The Gregory Indian 500 - Part 2
Late last year, I wrote about a new development: The Gregory 500. This will be a record attempt at the "Most Indian Motorcycles in a Parade." I participated in the first one, up in MN back in '16 where it was originally set. It was an idea put forth by members of the IARG up there, and a dealer took that idea up there ran with it. After the initial record was set, they did another attempt the following year, barely besting the previous.
Well, that set a lot of things in motion. Folks from all over are suddenly interested in doing this. In Racine last year, they gave it a shot but came up short. I discussed that : here. Now in '19, there are going to be 3 attempts that I'm aware of. First one is up in Michigan in the late Spring. I know little about that one and I'm forecasting that .. it won't beat the record. Czechoslovakia is hosting one in Europe; Indian Riders Fest. Gotta' tell you, looks cool as hell!. I'm forecasting they will best the record. That leaves the third attempt, based out of Arkansas. The Indian Motorcycle dealership based out of Little Rock, AR is hosting this one.. I believe that one will be successful, going after the new Europe record?
Why the Arkansas based ride? For several reasons. First, this is the same location time frame that a local riders group in the area convenes. Lately, they seem to bring a large group of bikes. Another group that I belong to will be bringing in a bunch of bikes.. Then the factory riders group (IMRG). No doubt you''ll see a large qty from there. Then take the advertising from all three groups that will be pushing it out there, and you'll have great advertisement. And... all the folks that will see it on Social Media via Indian Bike related groups. The major forums . And the final piece to the puzzle. The dealer. The Ownership of the dealer, is well liked and respected in this part of the country. Now, add that to the fact that the riding in this part of the country is phenomenal, the weather should be perfect for riding... you have the makings of a great weekend.
Now folks that know me well... know I'm not a huge fan of these 'record' rides; hell .. large rides at all. But as I've said before, this ride is the icing on the cake of a great weekend get together for folks, putting miles on their bikes throughout the area. Hot Springs (the rally location) is a great place itself worth the trip. And unlike the big Hot Springs Rally the every September, this one will be 'exclusively' Indian Motorcycles. I mean .. yes, you'll see other bikes in town ..but I'd bet money 98% of the bikes on the streets that weekend, are Indians. If you've never experienced that before, you're missing out. It has a cool factor
I spoke to Rob Gregory last night and this morning. He informed me of the oncoming event options. Make no mistake; this is a dealership event, paid for by the dealership, run by the dealership. I've been assured there are no other outside entities running this. This is important to me because it keeps it neutral and ensures that all the funds are utilized correctly. Rob mentioned to me they will be keeping a ledger of all costs, so that when the smoke clears, 'excess' funds will be given to several charities that are specified as options when riders register. You pick which one you want the 'overflow' funds to go to, from your registration cost. Make sense? The dealership has already paid for the Guinness World upfront initial expenses (more than one would expect). There are incurring ongoing expenses that tie to that as well. Additionally, the building that will be utilized for the lunch, etc is a cost. At the 'end of the day', they will tally up all funds received, the overall expenses and the dollar amounts that go to specified charities. Public Info. When was the last time you heard something like that? Me.. myself. .. I .... never. For any event like this I've been involved in. ANY bike event. Pure Transparency.
Last night Rob shared with me two options. This is exactly what showed up on my cell phone:
"We will have 2 options on our website soon ( gregorypolaris.com) Option 1 for driver will include an event T-shirt, 34oz glass mug, 20oz coffee cup, event poker chip, event patch, admission to ride the world breaking event, and lunch for a cost of 125.00 per bike and the driver Option 2 for a driver is admission to ride the event and lunch for a cost of 75.00 per bike and the driver. Option 1 for passenger will include everything in option 1 for the driver at a cost of 60.00 Option 2 for passenger will include the ride and lunch for 25.00"
Me, I'm all in for Option 1! That's a no brainer to me. Go back and reread the size of that mug (34oz Beer mug!). The size of that coffee mug (makes all mine look small!). Still, some folks may not want to drop that kind of cash so they have a $75.00 option (and the extra cost for the rider if they are 2 up). But, when I mentioned this to several people.... there was a pause on the phone. Crickets. Okay, lets be honest .. not everyone wants to drop a wad of cash for a ride like this. I texted that to Rob this morning and it was on his cell phone waiting for him when he woke up. I got a call from him not 10 minutes ago as I was typing this up. There will now be an Option 3; approximately $45 just for the ride. Now, some of you are thinking .. "what !!?! $45 for the ride?" I get it, I get it.. Except, I also know why that amount. Rob shared with me the cost of bringing in the Official Guinness dude. Registering all this with Guinness. The room and board costs of it all. If you based this on a specific qty of riders (you have to come up with a perceived potential qty of registrants to figure up registration costs) and multiply that by 45.. guess what ... the dealer recoups his costs. He's not here to make a profit. Simple as that. So, $45 (approx) for those that want to participate. Now, if you choose Option 3 don't go asking folks where they got that hot coffee. Or where they got that cold water. Or what we had for lunch. Or why our wives got to use the nice bathroom facilities in the air conditioned building we gathered for lunch in. Still, THREE options covers the base for anyone .. ANYONE ... riding in. Nothings free in life; this event has costs that need to be covered. Okay .. enough about that! No matter which option you choose, we'll have a great weekend of riding, good times .. and .. bragging rights for breaking the record. And we will, break it . We will set the bar high!
