July 2017 BMW MOA Rally – Salt Lake City

[Karl Wagner]

FYI, SCBMWRC has secured commitment for our own group camping area for this years MOA Rally in Salt Lake City. Over the next 5 months you are going to hear more and more about this rally, because several of us are very excited about going this year. Whether you like rubbing shoulders with over 6,000 other BMW riding people, doing an extended club ride with you South Coaster buddies, seeing all the vendors, deals, seminars, deals, attending the social events, deals, or just want an excuse to ride amazing roads between here and there and back another way!

Make your vacation plans now, attend the May 49er rally to get a small taste of rally life, and come camp or hotel as you like, but we highly recommend you come this year!!

As we get closer to the event we will be formalizing number of attendees, campers, etc. It’s going to be a great riding year!!

PS Did I mention there was AMAZING deals on all kinds of stuff for your BMW and you riding life…

Attachments:

1. 

   MOA-Rally-Image.jpg
   

Topic

[Bikram]

Hi Karl,
Did we secure any group rate for hotels and number of rooms?

[Bikram]

I was able to reserve 1 King at Radisson Hotel SLC – Airport. Used BMW MOA group rate for $109/night + taxes. 801-364-5800. No breakfast. Cancel 4PM before day of arrival.

Anyone find anything better or where most are staying, please advise.

[Karl Wagner]

Update on the group Rally Camping.

I confirmed with the rally Chartered Camping Chairman that the South Coasters are registered for a Group Area. This means that there will be a dedicated area, within the bigger camping area, which we can all be adjacent to each other.

From my experience at both the 49’er Rally and the last MOA rally, it is SO much more better to be adjacent to the rally events and launching point for any rally activity.

As we get closer to the event I will be getting an updated list of who is camping to proved the rally chairman.

Karl

PS Please look to the rally website for hotel suggestions, any group rates, etc. Thanks

[Bikram]

Karl, you are correct. It is more fun when you are in the midst of rally and camping. Carry your beer mug anywhere. When you have enough no more drinking and driving just retreat to your campsite. Funny, parties still continue at the campsite. This fun is not there when you are hoteling.

[Bikram]

Karl, you are correct. It is more fun when you are in the midst of rally and camping. Carry your beer mug anywhere. When you have enough no more drinking and driving just retreat to your campsite. Funny, parties still continue at the campsite. This fun is not there when you are hoteling.

[Mike Romo]

I want to put my name on the list for the rally. I will be camping, so save me a spot.
Will anybody be planning on riding there on Wednesday?
I’ll plan on buying my spot this week.

[Karl Wagner]

Hi Mike,

I may be doing a long day out Wednesday, spill over to Thursday morning if needed. Is that what you are thinking?

Very soon we will start more detailed planning, likely starting at the club meetings and her on the website. Good to hear you are going!

Karl

[Chris Roady]

I like to make a couple week ride out of rally trips. Since I need to get home quickly after the rally for a trip to Chicago with the Mrs, my tentative plan is to spend a week+ prior to the rally riding surrounding states … primary focus wil be Colorado. Mix of camping/hoteling and often ride alone, but if the itenerary works for others my welcome mat is out 👍🏻

[David Eastly]

I’ll be going, with Nicole possibly flying in to SLC. Camping at the rally, of course. I’d be up for taking the long way there and back too – possibly Moab?

[Bikram]

2 days to get there (790 miles) stopping at the Salt Flats. 1 day for the return (690 miles). Leaving on Tuesday July 11th at 8:30 AM, and returning on Saturday July 15th, get home at 5 PM.

Haven’t been to Moab before, possibility exist, resulting return on Sunday. Still haven’t lost work vacation day 🙂

[Jessie Vaca]

I have a hotel room reserved at Homewood Suites near the fairgrounds if anyone is interested in sharing a room. Let me know

[Karl Wagner]

Sharon and I will be leaving Saturday morning July 8, 2017, first night in St. George Utah. Want to start the second day with revisiting Zion in the morning (not dirt roads this time!), maybee cross paths with Mark and Cindy in Zion that morning if our plans align. The we will be heading North to include the highly recommended hwy 12 and hwy 24. We will likely arrive in SLC late Tuesday, stops and routes still being planned, but generally staying East of the 15 in the UT mountains and valley’s up to SLC.

If you are camping at the rally site you can arrive Thursday July 13, 2107 registration begins in the morning, ask for the Chartered Club camping area and then the South Coast BMW Rider Club, or just look for the banner and listen for the Jimmy Buffet music!

