2012 Doofapalooza? Probably not.

[Bluetoys]

sad really, this.
Tgivings suck still even now...

[yolkum]

Originally Posted by DaSkip

We need new Doofs and zINTS. We have to get new members.

what keith and I weren't enough?

[yolkum]

Originally Posted by Why_Me

I don't necessarily think even the location needs to change. As far as a centrally located place with great roads and tons of scenery, it's damn hard to find a better spot than ES or that area. Maybe take a year break from the annual, let the local rides grow and flourish a bit more, and feel out for 2013 participation. If the feelings aren't strong enough, give it another year. For me, it's much more than the location, it's the fellowship and meeting up with people that I may only get to see on that once a year occasion. If the economy finally makes a good turn and everyone is in a better position, I would guess participation would go up as well.

Yeah, I have to agree with ed. Hell look how many showed up for pony tacos and we didn't even do a ride. Really everyone just wanted to hang out and socialize.

[Bone Stockman]

It should be very clear how I feel about you Dave (Mega), the people on this forum, the get-togethers, and riding in general. I'll ride anywhere I can through any kind of weather in order to spend time with the people on this forum. I've also opened my home to this bunch of miscreants, and I'll do it again.

With that said, Dana and I have already discussed not doing ES for the entire week in 2012. It's not that we don't love y'all, but we want to ride somewhere different. ES is a phenomenal destination, and Ray is a wonderful host, but there are a lot of other roads out there, and I want to ride them all.

I'm not going to rehash the discussion from last year (or 2 years ago, I can't remember), and I'm not intending to piss on anyone's cornflakes, but I think that we need to look for another place. As has been mentioned, the economy sucks, and vacation time is at a premium for most of us. Four (or five, or six) days of riding to and from an event is prohibitive to a lot of us. I had a ball in ES last year, but we spent 5 days on the road between going and coming back, and that's not fun riding (even though we enjoyed the company).

I will pledge my time to scope places out around here if there are any suggestions. Shit, I'll do anything for this group, especially if it means that we continue to do stuff together. I don't want to see things fall apart, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in that feeling. But I agree with Ed that maybe every other year (or every 5 years) is a better way to go. There are a ton of local rides that get one or two long-distance riders, and the hope is that as they continue to grow, there will be more interest in a big national event.

We also need to get new people. We've got less than 1,000 members, of which maybe 100 contribute regularly, and of that, roughly 40 or 50 who show up to stuff on a semi-regular basis, and we're spread out all over the US and (to a lesser extent) Canada. We need to go on a big-time membership drive. We all know other riders who aren't here, and we need to get them here. Maybe they stay, maybe they think we're weird and they leave, but we've gotta get more folks involved.

Dave, I'm not stepping on your toes, and if you think I'm overstepping, tell me. This group is too damn important to me to see things fall apart. I'm at your disposal for whatever you need, and you know I'm not the only one who feels that way.

[why_me]

You mean navigating through Toledo's finest neighborhoods wasn't enough for you?

[yolkum]

Originally Posted by Why_Me

You mean navigating through Toledo's finest neighborhoods wasn't enough for you?

Well I did get to mark hookers and drug dealers of my check list for the day... so I really can't complain.

[ms_tapestry]

I have attended ES four years in a row and while I enjoy ES and all the folks that gather there, I am wanting to explore new roads, fill in some states on my ride map and meet some of the forum folks that I haven't met before. Maggie Valley, even though it's 1700 miles one way for me, fills all those requirements. Life is short, vacation time is short and I want to get the most bang for my buck. Next year I'll probably head to the Left Coast. I wish I could do more of the mid-West get togethers but with the distance it's just not possible.

[Margarita]

We went to Junction this year and the budget can't stand another week of motel stays, not to mention gas, to go to ES. Alas, I'd love to meet all you lovely folks who didn't make it to Junction. One long distance whoop de doo a year is about all we can handle since we are at least a couple or three days ride from most of them. We were thinking about ES next year, but if we need to wait for 2013... okay.

If y'all want to come to Wyoming, I can find you floor space, tent space, barn room, or a choice of inexpensive motels... party at my house.

[SafetyMan]

Originally Posted by '05Train

It should be very clear how I feel about you Dave (Mega), the people on this forum, the get-togethers, and riding in general. I'll ride anywhere I can through any kind of weather in order to spend time with the people on this forum. I've also opened my home to this bunch of miscreants, and I'll do it again.

With that said, Dana and I have already discussed not doing ES for the entire week in 2012. It's not that we don't love y'all, but we want to ride somewhere different. ES is a phenomenal destination, and Ray is a wonderful host, but there are a lot of other roads out there, and I want to ride them all.

