I didn't know of the group until 2009. I joined in 2010.
I was driving to my in-laws' house in my home town when I saw a small sign for the Triumph NorEast Rally. I followed the signs into the group camping area of Stony Brook State Park near Dansville, NY. I was welcomed by Ed Smith, Dinqua, Fast Eddy, Tripps, Moe and many whose names I don't remember right now. I do remember the characters, just not the names. I was in a car and owned a Sprint, not a BA. Still they asked me to hang around and sign the banner. I returned the following two years on my Sprint. I think they were the last years of that rally.
Since then, I've acquired a Bonneville America and now see what they liked about them.