Here is who I understand are attending, just to coordinate at the rally and if you want to coordinate rides or other, let us know of any additions or deletions:

– Camping
The Honorable John Crittenden
Karl and Sharon Wagner
Rick Catarineau
Lisa Catarineau
Mike Romo
Chris Roady
David & Nicole Eastly
Mark & Cindy Borgeson
Vernon
Vernon Friend
Roberto Giraldes
Chuck Waychoff
Steve Hughson

– Hotel
Bikram Mann
David Omlar
Jesse Vaca

Looks like we have 15 bikes and 18 South Coasters going to the rally, good SCBMWRC showing!

See you in SLC!!

[John Crittenden]

Hey, Hey, Hey, what about me? I’ll be camping at the Rally also.

[Karl Wagner]

OOPPPPSS! Sorry John….corrected above! Now we have an even Dozen!

[Karl Wagner]

Rally Info you might find interesting:

Vendor List: http://www.bmwmoa.org/page/rally_vendors

Daily Activity Schedule: attached

Attachments:

1. Rally17_DailyActivitySched.pdf

[John Crittenden]

Thanks a lot, Karl. Now I’ll have to bring more money.

[Roberto Giraldes]

Karl, could you please include my name on the camping list?

[Karl Wagner]

Absolutely Roberto!! Great to hear you are going to the Rally!!
K

[Roberto Giraldes]

Thank you Karl!

[John Crittenden]

This is my proposed route to the Rally, via St. George, Ut 9, 12, 89, etc. We rode 12 many moons ago, and looking forward to the repeat!

Attachments:

1. Chino-Hills-to-MOA-Rally.gpx
2. To-MOA-Rally.pdf

[Karl Wagner]

What day are you leaving John?

[Richard Catarineau]

Karl – that rally schedule is off. Where did it come from?
First of all, 7/12 is a Wed, not Tues.
Secondly, the MOA web site says: The Rally opens Thursday, July 13th, at 8:00 am, and ends Sunday, July 16th, at noon.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/page/rallyfaq

[John Crittenden]

Haven’t figured out date yet, but, likely Tuesday, and take a couple days to get there.

[Karl Wagner]

The rally schedule comes from the rally site directly as of two days ago. You are correct, the dates appear to be incorrect. I believe the activities are correct for the day of the week as Wed the volunteers setting up and volunteering throughout the rally will be there. If anyone wants to volunteer, sign up at the rally website, and come on up Wednesday! Sharon and I are volunteering Thursday for registration, so we will be there Wednesday to set up our site and secure the club area.

[Karl Wagner]

Picked up the corrected schedule of events from the MOA rally site:

Attachments:

1. Rally17_DailyActivitySched-2.pdf

[Richard Catarineau]

Thanks Karl for the schedule. So the bottom line is still show up Thursday unless you are a volunteer. Tempting…

[Karl Wagner]

Yes, worth the four hour commitment if you are going to be in town early! Seems like it with the Wednesday band and one more night at the rally site it was worth it to us!

We are heading out Saturday morning also on our route home, so the early start helps make it worth it.

Karl

[Chuck Waychoff]

Karl – Please add me to the rally camping list as well. Thanks!

[Steve Hughson]

HI Karl,
Please add me (Steve Hughson) to your camping list as well. I will be traveling up with Chuck Waychoff. Thank you.

[Richard Catarineau]

I added “MOA Camping” to the Ride List so we can see you is camping at the MOA rally.

[Karl Wagner]

Updated the list Steve and Chuck, ups the count to 15 bikes and 18 South Coasters attending the MOA Rally in SLC!

[Bikram]

Has anyone been to Bonneville Salt Flats, I haven’t and interest to see how long it takes to go around and see it.

Looking into options, stay at Wendover or go straight to SLC and make a quick visit from rally and go back to SLC?

[Karl Wagner]

Bikram,

Chris Road has been there I believe, may want to ask on our FB page.

K

[Chris Roady]

Bikram, I did a trip through the area last July on my way back from a ride up to Canada. The Flats are only a few hours away from SLC as I recall.

As soon as I got to the point where the pavement ends and the salt begins a couple of vehicles pulled onto the pavement and were COVERED with salt … in the wheel wells, on the sides of the paint, etc. I decided then and there that I wasn’t getting all that salt on my bike. I made a speed run on the pavement that runs along a portion of the Flats, visited the little store and went to SLC. I’m glad I went, but would think twice about exposing your bike to all that salt so far from a quick deep clean.

Attachments:

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[Bikram]

Thanks Chris for your valuable input. I don’t particularly have much desire to expose my Marino Blue RTW to salt.

[John Crittenden]

This will not match Mark B’s epic ride, but for me, this will be “epic” —–3000 miles to SLC, Portland, then down the northern Coast of CA. Looking at 12-14 days total, including a couple days at the Rally, and a couple days in Portland visiting my daughter and family. Will be a great summer of riding for many of us!

