What do you like or dislike about Spyder Events ?

[jcthorne]

Thanks for the feedback. How many different Spyder rallies have you been to and is there a difference between the for-profit and the non-profit club-sponsored rallies in this regard, do you think?

No difference really. Some a bit better than others but none great and I will not call out the really bad ones.

 

[jcthorne]

JC at the Nor-Cal Spyder Rally all group rydes are conducted bu "Trained Road Captains." All Road Captains have gone through a training session so they are aware of the following:

The Route: we require that all routes have been pre-Ryden within the week so that we know about construction and other road conditions before we take a group out on the ryde.

All rydes are led by a trained Road Captain, and there is a trained Road Cpatain serving as a Sweep to assist with any mechanical or physical issues that occur within the group. In most cases these two Road Captains are also in direct communication with each other. With very large groups we split them up and put 4 Road Captains with the groups as lead and sweep.

We always conduct a safety session before before each ryde including the route, the destination, the stops along the way and Turn Signals. When I lead a ryde I signal every turn with turn indicators and hand signals. I comminicate with my sweep to make sure they are seeing all of the signals make it back to the back, and we reinforce the need for this when we have a fuel stop.

We also explain a concept called "bread crumbs". We tell all ryders that if they are with the group and we are making a turn, if they can't see the motorcycle behind them, they should stop at that turn in a safe place where they can be seen by the following members of the group. Our groups never make a turn without leaving this bread crumb behind. It has only rarely been an issue, but is very reassuring if some one has had to fall behind for whatever reason, and we have never lost a Ryder. Of course we discuss proper formation and staggering. On occasion if we have someone who is not conducting themselves in a safe manner we will excuse them from the group. Zero Tolerance for Alcohol on our rydes.

So JC come join us in Nor-Cal so we can compare notes.

Would dearly love to attend the Nor-Cal rally as it sounds like an amazing event. Unfortunately for us working stiffs, its way too far to attend until I retire. Just cannot take enough weeks off to make a trip of that length enjoyable. Red Rocks and Deadwood were big stretches for us and only really happened as I was laid off for a period last year.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

where are you located in Iowa?????? we are NISR "nicer" (Nebraska Iowa Spyder Ryders) and always looking for new ride routes. are you aware of the Spyderfever rally coming up in Council Bluffs??? go to our website or find us on Facebook.
BIG F - Founding member of NISR

He is in Waterloo

 

[Pirate looks at --]

Yep

Would dearly love to attend the Nor-Cal rally as it sounds like an amazing event. Unfortunately for us working stiffs, its way too far to attend until I retire. Just cannot take enough weeks off to make a trip of that length enjoyable. Red Rocks and Deadwood were big stretches for us and only really happened as I was laid off for a period last year.

Working stiff here too. I wouldn't be able to go either if it weren't in my own backyard!:banghead:

 

[ARtraveler]

I hear you. Fortunately I have survived my working years with enough mental and physical health left to enjoy retirement! I couldn't enjoy motorcycling enough before so I'm trying to make up for lost time. Is that ever possible? hyea:

The short answer is No. If you come up with better, please let me know. I am in the same boat. :bowdown::bowdown:

 

[Road-Kill]

I've never been to a Spyder event but have been to other biker events.

I hate long lines
bad food
rain
rude grumpy old people
poorly organized staff
staff who treats you like you should know where everything is even though its your first time there
staff who could care less if you ever come back
vendors who don't show up or show up late

and above all....diarrhea. I either get diarrhea or constipation because my diet turns to crap on these trips. :yikes:

See everyone at SpyderQuest 2017 Lake George NY GEL. :yes:

 

[Firefly]

Group Rides:

I've done them, don't care for them. They always end up too big, getting broken up, etc.

If you're going to do group rides, keep the groups SMALL... like 5-6 people max.

Have maps in printed and versions that can load into a Garmin, googlemaps, etc.

Still won't catch me on one. I usually get together with a few buds at Spyderfest and go out and tear things up... but it's not really an organized group ride and we keep it to 4 maximum.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I've never been to a Spyder event but have been to other biker events.

