[Marc]

rnet, on Sep 29 2009, 08:08 AM, said:

Mark, here's an idea, do a survey to find out everyone likes and were improvements need to be.

Yes, we plan to do a survey to gather input from everyone.

[oeti]

wackydan, on Sep 28 2009, 05:08 PM, said:

Oh man... Where to begin?

I never thought I would get along so well with so many of you. I don't think I met any attendees that I didn't mesh with in some way. I found two groups that I spent the most of my time with and I think friendships were made there and I hope I don't have to wait till next year to see them again.

Great event and close to home (200 miles) for me. Wish my wife could have made it.

Some recommendations for next year.

Group rides... See if we can't break these up. 70 Spyders is a fun gaggle to be in no doubt, but sometimes it makes traffic management difficult. I like the large groups at times personally, but some don't.

If they didn't register for the rides, they shouldn't be on them or they should have to pay the $5 at the start of the ride and get wrist banded. It is not fair to the ride guide, or safety vehicle. And yes... thanks for the safety vehicles.

I volunteer (if I make it next year) to be one of the safety spyders. Doc did a pretty good job of helping get everyone through intersections, but if you are to have the larger group rides I would suggest the following.

- Safety vests for those Spyders that have a safety/traffic role. Imprinting "Guide Bike", etc will let all the riders know who is doing what during the ride and help other motorists understand why one of us is pulled out blocking a lane for others.

- Besides the guide Spyder and designated tail end spyder, add two traffic control spyders. The roles are small, and would not interfere with anyone's enjoyment of the ride. I know Doc and I as well as some others have enough lights to look menacing and be noticed when we pull into any intersection.

All in all, a very successful event for me at least. Got to really see what even my loaded down Spyder could do on the Dragon, and how great the Spyder was in the rain.

I miss you guys already.

I agree with all that you have said and have already made contacts with riders that have the knowledge to do just that we will also have bike to bike commuications with me and the road gaurds. i must addmit that i was not on my game this year however if asked to do the rides next year i can asure you and all that it will be alot better and much safer....
Steve Pickel

[Director]

TharkunRT, on Sep 28 2009, 05:21 PM, said:

Well I agree the rides do need to be re-thought for next year, the issue of using "road cops" needs to be researched, some cities/counties have regulations that need to be followed. Just having a designated Spyder ryder blocking traffic, and riders ignoring red lights/traffic signs is not a good practice in my opinion.

Good point Dennis. Unless you have a badge in your pocket, you have no legal right to block traffic, and this also opens up a host of liability issues. This is just one more good reason to keep group rides as small as possible.

Bruce

[SpyderGirl]

We had a good time the short time we were able to attend. My suggestion would be having the award ceremony and BBQ mid-week instead of at the end... we missed out on both because we had to leave Thursday morning to return to California. Also I heard that the rides got out of hand and that people that had not signed up for rides showed up anyway and that the ride groups got overly large... the number of Spyders per ride should have been more strictly enforced. We will not be there in 2010 and if we show up in 2011 it may not be on our Spyder.... it was almost a 6200 mile round trip ride for us which did include the riding we did while we were there... but it was about 2800 miles one way just to get there.

This post has been edited by SpyderGirl: 06 October 2009 - 10:26 PM

[TharkunRT]

SpyderGirl, on Oct 6 2009, 08:24 PM, said:

We had a good time the short time we were able to attend. My suggestion would be having the award ceremony and BBQ mid-week instead of at the end... we missed out on both because we had to leave Thursday morning to return to California. Also I heard that the rides got out of hand and that people that had not signed up for rides showed up anyway and that the ride groups got overly large... the number of Spyders per ride should have been more strictly enforced. We will not be there in 2010 and if we show up in 2011 it may not be on our Spyder.... it was almost a 6200 mile round trip ride for us which did include the riding we did while we were there... but it was about 2800 miles one way just to get there.

Just my opinion from having been involved with both the 2008 & 2009 rallies :

Since the rally has been scheduled for a Monday - Friday event, having the BBQ and awards held in mid week would not work for the majority of members attending, a large percentage arrive on Monday and stay for the entire week, another large percentage arrive Wednesday - Friday, so from my experience having the BBQ/awards held mid week, would not work well for the majority of the members attending.