Attachments:

1. To-MOA-Rally-1.pdf
2. SLC-to-Portland.pdf
3. Portland-to-Home.pdf

[Karl Wagner]

Looks Great John! Going to be a fun trip!!

[Chris Roady]

With the wicked weather we’ve been experiencing, I am going to follow John’s lead and keep my ride more West Coast based … just doesn’t seem like a good time to spend the numerous days in AZ & NM. New route pending.

[Karl Wagner]

Tough to pass up the UT route we have been looking at, but please share your route Chris and others going up CA, OR, ID, UT. Will keep an eye on the heat over the next two weeks.

[Mark Borgeson]

Nice trip John!

[Mike Romo]

John where will you and Beth be overnighting?
Well you be arriving Wednesday in SLC and volunteering?
Or arriving at the Rally on Thursday?
Maybe I’m out of the loop, but it seems like most are holding their cards close.
I need to know if I’m volunteering or reserving a room or a KOA.

[Chris Roady]

I’m still going to leave the OC on Thursday morning, 7/6. As far as route, I will revert to my old stand-by of looking at the Butler map in the morning over coffee & breakfast each day to figure it out. No real criteria other than rolling into SLC on 7/13 and getting home by 7/20 +/-

I’m going to try and camp more than my usual goal of 50% camping / 50% hoteling on this trip.

[Mark Borgeson]

I’m headed out Thursday afternoon, 7/6. So far It’s myself, my wife, and David Omlor. Everyone’s welcome to join us all or part of the way.

We’re taking 7 days to get to the Rally. Visiting Zion, Bryce, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, North Rim of Grand Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, and Dinosaur National Monument. We’re staying in hotels for 1 night in Las Vegas, 3 nights at Mt. Carmel, 2 nights in Moab, and 1 night in Salt Lake City. Attached are the complete details if interested.

Attachments:

1. 2017-MOA-rally.pdf

[John Crittenden]

To answer Mike’s question, this is a solo trip, as way too much riding for Beth. At this time, I have a motel booked in St. George for Wednesday night. Then, ride Thursday to get to SLC by the early evening. My longer riding will be of course after the Rally. Roberto is going with me, probably Brandon, and Rick & Lisa still deciding. So, pick and choose!

[Mark Borgeson]

I’ve never been to a rally before. I’m camping. Do people bring their own meals? Are there food vendors on sight?

[Jessie Vaca]

Mark it is you choice but there will be food vendors and most importantly beer vendors!

[Jessie Vaca]

I will be leaving the IE early on the 12th,I however have gotten an invite to stay at the Pestor Palace so I’m cancelling my hotel room

[John Crittenden]

Slight change of plans—–Rick, Lisa, and I will be trekking to Cedar City on Wednesday the 12th, and taking a shorter, although off I-15, route to the Rally. As much as I would like to do the original route through Zion, Bryce, etc., we want to make it to the Rally at a reasonable hour to set up.

Following the Rally, we will then head to Oregon, as originally planned, although Rick and Lisa will break off about 2/3 of the way to go to the California coast, while I continue to Portland.

I believe Roberto and possibly Brandon will also be riding with us to the Rally, and if anyone else wants to join, let me know, and make a reservation for Wednesday night in or near Cedar City (Rick and Lisa).

Here is the route from Cedar City to the Rally:

Attachments:

1. Cedar-City-to-Fairpark.pdf
2. 2-Cedar-City-to-Rally.trf

[Chuck Waychoff]

I am planning to leave South County for the rally early on Tuesday July 11. I am looking for somebody that wants to join me for the ride up. (The person that was going to ride with me has a major issue with his bike and it will down for a few weeks at the dealer and thus cannot make the rally) Planning to hit Zion, Cedar Breaks, and Bryce on the way up. Planning to arrive at the rally mid-day or so Thursday where I will be camping.

[Karl Wagner]

Chuck,

I am not aware of anyone leaving Tuesday, however I believe John Crittenden is leaving Wednesday and David Eastly is leaving Monday. May want to check with them if no one else responds.

Karl

[Mark Borgeson]

There’s a mobile app for the rally with maps, schedules, etc. It’s a little hard to find. Search for “Crossroads 17” on the app store.

[Chuck Waychoff]

Thank you Karl. See you at the rally.

[Karl Wagner]

We are one week out from the Rally, I hope everyone who is attending plan is going well!

From the scuttlebut I hear the following departure dates and groups are riding together somewhat.

