Large Rallys vs Brand Events

I’ve been riding for 34 years and have had the opportunity to attend more than my share of Rallies.  My first was back in 86, and hit the mecca; Sturgis.  I rode a lil about 500 miles that day on a 1000cc Kawi, one buddy on a Honda V65 ( 1100cc) and another buddy on a HD, that was about the same size.  We blew up in there in one day, pulling up at night…without a room.  So, being the crazy bastards we were, we rolled into a ravine, pulled out our gear and called it a night.  If we’d really known what we were doing, we’d have broken out the whiskey, but none of us were bright enough to have packed any. Lets just say , it wouldn't go down quite the same way if I had a "do over?!"  Either way, we got some rest and hit the roads of the Black Hills, as soon as the sun was up.

We were nutz

Several things from the rally stick in my brain.  First, the riding was awesome.  We rode throughout the hills for a few days, stopping anywhere that had cold ones with our names on them, threw back one each, and … on to the next.  As bad as that may sound, it was perfect, we never ‘caught a buzz’, enjoyed the ride and created memories. Second thing was two of us expected ‘trouble’ being on rice burners.  Our buddy assured us ‘no issues’ but we didn’t believe him.  As you can probably guess, zero issues.  Hell, the HD boys wanted to race us at every turn it seemed.  They didn’t have a chance, but damnend we had fun.  As we smoked them, we normally got a thumbs up! Finally, we realized we were young and naïve. There were some crazy bastards throughout the park and downtown.  It’s utterly amazing what they’d be proud of, of what their old ladies could show and do.  We’ll leave that one right there.

Rice Burners and an HD

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to attend Sturgis a few more times; ’11, ’13 and ’15.   I rode in/out each time.  I believe those rides to and from, were equally important to the rally itself.  Nothing like doing hundreds of miles freeing your mind. When you work a stressful job, throwing a leg over a bike and putting on the miles, clears the mind.   True Wind Therapy.

Devils Tower 2015

Since the first Rally I attended in 1986, I’ve attended a few others but there was almost a 20 year gap, before I'd jumped back into the fray with both feet.  Most notably is the ROT Rally (Republic of Texas) in Austin.  This has to be one the craziest and wildest of the major rallies in the US.  When you stay on the grounds, it put’s Sturgis’ Buffalo Chip to shame I’ve been told.  The party begins late morning and continues into the wee hours.  I have to admit after 4 days of this; I’m friggn’ exhausted.  I attended from 2006-2013, finally throwing in the towel.  At some point, you’ve seen it all.   

 

This is the mild stuff....

Around the same time frame, I attended Bikes, Blues and BBQ in Fayetteville AR.  When rallies advertise “it’s about the ride”..... This is what this ones, all about.  The Pig Trail, Devils’ Den, Eureka Springs, and the other numerous rides, routes and roads that beckon you to them, is what this rally is all about.  Then, a cruise and or party down on Dixon Street is the icing on the cake.  

 

Far end of Dixon Street

Additionally we’ve attended Lone Star Rally in Galveston since 2009, but that’s a different animal.  To be honest, it’s a celebration of awesome early November weather in South Texas and it usually delivers.  It’s definitely not about the ‘ride’ but an awesome time can be had on the Strand, bars on the Seawall, and a few Poker Runs.  But, for me, for the last five years it’s simply heading to our beach home with riding buddies and basing out of there a few miles from the center of the fun.  It’s a game changer, out of your own place.

The Strand  ( Downtown Galveston)

But the rallies I mention above are overall biker rallies.  ALL Riders and brands of bikes attend.  Predominately HD, but also a good percentage of other American Iron… and … a splattering of rice and brit stuff.  Nationally, there are HOG rallies as well.This is probably the most 'brand specific ' in existence. I’ve never been to one, but considered it (I have a FLTRX).  Still, never felt the need for an “HD ONLY” rally.   No doubt they're a good time; but someone else will have to fill in the blanks on those.

Which brings me to … “INDIAN ONLY”... or biased events.  Indian is starting to kick up its own version via the IMRG, but it has a long way to go.   There is a SINGLE IMRG National ride ( the JD Ride).  Will be interesting to see how the IMRG grows as time goes on.  For now, it's up to the chapters to bring it all together.

