2012 Doofapalooza? Probably not.

[Boop]

Originally Posted by MegaGlide

The East Coast Doofapalooza works, and I think we've got it right with alternating Northeast/Southeast every other year, and it's well attended.

The West Coast is simply broken. Always has been. Somebody needs to take an interest out there and put something together. There's enough folks for it to get off the ground, IMHO.

We've already got Squish in August, and there really aren't any "regionals", per se.
We've got a national, and in theory 2 coastals (in practice 1), and other get togethers at least monthly. If one of the others gets popular (like Junction, Squish, TOTM) it becomes a big deal and lots of folks attend (amazingly, Junction, Squish and TOTM are in the same location every year...).
Anyway, what we're working on now is ES. If the West Coast ever decides they wanna do something, that'd be great, too, but that's not what we're trying to fix at the moment.

Um, isn't Squish in July? Maggie Valley's in August. Ya Doof.

[Sidecar Doug]

Originally Posted by Why_Me

While I love the big get together every year, I think that bi-annual may be a better idea. Gives folks time to stash away a bit and to make other trips. A week+ of vacation every year may be too much for some to lock down year after year. I'm good either way, but in thinking of more than my own personal situation, having a gap in between may work out more overall. If the west coast every gets off their duff and organizes more than an afternoon beer, I'd like to head that way sometime.

We've tried a West coast meet in the past. Those that want to go can never agree on a time and place. But if more people are serious about riding out West, then I'm sure we can come up with something.

[MegaGlide]

Well, I knew something big was in August.
And the East-Coast-a-Palooza is kind of "Immovable Object" big.

[Bone Stockman]

Originally Posted by Sidecar Doug

We've tried a West coast meet in the past. Those that want to go can never agree on a time and place. But if more people are serious about riding out West, then I'm sure we can come up with something.

I'd love to make it out there, and ES week is a good time for me. If I really haul butt, I can get out to Flagstaff (for example) in 3 days. That realistically gives me 3 or 4 days to bum around out there.

Point being, if there's any way I can make it out there, I will make it out there.

[Sidecar Doug]

Originally Posted by MegaGlide

The East Coast Doofapalooza works, and I think we've got it right with alternating Northeast/Southeast every other year, and it's well attended.

The West Coast is simply broken. Always has been. Somebody needs to take an interest out there and put something together. There's enough folks for it to get off the ground, IMHO.

We've already got Squish in August, and there really aren't any "regionals", per se.
We've got a national, and in theory 2 coastals (in practice 1), and other get togethers at least monthly. If one of the others gets popular (like Junction, Squish, TOTM) it becomes a big deal and lots of folks attend (amazingly, Junction, Squish and TOTM are in the same location every year...).
Anyway, what we're working on now is ES. If the West Coast ever decides they wanna do something, that'd be great, too, but that's not what we're trying to fix at the moment.

Rub it in. I know it's getting a little off topic, but if enough people would commit to it, We would put something together on the left coast.

[stoney]

I would love to go to a west coast event, but I'm looking at 5 - 500+ days to get there, or 4 days of hard riding.... each way.

[Sidecar Doug]

Originally Posted by '05Train

I'd love to make it out there, and ES week is a good time for me. If I really haul butt, I can get out to Flagstaff (for example) in 3 days. That realistically gives me 3 or 4 days to bum around out there.

Point being, if there's any way I can make it out there, I will make it out there.

I wish I could make it out to more events too. I had a great time in Junction last year. Unfortionetly work keeps trying to interupt my fun.

[Sidecar Doug]

Originally Posted by stoney61

I would love to go to a west coast event, but I'm looking at 5 - 500+ days to get there, or 4 days of hard riding.... each way.

I'm no closer to you than you are to me.

[silent1]

Originally Posted by '05Train

I'd love to make it out there, and ES week is a good time for me. If I really haul butt, I can get out to Flagstaff (for example) in 3 days. That realistically gives me 3 or 4 days to bum around out there.

Point being, if there's any way I can make it out there, I will make it out there.

VA to Flagstaff in 3 days?

