Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Rides, Rallies, & Events Kootenay Raid / July 13-15

I received an email from Rat America about the Kootenay Raid in Nelson today. I wasn't sure that I could make it, but as we get closer it looks like I can - looking forward to it.

My wife will be bringing the pickup, camping trailer, dogs, cats, goldfish... . We've reserved a campsite at the provincial park 16 k east of Nelson. She wants to poke around Nelson while I'm "playing", but would like to come to the in-town events. Does anybody know how that works? Does she need to pay the $50, or is there some kind of visitor/guest/tag-along/whatever thing?

Thanks.

As far as I know the $50 pays for the rally T-shirt, Friday evening deep fried chicken wings and Saturday night banquet meal at the New Grande. Don't know if you can just buy the banquet meal, as that's the only "organized" event at the Grande. There's a registration desk in the bar at the Grande on Friday afternoon/evening. One of the Canadian RAT's "hosts" the event, maybe you could e mail a question to them??? I think a number of couples attend, similar situation as your's.

Unofficial events/discussion/photo-ops/words-of-wisdom/estate planning take place in the parking lot adjacent to the bar of the New Grande, not unlike the Day's Inn parking lot in Dahlonega .

At this point, I will ride up Friday evening, or at least by Saturday morning (work@##@#!!!%%!). The rides are spectacular .

FriarJohn might chime in, as he's the responsible adult and in charge this year.

jh

Thanks for the info. Hopefully you can make it by Friday so you're not too dragged out for the Saturday rides.

I've paid the $50 for both of us. A previous Kootenay thread mentioned that this may be the last event if they don't get enough people, so maybe this would help. Besides, we get two teeshirts !

I booked a room at the Best Western before we decided to do the camping thing. Don't know how tight the accomodations get, but thought I would put it out here in case somebody wants it before I cancel it. It's $134.10 CAD (not much savings from US dollars these days). Hard to negotiate room rates when the hotel knows it's a busy weekend .

Greetings from Kent,Washington.I am sure you did right thing in registering your wife as food is catered and they need to know number of feed bags for all of us!!!I am leaving thursam and will ride 2 days to the raid..arriving friday noonish..about 500 mile journey.I am excited and looking forward to the raid..Staying at the Hume Hotel.

I look forward to meeting a bunch of you guys/gals there.

I am staying across the parking lot at the Mountain Hound Hotel. $79CAD a night for a single . Not too bad really. I booked a while ago now however.

T-minus 4 weeks and counting...

I might actually have a bike to ride in time for the event. I'm cutting it pretty close!

Freedom and I are sharing a room at the Mountain Hound. The Hume has a lot of character (and a great free breakfast) but if the weather is hot it's darn near unbearable. The Best Western is very nice, but pricey and across town from the event.

I think I'll be riding up alone on Thursday the 12th. I think Freedom will be coming on Saturday, but I don't think we've finalized travel plans.

Where do you register for this thang? Cound not find a web site. Local RAT group did not even have it on their event calendar.

thanks
Larry

I think you can just register when you get there. That's what Roadie and his wife did last year. I suppose the only drawback is that you may not get the size t-shirt that you need. Go here and download the Kootenay PDF file: http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/3752.aspx

Thanks for the info.

Larry

To register use Friar Johns links and send the registration in now.The registration closes on 6/29/07 and you will have t-shirt,meals,etc gauranteed.Call the Grand(no rooms available) and they can direct you to available hotels with rooms or camp out at the parks.Looking forward to meeting all.I am at the HOT Hume hotel..will not have to pack ben-gay

If anyone's going to be there late Thursday or very early Friday and wants to go riding Friday (or Saturday, of course), let me know.

Tell him he can bring the Kawi if he must. We won't laugh at him...

...too much.

I can travel up 97 thru chelan and trip is 400+miles.Leaving about 600am will get me there 300pm on thursday.would be willing to ride and meet thurspm.let me know what time you plan to be there.I would have to check in day early at the Hume but I dont believe that would be a issue. Of course if I 2 day the trip with stop in Chelan,I would still be there early friday...noonish.

It's about 450 miles for me, although I haven't decided which route I'm taking yet. I'll probably leave 8-9am and get there late afternoon. I'm leaning towards the Libby route since I've never seen the road between Libby and Kalispell.

If you get there Thursday I'm sure I'll be hanging out in the Grand Hotel bar or out back with the bikes, depending on how many people are there early. This is the first year I'm arriving before Friday evening. It sounds like quite a few people get there a day early for some extra riding (In fact, a few were too tired to go riding Saturday!). Anyway, just watch for my bike which will still be orange (dangitall) with plate, "BOLLOX."

