RA @ The Biltmore...6/7-6/10

[Stretch Hendrix]

I'm sure y'allknow but here is a reminder. Next week is the RA national Rally at the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville NC.
The official dates re 6/7-6/10 if anyone wants to come early and pitch in volunteers can show up Wed. 6/6.
As usual be prepared to help out, and pick a primo campsite..., since you got in early.
See ya there.
Stretch

[Vance]

Man I hope to get up there for this. It can't be anything but awesome. Last time there we took a carriage ride down by the French Broad from the winery with plenty of their best accompanied by supply of crackers and cheese. Come to think of it...maybe "The Best I Ever Had" ( Get it Cornbread?).

That whole place is beautiful and well worth the visit!

[R90srider]

Yeah I do Puddin.

I am looking forward to going to Asheville.

Bob

[Norwood]

Well I went up to the RA Rally Friday, didn't return Saturday, just got out and rode.

I will let the more seasoned rally go-ers response to thoughts about the RA Rally... all I will say is that... I'm glad we got a place like Ditto Landing, shade trees and pice pavilion and clean bathrooms and showers... and we can control the price of drinking water.

[Vance]

Well I went up to the RA Rally Friday, didn't return Saturday, just got out and rode.

I will let the more seasoned rally go-ers response to thoughts about the RA Rally... all I will say is that... I'm glad we got a place like Ditto Landing, shade trees and pice pavilion and clean bathrooms and showers... and we can control the price of drinking water.

Well, since we missed it, I am anxious to hear some reports from those who made it!

[Bikebum]

Well, since we missed it, I am anxious to hear some reports from those who made it!

Hot, dry, dusty, pricey, and I had a great time.

[Vance]

Hot, dry, dusty, pricey, and I had a great time.

You are a master of the pen ...aren't you?

[R90srider]

The RA was a lot of fun and the Biltmore grounds were beautiful. Considering the price of the ticket ($67.00) allowed unlimited access to the winery and Biltmore House, normally $42.00 a day, and three nights camping, it was well worth the price of admission. Where we camped, there were no shade trees, but Phillip and Martha Warren, as usual, brought their own shade, so we were comfortable, and we were within easy walking distance to Rally Central and the beer tent.

I think the planners did not plan for as many folks as there were (over 3,000) and let the Porta-Johns run out of paper and didn't empty them until almost too late, but they finally got organized and fixed the problem Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Phillip, Martha and I were able to get our showers with warm water early in the morning and mid-day without waiting in line. Unfortunately, the overflow camping area didn't have water available, but there were a few porta Johns there. There were lots of shade trees though.

Jamie is right, lots of fun was had by all and the RA should be congratulated for making that fantastic facility available for it's membership.

[pswarren]

Martha & Phillip's trip to the RA

Martha & I left home on Wednesday morning, rode to Blue Ridge M/C campground. Thursday morning we were up early and at the Biltmore when th e gates opened. The Rally was hot and dry, with lots to see & do. We had a great time and enjoyed it evey much. Below is a link to the pictures.
Phillip & Martha

http://picasaweb.google.com/R1200Phil/RATheBiltmore

[DON DRASHEFF]

Ra Rally

Four Of Us-two Harleys And Two Gs' Left Prattville 0700 Wednesday And Rode To Maggie Valley For The Night.thursday We Rode The Mountains Til Around 1600 And Got Our Rooms At The Sleep Inn - Biltmore. After Hearin' About The Heat , Dust , Lack Of Shade And The Price Of Beer And Water , We Decided Not To Register And Spent The Next Two Days Ridin' The Mountain Roads.went Down For A Visit With Our Friends Phillp And Leslie But Mostly Turned Right And Left Over And Over....all In All Three Days Ridin' With Buddies Beer And Pizza At Night With Those Great Hosts ,the Bollingers. We Heard All About The Rally Every Night Back At The Motel And It Made Me Proud To Think Of The Great Job Our Club Did At Barber's Back In '03. We Left At 0800 Sunday And Were Back In Prattville At 1515. All In All.........a Great Little Vacation !

[R90srider]

Great photos Phillip and Martha. Thanks for posting them.

[Wrong Way]

RA Rally

I was stuck in Creola and couldn't attend. I heard rumors that the camping area was very hot with no shade. Also the only water was $2.75 a bottle and only 10 showers for 1,000 rally goers. I heard from 1 rally goer that its the last RA rally he will ever attend. Obviously he was disappointed. Great pictures from Phillip & Martha. How about a report from some others.

[R90srider]

Hello Wrong Way.

Its too bad your friend felt the way he did and has decided not to attend another RA rally. He may be happier staying in a motel.

I am not an RA member, but will join after their rally at the Biltmore. The grounds were grand and the main camping area was well organized with several water faucets, porta johns and showers. Eventhough there were about 1/3 more folks there than at the other rallies, they managed to get things under control and the porta johns and showers were restocked and cleaned by late Friday evening. The complaint about the shade is valid, but there was so much to see and do at the airconditioned winery and home that all of one's time during the heat of the day could have been spent touring. The mountain riding close by is some of finest in the country and it is at 20 degrees cooler there than in the campsite.

If one wants to talk about hot, it was 107 degrees with no shade in Spokan and most still had a good time there too.

[R90srider]

Hello Wrong Way.

You really missed a great time.

Its to bad your friend felt the way he did and has decided not to attend another RA rally. He may be happier staying at home or in a motel. One must realize we were camping with over 3,000 folks in the heat of the summer. Every one that I talked to really enjoyed them selves in spite of the lack of shade and other little difficulties. If one wants to talk about hot, it was 107 degrees with no shade in Spokane and most still had a good time there too.

I am not an RA member, but will join because of their rally in Asheville. The Biltmore grounds were grand and the main camping area was well organized with several water faucets, porta johns and shower trailers. Even-though there were about 1/3 more folks there than at the other rallies, they managed to get things under control and the porta johns and showers were restocked and cleaned by late Friday evening. I was with Phillip and Martha Warren and we had no difficulty taking our showers even with warm water. The complaint about the lack of shade is valid, but there was so much to see and do at the air-conditioned winery, home and gardens that all of one's time during the heat of the day could have been spent touring in air-conditioning. The evenings were cool and we had to put on long-sleeves and cover up with our sleeping bags at night. The mountain riding close by is some of finest in the country and it is 20 degrees cooler there than in the campsite.

I am looking forward to hearing where the RA Rally will be held next year.

Bob

[Wrong Way]

Bob,

Thanks for the reply. Folks that attend MOA and RA rallies in the summer and tent camp are used to no shade. Of the two the RA rallys are my favorite because a large one is only around 1,000. MOA Rallys can be 8,000 and up. At my age I enjoy the smaller rallys best. You always get folks that don't like things and have to complain. Thanks for your side of the story.