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Message |
    
Tom Wright
Site sponsor
Username: Twvtr
Post Number: 1621
Registered: 10-2002
Roebling,USA
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 01:46 pm: |
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With all the cancellations of the Honda Hoot, Myrtle Beach, etc. I just wanted to make sure there's interest in FriendSTOC this year. I haven't nailed down the location yet but it will probably be in the same general vicinity as past events.
The date we'll aim for is the same week before the US Memorial weekend mid-May.
Interest and location preference suggestions are welcomed. I usually try to find places that can accommodate our dinner as a group and are reasonably priced for accommodations.
One suggestion was the Wisp resort in Maryland. I've spoken with them and the room rates are a little over $100 per night. Other options are returning to Canaan Valley, WV or a few other places in West Virginia.
Your thoughts?
Tom |
Uncle Phil
Site sponsor
Username: Phil_d
Post Number: 3658
Registered: 08-2002
Nashville, TN,USA
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 05:37 pm: |
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TOM - I'm rather fond of somewhere in West Virginia (preferably not Canaan Valley unless that's the only option). But thats just me! Are there any places in PA that are similiar? And I promise that the auction will be no longer than 2 hours this year! 
RedBird-97STD 120,000+M SweetTreat-02ABS 50,000+M
FroST-97ABS 1,000+M http://www.unclephil.us/
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Peter Menard
Site sponsor
Username: Peterm
Post Number: 825
Registered: 07-2002
State College, Pennsylvania,United States
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 08:45 pm: |
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Tom -- I second UP's comments above. WV has the best roads but few facilities. PA has some nice places. Either way, I'm in. |
Tom McCrea
Site sponsor
Username: Tom_mccrea
Post Number: 631
Registered: 05-2003
Hurlock,USA
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 10:18 pm: |
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Tom,
I am interested as well if the date is other than the 16th & 17th. Please let me know if I can help in any way. Right now I am wasting too much time and could use some chores. Actually, I have a few, just not doing them.
Peter,
When I was at the International Motorcycle Show in DC last weekend I saw a display for an event in Johnstown. I remember you taking us there during FallSTOC back in 2003. Are there any facilities in that area? |
Reg Siemens
Site sponsor
Username: Reg_siemens
Post Number: 3012
Registered: 07-2003
Winnipeg,Canada
| | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 03:33 am: |
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FriendSToc is always a great time, however there's so many roads and so little time. With plans to do Big Bend/Hill Country in April I think I'll have to shoot for FriendSTOC VII. |
Al Barclay
Site sponsor
Username: Al_b
Post Number: 359
Registered: 10-2005
Grand Forks,Canada
| | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 05:27 am: |
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Last year was my first trip to FriendSToc and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Great people, good food and fun roads. Unfortunately, this commitment called a job reared its head and will prevent Deb and I from making the trek back there.
As the time gets closer, I'll talk nicely to Deb and see if she'll contribute some smoked salmon to the auction again (if we can figure out the shipping details). |
Peter Menard
Site sponsor
Username: Peterm
Post Number: 826
Registered: 07-2002
State College, Pennsylvania,United States
| | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 07:25 pm: |
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Tom M: I did not take anyone to Johnstown during FallStoc in State College. Rather, I led a loop through Wellsboro, otherwise known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. It's a great area but there is another entire ST gathering dedicated to that region:
PA Grand Canyon Gathering
There is a huge rally in Johnstown each summer (Thunder in the Valley), but it's mostly V-twins. |
Tom McCrea
Site sponsor
Username: Tom_mccrea
Post Number: 632
Registered: 05-2003
Hurlock,USA
| | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 04:50 pm: |
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Peter,
Maybe I am confused. I thought this dam was responsible for the Johnstown flood.
 |
Peter Menard
Site sponsor
Username: Peterm
Post Number: 827
Registered: 07-2002
State College, Pennsylvania,United States
| | Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 02:26 am: |
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Tom--
That's the Austin dam. Google it. It has a fascinating history. |
Dennis Martin
Site sponsor
Username: Dennism
Post Number: 1339
Registered: 07-2002
Oswego,USA
| | Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 05:05 pm: |
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Tom, I saw this on another website, and thought it may be worth investigating. They only talk of accomodations for 16, and I'm sure about half of those need to be really good friends! 
But it's another alternative for you. It's at Westmoreland State Park, in Northern Virginia. I have no knowledge of the place at all.
FWIW...2c only.
"We rented the Park's Potomac River Retreat Lodge right on the river. It sleeps 16 and had 5 bedrooms, two dens, two kitchens, two dining rooms, living room and 3 sleeper sofas and we pretty much used all the beds last night."
No mention of bathrooms, but oh well. |
Tom McCrea
Site sponsor
Username: Tom_mccrea
Post Number: 634
Registered: 05-2003
Hurlock,USA
| | Posted on Monday, January 19, 2009 - 03:06 pm: |
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Dennis,
I have been to Westmoreland SP. It is a nice park on the Potomac River and a great place for kayaking. The riding is NOTHING like the western part of the state, all flat land. It is 200 miles from the area where we have been riding.
Southwest PA or northern NC might be a better choice if the group wants a change from WV. |
Tom Wright
Site sponsor
Username: Twvtr
Post Number: 1623
Registered: 10-2002
Roebling,USA
| | Posted on Monday, January 19, 2009 - 04:03 pm: |
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If the usual weekend before Memorial Day isn't good, is there any preference on moving it to a weekend in June. We might get a little warmer weather. I'm thinking the WV, Virginia, western Maryland, western NC, and southwestern Pa. areas are possible locations.
