valcourt, the birthplace of BRP and the Can-Am Spyder.

For those who plan on attending Americade, we are considering offering, exclusive to Spyderlovers fans, a free tour of the J.A. Bombardier Museum and the Can-Am Spyder factory on these specific dates which are just prior and after Americade.

Thursday June 5
Friday June 6
Monday June 9

Questions for you :

1. Should we host only one large gathering on one day or offer the flexibility of a choice of three days?

2. How about a random draw for 6 people for a more in-depth, station to station tour accompanied by an engineer? Would you be interested in this?

Valcourt is located just over 200 miles from Lake George in the beautiful Eastern Townships of Quebec.

We can also negotiate a preferred rate and secure Spyder parking at a local hotel.

Let us know if you would be interested in such a program and give us a sense for the number of participants. We will get back to you based on your feedback.

The BRP CARE Team

[sddinnh]

I'm going to be at Americade, but I'll be hauling my buddies daughter on the back of my bike, so I'm not sure I could break away then

[Bob Denman]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_2.gif We were just kicking this idea around in here too!
Thank you; BRP!! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_75.gif

EDIT: I'd never forgive myself, If I didn't bring Flounder back out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arZdeg_fL-I

[Bob Denman]

I kind of like the idea of some choices for the dates:
I know that in my case; I can make a Friday happen! :thumbup:

[bruiser]

Tour of the plant would be great.

[bruiser]

Don't forget. You'll need a passport.

[PrairieSpyder]

Oh, man. I wish I could go!:sour:

[Brogers57]

​Trying to talk to the father into flying up to see it. Would be a great Bday gift as mine is on the 6th plus good for Fathers day!

[Dan McNally]

I wish there had been more notice . . . I'll be at SpyderQuest, but don't think I can make it to Americade with only a month's notice . . . I might be able to get up there for one of those dates, but if it is tied into being at Americade, there is no way I could do it.

[Brogers57]

I wish there had been more notice . . . I'll be at SpyderQuest, but don't think I can make it to Americade with only a month's notice . . . I might be able to get up there for one of those dates, but if it is tied into being at Americade, there is no way I could do it.

Same here.

[Bob Denman]

Can you make it as a Day Trip?

That's what I'll have to do...
It's a bit over a seven hour ride to Valcourt for me...
I'm up for a 3:00 am departure! :D

[flamingobabe]

what a wonderful opportunity and fun day....I'll be in Asheville NC for that week.....maybe next time.....

[Chupaca]

wish I could be there but then I can pop over to mexico and see where all the American vehicles are made...:roflblack: Thats great hope you have a big turnout...:thumbup:

[SPYD3R]

WOW....! ! !
AWESOME....! ! !

and i speak French too.... Canadian French, that is.....
Dan P
Easley, SC
SPYD3R

[Bob Denman]

Bon Chance, et Bon Temps!! :D :2thumbs:

[YIRYDE]

It would be nice if this could also happen around September 8 or 9 prior to Spyderquest. Spyderquest is September 11 - 13 at Lake George.

[mindman]

Damn! We're in San Diego on those days !!!
:gaah: we'd love to go on the tour. Oh well....maybe some other time.

[harrypottar]

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, this is a very generous offer indeed, wonder if they can extend the offers to include Magog in July and SpyderQuest in September.

harry

[Marker]

What a great opportunity !
The response to this is going to be overwhelming !
BRP might need to hold a three day event.

Thanks BRP Care Team !:firstplace::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::thumbup:

[fastfraser]

AH Man !!! I love to go . Not enough notice we are on a Ontario Spyder Ryders rally.The Spyder Quest dates work for me as well.

[Tango]

Damn. This sounds awesome! :clap: Tom :trike:

[kentompkins]

I am as excited about a factory tour this June as I was in 2008 for the first Homecoming. I will be there depending on what date is selected. I do, however, have a few suggestions:

1. Avoid the chaotic group ride we had in 2008 with 100+ mph run from Lake George to Plattsburg. I was in a group separated from the main riders; no one in my group knew how to get to Valcourt. I think that BRP should choose a date and time when the event starts in Valcourt and let all of us find our way there as we see fit. For example, I will not be at Americade but will ride directly to Valcourt from NJ.

2. Arrange the schedule to start, say, at 10AM with tour groups given enough time to see everything. In 2008, because we arrived late, we were rushed through the factory (we were the last touring group visiting the factory) and arrived late at the dinner where the food had all been served. All this because we happened to be at the end of the line coming from Americade and because we got split off from the main group. For the rest of the day we were late to each event. If BRP would set a starting time, each of us can make sure we will be there on schedule. That's difficult if not impossible in a group ride.