The number of riders scheduled was limited to a registration of 40 members, well that number was increased on the Tuesday ride, both Wednesday and Thursday rides were less than the 40 limit. Yes there was an issue on the Tuesday ride, the other two rides went much smoother. I'm sure the ride issues will be re-thought and a better solution will be found for the 2010 rally.

I'm sure if someone wants to to volunteer to assist Steve, he will happily let them be the one to reject late arrivals that desire to join a scheduled ride.

Yes it is a long ride for us west coasters and next year I plan on making the trip with Ken and whom ever else is able to join in.

[SpyderDawg]

SpyderGirl, on Oct 6 2009, 11:24 PM, said:

We had a good time the short time we were able to attend. My suggestion would be having the award ceremony and BBQ mid-week instead of at the end... we missed out on both because we had to leave Thursday morning to return to California. Also I heard that the rides got out of hand and that people that had not signed up for rides showed up anyway and that the ride groups got overly large... the number of Spyders per ride should have been more strictly enforced. We will not be there in 2010 and if we show up in 2011 it may not be on our Spyder.... it was almost a 6200 mile round trip ride for us which did include the riding we did while we were there... but it was about 2800 miles one way just to get there.

I think the BBQ needs to stay on Friday. Most of the crowd is there for Friday, not during the week. Some don't even arrive til Wednesaday or Thursday. The rides do need more "help" with extra guides. Steve is only one guy and it's hard to keep up with 70 lost Spyders lol


Spyderdee

[oeti]

SpyderDawg, on Oct 7 2009, 09:50 AM, said:

I think the BBQ needs to stay on Friday. Most of the crowd is there for Friday, not during the week. Some don't even arrive til Wednesaday or Thursday. The rides do need more "help" with extra guides. Steve is only one guy and it's hard to keep up with 70 lost Spyders lol


Spyderdee

I can asure you that the rides will go smother next year and i have already begun the plans for road gaurds and i wsa unaware of anyone running stop lights and agree that that is very unacceptable! this will not hapen next year and i will have the ability to split rides in to two groups with two seperate leads and gaurds hopefully you all will trust me once again.
steve

[SpyderGirl]

TharkunRT, on Oct 6 2009, 11:43 PM, said:

Just my opinion from having been involved with both the 2008 & 2009 rallies :

Since the rally has been scheduled for a Monday - Friday event, having the BBQ and awards held in mid week would not work for the majority of members attending, a large percentage arrive on Monday and stay for the entire week, another large percentage arrive Wednesday - Friday, so from my experience having the BBQ/awards held mid week, would not work well for the majority of the members attending.

Fair enough. Then let's try not forgetting those who actually show up at the beginning of the week and have to leave early because it takes 4+ days to get back to their home because they have a job to return to?? It's not that I do not appreciate all the hard work, time, and money that went into this year's event... but I am still upset about the way some of the awards were handled. It'll be a long time before we will be able to make a trip like that and it sure would had been nice to at least to have been acknowledged instead of forgotten. *steps off soapbox*

This post has been edited by SpyderGirl: 07 October 2009 - 05:02 PM

[TharkunRT]

SpyderGirl, on Oct 7 2009, 03:02 PM, said:

Fair enough. Then let's try not forgetting those who actually show up at the beginning of the week and have to leave early because it takes 4+ days to get back to their home because they have a job to return to?? It's not that I do not appreciate all the hard work, time, and money that went into this year's event... but I am still upset about the way some of the awards were handled. It'll be a long time before we will be able to make a trip like that and it sure would had been nice to at least to have been acknowledged instead of forgotten. *steps off soapbox*

Considering that there were 138 registered Spyders and 160 members/attendees , if you have a solution that will accommodate all of the scheduling conflicts with work, travel, last minute decisions to attend, and so on .........I'm sure the planing committee for next year will appreciate your solution.

As for the awards.....not sure why receiving one of the few awards would make one more remembered for attending than say doing rides, dinners, and such with old and new friends.