I hate long lines
bad food
rain
rude grumpy old people
poorly organized staff
staff who treats you like you should know where everything is even though its your first time there
staff who could care less if you ever come back
vendors who don't show up or show up late

and above all....diarrhea. I either get diarrhea or constipation because my diet turns to crap on these trips. :yikes:

See everyone at SpyderQuest 2017 Lake George NY GEL. :yes:

I don't think the rally organizer/staff can help you with that last one! :lecturef_smilie:

 

[JayD]

Rally

I don't think the rally organizer/staff can help you with that last one! :lecturef_smilie:

I have been to four in the last two years. I like one of the previous comments seemed to be ignored. It was like if you were not part of the group you were ignored. A couple of other people I have met felt the same way. This may be just perception, but perception is reality. Don't get me wrong I still like to go for the vendors and exploring new areas. Love the Maggie Valley event.

 

[Lew L]

Ebbets Pass

You know, I just realized one of the things that is missing for me about the typical rally is the lack of information about who (the team) is organizing and running it. Along with pictures and a bio and maybe a quick friendly blurb about the team philosophy. I think that would go a long way to making people part of the event before they even get there.

Never done Ebbets Pass, but did Sonora Pass on my two-wheeler about 6 years ago. Spectacular.

You'll just love Ebbets Pass. Especially on one of the many narrow hairpin turns when you meet with a motorhome that NEVER should have taken Hwy 4. It is also a spectacular rydenojoke. Used to have a cabin out of Arnold and skied Bear Valley ALOT.

A 45' motorhome on a steep downhill, tight hair pin turn will cause-------------------- Kaos

 

[UtahPete]

Maybe it's time to revive this thread?

 

[Big F]

Hey KREDAB, how are you doing??? where is this dealership located? interesting questions you have. but in today's techy world, it seems most people shop for accessories and small stuff on-line as opposed going to a dealership.. just my thoughts.
BIG F

 

[CopperSpyder]

My dealer is building a huge new building to house Dr Powersports. The owner wants to turn it into a destination for Spyders.The pictures attached are the new building.
1) what do you like or dislike about Spyder Events ?
2) do you travels to dealers to see what accessories they have?

Thank you you in advance, I want to know your thoughts

Hey Big F your right on point with your post but the op is two years old.

 

[UtahPete]

Our biggest peeve with most rallys is the lack of preparedness and safety for the group rides. We pretty much avoid the group rides as they often get lost, don't know the way and most do not even have a proper safety briefing on how the group is going to ride. No hand signals, no mention of order, tap outs, staggering, lane change or signaling.

We generally form a smaller group of our own and ride the route with friends we know and have a short safety discussion before hand. Have seen far to many problems and near misses on the disorganized group rides. Lots of room for improvement.

Do you still feel this is so?

 

[UtahPete]

I'll be attending my first event in about a month (Spyderquest), so have no experience so far.

But, one thing I'd like to see is an informal workshop on just basic maintenance - how to access all the panels and battery etc.

We do a workshop at Sierra Cycles whenever the Ryde-In is at Tombstone or Sierra Vista, AZ. You were the inspiration for it.

 

[CMA Cowboy]

I believe a successful rally is dependent on a dedicated group of volunteers working with the host dealership in planning and working the rally.

 

[Big F]

Hi Kredab. the size of that building is huge! I know you are one of the attendees at our annual Spyderfever in Council Bluffs. we wish we had a local dealer that we could team up with during our rally. Is this a new dealer or one that is expanding? does the dealer and/or area Spyder owners planning any rallies in that area? we are in the early stages of planning Spyderfever 2020. It's always a huge challenge to make each rally better than the last one?? I trust you enjoyed Spyderfever 2019. BIG F (co-founder of NISR)

 

[Lew L]

The NorCal event was great, we had a wonderful time but didn't win any raffle prizes but we did quite well last year.
Group rides are too big. We were on the freeway for about 15 miles and a group of 35 -40 :spyder2:s causes difficulty for merging semi trucks. ( Especially when there were 2 of these groups together). Yes, I know that it's hard to get ride leaders and sweeps but long impenetrable :joke: lines of :spyder2:s is dangerous. Also if the road cap. isn't smooth--- the accordion effect is really a pain.

Overall the NorCal rally was well organized and very friendly event.

Lew L