Costs: let me break it out a lil' cleaner here
Option 1: Swag will include an event T-shirt, 34oz glass mug, 20oz coffee cup, event poker chip, event patch, admission to ride the world breaking event, and lunch for a cost of 125.00 per bike and the driver
Option 2: Admission to ride the event and lunch for a cost of 75.00 per bike and the driver.
Option 3: Ride the event ONLY: $45 per bike and the driver
Rolling 2 up for the ride?
Option 1 for passenger will include everything in option 1 for the driver at a cost of 60.00
Option 2 for passenger will include the ride and lunch for 25.00
Option 3: for passenger: $5
That's the latest info I have. We've got 9 months to go so few things might change up as we get closer but this is what we have to go on today. There is a lot of planning that goes on here. They've spent months working it behind the scenes to get to where it is now. It'll take a large group of volunteers to pull it off as well. That all being said, I'm looking forward to this. Looking forward to seeing a lot of my friends local to Hot Springs and from around the country rolling in. Looking forward to riding Hwy 7. Maybe scoot over to the Oauchita mountains on the west side. You know , the Pig Trail isn't that far North if someone wanted to roll up that far. Or stop short and hit Mount Magazine, tallest point in AR. The dealership promoting this is not located in Hot Springs, but they are just to the East an hour away, via back roads for those that want to visit it.
Nine months to go ................. but sign up now!
Well, that set a lot of things in motion. Folks from all over are suddenly interested in doing this. In Racine last year, they gave it a shot but came up short. I discussed that : here. Now in '19, there are going to be 3 attempts that I'm aware of. First one is up in Michigan in the late Spring. I know little about that one and I'm forecasting that .. it won't beat the record. Czechoslovakia is hosting one in Europe; Indian Riders Fest. Gotta' tell you, looks cool as hell!. I'm forecasting they will best the record. That leaves the third attempt, based out of Arkansas. The Indian Motorcycle dealership based out of Little Rock, AR is hosting this one.. I believe that one will be successful, going after the new Europe record?
Why the Arkansas based ride? For several reasons. First, this is the same location time frame that a local riders group in the area convenes. Lately, they seem to bring a large group of bikes. Another group that I belong to will be bringing in a bunch of bikes.. Then the factory riders group (IMRG). No doubt you''ll see a large qty from there. Then take the advertising from all three groups that will be pushing it out there, and you'll have great advertisement. And... all the folks that will see it on Social Media via Indian Bike related groups. The major forums . And the final piece to the puzzle. The dealer. The Ownership of the dealer, is well liked and respected in this part of the country. Now, add that to the fact that the riding in this part of the country is phenomenal, the weather should be perfect for riding... you have the makings of a great weekend.
Now folks that know me well... know I'm not a huge fan of these 'record' rides; hell .. large rides at all. But as I've said before, this ride is the icing on the cake of a great weekend get together for folks, putting miles on their bikes throughout the area. Hot Springs (the rally location) is a great place itself worth the trip. And unlike the big Hot Springs Rally the every September, this one will be 'exclusively' Indian Motorcycles. I mean .. yes, you'll see other bikes in town ..but I'd bet money 98% of the bikes on the streets that weekend, are Indians. If you've never experienced that before, you're missing out. It has a cool factor
I spoke to Rob Gregory last night and this morning. He informed me of the oncoming event options. Make no mistake; this is a dealership event, paid for by the dealership, run by the dealership. I've been assured there are no other outside entities running this. This is important to me because it keeps it neutral and ensures that all the funds are utilized correctly. Rob mentioned to me they will be keeping a ledger of all costs, so that when the smoke clears, 'excess' funds will be given to several charities that are specified as options when riders register. You pick which one you want the 'overflow' funds to go to, from your registration cost. Make sense? The dealership has already paid for the Guinness World upfront initial expenses (more than one would expect). There are incurring ongoing expenses that tie to that as well. Additionally, the building that will be utilized for the lunch, etc is a cost. At the 'end of the day', they will tally up all funds received, the overall expenses and the dollar amounts that go to specified charities. Public Info. When was the last time you heard something like that? Me.. myself. .. I .... never. For any event like this I've been involved in. ANY bike event. Pure Transparency.
