Tentative dates: August 28-30.
Location:
Surf Motel & Campground in Marblehead, Ohio
The people who attended this year's ride voted on what to do next year. As 2020 is the 10th anniversary of this ride, we unanimously voted to return to our motel. And we scouted what we think will be an outstanding location for 2021.
Yes, we're going to keep doing this ride on a yearly basis. It's a central enough part of the country that it's a 1-day ride for most, and a 2-day ride for most of the rest (sorry Californians, it's the Kessel Run for you).
It's also in no way, shape, or form an "official" Doof event. I'm going to do this ride every year whether or not anyone shows up. But I hope y'all do, because I like hanging out with you. Since the forum's effectively dead, I'll post this on Facebook as well. As we get closer to the date(s), I'll update things as needed.
Finally, the riding in this part of Ohio is boring. We've moved way past being just a bunch of people who ride to a bunch of people who enjoy each other's company. Drive your car. Bring a truck. Hell, pack your grill up and we can cook in the parking lot (it's allowed, we checked).
For those who are not happy with the motel:
A: Right now it's all about the Benjamins. The goal is to make this ride as affordable as possible to ensure that as many people as possible can afford to come. A $200/night room is nice, but it also prices out a lot of the people who might come. If you're an RV person, bring it. Plenty of places on-property to park it. Since Wyndham bought Super 8, it's gotten better. It's still a truck-stop motel, but it's in far better shape than it was 2 years ago, and according to the manager they're going to keep making improvements. The bar is currently closed. The motel has bought it and is refurbishing it. It should be open next year. The manager has assured us that she'll have a place for us to hang out next time, and she'll get us all a block of rooms together.
Edited to add:
The Super 8 we usually use is out, new motel is linked. The bar in front of the old motel burned down under mysterious circumstances, and frankly that was the last nail in that coffin. The new place is nicer, closer to beautiful lake views, and closer to food. If you have an RV, you can bring that there as well. Due to the 'Rona BS, there's a fair chance that there will be another lockdown in the fall, so I'm not booking a room yet, and they're not holding rooms for us. The call will be made by the 21st (the Friday before).