 Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Anyone ever want to set up a rally that meets in the central U.S. Each part of the U.S. (N,E,S,W, NE,SE,SW,NW)sets up a route to the central location. Riders can join at different locations along the route. The person in charge of each route also sets stop locations that can support either hotel or tent sleeping arrangements. Riders would be responsible for their own safety, meaning; rain gear, helmets, tool kits, survival kits, etc... When everyone meets in the central location, we have a great ride and a kickass blowout party. It is just an idea. I would be willing to assist in the setup from one location. I don't have any central location in mind or any particular starting points from the the outer region of the U.S. If you already live in the center of the U.S. you could ride in circles until we get there.
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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Ok, sounds like fun. A whole bunch of planning, but fun. So where exactly is the center of (in my best George Dubya accent) America! 
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Quote:
So where exactly is the center of (in my best George Dubya accent) America!
Lebanon, Kansas is the geographical center of the US
Let my dying thought be that every mile was fun and let my tombstone read,"They never made one fast enough for me."
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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I think we had a post about this last year and Phil figured out that it was in KS. There was some chatter about it but not enough for a rally. I'd like to do it so I could add to my list of states I've been to on the bike (13 so far). I'd even like to do Ben's trip around the US if I could take the time off for it without having to make it a speed run.
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Right there 
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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The problem with Kansas though is that it is totally flat with not a curve in the entire state. Kinda boring ridingwise??? No offense meant to our Kansas members of course. 
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Loquacious
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Looking at the map Denver isn't to far off the centre and I hear it's not to flat there.
John
Like a dog on a car ride with my tongue in the wind
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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My 16 year old daughter is pretty sure that SHE is the center of the universe, therefore, it folows that Southeast Iowa is the target you want. But I could live with Kansas, but second on the kinda boring. An earlier thread mentioned that there was interest in a rally in Missouri. Close enough to center and nicer riding.
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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I would be interested in Kansas City or Denver.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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well...I don't know about Kansas being all that boring, folks???!!!
(hey...tornados CAN BE quite exhilarating, ya know!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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I lived in KS for 3 years and my son still does. Ummm... BORING!!! 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
I lived in KS for 3 years and my son still does. Ummm... BORING!!!
Yeah Dave??? 
And does his wife Dorothy and their little dog Toto think so TOO???
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
And does his wife Dorothy and their little dog Toto think so TOO???
you know 90% of that movie was just a dream for a reason, right? 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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NAAAAAHHHH!!! NOW they tell me!!!!  But I hope you DO know that monkeys CAN REALLY FLY, don't cha?! (scary little critters, them!!!!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Amazon rainforest flying butler monkeys, they were imported just for that part. Very rare. I think Bear Grylls ate one to survive in an episode of Man Vs Wild 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Okay...all kidding aside.... I like Paul's idea here! Denver or K.C. sounds kind'a cool!  Maybe have this thing during the same time all those Harley riders are trailering their machines up to South Dakota might work! (but I can't help feeling that he brought this up because he's starting to get cold feet about attending the Southwest Triumph Fest this May without any "backup"...and he knows what I'm talkin' 'bout here, don't cha dude?!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
I like Paul's idea here! Denver or K.C. sounds kind'a cool!
Maybe have this thing during the same time all those Harley riders are trailering their machines up to South Dakota might work!
I agree, but if its during the Sturgis rally I'm out. I am headed up to SD myself. Someone has to represent the best breed of motorcycle!! And I'm not trailering mine. 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Missouri! I hear the bars there are SWEET!
Mark
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Good man!!! But I have to say...enjoy the crowds and the ripoff artists while you're there, dude! (and don't forget finding yourself stuck behind a seemingly endless line of Harley riders riding two-abreast over those beautiful Black Hills mountain roads at 17MPH too!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
The problem with Kansas though is that it is totally flat with not a curve in the entire state. Kinda boring ridingwise???
No offense meant to our Kansas members of course.
Ahaha...choke cough spit...
We aren't in Kansas anymore toto. Not that we ever were. Same as it ever was and all. However The punt of this rally is getting there. As is all the Rallies. Eh? The ride there.
We can chose any route we want and as we are very good at taking the long way, well, we just might encounter some twisties. Once in Kansas, we'll have plenty of flat land to roll on just as you have mentioned. I know of one Englishyankee that will like that being as he may have a new rear tire he can skin up the middle, just like he never left Columbia. 
I is trying to worm my into the collective subconsciousness of Lynn and finagle a way for me to ride west someday in the not too distant future. Resistance is Futile. err, Make that North, then West.
This proposed get together by beanache is right in line with my desires. And I am unanimous!
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Any chance we can figure out a ROUGH date...basically which month might this be happening? I'm already filling up my calendar with trips on the non-Triumph.
Mark
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Oil Expert
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Yeah I agree lets set it up, when were you thinking beanache?
