EOM 2015 - Location Discussion

[extrememarine]

This is the time, right after EOM, when there typically is a lot of chatter about where to take EOM next year. Please have that discussion here so it's in one place and easier to refer back to.

Here's the general guide to consider with tossing out a location suggestion.

1. Awesome roads - we come to ride! There needs to be enough roads to support 3-4 full days of riding without having to run the same roads. There needs to be someone local willing to step up and make the routes, run them, know the roads well enough to call out the hazards, etc.

2. Hotel - 100 rooms is the benchmark - it ensures that even with other guests, the hotel can handle our group (70-90 guests).

3. Banquet facility - At the hotel, to seat 100. With catering that is not terrible, on site.

4. Affordability - Frankly, hotel rooms that run $100 or more per night are typically out of budget for many.

5. Huge bonuses (that are not deal breakers) - restaurant on site or next door. Bar / Lounge on site or next door/walking distance. Gas station nearby (next to parking lot)

This is a good starting point

There will also be a survey sent out to solicit input from the EOM attendees.

Wayne

Previous Locations have included:

EOM 2003 – Front Royal / Staunton, VA
EOM 2004 – Townsend, TN
EOM 2005 – Townsend, TN
EOM 2006 – Boone, NC
EOM 2007 – Brier Inn, Lewisburg, WV
EOM 2008 – Brier Inn, Lewisburg, WV
EOM 2009 – Holiday Inn, Johnson City, TN
EOM 2010 – NAFO – Marriot, Knoxville, TN
EOM 2011 – Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin, KY
EOM 2012 –Hendersonville, NC
EOM 2013 – Maggie Valley, NC

EOM 2014 - Maggie Valley, NC

 

[LKLD]

Thank you!

Having stayed in MV a few times, it's difficult to beat location, price, amenities, etc... However, I'm also open to something different. I look forward to wherever it is.

More important at this time, to me at least, is the date. Are we definite on a date?

 

[101stpathfinder]

I am thinking that Mark (wheatonFJR) would have some great input .

I am also thinking that I need to get back to that area again so I can do the snake!

 

[leedavis]

I'll start:

Helen, GA staying at the Helendorf Inn.

We haven't done north GA and there are people familiar with the area who can come up with routes for the many motorcycle roads.

The Helendorf Inn has enough rooms to accomodate us, banquet facilites and specializes in hosting events. Their rooms are reasonably priced though there are several types at different price levels.

Helen, GA is a pedestrian friendly tourist town with numerous restaurants and shops within walking distance.

I'd like to keep the date at the last weekend in September. The closer we are to October (one of the driest months in the east) the less likely we are to have rain. October is nice but then we run up against the hoards of tourists in the mountains viewing Fall colors.

 

[tby]

I'd be thrilled with any location on this map:

If we don't want to repeat Johnson City or Lewisburg, Wytheville could be a winner. The Ramada there hits on all of the venue points (149 rooms, non-discounted rates $80-$100, onsite bar & restaurant, catering, banquet space, gas station next door, pet friendly). Back of the Dragon and Big Walker Lookout are close. Do we have a route scout around there?

 

[Bungie]

I'll start:
Helen, GA staying at the Helendorf Inn.

We haven't done north GA and there are people familiar with the area who can come up with routes for the many motorcycle roads.

The Helendorf Inn has enough rooms to accomodate us, banquet facilites and specializes in hosting events. Their rooms are reasonably priced though there are several types at different price levels.

Helen, GA is a pedestrian friendly tourist town with numerous restaurants and shops within walking distance.

I'd like to keep the date at the last weekend in September. The closer we are to October (one of the driest months in the east) the less likely we are to have rain. October is nice but then we run up against the hoards of tourists in the mountains viewing Fall colors.

Unfortunately October is pretty much right out for the Canadian contingent. The likelihood of hitting near freezing temps is to great. Another issue is distance. Georgia is 2 LONG days away. I absolutely understand the desirability of the area, but it'd be out of the question, especially in October for me.

Come to think of it, were their any Canadians at EOM this year?

 

[tby]

Helen, GA staying at the Helendorf Inn.

I'd like to keep the date at the last weekend in September. The closer we are to October (one of the driest months in the east) the less likely we are to have rain. October is nice but then we run up against the hoards of tourists in the mountains viewing Fall colors.

September / October are OKTOBERFEST season in Helen. Getting a large enough block of rooms would be an effort unto itself and they will not be under $100. Spring / Summer is the time to be in Helen. MSTA used to do an event there in April, not sure if they still do.

Alternatives could be Ellijay, Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Toccoa, Young Harris...

 

[Top_Speed1]

I'd be thrilled with any location on this map:

If we don't want to repeat Johnson City or Lewisburg, Wytheville could be a winner. The Ramada there hits on all of the venue points (149 rooms, non-discounted rates $80-$100, onsite bar & restaurant, catering, banquet space, gas station next door, pet friendly). Back of the Dragon and Big Walker Lookout are close. Do we have a route scout around there?