I'm not going to rehash the discussion from last year (or 2 years ago, I can't remember), and I'm not intending to piss on anyone's cornflakes, but I think that we need to look for another place. As has been mentioned, the economy sucks, and vacation time is at a premium for most of us. Four (or five, or six) days of riding to and from an event is prohibitive to a lot of us. I had a ball in ES last year, but we spent 5 days on the road between going and coming back, and that's not fun riding (even though we enjoyed the company).

I will pledge my time to scope places out around here if there are any suggestions. Shit, I'll do anything for this group, especially if it means that we continue to do stuff together. I don't want to see things fall apart, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in that feeling. But I agree with Ed that maybe every other year (or every 5 years) is a better way to go. There are a ton of local rides that get one or two long-distance riders, and the hope is that as they continue to grow, there will be more interest in a big national event.

We also need to get new people. We've got less than 1,000 members, of which maybe 100 contribute regularly, and of that, roughly 40 or 50 who show up to stuff on a semi-regular basis, and we're spread out all over the US and (to a lesser extent) Canada. We need to go on a big-time membership drive. We all know other riders who aren't here, and we need to get them here. Maybe they stay, maybe they think we're weird and they leave, but we've gotta get more folks involved.

Dave, I'm not stepping on your toes, and if you think I'm overstepping, tell me. This group is too damn important to me to see things fall apart. I'm at your disposal for whatever you need, and you know I'm not the only one who feels that way.

You and I are on the same page...

But you said it so much better...

I wouldn't host TotM if'n I didn't love y'all

[yolkum]

Originally Posted by SafetyMan

You and I are on the same page...

But you said it so much better...

I wouldn't host TotM if'n I didn't love y'all

he is a very elegant speaker... unless he finds oil under his ride.

[BigTOE]

I have to admit; and I mentioned this at TotM, that I'm not overly excited about ES this year. It's not the ride, or the distance or the cost. It's because so many people that I love to see aren't going to be there. There are a lot of reasons for that and I think they have been voiced already. A week is actually easier for me to get than several weekends so I'm no help but I'm in for what ever works best for the group.

[MrSurly]

How many rooms are booked at Ray's this year?
How down is the attendance expected to be?
I did 8,9, and had to miss '10 so I'm definitely planning to be there but I understand the sentiment and the concern. I don't know how much of the drop is due to waning interest due to the fixed location vs other multiple factors. As proven last year, it can be damn difficult to get enough time off to go to lots of events. I'd love to do Squish, TOTM, Dumbside, the cheese thing, just can't get that much time off for the travel time, so ES is the biggy for me.
Despite that I, too, am looking for a change up.
I am considering working in some detours both on the way to and returning from ES. Maybe spending part of my ES time riding up to Branson or elsewhere. Just leaving Thurs instead of Friday, heading north or east or whatever to mix it up a bit before heading back but I live closer to ES than many others..

[yolkum]

Russ that was nicely said...

for me, this place turned into home from the second I stumbled upon you crazy bastages. I've been riding for 13 years and this past one has been the most fun riding I've ever had.

I personally wouldn't take the lack of attendance at ES this year as anything other than folks are just short on vacation time and money. The people I've met here online and at the events are some of the best out there and they really love this group.

I mean, Keith and I had people ride for hundreds of miles, hell even other countries to be there for us when we joined. Nobody knew us other than the few weeks of us making complete asses of ourselves on the forum. Not just anybody would do that for complete strangers. That shit means something to me and always will.

[thrasher]

Originally Posted by ms_tapestry

I have attended ES four years in a row and while I enjoy ES and all the folks that gather there, I am wanting to explore new roads, fill in some states on my ride map and meet some of the forum folks that I haven't met before. Maggie Valley, even though it's 1700 miles one way for me, fills all those requirements. Life is short, vacation time is short and I want to get the most bang for my buck. Next year I'll probably head to the Left Coast. I wish I could do more of the mid-West get togethers but with the distance it's just not possible.

Well said, T.

I've only been to two Doofapaloozas: Eureka Springs, and Salida, Colorado. Both were excellent places, IMO.

Of all the events going on here that I WISH I could attend this year, Maggie Valley and ToTM topped the list for me. Both are located in beautiful areas, and I've never been to either to "stay awhile" and explore the area. Interesting part is I'd surely meet more doofs and zints from the east coast,... even the ones that talk funny.

Sadly I have/will miss both, but that is what it is....

[Big Cheese]

I'm glad I'll be there this year. Vacation time is not a problem, but funds and leaving the family behind for a week are difficult. Mrs. Cheese is not interested in sharing my riding habit and she would rather schedule time for herself and our daughter to go somewhere on their own trip.
I find myself having to balance the desire for long weekend rides against the whole week event. I'm more drawn to multiple regional get togethers for the season and then maybe would be more open for a longish trip every other year..