"skuuterpinions" of the ANNUAL REUNION 6 and Room for Yours...

[skuuter]

OK Folks, I'm gonna' give my honest "skuuterpinions" (opinions... about this year's TRIKE TALK/TOI ANNUAL REUNION 6 in Eureka Springs. Anyone else wanting to post Their opinions here, please feel free to do so....Feedback is ALWAYS a good thing. Please, only give Your opinions if You actually attended the RALLY though....THANKS.....

HOTEL: This Hotel served Our needs much, much better than any of the previous Hotels in Maggie Valley. Reasons: Onsite Restaurant with reasonable prices and really good food. Members could eat 3 meals per day there if They chose to. Large Meeting Rooms on multiple levels (Bingo was downstairs, Meal was upstairs). Large Lobby easily capable of handling lots of Members flowing in to register in nice A/C instead of outside on a sidewalk. Large Parking Lot capable of holding the Trikes and Motorcycles, along with Trucks, Trailers, Cars, and "Miatas".... Nice, Clean Rooms and Facilities. Very Friendly, Competent Staff, eager to please.

They even delivered Lunch to Those of Us working Registration.

You could pull out onto Hwy 62 and go either direction to leave Town or visit Town Eateries, Shops, etc.



Eureka Springs, Arkansas: Fantastic, Beautiful Town. More Eating Places, Shops, Bars, and Entertainment than Maggie Valley. Hwy 62 (Main Drag through Town), takes You to several Fantastic Riding Roads, 21, 187, 16, etc., etc., and over to several Larger Towns if you need some "City Time" while there. Hwy 23 takes You into the "Old Downtown" and Beaver, Arkansas (If You missed Beaver and the Suspension Bridge this time, make sure to visit Them next time), with the other end of 23 taking You to the Pig Trail, and many, many other twisty, scenic roads in the Area. The City itself, including the Mayor (Big Mo, that led us through the Old Downtown, and attended Our Dinner), and the Police Chief (Both are avid Motorcycle Riders)really Love and roll out the Welcome Mat for Motorcycles. This is a really large plus. Prices of Food, etc. is very reasonable at "MOST" Eateries in Town.

There is a Really, Large, Well Stocked Full Service Grocery Store there also (HARTS). Weather is Warm/Hot, but lots of Shady Trees through Town.

Clean, with Old Restored Businesses and Homes.

The Roads: Some Really Fantastic Riding...Scenic, Twisty, and Low Traffic. Mitzie and I rode Very Twisty, and Scenic Hwys 16 and 21 for miles and hours and saw a total of 7 vehicles one day.

Rivers and Lakes...Beautiful...!!! Really good asphalt on most of the roads we have been on. We've also enjoyed some really nice gravel roads in places (I know, not fun to Everyone, but I tend to like em'). Lots of various Historic Sites scattered around on the Roads also, along with an Elk Herd. Great Fishing in the Area too if You decide to bring Your Tackle.

The Area: Fantastic...Very Scenic, with Mountains, Rolling Hills, Beautiful Valleys, Streams and Lakes in all directions.

Lots of Other Small, Beautiful Towns (Kingston and Beaver come to mind) in short ride distance of Eureka Springs.

Fairly Central Location for more Members living elsewhere in the USA than Maggie Valley.

Do, I consider the RALLY a Success, no, I consider It a HUGE SUCCESS......Am I glad It's returning There next year...YES, ABSOLUTELY... We drew Many, Many More New Members with This Location than in Maggie Valley, a Goal that was exceeded, not just met.

Do I wish it was as close to me in Travel Time and Distance as Maggie Valley, of course, in the same selfish way that most of our Other Members on "That Side" of the USA wish it. I know the Roads around Maggie Valley as well as my Home Roads, and can be there in 5 hours, it takes 12 hours for me to get to Eureka Springs....."BUT".....I actually, honestly, enjoyed the RALLY in Eureka Springs more though, and am extremely eager to return.

"Distance from Estill Springs, Tennessee" is my One and Only Negative Part of the RALLY, and that goes away quickly as it's replaced by the grin on my face as I roll into Eureka Springs, Arkansas...bring on the TRIKE TALK ANNUAL REUNION 7 IN EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS, I'm READY.....pepper pepper pepper

[Ed Hobgood]

I agree completly, This was my first rally and I live within six hours of the location and the group I was with, we all had a great time. During one of the rides we went on, a local couple took us and one of the ladies in our group and myself had a birthday and they took us to a great ice cream shop. I think it was one of the largest ice cream cone I have ever had (AND I REALLY LIKE ICE CREAM). I also got to meet several people that I had only sent a message though trike talk and now I have a face to put with the names. All and all I really enjoyed myself and just a little bonus got to do some great riding.pepperpepperpepper

[Bikerbozo]

I would agree with everything but my view of hotel. Had reserved a handicapped room. They had no record of that when I arrived. Keep in mind this was confirmed when I called 2 days before arrival to add a day. Being in room furthest from pool and conference center, with steep hills between, meant wife could not walk anywhere. Rate isn't too bad until you factor in cost of breakfast. I may be spoiled, but I like breakfast included. Even if only basic.
That all said, it was great to meet everybody. We enjoyed the company, the town and entire area.
I'm done with my rant now.

[Gold Rush]

I did not stay in the Inn this year as I had met friends in Wanderlust RV park but next year I'll be in the mix with all the revelers. Can't comment on things I didn't experience.