If you get there Thursday and have any problems extending your stay at the Hume(idor) let me know. I've got an extra bed until Freedom gets there Friday.

FriarJohn

I am heading out from home Thursday.. looking to make it there by mid afternoon on Friday for the festivities...

If you are around, would love to go for a rip (providing my butt is up for it). I have about 10hr ride over 2 days.

This is gonna be a blast!


Trev

If nothing else, we usually try and get a group of like-minded TBA/TA/SM riders together for Saturday. I'll be around. Perhaps wearing my fancy hat:

If I don't make it to the Grande "parking lot" till Friday 10 pm or so, will anyone still be up and about

Is it just me, or is work sometimes highly overated?

jh

Where'd you get the hat, FJ? Where can I get one with bonnyusa on it?



John, work is very highly over-rated unless you are doing fun work!!

I had it made at the GoodGuy's Northwest Nationals streetrod show last August in Spokane. There was just a booth with the hat vendor in it. He had a computer controlled embroidery machine. I think I paid $20 for it. Wasn't my first choice of hat style (the checkered flag flames), most of the others were cheap trucker hats.

Cool, I will look around.

Anyone cross the bordor recently? I've tried looking this up, but got conflicking info. Apparently you don't need a passport until 2008. But, do I need a birth certificate or just a driver's license?

Larry

Actually you don't need a passport for ground travel until next January 1st, but now you don't need a passport at all until September. Apparently the State Dept. can't keep up with the demand, which is probably why I still don't have mine.

I've always taken a copy of my birth certificate but they've never asked for it.

I'am in, reservations made,and registration mailed. Now to research were I can buy cuban cigars in Nelson.

Larry

Well, finally got my passport today. At least I don't have to take my birth certificate now.

Did you get the "Canadian" passport, or the economy one for North Dakota?

I ran into Dave Preston from Lynwood Cycle Barn, Seattle last Saturday. If I heard correctly, he indicated Matt Leinert was no longer doing the RAT arrangements, he has some other job with Triumph Inc. They seem to be backing away from these rally deals. Like Dave said, we could just schedule a date and keep doing Nelson anyway. He didn't say Triumph wouldn't continue after 07 however.

jwh

For as much as I paid it better be the "full ride" passport.

Recieved my email confirmation on the 3rd.I am excited for next week.Looking to see if other riders are going from Seattle and could team up and ride together.My plans are to leave thurs7/12 and ride to Chelan and spend the nite(185 miles).Leave friday morning and arrive in Nelson200pm (242 miles).Nothing is locked in as I can stay free in Chelan.I could meet inNorth Bend 7/12 or Chelan 7/13..let me know if interested???I am sure perhaps we could all stay in Chelan with bags oncouches in basement.

One week hence, Thursday the 12th, I'll be doing this route. I imagine I'll to Nelson anywhere from 4pm to 6pm. Depends if I meet an old college buddy in Kalispell for lunch or not.

See y'all there.

Last call!

Vroom Vroom.. looking forward to it!



Trev

Amen on that last call!!!All packed,ducks are in their rows,when oh when will thursday come so that I can go!!First trip to Nelson and second trip on america...feel like a seasoned veteran already!!Meeting x-wife in North Bend for thursday am coffee to show Her my new bike and all that She missed..as my america is my new lady!See youall there this weekend..it will be nice to put faces to the people on this site..look forward to meeting all!

100 degrees in Canada? I thought Canada was cold? Land of ice, beer and donuts. I'll be there friday, with maybe my brother and his trailer. He may be picking up a Harley in Idaho, but thought he might join me for some camping in canada. He's still thinking about getting a speedmaster. But, has been drawn to the dark side by a used harley in Idaho. If I get tuesday off I get to help break in a brand new harley on the roads of Montana. A friend of mind teaches motorcycle repair,and Harly donated 3 bikes for the program. So we get to break-in the bikes before the students break then down. So It's going to be a full weekend.
See you there.

Larry

Here's a couple of weather links - a short term and long term forcast. Be sure you pack your "ice-cube undies", or at least lots of ice for the adult beverages.

The graph shows way above average. It looks like it's getting even hotter into the next week though.

Nelson short term weather

Nelson long term weather

That first page renders terrible in IE. I prefer Accuweather.com - they convert the temps to "American."

http://www.accuweather.com/canada-foreca...ric=0&set=1

I think I'll get by with my armored mesh/leather jacket and a liner.

Went to the bank at lunch today. That exchange rate just keeps getting worse and worse, doesn't it? Just a couple years ago got $100CAN for $75US. Today it cost me $93. Sheesh. It's hardly worth going anymore. Guess I can't afford a hooker this year...