Looking for a different Group Ride?

[mkiesel]

I'm the New Road Captain of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of Cleveland club. I'm looking for some new ideas for group rides - not just the let's go from here to there ones. I have been on car road ralleys before that were sort of like scavenger hunts and had a lot of fun however that doesn't really seem to fit with motorcycling. It is really hard to read instructions and maps while riding. So, have any of you enjoyed some sort of ride that is different from the basic lets go here -then here -then here types? Gimme some ideas!

[mwnahas]

Do you mean lets go there and "do something" rides?
like Kinzua train? or an overnighter to cass for a screw drive train?
picnic at the blue hole, explore caverns? Jet express and explore the islands?

[hschisler]

I have no experience with group rides -- yet -- as I am still in my first year of riding. That said, I'll be watching this thread to see what develops. Hopefully you won't mind some folks from SE of Columbus coming up your way to join in your fun. Not too many Great Lakes, Jet Expresses or such things our way, although we do have the Hocking Hills. If you haven't heard of that part of Ohio, think "Deal's Gap" -- but a lot closer. One hour SE of Columbus.

[glenhinegardner]

Hello from Litchfield Ohio, just wanted too say hello too you guys in the Cleveland/Medina/Columbus area. Just purchaseda new 05 klt1200 after 25 years on a goldwing. Love to get out for a ride.

Later

[tmgs]

I'm the New Road Captain of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of Cleveland club. I'm looking for some new ideas for group rides - not just the let's go from here to there ones. I have been on car road ralleys before that were sort of like scavenger hunts and had a lot of fun however that doesn't really seem to fit with motorcycling. It is really hard to read instructions and maps while riding. So, have any of you enjoyed some sort of ride that is different from the basic lets go here -then here -then here types? Gimme some ideas!

The most fun I have ever had on a motorcycle was doing scavenger hunts, it's still quite doable on a motorcycle!

Tom

[ksailor]

Dang: Only got a pair of 6's. Anyone got a full house??? :rolleyes:

[MaverickAR]

Two pair here. 3's and jack's.

[dwsdad]

uh..what's a road captain?????

[motorman587]

The most fun I have ever had on a motorcycle was doing scavenger hunts, it's still quite doable on a motorcycle!

Tom

How does a scavenger hunt work???? What are the rules?????

[SilverBuffalo]

uh..what's a road captain?????
That's a wise man that sold his boat and bought an LT with the money.

[tmgs]

That's a wise man that sold his boat and bought an LT with the money.

uhh Sir you owe me a Keyboard!


Tom (that was funny!)

[meese]

How does a scavenger hunt work???? What are the rules?????It all depends on who set it up. I've done 12-hour endurance rallies where we had a huge listing of bonus locations and tasks, and you had to choose what you thought was the best route to make the most bonus points and get back to the start location in the time allotted. The Iron Butt Rally is similar, but lasts 11 days and can lead you anywhere in North America.

Of course you don't have to do big miles or multi-days to have some fun. The organizer can just find several fun and unique locations around the local area and make up a listing of bonus locations. Then the participants can head out and make their way to whichever locations suit them (or all locations, if the time and route permits).

Usually to collect a bonus you would go to a certain place and get proof that you were there. That can be a manned checkpoint (where they stamp your ride sheet), a unique building (take a picture), a historical marker or site (answer a question about when it was built, who built it, etc.), or a country store (get a receipt or maybe a local newspaper). At the ending location, the points are tallied and prizes are given out.

Note that the serious Long Distance Rallies can be quite competitive so most people ride solo. But a local ride can be as laid-back as you wish.

I've met some pretty great people, and been to some amazing locations that i never would have visited on my own.

There are also other options. A Poker Run usually has several fixed checkpoints, where each rider is given a playing card. At the end, you try and make the best hand that you can (or worst) to collect prizes. Some places charge an entry fee, and give cash prizes, but this can be considered gambling in some states so beware (like anyone's ever gonna get rich off of it).

Another option is a themed tour. Pick a theme (towns with trees in their name, or waterfall, lakes, and rivers, or consecutively numbered highways, or national and state parks) and see how many you can get to in a given time. These types of tours usually last several months and the proof (park stamps, receipts, or pictures) are usually verified at the end. Sometimes the organizers will hold a finishers banquet where folks can meet and swap stories.

Some of this maybe more than yiou wanted for a day-ride, but there are lots of options to choose from. Just enjoy the ride, whatever the purpose.