3. If possible, I hope BRP will show us through the new Tech Center.

4. I hope BRP will announce a date asap. For those of us not attending Americade, we need to make motel reservations.

This is a wonderful offer. The factory process is incredible to see and those who attend will remember it for years. I really understood my 2008 GS after going through the plant. We saw Spyders built from the frame up, heard a great lecture on the Rotax 990 and watched the Dynamometer test a finished bike. I have felt privileged to have seen all of this.

Count me in!

ken tompkins

[kentompkins]

Steve's post says "For those who plan on attending Americade,". I hope that doesn't mean that we HAVE to be at Americade???

ken tompkins

[Bob Denman]

Me too! :shocked:
I normally just "Day-trip" it from down here to AmeriCade...
In 32 years; I've only completely missed three of them! :thumbup:

[tigerdr]

You are all welcome in Quebec.

The Eastern Townships area are very beautiful in summer time. When date will be known, I will ride from Quebec City to Valcourt to meet with some Spyderlovers member. Many hotels, motels and B&B are available near Valcourt and Sherbrooke.

For those who plans to came in Valcourt, please note the following informations from the Canadian Border Service Agency:

-------------------------------------------
Identification requirements for U. S. citizens and permanent residents:

If you are a U.S. citizen, ensure you carry proof of citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization, a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, or a Certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification.

For all modes of entry, we recommend you carry a valid passport for all travel abroad, including visits to Canada from the United States. A passport may be required by your airline or alternative transportation authority, as it is the only universally-accepted identification document.

Citizens and permanent residents of the United States who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs may present their membership cards to the CBSA as proof of identity and as documents that denote citizenship, when arriving by land or marine modes only.

All visitors arriving from or transiting through the United States are encouraged to visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Web site for information concerning the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and the requirements to enter or return to the United States.

------------------------------------------

More informations at this link: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

If you plan a large group riding together, please informs CBSA in advance. That will speed up the formality to access in Canada.

Bienvenue au Québec à tous.

[purplepig]

My wife and I would be interested in the Monday the 9th choice. We are not planning on going to Americade, but would make the trip from Rochester, NY if it comes about!

[mob133]

I as well as many others appear to already have plans for those dates .however I think a tour would be an awesome idea. Heres a thought how about a few days next year around this time so we could all try to get this onto our schedule.
this will be a trip in itself for me and many others.
Call it {owner appreciation days}

[mindman]

Add me as a vote for extending the tour to include timing with Spyderquest. We're going again this year and it would be fantastic!

[Cleg]

Sounds like a great trip. Keep us informed on the dates and times that the tour would be available. If more than one day is available maybe two or three group rides could go

[Spyderjockey]

When is BRP going to give us the date(s) for the factory tour? The time is getting really short for the possible dates!!

[Bob Denman]

:agree: 88255

[BRPcare]

When is BRP going to give us the date(s) for the factory tour?

Thanks for all your feedback on this - we're really excited at the prospect of having you visit us up here! We're just kicking around some final details and I'll post here as soon as we have more concrete information about the dates and other logistics.

[Bob Denman]

Thanks, Steve! :thumbup:
Now, we can get back to waiting patiently!
:bbq::bbq::bbq:Spatula in hand; of course! :D

[wyliec]

Thanks for all your feedback on this - we're really excited at the prospect of having you visit us up here! We're just kicking around some final details and I'll post here as soon as we have more concrete information about the dates and other logistics.

Do we have to meet up at Americade, or could we meet up at or close to the factory?

[Spyderman1330]

Add me to the group ride for factory tour. Cant wait.

[Captainpaul]

I would love to tour the factory; June 9 works best for me!!

[Tango]

Thanks Steve. :thumbup: Tom :trike:

[Dan McNally]

Thanks, Steve! :thumbup:
Now, we can get back to waiting patiently!
:bbq::bbq::bbq:Spatula in hand; of course! :D

Patiently? :yikes: I think you forgot which forum you are on, Bob! :roflblack: I'm not going to Americade, but I'd sure be willing to ride up, just to visit BRP! I have a son in Plattsburgh, NY I could stay with . . . just a couple hour ride from there!

[Bob Denman]

Patience... The one virtue, that NONE of us can wait to acquire!! :D

[jerseyspyder]

Sounds like a great tour. Dates outside of Americade don't work for us due to the lateness of the offer and vacation conflicts at work. We would be available on Thur. the 5th or earlier on Mon. the 2nd.

[0992]

I'll be arriving at Americade on Thursday afternoon and have room reservations till Sunday morning. I was going to head home then but my schedule is very flexible and I would love to go to BRP on the 9th. I have a passport and would go in a heartbeat if that was available. I'd get a room in Canada for the night and head home later or might even go to Laconia while I'm up in that area before heading home. As I said, I'm very flexible with my schedule and if I add a week or 2 to my trip...so be it.

[ottawa-rider]

Actually the tour is on, June 6 or 9, your choice.

Seems to be separate from Americade.

See post Spyder Factory Tour is ON! (http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?67389-Spyder-Factory-Tour-is-ON!)