2007 BMW RA Rally Announcement!

[Debbi Harbour]

It's my pleasure to annouce the 35th BMW RA Rally will be held June 7-10, 2007 on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina! The RA will be the first rally ever to be held on the estate grounds which will be allowed to camp and stay on the grounds. This will be a truly unique rally experience for everyone. Mark your calendars, the rally website is up and we'll try to answer your questions.

[scbmwrider]

Thanks for the announcement!!

You should spend some time looking at the other "rally" that was held there and got really bad press. It was a day admission only rally and got some bad press.

[nugentch]

How is this for irony?!? I live less that ten miles from the Biltmore Estate and will not be able to attend at least two days of the rally. I am a teacher (so I have all summer to ride) and schools in this area are still in session in early June.

[nugentch]

This also conflicts with the Airhead Rally in Ferguson, NC the same week end. It's hell living in motorcycle heaven!!!

[*SHAG*]

This also conflicts with the Airhead Rally in Ferguson, NC the same week end. It's hell living in motorcycle heaven!!!

Also, Like Jim Schuyler pointed out. Americade is the same week, weekend.

[beemerphile1]

It's my pleasure to annouce the 35th BMW RA Rally will be held June 7-10, 2007 on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina!

Yea Deb! :) Thank you for all your hard work. It is much appreciated that you have a job like all of us but put in many hours working for free to benefit our RA members. I want to thank you and all the RA officers and volunters who work tirelessly and selflessly for us. Merry Christmas! I am making plans now to attend the RA 2007 at the Biltmore. :D

Tim Bard

[nugentch]

Yea Deb! :) Thank you for all your hard work. It is much appreciated that you have a job like all of us but put in many hours working for free to benefit our RA members.

I agree!! I was in no way complaining or criticizing anyone. I just found it ironic because I practically live at the front gate to Biltmore. The main problem we have living in this area is deciding which of the gazillion fantastic roads to ride. But then, that is a wonderful problem to have!:D

[scbmwrider]

Thanks to all who have done the work to find a great rally site. It seems that no matter when a large event like this is planned there is no way to avoid schedule conflicts.

Great dates, Great location!

One thing to keep in mind that not far from the rally site, about 2,000 ft in elevation, are 6,000 ft mountains. Spring does not really show itself in the high mountains until late June. One of my favorite spring things to do is go to Gregory Bald around fathers day to see the wild azaleas bloom.

So bring some warm cloths!;)

[Visian]

Great news about this rally.

Is there going to be a rides thread? I have a ride sheet that I prepped back in 1996 when the MOA was in Morganton that lists a number of good roads in the area.

Ian

[scbmwrider]

Great news about this rally.

Is there going to be a rides thread? I have a ride sheet that I prepped back in 1996 when the MOA was in Morganton that lists a number of good roads in the area.

Ian

I'm sure that there should be some. I am working on some ideas but probably won't really get serious about posting them until I have a chance to recon the roads in the spring. I have also been working on a set of waypoints for gps's of interesting things in the area.

More to come:D

[osbornk]

I attended several Honda Hoot there and think it is a great place. The Hoot went from a nice quiet Goldwing crowd to a loud piped Harley Clone crowd that disrupted the peaceful nature of the area. It was also downtown and tied up traffic. As I recall, I went to the Hoot the last year it was in Asheville and the new mayor was not a motorcycle fan and worked to get rid of both the Hoot and the Shriners.

I think they will appreciate our smaller and quieter rally.

[nugentch]

[QUOTE=osbornk;204]As I recall, I went to the Hoot the last year it was in Asheville and the new mayor was not a motorcycle fan and worked to get rid of both the Hoot and the Shriners.
QUOTE]

I remember that. If I remember right, the cops were instructed to give parking tickets at the maximum rate. The next year the rally was moved to Knoxville.

When coming to Asheville one must remember that it is known as the San Francisco of the East. VERY liberal, VERY hippy. You can literally smell people under 25 :( Also that girl you invite back to your tent may not be a girl after all. :confused:

Good points. Not a bad road within 300 miles. Also, the town has about 5 microbreweries and they are very well supported by the locals. I am a beer lover and I have to say Asheville has the best beer in the U.S. Not a bad road or beer around these parts, not a bad place to live, eh? :cool:

[MarkF]

When coming to Asheville one must remember that it is known as the San Francisco of the East. VERY liberal, VERY hippy. You can literally smell people under 25 :( Also that girl you invite back to your tent may not be a girl after all. :confused:

Good points. Not a bad road within 300 miles. Also, the town has about 5 microbreweries and they are very well supported by the locals. I am a beer lover and I have to say Asheville has the best beer in the U.S. Not a bad road or beer around these parts, not a bad place to live, eh? :cool:

Sounds interesting...

I hope they have a shuttlebus or local kegs in the beer garden.

If the entertainment is anything like TN in 2005 it will be fun!

