Ideas for next Owners Event

[retread]

Two places came to mind when I thought about the next meet; Branson MO, and Banff. Branson should be able to handle the crowd, with plenty to do, and Banff is just a great place to be.

john

 

[Firefly]

I've been thinking about the issue of large Spyder "fests" since I read the many messages about the one on Cuba, Mo. I've also just read the posts on the Chicago Homecoming.

It seems to me that there is room for both types and that both serve real purposes (keep in mind that I was not at either event; I was registered for the Chicago event but decided not to go a few days before).

For me, the Cuba event was a "bottom-up" happening. As I saw it, folks began to plan some sort of meeting of Spyder owners in Cuba and it went from there. Again, for me, this has great appeal; it was planned by and for Spyder owners. Thus there were rides, parties, bbqs, dealer visits, etc. -- all of the things that we, as owners, would want.

The Chicago event seems like a "top-down" event. It seems not to have been organized by local folk, was short so that a whole series of activities that happened at Cuba didn't happen at Chicago and had, at least partly, the purpose of demonstrating new BRP products.

There certainly is nothing wrong with a top-down event though I suspect most of us would prefer something shaped from the bottom-up.

Finally, I suggest that what needs to happen is to help both types of events be better than they were. I'm sure improvements can be made to both and, I'll bet, those responsible for both groups would suggestions and the offer of help.

Just my $.02 from a great distance.

ken tompkins

Very good points about the Top-down vs. Bottom-up !

I don't want BRP getting too involved in Cuba because they could mess things up and make it more 'corporate' than we all would like!

Somewhere in mid-America would be great--

Prior to them selecting Chicago, I had thought someplace like the Gilmore Car Museum in Hastings, MI would be fantastic as there's plenty of room, other things to do while, great ryding on country roads, etc. But now that they've done Chicago-- Michigan wouldn't make sense (and I'd like it somewhere at least a few hundred miles away to ryde to).

If someone knows of a similar place, centrally located in the US--- that could work quite well.

While I would do the cruise thing if they did it---- I'd rather be ryding!

 

[spyder3rdr]

My thought was to keep the "3" theme,attached to ALL that is :spyder2:

on 1 set date , have 3 different gatherings all at once ... NC , Va or N.Y. for East , Cuba ,Mo. or ? for Central and San Diego or LA for West !

... less travelling , would open it up for more owners to join in
... more owners , would open up more interest , more people seeing large groups of Spyders ryding together
... Factory Spyder Techs on Site , to handle questions , concerns and service needs to ALL spyders attending the events

The date be set in stone ... and locations could be chosen by multiple choice for each region by registered owners in said regions

I think it would work ... maybe even have a large screen set-up at each region and linked together...linking all 3 into 1 large gathering

 

[fastfraser]

Canada's turn Niagara Falls ! Or what the heck Niagara Falls NY! :dontknow:

 

[Sarge707]

My thought was to keep the "3" theme,attached to ALL that is :spyder2:

on 1 set date , have 3 different gatherings all at once ... NC , Va or N.Y. for East , Cuba ,Mo. or ? for Central and San Diego or LA for West !

... less travelling , would open it up for more owners to join in
... more owners , would open up more interest , more people seeing large groups of Spyders ryding together
... Factory Spyder Techs on Site , to handle questions , concerns and service needs to ALL spyders attending the events

The date be set in stone ... and locations could be chosen by multiple choice for each region by registered owners in said regions

I think it would work ... maybe even have a large screen set-up at each region and linked together...linking all 3 into 1 large gathering

:agree:

 

[texasride]

new place to meet

why not try the hill country of texas we have some of the best roads and trails of any state their is. Close to san antiono austin and the gulf coast. If you have never ridden the hill country you have missed the best in the west.:spyder2::2thumbs:

 

[Dragonrider]

Have it somewhere WEST of the Rockies....

 

[docdoru]

Tampa, FL.

