Lamonster
SpyderLovers Founder
Last year the Owners Event was held in Maggie Valley and that was great but I got cheated out of going on a long ride seeing that was pretty much in my backyard. Having the event in Durango was perfect for me as I've ridden the area before and I knew how great it was but I had never been there on a Spyder and that made it all the better. The ride out with friends help solidify an already great friendship and it made the miles go down easy when you share the road with your buddies. I ride solo a lot and it has it's advantages too but truth be known I would rather share the wind with my friends.
A group of us made it to Durango on Sunday and did a little sight seeing on Monday. The place was as I remembered it and I couldn't wait to hit the mountains even though we just traveled 2600 miles or so to get there. We did the Million Dollar Highway, Silverton and Ouray. Even though it was hot it was still very enjoyable. We had some good BBQ that night and hungout and kicked tires the rest of the night.
Ouray
Good BBQ
Tuesday BajaRon and I drove back down to Albuquerque, New Mexico to hookup with a group of folks meeting there to ride to Durango. I know it sounds crazy to ride to Albuquerque twice in two days but the plan was to be in Durango on Wednesday but we got an early start so our plans changed. To be honest I really didn't want to drive back there again as it was hot and the heat had taken a lot out of me but as much as possible I try and be a man of my word and I said I was going to be there so I was.
On a side note we got some great fuel mileage going down to Abq. I went 132 miles and put in 4 gals of fuel and Ron did the same miles and put in 3 gals of fuel. That was 33mpg with a RT and a loaded trailer and Ron got 44mpg on his stock RS. We ran about 65mph the whole way down. The best mileage I got up in the mountains was 39.2mpg towing a trailer with the RT. I wouldn't believe it if you told me that's what you got so I don't mind if you don't believe me but it's true. I think the lack of air requires less fuel and you could tell there was a lack of power but it was pretty cool to see those numbers. If only we could see that all the time.
We had a good group of SpyderLovers from all over the country meet us in Abq. and that's when the party really started for me. Some of these folks I knew for years and some for just a short time and some I had never met before but it was like a family reunion when we got together. We had a great dinner and the Owl restaurant and there was plenty of cutting up at the dinner table. It was one of those gatherings where everyone was in their element and life long memories and friendships were being formed.
Two of my favorite gals
More great folks
The next day Andy took the lead and got us out of town on some great roads. I'm not even sure how we went but it was a lot better than 550 that Ron and I took the last two times. The group stayed together for the most part and it was a great ride out. There were some issues and one guy had to get towed in. That was a drag for sure.
Getting ready to head out
On the road toward Durango
Last fuel stop before meeting the film crew
I know of a few folks that had problems that were either fixed in Durango or were not able to be fixed at the time. BRP gave out some loaners so people could ride while they were there. I know it would be nice if they didn't have the need to do that but I was glad to see they cared enough about folks having a good time while they were there that they pulled some strings to make that happen. The techs worked their butts off too trying to take care of everyone. There's only so much you can do with the resources they had at the time. I feel bad for the folks that had issues but I'm thankful for the work that BRP did to try and help out. They really do care.
DannyD
Thursday I pretty much hungout at the Fairgrounds and talked with folks and later split off to do some photo shoots with the ad guys. They took some of the best pics I've seen to date. Looking forward to seeing what they wind up doing with them.
The dinner at the Sleeping Beauty Ranch was tops and I would say we had close to 800 folks there. Bernard Guy from BRP made a great speech and hinted of some new things to come, some sooner than later. I think 2013 will have some great new things for the Spyder world and I think you'll see some changes in 2012 that will make ownership of the Spyder even better.
Friday was another great day, I got to lead a ride with the VP's of BRP and my Spyder 5 buddies. We did the same ride I took Monday but I never get tired of it. The town of Silverton and Ouray are just great to visit and the road there and back will not disappoint.
We got back in time to make the event downtown and I was pleasantly surprised to see so many Spyders parked in the middle of downtown Durango. It reminded me of Sturgis but with Spyders instead of bikes. I shot some video of all the Spyders just to give you an idea of what a great turnout it was. I know this wasn't all the Spyders as I saw many of them on the road and still at the Fairgrounds before going over to main street.
