Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Rides, Rallies, & Events Southwest Triumph Motorcycle Fest closing report

Some of those roads were great, but WAY too much traffic.

(...and way too slow in a big group. )

I poured out my thoughts and recollections on the trip on my web site. I had a good time for the most part but nobody should take what I say about large group riding personally. It's just not my thing. As far as next year, well, we'll just see.

This has to be the longest post I've ever written, anywhere. link

Also, keep in mind I didn't write it just for this forum. It has a much wider audience (albeit still mostly my friends and family).

Good write up John!

Soren

Thanks!

"Now I know why you spend so much time on that computer at that Triumph website. What a great bunch of people!"

That's what Judie told me yesterday as we were headed back to SoCal. And that, in a nutshell, pretty much sums up this past weekend in Prescott Arizona, and why this NOW CONFIRMED ANNUAL Southwest Triumph Fest turns out to be so much fun for me.

As with last year's inaugual run, special thanks are once again due to Derek, Linda and Becky for all of their assistance in making this year's rally another success story. I can't imagine throwing this shindig without your very much appreciated help. And Becky, give Ron my best and thank him for attending the rally the next time you see him.

To all those I've previously met face-to-face such as Bill, Mike, Bob(Wall), Ron(Andersen), Friar John, and Bob and Amy Lee Acree, it was once again my pleasure to share some brews and views(and more than just the "occassional" laugh) with you guys!

To those I had known only through correspondences at BA.com all these many years, but now have had the great good fortune to have finally met in person, such as FT and Wendy, "Fast" Eddy Hofstand, his wife Judy and daughter Sarah, thank you for traveling such great distances to attend this rally, AND for being every bit a pleasure in person as you've always appeared to be in text and sometimes over the phone all these years.

And Eddy...once again, and I'm sure I speak for everybody here(especially Amy Lee, the Grand Prize winner of that beautiful M/C rally pack luggage)...THANKS for the swag, dude!!!

To those folks fairly new to the BA.com scene such as Dan and Jeffrey, great to meet you guys too. And seein' as how both you guys live fairly close(one of ya, REALLY only a stone's throw away) here's to the idea of a few more rides together each year other than just at the yearly SWTF!

To those who expressed interest in coming this year but were unable to attend due to some prohibitive circumstances, such as Bob(odatbob)(BTW...glad to hear your mom's feeling better), Steve(hope your recouperation is goin' well), Soren, Nathan, Dennis, Paul(PES), Paul(beanache) and his wife, Ed Turner, John(freedom) and Zdenko, and Ron's Son, and anyone else out there who I may have forgotten to include on this short list here...hope to see you folks in Prescott at the THIRD ANNUAL Southwest Triumph Fest in May of 2009!

I just read FJs journal and it really makes me want to attend next year. Good write up John... have you tried lubing the sides of that belt with some bar soap?

Wow. one of the Foreign Dignitaries has packed some on, eh? The good liv'en. I digress.

Big hole pictures. Not the ad campaign slogan for sure.

Crazy People

Good little read there FJ. The gas issue and (the runnin out of thereof) is indeed something I am sure you will never live down.

I tend to agree with you on group rides. I have been on a few of the RAT rides locally and at least one of them was less pleasant then it could have been largely due to some riders being all over the place in terms of speed and placement. Then some of the large group rides I have participated in with the PGR typically have been very pleasant due to the high degree of organizatation , attention to detail, and emphasis on safety.

Since your SWT fest was well organized and well directed I suspect that tiredness was indeed a great factor there.

Last year when I went to Sturgis I did over 800 miles on day two of my trip up there in Hot weather with no windscreen. I was so beat and tired that the next day was sort of a total loss because my body needed to "catch up"

This year I have a windscreen and I dont intend to do any mini-iron butts to get there fast.

Ok, here's the thing, I just dropped Wendy off at her place and I just walked through my front door (I must get that fixed sometime!).
It's 16:50 on Thursday and I want many beers.

I haven't read all of this thread yet but I will and no doubt pipe up on some stuff.

Firstly: Dwight and Judy, thank you so much for letting a bunch of reprobates descend on your lovely place.

Secondly: thanks to EVERYONE for making Wendy and I feel so welcome.

Great to meet Derek and Linda again and good to meet so many new people.

We had a great time meeting you all .... even if you couldn't understand half of what I was saying
Don't worry though, half of the Brits don't understand half of what I say!
Great meet, great scenery, even better people.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a date with my laundry ... too much info?

Badum-tsssch!

Funny, Wendy and I were discussing Ozzy while we were getting some burritos down own necks.
You know, that bit in the The Osbournes were he goes out for some.

So you should!

Actually, I was glad of an extra few minutes in the shade.

Am I the only one to think it was actually cooler OUTSIDE that diner than inside?!?!

Longest. Gas. Stop. Ever.

(Where gas was actually available.)

Ya know, Dwight, "gas stop" refers to your bike, not your colon.

Have I thanked you recently for rescuing me in the middle of the desert? I was glad to have avoided an international incident.

Totally agree with you FT. It was cooler outside. Glad you and Wendy arrived home safe. Really enjoyed meeting both of you. Too bad your ride had to be an HD. We are going to have to talk to the Triumph dealers here about renting their bikes.

AmyLee

FJ: Loved your blog. Very interesting read. I'm glad you like my pipes, but you can't have them. Your going to have to get your own. They do sound sweet now, don't they?

Dwight: I agree with you about the bags. I was blown away when I found out. I just felt bad that Bob and I couldn't stay for the raffle, we had to get back to the RV park to beat the noise curfew. We enjoyed meeting Judy too. She is all you said about her, and more.

Fasteddy: Thank-you for all the goodies you brought. Not only for the raffle (thanks for the bags, I will post a pic with them on my bike soon), but for those who needed any items. I just am bummed because we didn't get to rummage through what you had. Enjoyed meeting Judy and Sarah too.

AmyLee

Hey Dwight!
Don't forget to do your new exercises. You know, the ones where you stand in front of your patio door, moving your right hand back and forth, left, right, left, right while repeating "open, closed, open, closed.

Where's the group shot at the Grand Canyon (the one taken by that little hottie)? I need to snag it for my gallery.

Trust you to remember that!!!

Wasn't it taken using Becky's camera?

Sounds like you all had a great time, hopefully more pics to come

Here is photographic evidence that I didn't lose my taillight lens before or at the Grand Canyon...

Great captions there, Mike!

2nd half of the road trip is done. Got home yesterday. Good rally!

Oh, hail in Williams, snow in Flagstaff, 29 degrees at the Continental Divide, rain in Albuquerque. Other than that it was a fabulous ride home. 2850 total miles is a good vacation.

Thanks for those that took lots of pictures, I am always negligent in that area.

What?
No wind?

Good to hear you had a great ride and got home OK.

See you next year

A closer inspection of some of the photos turned up extra beings, I'm just not sure what this means but it didn't ring a bell:

mmmmm hmmmmm,

Just what I thought

Gas suckin', screw turnin', plastic eaters

That's pretty funny.

See FJ you need the gremlin bell!!!

Well lookie here, my new used tail light lens arrived in the mail today. Thank you Glazer!