Thursday July 6, 2017 – Chris R, North through CA, OR, then East to SLC, arrival Thursday
Friday July 7, 2017 – Mark & Cindy B, David O, North through UT, then to SLC, Arrival Thursday
Saturday July 8, 2017 – Karl & Sharon W, North through UT, then to SLC, arrival Tuesday
Monday July 10, 2017 – David E, North through CA, OR then East to SLC, arrival Thursday
Tuesday July 11, 2017 – John C, Rick & Lisa C, Mike Romo, Roberto Giraldes, North through UT, then to SLC, arrival Thursday
Wednesday July 12, 2017 – Jesse Vaca, North through UT, then to SLC, arrival Thursday

I had not heard when the following were traveling or route:
Vernon
Vernon Friend
Chuck Waychoff
Steve Hughson
Bikram Mann

I thought this might be informative if anyone would like to do further coordination, looks like we have tha variety of departure dates. Contact information is in the Member Directory, email, and Ride List, phone.

[Chris Roady]

Gonna be warm in SLC, I would imagine that is on many of your minds as well. Karl, David E and I have been talking about how nice it would be to have some shade in our group campsite. I have found a cheap 10’x20′ carport type shade on Amazon for a little less than $100. I am going to order one from the road on Monday for 2 day delivery to the campsite on Wednesday. It should be a nice addition to our club campsite! Thought those going would like to know there will be some shade if everything goes as planned.

[Bikram]

Made some changes to my itinerary.
Sunday, July 9th to Mt. Carmel, UT to meet Mark, Cindy and David, then I will go along with them to Moab, UT
Arriving SLC on Wednesday, July 12th. Currently still have my Holiday Inn Express booked.

As a result, I will not be going to the Club Picnic.

[Mark Borgeson]

That’s awesome Chris! I’ll pitch in for the canopy… or should I order a second one?

[Chris Roady]

Thanks Mark! I know Karl and Dave are in also, so it should end up being very reasonable! I’m thinking one should be enough!

[Karl Wagner]

One canopy that size should be enough, unless you want your tent under one! It will be great if the campers chip in, or you may get put out in the sun! 🙂

Several other camp items I might look into at the local Wallmart would be:

– camp ice chest to share
– some type of table
– other??

I asked the rally orgainizers if they would let a local charity know there would be an opportunity to pick up used camping items at the rally on Sunday. They were checking into it, hope they do. It would be win-win.

If not, I have some friends in the area that might be able to pick it up and donate it.

[Karl Wagner]

Great to hear Bikram! Should be good fun group!

K

[Mark Borgeson]

Karl – I do like my personal space but I guess I’ll share a canopy 😉
I’ll provide the camp ice chest. I’m using a big ice chest for my shipping container for my camping gear to\from SLC.

[Karl Wagner]

Thats great Mark, good thinking!

I knew you would be good to chip in for the canopy…….you somewhat of a Shady guy! :0

Yes, I know really bad!

K

[David Eastly]

I’m really looking forward to the Rally and the wandering to and from!
My latest plan is to leave EARLY Sunday and slab it up to St George. Monday through Zion to Escalante on the 12. Stay with friends Tuesday, rally Wednesday, Nicole flies in Thursday, yada yada. My route home is TBD, arriving in Long Beach by Wednesday evening.

D

[Bikram]

My journey to SLC begins Sunday morning passing through many beautiful places. The link will become active tomorrow when I leave.

[Mike Romo]

John Crittenden, just verifying, you are leaving Wednesday morning,
correct? Have you determined a meeting point yet? I’m really looking forward to this rally, sounds crazy but I’m going to enjoy the downtime.

[Richard Catarineau]

Mike – it’s KSU 9 AM from the Starbucks on 395 and the 18 (Adelanto). So far it’s Rick, Lisa and John. Wed night we’re staying at the Motel 6 in Cedar City.

[Richard Catarineau]

Karl, if you’re still taking suggestions for Walmart, I’d love an inflatable pool.

[Mike Romo]

Thanks Rick, I’m meeting John in Chino Hills.
Mike Romo

[Bikram]

Checked-in into Salt Lake City hotel. See ya all tomorrow at the Rally.

[Bikram]

Left SLC today in the morning and reached home safely in the afternoon. Wishing rally goers a very safe ride back home. Las Vegas was averaging 116, while Baker peeked at 120.2 and Utah in the morning was very cool to about 9:30 – 10 am where I had to remove the my liquid-cooled jacket and put on gerbings for an hour then temp started to rise to on average 104.

[Bill Reitz]

You’re still an Iron Butt Rider huh Bikram ?? Glad you made it home safe and look forward to hearing stories of all the goodies you just HAD to have !!

[Richard Catarineau]

Finally got my MOA Rally pictures up on the site. Some nice ones there of John Crittenden, Mike Romo and the rest of the South Coasters that braved the hot Salt Lake City heat.

MOA Rally Photos (and more)

[John Crittenden]

Great pics, Rick.

Also, if any attendee wants to write up an account of their Rally or pre- or post- Rally riding, that would be welcome for the next (September) newsletter.

[Author]

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