[Bone Stockman]

Originally Posted by silent1

VA to Flagstaff in 3 days?

I didn't say it'd be easy....But yeah, it'd be 3 consecutive 700 mile days.

[stoney]

Originally Posted by Sidecar Doug

I'm no closer to you than you are to me.

Wanna meet in the middle then?

[jasilva]

June is a tough month for a lot of us, radiations, weddings, work, seems like it all starts happening in June. Marlene and I have talked about getting to ES every year but the reality is we are to busy to ride that distance that time of year. If the event were closer to a major airport and bike rental we might be able to do a fly and ride. East of/west of the Rockies alternating would also make it more doable at least once in a while. Otherwise until the last ones are graduated and married off 5k miles in a week with time to visit just won't happen.

As far as West Coast I'm up for anything within 2 days ride, I just can't get interested in planning more events that everyone bails out on at the last minute. Twice was enough. But if any of y'all come out west let me know, I'm always up for a couple days of riding the North Coast and Redwoods.

[TimmyD]

Time & money are both limited assets - main reasons why I usually can only make it to one event per year. With Maggie Valley being the closest event to me (having missed TOTM this year), I doubt I'll be making it to that event.

I'd be happy to just meet up with some Doofs for a Saturday ride right now - I wish the weather would cooperate.

[Git Real]

Originally Posted by OKC Fatboy

Maybe we need to have rotating national meetings like the BCS.

I was planning on ES for 2012. Like everyone else one has to choose a destination or two annually and go for it. For myself I have a goal of riding all 50 states in the next year or two and seeing all sorts of places I would otherwise never visit if it were not for riding. Meeting fine folks is a huge benefit-added that couples a great journey with a grand experience. Personally and from the for-whut-its-worth department I second what Bob said.

I'm hoping to do Maggie Valley this year if my dad doesn't have his up coming surgery requiring me play poser rancher for a couple of months and next year targeting the National Event if possible.

Anyways.... thanks a TON to all the folks who DO put their efforts and resources out there to make these awesome events possible and memorable. Hats off to 'em all.

Here's to the great people I've met and those I hope to along with an additional toast to the many good and thoughtful comments.

[Scabbydoo]

As several have noted, due to the additional time and for some the cost that E.S. requires, it becomes much more of a challenge to make this event. Especially on an annual basis. I have been lucky enough to make this event for the past three years and share times, rides (yes, and even stories about flat tires) with the outstanding people I have had the opportunity to meet and now call friends. As many have said, for me it wasn't just about the riding but the chance to share time and space with those friends.

That being said, I just got off the phone with Ray letting him know my room would be available this year. Like others, this or previous years, constraints of time and money have made this decision for me.

It seems that the natural ebb and flow of life (family commitments, work, time constraints, money constraints, health issues, etc.) have had more effect on peoples decision regarding attendance at the 'National' get-together than over those of a regional, or in some cases, even more local nature. It is reasonable to assume this has had something to do with the growth in popularity/attendance at these regional/local events. However, as Mega reminded us, this discussion is about the 'National' event.

All things considered, perhaps moving the 'National' from every year to some alternative schedule makes the most sense. As for what that schedule would be, my sense is that every other year or every third year would be viable options. I believe that extending past every three years, such as the mentioned every five years, would greatly diminish interest. At this point, my vote would be for every other year. I still strongly believe in a "National" event with the concept of it as a "centrally" held event to provide the best opportunity for members from all regions to get together and share time, space, roads and this 'special thing' that is The Doof Clenas.

Regarding the "cost", it is my memory that the original intent was that if there was sufficient money left in the till at the time of the 'National', the forum would buy a couple of cases of beer, or provide some hamburgers for the grill, or whatever could be covered by the excess funds. While the extent to which the forum (Mega and Boop) has gone in providing meals, goodies, etc. the last few years is greatly appreciated; it is not a requirement. It is my strong recommendation that we return to the original intent and if there's enough in the till for a couple of cases of beer then that's what gets covered. Again, the main reason we go is to be able to share time and space (and yes ride) with the friends we have made or with new ones we are going to make