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Comfortable camping, good food, warm sunny days, many fine motorcycles to see and friendly people make this another great event to put on your calendar for next year. ( I don't know the date exactly, but it should be around the same weekend.)
OK, here are some of over 200 digital pictures I took. If you were a participant in the field events, I probably have a pic of you riding. Let me know and I'll email you what I have. I have other shots of the "show bikes" also, which I can send.
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Registration tent. "Welcome, and sign in please" Vendors were present. Cool things to buy or learn about.
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No, a motorcycle didn't explode here. You could just about build one from the parts available at the swap meet.
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Lots of tents! Motels nearby were popular too. ...Ride West BMW of Seattle was on hand to mount tires, and perform service if you needed it.
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Some of the shiny bits to drool over. I gotta get some of those chrome valve covers for my RT.
The "Best of Show" and "Peoples Choice" awards, went to the same bike. This sidecar equipped airhead was the one. Very nice!
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The "Poker Run" was popular. We signed up, drew a card, and rode off to points afar to collect additional cards to complete a poker hand. I folded, but not before completing the run up to Lake Wenatchee and the little hamlet of Plain, where I found the best cafe for breakfast. More later on this.
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Ty Randall on a BMW GS, managed to cross the line last, which was the objective in the first of the field events, called the "Slow Race". The big Dresser Harley was tough competition, as it's able rider was able to keep all that iron balanced like you wouldn't believe. Amazing. The devilishly diminishing circle event was something to see. The big Harley's were right in there, but all had to bow to the BMW R65 , which was able to squeeze into and out of the circle without touching anything. ( someone send me the names of these riders).
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That's right, he's wearing a blindfold. Don't try this at home folks. The idea was to see the cone out there, wear the blinder and ride over and stop as close as you can to the cone. You can see Mark shrieking in disbelief as this rider stopped ON TOP of the cone. He called it the ESP ride. Ty Randall again in the barrel wrap. One handed, ride around and wrap the rope around the barrel contest. Not as easy as you would think.
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Ride along a plank, easy enough. Try two planks forming a dogleg, way harder. Now separate them in a stagger formation like in this picture, run one plank, jiggy over and down the other plank without dropping a wheel off the board, unbelievable! This fellow eliminated everyone else, and entertained the crowd for quite a while. ..The sidecar race was cool. Passenger young ladies pick up , carry, and drop the "birdie" at cones placed around the circle, all the time being transported in the "hack". Quickest time wins.
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A surprise awaited the contestants in the last race. Running from parked bikes to awaiting dresses, the don the dress, run back to mount the bike and ride it across the finish line. You can see Rich Welliver removing his dress after crossing the line. Everyone had a zipper closing dress to work with...except Ty. He was still undoing buttons so he could get dressed when the winner finished.
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Ty finally got it on, and finished....last. Too funny. We will long remember this event, put together by Mark Etheridge, who humbled himself in front of all at the awards ceremony by sporting a slinky number himself.
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The
awards ceremony was the highlight of the last evening of the
rally. A 50/50 drawing, door-prizes, Volunteer recognition, Field
event awards, Bike Show awards, Age and distance awards, and even
the Harry Neifus award, presented to Paul Tollefson for
demonstrating throughout the year a good example of how not to
ride motorcycles. What a group.
Many unmentioned club members contributed to the success of this event, and as a first timer I want to dedicate this page to YOU and all of the rally staff in appreciation for all you did to make it happen. Thank you.