The first I’d ever attended was IRIP (Indian Rally at Indian Point).  This was basically an IIRA (Iron Indian Riders Association) annual reunion.  It started well over a decade ago and became a ‘family homecoming’ of sorts for many.  If you were in the IIRA, it’s was on your to-do list or bucket list.   For me,  I stumbled across it in 2011.   A great family friend of mine gave me his week for a time share condo in Branson, and it timed with the 10^th annual Branson Rally that year.  Score!   While making plans for the wife and I, and her Sis and husband, I realized that this “IRIP” was going on.  So, since I was trailering in, I packed TWO bikes... my HD and my Indian.   IRIP had a web page and they had a ride advertised so I rolled in on my Indian, with my brother in law on his HD  (I’d called ahead to make sure this was ‘allowed’). We pull in around 0930 for 1000 ride... and it’s like a ghost town.  There are dozens of beautiful Indian Motorcycles everywhere, but....where’s all the owners?  So we park it and I start asking around, working my way to the Pavilion.  At this point I get a sneak peek at the previous night’s antics.  Liquor bottles... everywhere.  Most still have some booze in them.  Few empties in the corner.  But, something becomes blatantly obvious to me.  These sum’ bitches can party!  Well, finally everyone drags their asses out and by 11ish…. We’re rolling down the road.  Now, we’re not putting along like folks normally do. We’re rolling 10-30 over the speed limite, in a tight group, and... .we’re finding the good curvy roads.  My blood is pumping and I’m loving this.  Mama’ is a notch nervous but we’re all in our groove.  When we finally get to our first stop waiting for a ferry, I’m able to get to know a few of the folks I’ve been riding with.  The vast majority (all??) are IIRA members.  A few of the older, weaker riders that were in the back are still white knuckled, but they held on and stayed in the mix.  I know right there, right here,  I’ve ‘found ‘my family. This is what I’ve been looking for.   We ended up at a member’s home for the day, he fed us like royalty, and more beer than we should have put down, and then… we did it all over again on the way back.   I had to say some quick goodbyes and we headed out back to our calm, quiet, mild condo, in East Branson, too many miles away.    The following year I’d hoped to make it back but had a conflict, as well as the next year. But finally, in 2014 I made it back out and my god, we had a blast.  What a crazy awesome time.  The following year in 2015, we rolled back in with our RV and we had a calmer, awesome time… but things were a changing.  The good things never last they say.  Somewhere between the ’14 and ’15 events there was a falling out between a few folks that domino’d into the most of those that attend and we hit a bump.  The IIRA event that had been a mainstay for over a decade, was spinning.  Now, this being said, the party went on.  The event continued on.  For many, if not most it was still a great time.  It was for me.  But, it was now different.  Drama found its way in for me.  People were whispering.  Bullshit was happening.   Just a fact.   But, for every person with my perspective, there’s another wondering WTF I’m talking about because they are unaware.  And you know, that’s sort of the way it should be.   By 2016, the event had truly changed hands so to speak and I’m sure many will call BS, but it’s true. It’s no longer an IIRA event, but one that is catered to by another association.  And they’ve carried on many /most of the traditions.  Those that attend have a great time just like the ‘generation’ before them.   Hell, I considered going this year, but I have a schedule conflict that won’t allow it.  So, maybe next year.  Why?  Because of the people. There are dozens of folks I know there, and it’s the only time of the year I may see them.   These events are always about the people; so, maybe next year.

A must stop for Pic, spot! 

I did get to attend a different one earlier this year that I’ve never attended until now.  Every April in the Hill Country there is an “Indian Rally” that brings in about 50-75 bikes.  Year one and two, I had conflicts. And for personal reasons chose to ignore it last year.  But, I had multiple people ask me if I was coming this year so....wtf... I’m in for the 4th Annual.   So, we saddled up and rode the ‘long way ‘ in with a buddy of mine and his wife giving us a guided tour and the last part.   That was 400 plus miles of bliss.  When we got there, the funny twist is, the rooms were all taken at the main location, so I stayed literally, next door at another motel ( as did another 1/2 dozen).  Additionally,  I had two buddies roll in with me that ride HDs.  I warmed them it was an Indian ‘love fest” but they didn’t give a shit.  And they were right in not.  Didn’t matter.  Well, we had a blast.  We chose not to ride with the main groups though, not knowing their riding abilities and to be honest, I didn’t want to put up with big crowds and crappy service at stops along the way.  So we rode in a small group of 5-9 depending on which day of the week it was.  And, we had a blast.  Hauling ass through the Hill Country, scratching boards through the Twisted Sisters and throwing back colds ones in Bandera, Luckenbach, and a ½ dozen places to include Fredericksburg.   Weather was perfect, we were among old friends and life was good!  Funny thing. I wandered over next door a couple of nights, drank some scotch and whiskey, smoked some stogies with a few good friends, but never saw 90% of the people there.  Guessing they weren’t looking for me any more than I was looking for them.  I was there, to ride with friends.

Two of the sisters down, one to go...

Few years ago, I rolled into Hot Springs for an Indian Motorcycle event.  That in retrospect was the first annual but at the time was an IIRA event actually and 95 % of us were IIRA and on Indians.  What a blast that was for the most part.  Two days of great riding and two nights of partying at the bar next door.  I have to admit, it wasn’t the best it could have been though.  Why?  Well on both days, we had some weak riders.  If you’ve got 25 riders, I’m of the school of thought that the weak guys need to be near the back.  I know this goes against common practice, but if you can’t keep up and keep your bike upright, what the hell are you doing near the front or in the middle? Makes zero sense to me.  The other thing was we kept pulling off at every god damned touristy overlook.  Often.  Finally, my guys and an IIRA buddy out of LA, broke off and …. Rode the way you’re supposed to ride!  We hauled ass and pushed the bikes (2 Indians and 3 HDs) the way they are supposed to be ridden.  When we got back to Hot Springs we were parched and dragging ass.  Well, not all of us.  The hard core headed downtown to Hot Springs and found an Irish Pub! Which brings up the second point of this.  The first night was a good time in the bar next door.  But, the second night... was a replay. We were downtown, but the main group was back at the same place.    I didn’t go all the way here to hang out in the same bar two nights in a row no matter how much I liked the place.  But, it’s all about planning.  If you’re going to put something like this together, you’ve got to plan your main base accordingly.  But hey... just my opinion.  Haven’t been back since due to the IRIP fallout I mentioned earlier, found its way into this event ( ie, no longer an IIRA event). No doubt they are still having a good time, but I have no desire to put up with that drama crap.