The band was pretty good and everyone seemed to be having a great time. Chaz Rice and his crew should be congratulated for pulling this off the way they did. I'm not sure what they are going to do next year but this one will be hard to top. I didn't think it would be possible to compare to this years Spyderfest but the Owners Event was on par with Spyderfest for sure. They both had a different flavor but once again it was the people that made the event great. Can't wait till next year.
A group of us made it to Durango on Sunday and did a little sight seeing on Monday. The place was as I remembered it and I couldn't wait to hit the mountains even though we just traveled 2600 miles or so to get there. We did the Million Dollar Highway, Silverton and Ouray. Even though it was hot it was still very enjoyable. We had some good BBQ that night and hungout and kicked tires the rest of the night.
Ouray
Good BBQ
Tuesday BajaRon and I drove back down to Albuquerque, New Mexico to hookup with a group of folks meeting there to ride to Durango. I know it sounds crazy to ride to Albuquerque twice in two days but the plan was to be in Durango on Wednesday but we got an early start so our plans changed. To be honest I really didn't want to drive back there again as it was hot and the heat had taken a lot out of me but as much as possible I try and be a man of my word and I said I was going to be there so I was.
On a side note we got some great fuel mileage going down to Abq. I went 132 miles and put in 4 gals of fuel and Ron did the same miles and put in 3 gals of fuel. That was 33mpg with a RT and a loaded trailer and Ron got 44mpg on his stock RS. We ran about 65mph the whole way down. The best mileage I got up in the mountains was 39.2mpg towing a trailer with the RT. I wouldn't believe it if you told me that's what you got so I don't mind if you don't believe me but it's true. I think the lack of air requires less fuel and you could tell there was a lack of power but it was pretty cool to see those numbers. If only we could see that all the time.
We had a good group of SpyderLovers from all over the country meet us in Abq. and that's when the party really started for me. Some of these folks I knew for years and some for just a short time and some I had never met before but it was like a family reunion when we got together. We had a great dinner and the Owl restaurant and there was plenty of cutting up at the dinner table. It was one of those gatherings where everyone was in their element and life long memories and friendships were being formed.
Two of my favorite gals
More great folks
The next day Andy took the lead and got us out of town on some great roads. I'm not even sure how we went but it was a lot better than 550 that Ron and I took the last two times. The group stayed together for the most part and it was a great ride out. There were some issues and one guy had to get towed in. That was a drag for sure.
Getting ready to head out
On the road toward Durango
Last fuel stop before meeting the film crew
I know of a few folks that had problems that were either fixed in Durango or were not able to be fixed at the time. BRP gave out some loaners so people could ride while they were there. I know it would be nice if they didn't have the need to do that but I was glad to see they cared enough about folks having a good time while they were there that they pulled some strings to make that happen. The techs worked their butts off too trying to take care of everyone. There's only so much you can do with the resources they had at the time. I feel bad for the folks that had issues but I'm thankful for the work that BRP did to try and help out. They really do care.
DannyD
Thursday I pretty much hungout at the Fairgrounds and talked with folks and later split off to do some photo shoots with the ad guys. They took some of the best pics I've seen to date. Looking forward to seeing what they wind up doing with them.
The dinner at the Sleeping Beauty Ranch was tops and I would say we had close to 800 folks there. Bernard Guy from BRP made a great speech and hinted of some new things to come, some sooner than later. I think 2013 will have some great new things for the Spyder world and I think you'll see some changes in 2012 that will make ownership of the Spyder even better.
Friday was another great day, I got to lead a ride with the VP's of BRP and my Spyder 5 buddies. We did the same ride I took Monday but I never get tired of it. The town of Silverton and Ouray are just great to visit and the road there and back will not disappoint.
We got back in time to make the event downtown and I was pleasantly surprised to see so many Spyders parked in the middle of downtown Durango. It reminded me of Sturgis but with Spyders instead of bikes. I shot some video of all the Spyders just to give you an idea of what a great turnout it was. I know this wasn't all the Spyders as I saw many of them on the road and still at the Fairgrounds before going over to main street.
The band was pretty good and everyone seemed to be having a great time. Chaz Rice and his crew should be congratulated for pulling this off the way they did. I'm not sure what they are going to do next year but this one will be hard to top. I didn't think it would be possible to compare to this years Spyderfest but the Owners Event was on par with Spyderfest for sure. They both had a different flavor but once again it was the people that made the event great. Can't wait till next year.