[cabnfvr]

...... the 35th BMW RA Rally will be held June 7-10, 2007 on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina! .......Kewl. A backyard rally. Theirs and ours! We look forward to being there! It's going to be a great weekend!

[Pillion]

It's my pleasure to annouce the 35th BMW RA Rally will be held June 7-10, 2007 on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina! .......More curvy roads around here than you can shake a stick at. (http://www.smokeymountainrides.com/rides.html)

http://www.i-bmw.com/gallery/data/558/medium/US74a.JPG

[scbmwrider]

More curvy roads around here than you can shake a stick at. (http://www.smokeymountainrides.com/rides.html)

http://www.i-bmw.com/gallery/data/558/medium/US74a.JPG

Great pic 276???

[c_liner]

Looks more like route US74 Alt between Asheville and Lake lure.

[scbmwrider]

Looks more like route US74 Alt between Asheville and Lake lure.

I think it's close to Caesars Head on 276 could be 74....oh such problems to have.....so many roads so little time :D

[Pillion]

Great pic 276???
US 74A between Bat Cave & Fairview, just above Gerton, up the road from Chimney Rock.

[scbmwrider]

US 74A between Bat Cave & Fairview, just above Gerton, up the road from Chimney Rock.

Give C-Liner the prize. The last time we were on that part of 74 we followed a semi and about 80 cars :( NOT FUN!

Great road though

[bmwloco]

O.k... I'm local. I've owned 31 BMWs, I'm down to two, and the RA Rally is going to be in my backyard. I'm also a dedicated Airhead.

First thing: the Wing Rally ended in Asheville because of two things: 1) Gold Wings clogged the roads of Downtown Asheville 2) Wing Riders are cheap. They bought nothing and took up all the parking spaces.

As a result, the City Council and Mayor said "hey, if it goes to Tennessee, fine". Good riddance. If I want to see chubby people on big motorcycles with stuffed toy animals lashed on, I'll go to a Wing Rally.

Things you should know before you come:

1) Asheville used to be pretty cool. Now it's full of "Money from Other Places". Like Boulder, Moab, Bozeman and other good places, it's in the process of being "loved to death".

2) Take no notice of the mountains that have been cleared to build McMansions.

3) I-26, the Interstate running roughly north and south, is deadly. There is no run off room, traffic moves fast, uniform, and over badly worn roadway and the lanes are narrow. Expect heavy traffic between Asheville and Hendersonville. Be particularly careful if heading into town on I-240. The West Asheville Bridge is the only way to transition through Asheville heading North or South. It requires a 4 lane lane change into one single lane and a hard left hand turn. Locals fly. Those that do not know slow down, and then it gets really fun.

4) Expect to see dirty clothed hippies in the same place you see wretched American excess and trendy bars/galleries/clothing. The people that made Asheville the interesting and eclectic place it was are being "disappeared" by people with lots of money. Condos downtown start at $300,000. Be sure to not park where Escalades and Hummers can't turn "right". Your bike may well be hit.

5) There are good bars. Most are not on the main drag of town.

I'll add more later. Ask any question. I'll shoot straight.
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[AntonLargiader]

Asheville used to be pretty cool. Now it's full of "Money from Other Places". Like Boulder, Moab, Bozeman and other good places, it's in the process of being "loved to death".
...and Charlottesville...

Take no notice of the mountains that have been cleared to build McMansions.
Talking about up around Woodfin and north of there? Yeah.

I don't find I-26 to be so bad (as interstates go). The worst in the area seems to be I-40, and the pavement really sucks westbound between Hickory and Statesville. I came home yesterday on I-26, heading north, and it was a great drive. Pavement seemed fine to me. Don't know much about the southern part, though.

[scbmwrider]

...I came home yesterday on I-26, heading north, and it was a great drive. Pavement seemed fine to me. Don't know much about the southern part, though.

The pavement on I 26 between Hendersonville and Asheville really sucks. And the traffic is also kind of heavy.

North of Asheville it's a fairly new road.

Can't wait for spring to recon the good roads around the area.:D

[bmwloco]

You should see it now. The roads north of Asheville are devoid of vegetation. The MacMansions are naked. It's ugly.

[scbmwrider]

You should see it now. The roads north of Asheville are devoid of vegetation. The MacMansions are naked. It's ugly.

That's one of the reasons that we tend to keep south-west of Asheville. As long as you spend as little time on 64 and the Davidson river side of 276 as possible in RV season very nice roads!

[bmwloco]

This was posted on the WNC Riders list mail board. If you're coming to the BMW RA Rally, ride and be aware!

Posted by TN Highway Patrol Officer Cagle on his myspace page

"EVERYONE WHO GOES TO DEALS GAP------PLEASE READ THIS-----I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU ALL OUT"

"Hey, just to give you a heads up for next season. We have a new
captain in the Knoxville District which covers Blount County. He has already told us that we will put a stop to the "race track driving" up on the dragon this year. So far what they have said is that the speed limit is 30mph and "ANYONE" caught going 50mph and up will be charged with reckless driving and will be jailed and their bike/car will be impounded

I am telling you this because i am trying to put the word out to everyone I
know, or to people who know people that go up there. I don't want to
have to take people to jail for this, however I have bills to pay and I kind of like having a job, so never the less I have to do what i am told to do. So the way i see it is that.