Last night Rob shared with me two options. This is exactly what showed up on my cell phone:
"We will have 2 options on our website soon ( gregorypolaris.com) Option 1 for driver will include an event T-shirt, 34oz glass mug, 20oz coffee cup, event poker chip, event patch, admission to ride the world breaking event, and lunch for a cost of 125.00 per bike and the driver Option 2 for a driver is admission to ride the event and lunch for a cost of 75.00 per bike and the driver. Option 1 for passenger will include everything in option 1 for the driver at a cost of 60.00 Option 2 for passenger will include the ride and lunch for 25.00"
Me, I'm all in for Option 1! That's a no brainer to me. Go back and reread the size of that mug (34oz Beer mug!). The size of that coffee mug (makes all mine look small!). Still, some folks may not want to drop that kind of cash so they have a $75.00 option (and the extra cost for the rider if they are 2 up). But, when I mentioned this to several people.... there was a pause on the phone. Crickets. Okay, lets be honest .. not everyone wants to drop a wad of cash for a ride like this. I texted that to Rob this morning and it was on his cell phone waiting for him when he woke up. I got a call from him not 10 minutes ago as I was typing this up. There will now be an Option 3; approximately $45 just for the ride. Now, some of you are thinking .. "what !!?! $45 for the ride?" I get it, I get it.. Except, I also know why that amount. Rob shared with me the cost of bringing in the Official Guinness dude. Registering all this with Guinness. The room and board costs of it all. If you based this on a specific qty of riders (you have to come up with a perceived potential qty of registrants to figure up registration costs) and multiply that by 45.. guess what ... the dealer recoups his costs. He's not here to make a profit. Simple as that. So, $45 (approx) for those that want to participate. Now, if you choose Option 3 don't go asking folks where they got that hot coffee. Or where they got that cold water. Or what we had for lunch. Or why our wives got to use the nice bathroom facilities in the air conditioned building we gathered for lunch in. Still, THREE options covers the base for anyone .. ANYONE ... riding in. Nothings free in life; this event has costs that need to be covered. Okay .. enough about that! No matter which option you choose, we'll have a great weekend of riding, good times .. and .. bragging rights for breaking the record. And we will, break it . We will set the bar high!
Costs: let me break it out a lil' cleaner here
Option 1: Swag will include an event T-shirt, 34oz glass mug, 20oz coffee cup, event poker chip, event patch, admission to ride the world breaking event, and lunch for a cost of 125.00 per bike and the driver
Option 2: Admission to ride the event and lunch for a cost of 75.00 per bike and the driver.
Option 3: Ride the event ONLY: $45 per bike and the driver
Rolling 2 up for the ride?
Option 1 for passenger will include everything in option 1 for the driver at a cost of 60.00
Option 2 for passenger will include the ride and lunch for 25.00
Option 3: for passenger: $5
That's the latest info I have. We've got 9 months to go so few things might change up as we get closer but this is what we have to go on today. There is a lot of planning that goes on here. They've spent months working it behind the scenes to get to where it is now. It'll take a large group of volunteers to pull it off as well. That all being said, I'm looking forward to this. Looking forward to seeing a lot of my friends local to Hot Springs and from around the country rolling in. Looking forward to riding Hwy 7. Maybe scoot over to the Oauchita mountains on the west side. You know , the Pig Trail isn't that far North if someone wanted to roll up that far. Or stop short and hit Mount Magazine, tallest point in AR. The dealership promoting this is not located in Hot Springs, but they are just to the East an hour away, via back roads for those that want to visit it.
Nine months to go ................. but sign up now!
Gregory's Indian 500 Registration Registration
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Comments
Folks - stuff ain't free. The real beauty is if you can't, then don't. If you can, watch from the sidelines. Spectators are as much a deal as being a participant. Did my first Patriots Ride this past summer in Minny. It was awesome seeing all the people standing, waving their hands, flags, holding signs showing their appreciation to the riders and our vets.
https://www.gregorypolaris.com/gregories-500-registration