I just came back from EOM thru this entire region, looks like this Geo Washington and Monongehela Mtn area could be a lot of fun.

 

[extrememarine]

Right now, the Helendorf Inn website site lists rooms at $124 / night over the weekend.

Helen, GA staying at the Helendorf Inn.

I'd like to keep the date at the last weekend in September. The closer we are to October (one of the driest months in the east) the less likely we are to have rain. October is nice but then we run up against the hoards of tourists in the mountains viewing Fall colors.

September / October are OKTOBERFEST season in Helen. Getting a large enough block of rooms would be an effort unto itself and they will not be under $100. Spring / Summer is the time to be in Helen. MSTA used to do an event there in April, not sure if they still do.

Alternatives could be Ellijay, Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Toccoa, Young Harris...

 

[extrememarine]

Here's a curve ball - details being flushed out - Marietta, Ohio or Parkersburg, WV...

The roads meet the what I consider the required criteria - flat, straight, boring...

Someone local is checking for facilities that can meet our needs. It's a haul for the southern contingent, very doable for the northern contingent, and new to many within the group who have not been the the SE Ohio Ramble.

Wayne

 

[El Toro Joe]

SE West Virginia/Virginia area would work...

oh...SE Ohio could also work

 

[Top_Speed1]

SE West Virginia/Virginia area would work...

oh...SE Ohio could also work

Sry Joe, didn't like your 2nd suggestion as it would kill off the SEO meet. Keep 'em separate, more excuses to get away.

 

[Tyler]

I'm not an expert on that part of the country so I'll let others defer on location. Last weekend in September sounds good. FYI, the previous weekend is FJRay's Reuben Run.

 

[asdgirl]

I'm down with stuff more north than GA. We haven't gotten to ride much up where tby posted the map from, northward. I like the idea of Ohio, WV, VA, anything a bit more north than Johnson City with some kickass roads! I mean, he and I have to get used to long days and lots of miles if we have any hope of completing the Iron Butt Ultimate Coast to Coast Challenge next year! https://www.ironbutt.com/ridecerts/getdocument.cfm?DocID=22

 

[El Toro Joe]

SE West Virginia/Virginia area would work...

oh...SE Ohio could also work

Sry Joe, didn't like your 2nd suggestion as it would kill off the SEO meet. Keep 'em separate, more excuses to get away.

KJ the SE Ohio Ramble is in the Spring...

 

[extrememarine]

Yes - what Joe said - SE Ohio Ramble will always be in the Spring - no impact on the September EOM meet.

SE West Virginia/Virginia area would work...

oh...SE Ohio could also work

Sry Joe, didn't like your 2nd suggestion as it would kill off the SEO meet. Keep 'em separate, more excuses to get away.

KJ the SE Ohio Ramble is in the Spring...

 

[steve_g]

Here's a curve ball - details being flushed out - Marietta, Ohio or Parkersburg, WV...
The roads meet the what I consider the required criteria - flat, straight, boring...

Someone local is checking for facilities that can meet our needs. It's a haul for the southern contingent, very doable for the northern contingent, and new to many within the group who have not been the the SE Ohio Ramble.

Wayne

i am close enough to this area to assist with transporting shirts, swag, etc.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

I'd be thrilled with any location on this map:

If we don't want to repeat Johnson City or Lewisburg, Wytheville could be a winner. The Ramada there hits on all of the venue points (149 rooms, non-discounted rates $80-$100, onsite bar & restaurant, catering, banquet space, gas station next door, pet friendly). Back of the Dragon and Big Walker Lookout are close. Do we have a route scout around there?

+1 This area puts us in striking distance for VA 15 and 58, "The Snake" in TN, Little Switzerland area in NC, 39 and 250 in WV just to name a few roads.

 

[LKLD]

I'd be thrilled with any location on this map:
[img=[URL="https://i.imgur.com/FKdjekF.png%5D"]https://i.imgur.com/FKdjekF.png][/URL]

If we don't want to repeat Johnson City or Lewisburg, Wytheville could be a winner. The Ramada there hits on all of the venue points (149 rooms, non-discounted rates $80-$100, onsite bar & restaurant, catering, banquet space, gas station next door, pet friendly). Back of the Dragon and Big Walker Lookout are close. Do we have a route scout around there?

+1 This area puts us in striking distance for VA 15 and 58, "The Snake" in TN, Little Switzerland area in NC, 39 and 250 in WV just to name a few roads.

+2 I did some looking around of this area on Google Maps, and looks like plenty of nice roads. The onsite restaurant, bar, and banquet facilities are a real plus, especially when you come back after riding all day. My $.02