If killboy.com knows and you know and dealsgap.com knows and whoever
else can find out can pass this along, it will benefit
everybody. Feel free to copy and pass this to let everyone
know. If you get caught up there it is only your fault
because i am trying to pass the word along for everybody's sake.

We are not just going to come up from the bottom like in years
past. They are gonna have us go through Cherohala Skyway in North
Carolina and come from the top down to the bottom, so no more
free rides on your way back to the state line.

They are gonna bring unmarked cars with radio's and have unmarked bikes up there. This will be a joint effort with Blount County and the
Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The entire THP motor unit will be brought in 2 people at a
time(for a week long assignment) to be paired up with the local
car. They plan on busting tail at least 3-4 times right off the
bat, then they will sit back and see what takes place. These orders
came from Nashville Headquarters.

We have a complete brand new higher ranking structure from the very tip top spot down. They have said we will work until the problem is solved just
wanted to give you and your friends a heads up

SIGNED

Trooper Cagle with THP assigned to Blount County Division
(don't come crying to me if you get busted----cause I'm telling you now)


So... watch your tail if your riding Deals Gap or the immediate area. The Blue Ridge Parkway is also a 45 mph only zone. The Porsche Club came up a couple years ago and really showed their asses. With that, the National Park Service said enough is enough. If you're stopped for speeding, it's $500. Second time, $1000. You'll stand before a Federal Judge too.

No fun, so if you want to hoon around, don't go to the expected places.

Ride safe, ride far,

Dean aka BMWloco :cool:

[gigantor]

Hey,

Do we have any intel on the camping facilities? My biggest question would be centered around shade - is there any? :cool:

Will there be any indoor showers and bathrooms or will it all be trucked in? :D

I'm really looking forward to this rally. Ok, sure, it's single digits here in NY and my electric heating isn't working so I've been grounded for two weeks as I try and sort it out. But I think it's more than that. I had a pretty good time at Shelbyville. I didn't have as good a time in Vermont last year but that was prolly my fault - spent too much time volunteering w/ Bob & Naomi w/ the vintage bikes. Anyway, time to start dreaming.

[dalemyersmacon]

New Member here and a big hello to all who love to move about on two wheels!
I am looking forawad to the Rally at the Biltmore. This shoud be a great event! I've been many times and have always enjoyed my visits. So, see you in June!
Dale in Macon, Ga.

[bmwloco]

I found out the post I put up by the "TN Trooper" is bogus.

Sorry.

But the 'jest of it is real. Speeding on the Parkway or anywhere near Deals Gap is a bad idea.

Have a good time, enjoy the roads, and try your best not to get hit by the many denizens of Asheville who have recently moved here and brought their "we do it this way at home" driving skills with them.

In other words, ride like everyone wants to kill you and you'll have a good time.

[osbornk]

In other words, ride like everyone wants to kill you and you'll have a good time.

Exactly! Ride paranoid as I have for 40+ years. Keep in mind that Asheville has attracted many retirees who don't see as well, can't judge distance as well as they could when younger and aren't used to the large number of motorcycles.

[bmwloco]

I'm in my 27th year of riding, happily on BMWs for 25 of 'em. :eek:

More AsheVegas tips: if you ride downtown, the parking garage on Wall Street and Rankin are pretty motorcycle friendly. Wall Street in particular.

As you ride towards the gate take an immediate right. All but the fattest tired motorcycles can wheel into a "dead zone" where no traffic will pass, but where you motorcycle will be safe.

You get two things: free parking and safe parking. All within an easy walk of all of what Downtown AsheVegas has to offer.

Good eats:

Breakfast and dinner, Early Girl on Wall Street.

Burritos and Tex Mex: Rio Burrito on North Biltmore Avenue and Mamacitas on South Biltmore. Mamacitas has off street parking. Think of it as a Mexican Subway. Ample portions, anything you want, with beer and Margaritas in a slushie machine.

Good bars: One secret favorite I'll only take my friends. Jack of the Wood for real pub food and good tap beer. Barley's Tap Room for LOUD, but pretty good pizza and a wall of beers on tap, even more upstairs for the smoke crowd. Farther North on Merrimon Avenue is Asheville Pizza a Brew & View place. Beer made on premises, good pizza, hippies and drunks. The also have a way cool place on Coxe Avenue, great motorcycle parking, outdoor beer under a huge roof, and old surfer movies.

More as I think about it. Ask if you have a questions.

[AntonLargiader]

You might want to start threads for your local info, or else put them in a different place. Your info will just just get lost if you keep posting in the rally announcement threads.