[tjfischer]

oeti, on Oct 7 2009, 08:44 AM, said:

I can asure you that the rides will go smother next year and i have already begun the plans for road gaurds and i wsa unaware of anyone running stop lights and agree that that is very unacceptable! this will not hapen next year and i will have the ability to split rides in to two groups with two seperate leads and gaurds hopefully you all will trust me once again.
steve

Steve if you need help next year leading the group rides. I will be available to help out.

[SpyderDawg]

TharkunRT, on Oct 7 2009, 06:09 PM, said:

Considering that there were 138 registered Spyders and 160 members/attendees , if you have a solution that will accommodate all of the scheduling conflicts with work, travel, last minute decisions to attend, and so on .........I'm sure the planing committee for next year will appreciate your solution.

Dee

[SpyderDawg]

I think Steve did great! The 70 "lost" Spyders was for those of us not familiar with the area so we are lost from the get go!

[1SpyderDee]

SpyderGirl, on Oct 7 2009, 06:02 PM, said:

Fair enough. Then let's try not forgetting those who actually show up at the beginning of the week and have to leave early because it takes 4+ days to get back to their home because they have a job to return to?? It's not that I do not appreciate all the hard work, time, and money that went into this year's event... but I am still upset about the way some of the awards were handled. It'll be a long time before we will be able to make a trip like that and it sure would had been nice to at least to have been acknowledged instead of forgotten. *steps off soapbox*

Well, every year Christmas is on the same day. It either works well with one's schedule or it doesn't. Sometimes we have to work and celebrate on a different day or we can be off on the 25th. Either way, it Is what it is.

[Marc]

SpyderGirl, on Oct 7 2009, 06:02 PM, said:

Fair enough. Then let's try not forgetting those who actually show up at the beginning of the week and have to leave early because it takes 4+ days to get back to their home because they have a job to return to?? It's not that I do not appreciate all the hard work, time, and money that went into this year's event... but I am still upset about the way some of the awards were handled. It'll be a long time before we will be able to make a trip like that and it sure would had been nice to at least to have been acknowledged instead of forgotten. *steps off soapbox*

Sorry if there was any confusion this year. Next year we will add a statement during registration that says to be eligible for awards/prizes you must be present at the Awards Ceremony. Logistically, that's the only practical way for us to handle it.

[tjfischer]

SpyderDawg, on Oct 7 2009, 03:36 PM, said:

I think Steve did great! The 70 "lost" Spyders was for those of us not familiar with the area so we are lost from the get go!

I wasn't lost. I always ride around the country like that.

[oeti]

tjfischer, on Oct 7 2009, 07:48 PM, said:

I wasn't lost. I always ride around the country like that.

Makes sence to me you are a venturan? just kiding you. Some of my best friends are venturans. I know with all the suport that I am getting we wont get even the californians lost
steve

[TharkunRT]

tjfischer, on Oct 7 2009, 04:48 PM, said:

I wasn't lost. I always ride around the country like that.

I figured you were on your way to Anahiem and just made a wrong turn and showed up in time to help us with the BBQ.

[oeti]

TharkunRT, on Oct 7 2009, 08:13 PM, said:

I figured you were on your way to Anahiem and just made a wrong turn and showed up in time to help us with the BBQ.

Yep spent two years in orange too... the gig is up I came out of cali and I am not going back I am first family of tennessee on both sides and Iam where I belong but a visit to see friends and have an inand out burger would be cool.

[TharkunRT]

oeti, on Oct 7 2009, 05:21 PM, said:

Yep spent two years in orange too... the gig is up I came out of cali and I am not going back I am first family of tennessee on both sides and Iam where I belong but a visit to see friends and have an inand out burger would be cool.

Just made arrangements to meet up with Ken on 10/30 for launch at the Rain Forest Cafe in Downtown Disney. Will be at the park for Halloween (4 day mini vacation) and figured Ken could be the first to show Mickey the RT-S.

[oeti]

TharkunRT, on Oct 7 2009, 08:31 PM, said:

Just made arrangements to meet up with Ken on 10/30 for launch at the Rain Forest Cafe in Downtown Disney. Will be at the park for Halloween (4 day mini vacation) and figured Ken could be the first to show Mickey the RT-S.

Sure wish I could get away to hook up with ya'all have a nice time and give fullerton my regaurds
steve