Southern Rally 2011 - Little Switzerland in September

[caveman]

Well, if this is still a go the dates are perfect right in the middle of a seven off for me. Great trip with no vacation days needed to be taken.

I love my job

[Kerry_129]

Little Switzerland is a fantastic location - spent many weekend rides in & around there when I lived in NC.

One thing to be aware of is that it's a largely 'tourist trap' area, and as such the lodging may tend to be a bit higher than typical, especially in prime leaf-gazing season.

I *think* this is the inn right by the Blue Ridge which I have often passed by & seen motorcycles parked at separate cabins. They also show a big 8br lodge a few miles from the main inn, at lower per-person cost:

http://www.switzerlandinn.com/rooms/diamondback.html

There's also this place, with a tavern which I've heard is pretty good: http://www.skylinevillageinn.com/

There are the usual chain places a few miles further N in Spruce Pine, and various bed&breakfast type places around, but I think those 2 may be the only ones right in LS which are large enough to accommodate. I'll be out there this spring & would be happy to help out w/ some recon.

I know quite a few great roads around that area, including some 'of the beaten path' stuff with very low traffic & great scenery - glad to help out with route suggestions too.

[Trip]

I think this rally is going to be different. A lot of us are going to approach this one different. It's going to be more centered around group activities instead of riding. We want to do the touristy stuff like hike Grandfather Mtn.

Those two inns are ones I have been looking at, getting a group for the 8br would be awesome.

Please send me a PM if you want in on the 8br and I will see if we can get the people for it.

[Mr Lefty]

Originally Posted by Trip

I think this rally is going to be different. A lot of us are going to approach this one different. It's going to be more centered around group activities instead of riding. We want to do the touristy stuff like hike Grandfather Mtn.

Those two inns are ones I have been looking at, getting a group for the 8br would be awesome.

Please send me a PM if you want in on the 8br and I will see if we can get the people for it.

for me it's kinda always been about the people... I enjoy riding with a few of you a lot... but the conversations and interactions at the stops was the biggest draw for me...


that and Rae's "leather butted, elfish, macarena" at speed

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Mr Lefty

for me it's kinda always been about the people... I enjoy riding with a few of you a lot... but the conversations and interactions at the stops was the biggest draw for me...


that and Rae's "leather butted, elfish, macarena" at speed

Well, then fuck it, let's have the rally in the Bahamas and screw dragging those stupid bikes across the country... Seriously, if riding isn't the "focus" then why even bring bikes or go places with "good roads"? Don't misunderstand me, I want to meet up with you guys and hang out, very much in fact, but I can see myself getting bored pretty quick with watching you guys get drunk and hiking. I mean the money/time we'd "waste" getting bikes to a destination could be better spent flying to somewhere AWESOME! Just a thought...

[Trip]

Originally Posted by Amber Lamps

Well, then fuck it, let's have the rally in the Bahamas and screw dragging those stupid bikes across the country... Seriously, if riding isn't the "focus" then why even bring bikes or go places with "good roads"? Don't misunderstand me, I want to meet up with you guys and hang out, very much in fact, but I can see myself getting bored pretty quick with watching you guys get drunk and hiking. I mean the money/time we'd "waste" getting bikes to a destination could be better spent flying to somewhere AWESOME! Just a thought...

The idea is to keep it somewhat cheap and the option to ride if you want to, some people are going to do rides. I am going to do ride some, but it won't be major focus for me this time.

I would entertain a TWFix Vacation Rally for next year though. Hit the beach or something else different.

[derf]

Originally Posted by Mr Lefty

for me it's kinda always been about the people... I enjoy riding with a few of you a lot... but the conversations and interactions at the stops was the biggest draw for me...


that and Rae's "leather butted, elfish, macarena" at speed

I like the riding but to meet people that I only know from a screen is cool, one of the best days from the 09 rally was the day we went to helen. There was some awesome riding to get there, to get to the waterfall and back, plus the activities we did were pretty cool, go karts, Helen itself, that crappy live band, and the waterfall hike that I think everyone agrees was about a mile too long in riding boots.

[Trip]

Originally Posted by derf

I like the riding but to meet people that I only know from a screen is cool, one of the best days from the 09 rally was the day we went to helen. There was some awesome riding to get there, to get to the waterfall and back, plus the activities we did were pretty cool, go karts, Helen itself, that crappy live band, and the waterfall hike that I think everyone agrees was about a mile too long in riding boots.

That's the type of stuff I want to line up this time. Riding a decent ride to somewhere we can do crazy shit like go kart racing as a group.

Tigger, I don't just want to sit at a pool and drink, I agree that gets boring after awhile. We will find fun shit to do plus riding.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Trip

That's the type of stuff I want to line up this time. Riding a decent ride to somewhere we can do crazy shit like go kart racing as a group.

Tigger, I don't just want to sit at a pool and drink, I agree that gets boring after awhile. We will find fun shit to do plus riding.

Cool! I'm not trying to be negative, I'm just saying the money and TIME involved with hauling bikes could be spent on plane tickets. I don't mind all the drinking but if you eliminate riding that doesn't leave much else. I agree with Derf the go karts were by far the high light in '09, my idea btw.... I actually consider some of you as friends and look forward to seeing you. Sad as this sounds, I actually have more interaction with you all than "real people" most days.

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by Trip

That's the type of stuff I want to line up this time. Riding a decent ride to somewhere we can do crazy shit like go kart racing as a group.

Tigger, I don't just want to sit at a pool and drink, I agree that gets boring after awhile. We will find fun shit to do plus riding.

If you drink enough it will always be interesting, after gluing your foot last year my goal this year is to reattatch a limb