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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I'd rather just ride to the Alps or something. Is that doable?
In Between the Dark and the Light..
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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How about a spot ....not to far off center.....Ozark, AR. Great riding, small town, easy access..... 
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Moe hit the nail on the head. The good part of the rally will be the trip there and dependent on the one who sets the route. The party at the end should be a very large shindig to get to know everyone and have several laughs. Remember the trip home. You can either split off and book it home or set up a route on the spot and wing it or plan it from the beginning.
This is something I would be very interested in doing but to do properly would require 5-7 days of solid vacation time. I am not sure many people can swing it. I personally like the idea of Denver. There are some really kickass roads through southwest Colorado I have been lusting after.
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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In all honesty, this would be a big task to pull off. I was definitely thinking early or very late summer. But I was thinking this might take a year to plan. Possibly 2009. If we could manage it in 2008 that would be bonus. We would need route planners in each of the starting locations. We would need a central campsite/hotel/party planner. We need lots of support from different locations. I wouldn't want to do a halfass job and have FJ riding on an awesome route from Montana all by his lonesome. I think the Southeast and Northeast could get quite a contingent of riders but I am not sure about the Southwest or Northwest. If there is a large interest it could be very cool. I know I could take leave and fly my kids grandparents in to watch them but to get everyone on board is a lot to ask. However, it would be fun as ******.
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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I'm with Moe, it's the ride there that counts, The rally is to meet eat and drink. I vote for Lebanon ,Ks and here's why. I ran a few numbers, to Lebanon from Connecticut about 1600 miles, from Miami 1700 miles, Oregon 1600, Los Angeles 1500. That looks pretty central from most points. If Denver was the destination you could add 500 or more miles to the Eastern and Southern points. I believe Ks would give us the opportunity to have a larger turnout, and it's Kansas  the motels and restaurants would welcome us with open arms Mike
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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Quote:
I'm with Moe, it's the ride there that counts, The rally is to meet eat and drink. I vote for Lebanon ,Ks and here's why.
I ran a few numbers, to Lebanon from Connecticut about 1600 miles, from Miami 1700 miles, Oregon 1600, Los Angeles 1500. That looks pretty central from most points. If Denver was the destination you could add 500 or more miles to the Eastern and Southern points.
I believe Ks would give us the opportunity to have a larger turnout, and it's Kansas the motels and restaurants would welcome us with open arms
Mike
if i remember correctly the liquor laws were 'better' in kansas city, MO than kansas city, KS. something to consider.
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Easy access to liquor and beer is a must
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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or we could set up a still onsite and make our own!
Mark
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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I don't know. Yes the ride there is great but so is the riding with friends. When I go to Georgia I look at it as a two part vacation. First the riding to get there and back and second the riding I do while there.
Getting together to drink, BS and catch up on each others lives is good don't get me wrong but I'd love to have some scenery to ride through. If I thought you all would be interested in some flat land riding I would have held a rally here years ago.
John
Like a dog on a car ride with my tongue in the wind
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Quote:
or we could set up a still onsite and make our own!
now your talkin,it would have to be a single malt of course . GlenTriumph Whisky.......... ooh that sounds pretty good .  slainte
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
I don't know. Yes the ride there is great but so is the riding with friends. When I go to Georgia I look at it as a two part vacation. First the riding to get there and back and second the riding I do while there.
Getting together to drink, BS and catch up on each others lives is good don't get me wrong but I'd love to have some scenery to ride through. If I thought you all would be interested in some flat land riding I would have held a rally here years ago.
Well after THAT John, if I were YOU I wouldn't hold out any hope of ever being hired on at the Kansas Tourist Bureau, dude!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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They have a Kansas Tourist Bureau?
John
Like a dog on a car ride with my tongue in the wind
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Yep! They sure DO, John!
(and I hear it's run by a little girl who always runs around wearin' Ruby Slippers too)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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...and her little dog too?
John
Like a dog on a car ride with my tongue in the wind
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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I vote for Fayetteville, AR. Outstanding riding, good sized college town (hint, hint), access to liquor and booze for thos that imbibe, Excellent accomodations, plenty of attractions/destinations, Gorgeaous country, not too far from "the Center". http://www.accessfayetteville.org/GoogleMaps or MaopQuest Fayetteville, AR, and zoom out a bit. Look at the satellite image. Sweet riding around there.
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Re: Converge on the Center of the U.S. Rally
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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I had suggested sometime ago having a Rally in the Ozarks Mountains (AR). Seems like a logical location. Someone else mentioned Springfield ,Il as a possibility in another thread. The Kansas location seemed logical due to its central location. These ideas go around and around. Until someone picks up the baton and runs with it, decides to organize it these threads will go round and round. Ok central America who wants to be the goat, I mean person to put this thing together and say here's the location, here's the date, load up and get out here. 
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