Who's all going to Top of the Rockies?

[dsauer608]

Hey! One of the best rallies in the country is happening in less than two weeks! Who's all coming to Paonia, CO for the Top of the Rockies Rally? July 23-26 - be there or be square!

[DavidTaylor]

I'll be moving out of my house that weekend, and still have FNG disease at work for vacation time. :(

[sanjaun2]

Deb,
I am getting low on vacation myself. But, that doesn't mean I can't be tempted. Tell us about the rally.

[Dick]

Deb,
I am getting low on vacation myself. But, that doesn't mean I can't be tempted. Tell us about the rally.
I'm surprised that one isn't listed in the agenda of rallies around the country. El Jeffe used (maybe still does) to promote that one as one of the best in the country. I've never been, so can't help with the details (other than it's a whole lotta tenting going on!!), butt it's on my bucket list -

There are some past threads over the years that may be found doing a leetle searching - good luck, and for those attending, ride safe and say "Hi" to Pete Jessen of the Colorado Beemers club. He's a beeg promoter of the event.

Edit; I see where there is a lot of past threads listed below in the *similar threads* category.

[sanjaun2]

Thanks Dick,
I was up to 3am last night checking out the Colorado BMW's website and salivating over possible routes and then realized our Wa state rally is the same weekend.That complicates things.

[dsauer608]

Deb,
I am getting low on vacation myself. But, that doesn't mean I can't be tempted. Tell us about the rally.

Weeeelll, since you asked.... :D !

It's a tent camping rally with camping in the city park of Paonia. The town pretty much rolls out the carpet for us; it's a charitable event for their high school kids. Within said park is an open air stage and dance floor for the live bands that play each night, lots of vendors with cool stuff, and my personal favorite, the beer concession! Paonia is a very small town and you can walk, stagger or crawl to about everything - there's an italian restaurant there that is wicked good, great mexican food and a brothel turned restaurant (ok, at least it looks like one) where the service is slow but the food is good and the margueritas rock. Ok that's just the rally part. Now for the really good stuff - the roads in the region are the finest in the world, not that I'd brag or anything! There's Independence Pass, McClure Pass, Grand Mesa, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Slumgullion Pass, North Pass, Red Mountain Pass, Molas Pass, Coal Bank Hill Pass, Lizard Head Pass, Dolores Canyon (awesome!) all within a day's ride. Dolores Canyon is home to Gateway, which is where the guy who owns the Discover Channel has a resort and car museum, very awesome.

Are you tempted yet, Brian???

[dsauer608]

I'll be moving out of my house that weekend, and still have FNG disease at work for vacation time. :(

FNG? does that stand for F-in' No Go?

If the new owners are truly serious about wanting in, they'll just put your stuff on the lawn for you to pick up when you get back anyway. What's the problem?

[Dick]

Damn, Deb - and here I thought it wuz just a gathering where everyone checked out everyone else's latest version of tents!!!! :D

I do gotta go there - knowing how you and Dean love riding, I think I'm missing sumpthin' really good!! Thanks for the tease!!! ;)


Weeeelll, since you asked.... :D !

It's a tent camping rally with camping in the city park of Paonia. The town pretty much rolls out the carpet for us; it's a charitable event for their high school kids. Within said park is an open air stage and dance floor for the live bands that play each night, lots of vendors with cool stuff, and my personal favorite, the beer concession! Paonia is a very small town and you can walk, stagger or crawl to about everything - there's an italian restaurant there that is wicked good, great mexican food and a brothel turned restaurant (ok, at least it looks like one) where the service is slow but the food is good and the margueritas rock. Ok that's just the rally part. Now for the really good stuff - the roads in the region are the finest in the world, not that I'd brag or anything! There's Independence Pass, McClure Pass, Grand Mesa, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Slumgullion Pass, North Pass, Red Mountain Pass, Molas Pass, Coal Bank Hill Pass, Lizard Head Pass, Dolores Canyon (awesome!) all within a day's ride. Dolores Canyon is home to Gateway, which is where the guy who owns the Discover Channel has a resort and car museum, very awesome.

Are you tempted yet, Brian???

[dsauer608]

Damn, Deb - and here I thought it wuz just a gathering where everyone checked out everyone else's latest version of tents!!!! :D

I do gotta go there - knowing how you and Dean love riding, I think I'm missing sumpthin' really good!! Thanks for the tease!!! ;)

Dick, you would love it there, plus it's much cooler than what you've been dealing with.

[oldrango]

Glen and I are going and we can't wait. It's been over 100 degrees here for about a week and we're ready for some cooler temps. Some other things that Deb didn't mention is there are several wineries in the region and there's a bus that takes folks around to the wineries (sign up early at the rally). Lots of vendors at this rally. Not only MC related, but the locals have some really good food and drink concessions available at the rally. David, doesn't the new company know who in the heck "David Taylor" is? Maybe try the "This is the 20th anniversary of this rally and I haven't missed one yet" line. Brian- You can hit the other rally any old time. You can't miss our campsite. It will have yellow caution tape around the perimeter and probably a tall girl dancing on a picnic table with a beer in her hand. I can't tell you who she is, but she rides a red GT. If there's two people dancing on the table, the other one will be Rich Hall. ;)

Gitty-up!

[DavidTaylor]

Apparently the did not get the memo. :D

[dsauer608]

Glen and I are going and we can't wait. It's been over 100 degrees here for about a week and we're ready for some cooler temps. Some other things that Deb didn't mention is there are several wineries in the region and there's a bus that takes folks around to the wineries (sign up early at the rally). Lots of vendors at this rally. Not only MC related, but the locals have some really good food and drink concessions available at the rally. David, doesn't the new company know who in the heck "David Taylor" is? Maybe try the "This is the 20th anniversary of this rally and I haven't missed one yet" line. Brian- You can hit the other rally any old time. You can't miss our campsite. It will have yellow caution tape around the perimeter and probably a tall girl dancing on a picnic table with a beer in her hand. I can't tell you who she is, but she rides a red GT. If there's two people dancing on the table, the other one will be Rich Hall. ;)

Gitty-up!

That's why we get there early to pick out the sturdiest picnic table!

[sanjaun2]

Its crunch time, My Northwest compadres didn't bail out on Republic. So I will be heading that way in the morning. Those of you lucky enough to be going to Paonia, Have a great time, Ride safe, And enjoy dem great roads. See ya next year for sure.