For all the other things Skuuter mentioned I'd have to agree 100%!!! We had a wonderful time and never felt so welcomed by a community.

Can't wait until we get to do it over again!!!!

[PIGGI]

I agree the event was a huge success, hotel and staff, town folk, and our event staff all exceded our expectations. After attending other "paid" rallies this free rally was much more rider friendly.It was easy to meet new riders and just shoot the chit. We enjoyed meeting lots of NEW FRIENDS and plan on returning next year.

[Drpepper]

Amen too all of the above ,has the count down started yet.

[rwhgme]

Other than the "road to nowhere" the printed directions took us to, the infrastructure, shops, ice cream, venue, drinkBingo, even, for us, the walking tour we took, was awesome! To top it all off, the great friends we made, and the friends we got to see again! We need to know the exact dates of next years rally to make our reservations again!

[tomg]

All was good, met new friends and saw new places, but what was with that couple sight seeing all the way across Tenn in that little white rag top?? We had to push them for 2 days !! haha
Tomg

[skuuter]

All was good, met new friends and saw new places, but what was with that couple sight seeing all the way across Tenn in that little white rag top?? We had to push them for 2 days !! haha
Tomg

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[philmcc]

I agree with Skuuter on everything but the distance. 1200 miles for us not bad at all. All the people especially the Trike Talk members were great. My only little complaint is no refrigerator in the rooms.my count down has already started.
Phil & Gerry

[Ozarkryder]

I miss Maggie Valley. Whoa! Wait - I love Eureka. Some of the best riding and motorcycle friendly areas of the country are right here in my backyard. And that is the thing. Eureka Springs is 65 miles of good riding from my house. The Smokies are an 800+ mile ride which can be an adventure in itself, are real mountains, there is a different culture and new roads. The Rally In The Valley V was a great excuse to take a trip to a different area with more good riding.
That being said, I agree with all that Skuuter said. Great riding, central area of the country so more folks can attend, a friendly historic town that welcomes riders and, with just a few misses a venue that is almost perfect for the event make for a great place for the TT/TOI rally.
Just one other negative, and that is most likely from my point of view only.

The dates are wrong. I work in a school that will end the scholastic year on June 20 next year. TT/TOI rally Lucky #7 will apparently be during the last week of school, and missing the last week of class is definitely frowned upon. At least it is close enough I can get there by 4:30 or 5:00pm and still meet up with old friends and get to know new ones.

[Ray Monroe]

Sku pretty much nailed it for me as well. The people that I met are the biggest reason that Kathy and I cant wait for next year. I had the time of my life each time I met some folks outside the motel room or at the restaurant, or at the ice cream shop or at bingo. I did not meet one person that I didnt want to be around. Thank you all for being our friends.

[skuuter]

Mitzie and I enjoyed the TRIKE TALK/TOI ANNUAL REUNION 6 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas being held on week days also, giving us a weekend to travel there, and a weekend back at home to do Other Things including relaxing before heading back to work. Traffic is much lighter in Eureka Springs through the week also.....we think it needs to be held with this type Schedule remaining in place anywhere It's held.....

[Lucky]

Mitzie and I enjoyed the TRIKE TALK/TOI ANNUAL REUNION 6 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas being held on week days also, giving us a weekend to travel there, and a weekend back at home to do Other Things including relaxing before heading back to work. Traffic is much lighter in Eureka Springs through the week also.....we think it needs to be held with this type Schedule remaining in place anywhere It's held.....

I for what it is worth agree with the during the week thing.Usually it is cheaper and less crowded.Since this seems to be about OPINIONS how about having maybe three different group rides.Members then could then choose which one they wanted to ride.One maybe 6hrs,one maybe 3hrs,one maybe 1hr.I have complete confidence that although this year he was in a white 4 wheel thang(JAB) our road captain/ride cordinater could map that out.RIDE SAFE

[skuuter]

I for what it is worth agree with the during the week thing.Usually it is cheaper and less crowded.Since this seems to be about OPINIONS how about having maybe three different group rides.Members then could then choose which one they wanted to ride.One maybe 6hrs,one maybe 3hrs,one maybe 1hr.I have complete confidence that although this year he was in a white 4 wheel thang(JAB) our road captain/ride cordinater could map that out.RIDE SAFE

Come to think of it Lucky, I believe You're right....I already have the "Long One" mapped out and will lead it myself with YOU sweeping...."ask-n-receive".........Mitzie and I found the Long Route on Wednesday at the REUNION.....already have two or 3 shorter ones too to be farmed out to the other GREAT Volunteers we get.....There will be choices next year.....

[Blondie Gal]

We're ready to make reservations for next year already!

[skuuter]

We're ready to make reservations for next year already! Does the motel have us on its calendar? Same rate?

"Not quite yet".....it's coming though.....

[Lucky]

Come to think of it Lucky, I believe You're right....I already have the "Long One" mapped out and will lead it myself with YOU sweeping...."ask-n-receive".........Mitzie and I found the Long Route on Wednesday at the REUNION.....already have two or 3 shorter ones too to be farmed out to the other GREAT Volunteers we get.....There will be choices next year.....

Sounds good to me.

[skuuter]

sounds good to me.

"DRAFTED".....!!!!!

[MICK66]

This sounds like a blast. WE were going to Spyders in the Redwoods last year but something came up and we couldn't make it. We don't have the Spyder anymore and have a 2013 TG. We would love to come to something like this from Idaho. But we would really need advanced advance notice. Can we get on the list and intuned to all the info please? Thanks