Indian Events.  That’s what drove my thought to write this tonight.   The IRIP was my first. The second is an event in MN. Back in 2012 I became aware of an event up there that was based around a Sunday fund raiser ride, but that Saturday was to be an “INDIAN ONLY” event.  I have to admit, that got my attention.  I didn’t give a crap about the Sunday event.  I mean, it’s for a good cause and all and I supported it, but I would not have rode my Indian 975 miles north for that.  I rode for the Saturday event.   So, since I didn’t know anyone local that rode an Indian , I mounted up and headed north as a lone wolf.  By the time I hit KS, I knew I had a problem.  A ticking was coming from my Exhaust.  I was thinking I had a big problem coming so outside KC I pulled the plug and researched a place to get someone to look at it.  I found a place north of KC run by a guy that used to work on the Gilroy’s.  Score!   He told me I had a cracked pipe, near the jug, but he did not have a replacement, but he’d give it his best shot. So he welded on it, got it going and off I went. Problem was... I lost 5 hours. So, it was dark when I hit the MN border and I decided to pull the plug.  Now had I continued on, I’d been fine!  But when those pipes cooled down, then heated up again, it cracked the welds!  So, I got a tow into Cities, got some new Freedom Performance pipes w/ Fishtails on it and rode the weekend up there in style!   Getting back to the event, it was fairly small but a success overall.  The biggest comment among most was, “I’ve never ridden with this many Indians!”  This was true for me at the time, but not by much.  I mean I’d already ridden in a pack of dozens of IIRA members down in Branson.  But I have to admit, it had a cool factor.  So much so that I came back four more times.  Each year it grew a notch more, but I lost that ‘wow’ feeling. The prices went up.  I didn't like the way it was pieced together.  I began questioning things beyond my control.  I lost interest a couple of years ago, but found myself heading back after being asked over and over to come up.    I mean I enjoy riding with other Indians.  There’s a cool feeling to it.  But, in all honestly I prefer riding with my friends.  I prefer riding with my brothers.  Now, it just so happens that the majority of each, ride Indians today.   When I ride with the IIRA 19/20 are on Indians.  Just the way it is. But, that alone is not what drives my behavior.  I mean, there are plenty of Idiots and assholes that ride the brand.  So, the brand alone, isn’t the mainstay.  It may be the driver of the event but it’s doesn’t give everyone a pass, so to speak. What drives me is ... the PEOPLE.  I'll be headed back up this year, for the people, but not , for the event.

Smiling with the new pipes..

Interestingly, I see many others driven today by the same emotions that drove me ‘yesterday’.  They want to be in a mix of Indians.  They want to be in Indian “only” events.  They want to surround themselves with these folks, because everyone that rides an HD or Metric is apparently an asshole and/or POS.  It’s actually funny.   I mean, I know a LOT of folks that ride... ‘Both brands”.  In other words, there is something besides an Indian in that garage.   But, that doesn’t fit the agenda, the mindset.   Hell, I fell into the same trap five years ago.  Now, I do the event(s) with open eyes.

Now that all being said, I’ve found my comfort zone.  I don’t really care about the Big Rally’s anymore, though you might catch me once in a while attending one.  It’s not the rally, but the folks you go with or meet there.  I mean, go to a rally with 100k... 300k... 500k people and try to get a seat for lunch or dinner.  Try to get a cold beer at the bar when your 5 deep away from it.  Try to park your bike on Main Street when there are a dozen of you riding together.  It sucks, more often than not!  So, I’m no longer a big rally guy.  And I'm not really a 'big event' guy.  I mean, you go with say ..  50 to 200 people on the bikes and you don't know whom some of these folks are , riding abilities, etc, and now I've got to go to dinner with most or all of them , get crappy service due to the size of the group?  What comes to my mind is....never mind.... no thanks!

My comfort zone is now down two things.   IIRA events, and riding with my local buddies.   The IIRA has found a place in my heart that is hard to explain.  I found it when I got my first Indian 8 years ago. It’s full of ball busters, sarcastic bastards, mouthy sons of bitches, folks that drink like I do, folks that ride hard, and people that give a shit about you.  I joke it’s like being in an M/C, that isn’t an M/C.   I don’t know how else to explain it.  It’s the longest running organization that I’m aware of in the Indian Community, its roots back in 2002.  It’s gone through internal upheavals multiple times, with folks leaving, starting other organizations, the hard core sticking it out, and it’s survived. Its got grit and character because of it.  And damned it if I haven’t made great friends within its ranks.   

Thirty days to go ... Durango 2017.

Durango , 2016.  New Pavilion and Fire pit in place for 2017s