 

[FANG]

Didn't attend due to work commitments -- I have not been able to attend any of the larger Spyder Events because of work.
We have several spyder owners in the area and we try and meet for rydes and fellowship. We have a great time and as our numbers grow we are evaluating rydes farther away.
I would like to see more regional Spyder events. I know that several smaller events are growing into several large events.
I want to meet so many people that are apart of this site - for me though I will have to start at the local level - at least for the next few years. Bills to pay - so unless I will the Lottery I will be ryding with our group and hoping I can make SpyderFest in Cuba next year.

 

[Smylinacha]

Camping!:2thumbs: In the mountains somewhere, nice weather, someplace not humid, warm days, cool nights, bon fires, beer, soda, ribs, chicken, steaks, lobster - all on the grill. Take over an entire RV park - at some of those places they even rent them out or you can bring your own if you have one.

 

[Longlegs]

We have a town here that used have an Air Force base. Since it closed they have been hosting hot air balloon fly-ins, skydiving conventions, a huge tractor expo where they actually farm about 350 acres with antique equipment during the show. There is a camp ground and several motels.
Did I mention the runways? Only problem with this area is there isn't really any good places to ride. But if there was something like this in a more scenic area that would be cool.

 

[bjt]

We have a town here that used have an Air Force base. Since it closed they have been hosting hot air balloon fly-ins, skydiving conventions, a huge tractor expo where they actually farm about 350 acres with antique equipment during the show. There is a camp ground and several motels.
Did I mention the runways? Only problem with this area is there isn't really any good places to ride. But if there was something like this in a more scenic area that would be cool.

Sounds like this might be right up Doc and Seth's alley.

 

[GeminiJane]

I like to go someplace that has good roads to ride when going to a "ryde in" event - thus my decision to not attend Chicago. Have gone to some nice ride ins - one in particular comes to mine at Blackwater Falls State Park - W. Va. Beautiful lodge w/restaurant and small towns with great eating near. Wonderful roads, big parking lot to stand and visit and tons of roads to ride.

I don't plan to dress up when I do a riding event - travel light with no room for extra shoes, toiletries, etc. so I can't imagine what I'd look like at a dance with a dress and my riding boots:roflblack:.

There are lots of places that have campgrounds with decent motels nearby for people like me who want my own private hot shower every day. BMW rallies do it all the time and find great spots to do it from.

 

[dltang]

I like to go someplace that has good roads to ride when going to a "ryde in" event - thus my decision to not attend Chicago. Have gone to some nice ride ins - one in particular comes to mine at Blackwater Falls State Park - W. Va. Beautiful lodge w/restaurant and small towns with great eating near. Wonderful roads, big parking lot to stand and visit and tons of roads to ride.

I don't plan to dress up when I do a riding event - travel light with no room for extra shoes, toiletries, etc. so I can't imagine what I'd look like at a dance with a dress and my riding boots:roflblack:.

There are lots of places that have campgrounds with decent motels nearby for people like me who want my own private hot shower every day. BMW rallies do it all the time and find great spots to do it from.

Hey Jane, I just got done telling Brian we should suggest West Virginia, you can camp, spyder and white water raft all in the same place. That would be a hoot. That might be something to just arrange as a gathering, it sure would be fun.

 

[Firefly]

We have a town here that used have an Air Force base. Since it closed they have been hosting hot air balloon fly-ins, skydiving conventions, a huge tractor expo where they actually farm about 350 acres with antique equipment during the show. There is a camp ground and several motels.
Did I mention the runways? Only problem with this area is there isn't really any good places to ride. But if there was something like this in a more scenic area that would be cool.

RUNWAY = HULIGAN FEST 2011 !:2thumbs:

 

[mvengineer]

Camping!:2thumbs: In the mountains somewhere, nice weather, someplace not humid, warm days, cool nights, bon fires, beer, soda, ribs, chicken, steaks, lobster - all on the grill. Take over an entire RV park - at some of those places they even rent them out or you can bring your own if you have one.

Love this idea. I think most of us like the outdoors for such an event. A metropolitan area such as Chicago NY and LA are way too congested for such an event. Smylinacha's idea is a great one.

