September 16, 2009

Chad and Kathy have their pictures from the rally posted on their website. Click their logo to the right to view the photos and order prints. You can visit their website at www.lonewolfstudios.us or by phone at (608) 606-0697. Take a look at the photos and drop them a line to say thank you!

In other picture news, there are some slightly less professional looking snapshots from several folks at the rally posted in the rally archives. If you have any you would like posted, just e-mail them using the Contact link above.

- Cam

September 7, 2009

Another One Bites The Dust - The rally was one of the best we have had. That is because of all who show up at the rally and the new friends that we make each year. I want to thank Cam and Jill for their help which is most appreciated. Also a big thanks to Phil Taylor, Brian Hall, and Joe and Laura Fretty. We had some good routes and weather that was great. Even though times are tough now this year we proved that this rally is not going anywhere. I would like to thank the staff of the Old Towne Inn and the Old Towne Motel. They also help us make the weekend a success every year. We are going to start working on next years routes within the next few weeks. Brian Hall and myself were talking about that already. Phil Taylor is going to make his route with us, too. We will get the pictures up soon. We will keep you posted.

- Tom and Tammy

August 31, 2009

If there is anyone with a small group still looking for lodging, the owner of the Logan Mill Lodge in downtown Westby called me to let me know that she had a cancellation and has beds/condos available for Labor Day weekend. Beds are $30/night with 4 beds in a unit. Having stayed there in the past, I can say it's very nice. There is a full kitchen, a cozy living room area with couches and a flat screen TV, a deck with a gas grill, and even a whirlpool tub. Check the website link above and giver har a call if you are interested. Let her know you are with the rally and she should be able to work something out for you.

We got most of the scouting done in the last two weeks. There were some major changes to the Hardcore Ride, removing large loops and adding in some smaller ones. Overall, it was shortened from 330 miles to around 310 miles so it's still a bun-burner. Anyone interested in this ride should look at links posted on the 2009 Routes Page and familiarize themselves with the route. The goal is to treat this as a self-guided ride for smaller groups, and encourage new people to try their hand at leading a ride. We really need more people that feel comfortable leading so we can keep the groups down to manageable sizes. With 40 riders and only two or three people willing to lead, it gets hard to have paces and routes everyone will enjoy. As a bonus, if anyone wants to lead a ride but needs a good map, Cam will supply you with a very nice, detailed map of the area.

Speaking of routes, we found some software that converts our routes into Garmin GPX files that you can load directly into many Garmin GPS devices. The routes will all start at the Central Express and end at the Old Towne Inn. If you want to grab one of the routes, go to the 2009 Routes Page and right click on the "Garmin" link for the route you want. Select "Save link as..." and save the file to your computer. Then you can connect your Garmin and copy the files over (you'll have to find your own instructions on how to do this).

If you haven't gotten a room yet, you may need to find something at one of the backup location. The Old Towne has been booked for some time. If anyone has a room there but isn't able to attend, try to contact us before you cancel the room. Then we can transfer your reservation so we don't lose the room to someone not with the rally. You can use the link on this page to send me an e-mail, or call Tom at the numbers listed on your reminder postcard.

See you soon!

- Cam

August 9, 2009

Unfortuantely, there were some major storms that rolled through the area on Saturday so we decided to err on the side of caution and postpone the scouting rides a week or two. Things are still shaping up nicely, so no worries.

Cam is putting together a very long ride (over 330 miles) in order to check out a bunch of roads south of Boscobel. In order to get back to the barn at a decent hour, this ride will have fewer and faster stops than usual. Cam will lead a group on this route, but it is encouraged for people to split into small groups of 2 to 4 bikes and go on a "self-guided" ride. That will allow you to leave at your own time, ride your own pace, take as many breaks as you need, and end the ride when you feel you've had enough. We'll provide the route sheets so all you'll need is a good map or GPS (or hook up with someone who does). If this sounds interesting to you, talk to Cam when you check in on Friday.

- Cam

August 3, 2009

Cam, Jill, Brian Hall, and myself will be doing a pre-ride on the 8th of this month. Then we'll have another one with Joe Fretty on the 15th. The rally is right around the corner! I find myself getting more excited the closer it gets. These last two pre-rides will put the finishing touches on the routes for the rally. Looking forward to see everyone there.

- Tom

July 18, 2009

I hope everyone had a safe and happy forth of July. My route is taking shape and I hope to do a preride in August sometime. Joe Fretty will be there to help. It will be the last part of the month. Phil has informed me that the shirts are in and look good. I'm getting excited as the rally gets closer. Jill has sent the cards out and I hope everyone received them. Thank you Jill! What a sweetie. Last month I said Don Lawson would give a free tee to all of the 650 riders, I meant to all of the XS 650 riders. Once again, thank you Don! I hope to see everyone at the rally. I will keep you all informed.

- Tom and Tammy

June 21, 2009

We had a blast on the pre ride . Thanks to Phil Tailor and Brian Hall they have a nice route. Thanks to Dave Marten and Dave Schigoda for riding with us. Joe and Laura hade a family emergence, they were unable to make it. Cam was unable to make it. Phil is making some changes to the route due to a bridge being out. I'm going to try and ride a Mindoro route next week, then maybe try to do a pre ride in August. Don Lawson has been in touch with me and has informed me that he is going to give a tee-shirt to all of the 650 riders that ride this year. Thank you Don! I will have another update for everyone very soon.

- Tom C

May 11, 2009

We are getting things going for the rally. Phil and Brian have the route for the 650 riders. We are going to do a pre-ride June 13th or the 20th. Phil, Brian, Joe, Laura, Tammy, and myself will be doing this. I'm also going to have one or two more routes also. Cam is also going to do a route as well. We have a new shirt that I believe everybody will like! Everyone who has seen it likes it. We hope to see everyone again this year. We will keep you updated.

- Tom and Tammy