 

[Jornie1]

Cuba...Hmmm

Isn't that like 90 miles east of Key West, FL??? Across the gulf stream?? Len

My idea for the next owners event is SpyderFest in Cuba. It has all thats good about a "owners Event" including location. :doorag:

 

[SpyderGirl]

This is a great thread, Deb.

I had mentioned in an earlier post that I thought BRP's choice of sites was terrible. True, they are in places with lots to do but I feel the downsides far outweigh the upsides...cost of hotel, meals, parking; traffic; etc. Consequently, I have not attended any and probably won't as long as this pattern continues.

IMHO "Spyders in the Smokies" and the recent Cowtown USA event were far superior events. I'd be up for Cuba as a national event except that I'd rather see that stay as "OUR" event and not have BRP muscle in on it.

There are literally thousands of places across this beautiful country that have the types of things that most would want to do at a fraction of the cost.

1. Southern Utah - Highways 12, 24, 89, 191, etc. Breathtaking scenery and several friendly small towns (though not many due to low population in the area)
2. States of Montana and Wyoming - All over. Lots of beautiful scenery, and nearly every town in the state is a small town; terrific rides through innumerable national and state parks.
3. Black Hills of South Dakota - Quite a few wonderful, historical, small towns (Lead, Deadwood, Keystone, etc.) and Mt. Rushmore, too.
4. Southern Colorado - Highway 160 has Durango (Durango & Silverton RR), Mesa Verde N.P., Pagosa Springs, Wolf Creek Pass, and Alamosa (near Great Sand Dunes N.P. and Cumbres & Toltec RR). Lots of wonderful things to see along the way.
5. Northern Arizona - Rt. 66 "The Mother Road" Lots of history and beautiful scenery along the way.
6. State of Maryland - Baltimore/Annapolis area has numerous tourist attractions such as Baltimore: Inner Harbor; Fort McHenry; National Aquarium; Camden Yards; Fell's Point; innumerable quality restaurants; and CRABS!! Annapolis: US Naval Academy; Ego Alley; Segs in the City; innumerable quality restaurants; and CRABS!! Within an hour are GREAT rides: Catoctin Mountains with [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]twists and turns. The roads are all asphalt which are fairly well maintained; Gettysburg PA and Battlefield tour; Washington DC which is a memorable Spyder monument tour to include the White House; the Capitol Building; the Lincoln Memorial; the Jefferson Memorial; the Washington Monument, the Iwo Jima Memorial; Arlington National Cemetery (Kennedy graves...JFK, Bobby, and Ted; Tomb of the Unknowns); [/FONT]Holocaust Memorial Museum; Korean War Veterans Memorial; U.S. Navy Memorial; and numerous other historic sites.
7. Albuquerque NM - numerous inexpensive motels; some terrific Spyder trips: Route 66; Sandia Crest - [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]loaded with hairpin turns as it climbs to the top of the Mountain[/FONT]; Old Town, "Sky City" Pueblo village; NM 337 through the Cibola National Forest;Indian Country Tour

All of these locations would get my vote for sure!! (well, except maybe Maryland, but hey, I'm in California!) :2thumbs:

 

[Firefly]

[/LIST]

All of these locations would get my vote for sure!! (well, except maybe Maryland, but hey, I'm in California!) :2thumbs:

How about we all go check out Spydergirls property in AZ !

 

[Mo Lee]

My thoughts, due to prior commitments I was not able to attend the owners event, however I read all the posts and look at all the pictures. I don't really see how we can compare Chicago owners event to Spyderfest. Cuba was all about the ride and fellowship with other Spyder riders. From the outside looking in it seems the owners event was just a big sales pitch. From all the pictures of the frilly stuff hanging in the tent makes it look like a formal affair an I'm not sure that is what we are about. I have mixed feelings about having it in conjunction with Spyderfest, on one hand it could make for a one of a kind event and ensure we set a world record however on the other hand it could ruin Spyderfest if not handled right. Owners event needs to be centrally located with easy access to good roads because Spyder riding is what it is all about anyway. Maybe what needs to happen is all the BRP execs need to put on blue jeans, teeshirt and jump on a Spyder and just attend next years Spyderfest.