The difficult part is finding a place that can accommodate the dinner and not be expensive like a ski resort. |
Bob Meyer
Site sponsor
Username: Meyerweb
Post Number: 722
Registered: 05-2004
Fairfax,USA
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 02:32 am: |
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My intention is to be there. WV works good for me. It's hard to find a bad road there.
Bob Meyer STOC #1157
'04 ST1300, BlueSTreak
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Stephen Scovel
Site sponsor
Username: 2slow
Post Number: 100
Registered: 09-2003
Stafford,USA
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2009 - 04:24 am: |
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Tossing out another alternative in the Blueridge area: Graves Mountain, Syria, VA. http://www.gravesmountain.com/
It is off Virginia 231, north of US 33, just east of Skyline Drive. The area is scenic but I'm unwilling to say there is any place with more good motorcycle roads than West Virginia
The weekend before Memorial Day is impossible because of a huge bluegrass festival but there is nothing to interfere one week earlier or later. |
robert hart
Advanced Member
Username: Frozenracoon
Post Number: 842
Registered: 01-2007
toronto,canada
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2009 - 09:56 pm: |
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looks like a very pleasant and quiet area stephen. like the looks of the old log cabin too. the prices are quite good as they include meals as well for the most part.
how far away is it for fuel? both for the bikes and humans..?
rob |
robert hart
Advanced Member
Username: Frozenracoon
Post Number: 843
Registered: 01-2007
toronto,canada
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2009 - 09:59 pm: |
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looks like a very pleasant and quiet area stephen. like the looks of the old log cabin too. the prices are quite good as they include meals as well for the most part.
how far away is it for fuel? both for the bikes and humans..?
rob |
robert hart
Advanced Member
Username: Frozenracoon
Post Number: 844
Registered: 01-2007
toronto,canada
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2009 - 09:59 pm: |
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oopsy...double post! |
Tom Regan
Advanced Member
Username: Tomregan
Post Number: 512
Registered: 04-2004
Newtown, PA,USA
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 - 01:34 am: |
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Steven,
I think the bluegrass festival is scheduled for after Labor Day.
Graves Mountain Festival of Music
May 28, May 29 and 30, 2009 |
Stephen Scovel
Site sponsor
Username: 2slow
Post Number: 101
Registered: 09-2003
Stafford,USA
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 - 03:52 am: |
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Correct on the dates for the Festival of Music. I should have checked my calendar and seen that the official Memorial Day is May 25 this year. Looks like Memorial Day weekend would be a good time
From Graves Mountain it is about 20 miles into Culpeper, VA, which is a town of 9,000 with full services of all sorts including a Honda motorcycle dealer. Madison is 12 miles south and has gas, groceries, and a couple of restaurants, plus fast food. I think there is a closer gas station but will have to verify the location. Sounds like a good reason for a ride this Saturday.
There is essentially no retail in Syria, the town dried up many years ago when they closed old Blue Ridge Turnpike and put the entrance to Skyline Drive on Hwy 211. |
Tom Wright
Site sponsor
Username: Twvtr
Post Number: 1626
Registered: 10-2002
Roebling,USA
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 - 03:58 pm: |
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The western area of Virginia close to the roads of West Virginia looks like a good option. I'll look around that area. The Wisp resort in western Maryland looks like a nice place too, but I'm not familiar with any of the riding over there.
I've found several of the larger population centers in Virginia near the Skyline Drive and BRP have colleges and therefore graduation season.
An alternate date might be May 29-31 if that is good for everyone.
Please let me know what your preferences are. I'd like to make this as convenient as possible for everyone to attend.
Tom |
robert hart
Advanced Member
Username: Frozenracoon
Post Number: 845
Registered: 01-2007
toronto,canada
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 - 01:12 am: |
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any chance of a location closer to we poor canoodlers? that might entice a few more riders from the north and new york, penn areas.
rob |
Dan Baynes
Advanced Member
Username: Dan_baynes
Post Number: 867
Registered: 03-2003
Williston, Vermont,USA
| | Posted on Thursday, February 5, 2009 - 06:15 pm: |
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Tom
Just a data point here to let you know that NESTOC '09 is taking place that last weekend in May and it is "headquartered" in State College, PA this year. I don't know how much of a conflict there would be between the traditional attendees of each event but I just thought I would bring it to your attention for consederation.
Dan |
Mike Miller
Site sponsor
Username: Miller205
Post Number: 488
Registered: 09-2004
Yorktown, VA,USA
| | Posted on Friday, February 6, 2009 - 08:40 pm: |
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Any of our UK/European brothers planning to attend? How about a Mexican contingent, Rolando?
"Never ascribe to treachery or deceit that which can be explained by stupidity or incompetence."
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Tom Wright
Site sponsor
Username: Twvtr
Post Number: 1627
Registered: 10-2002
Roebling,USA
| | Posted on Saturday, February 7, 2009 - 02:51 am: |
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I spoke with the people at Wisp Resort today in western Maryland. The area looks good. The date I have so far are May 15-17 or May 29-31. But if Nestoc is the later date we can avoid that if its a problem for anyone attending.
The rates seem reasonable and they can accommodate the meal and supply us with a hangout room. They will also section off a part of the parking lot for us.
I'll have more information after Monday. The group coordinator is supposed to gt back in touch with me.
http://www.wispresort.com/wisp/info/wisp-resort.aspx |
Tom Wright
Site sponsor
Username: Twvtr
Post Number: 1628
Registered: 10-2002
Roebling,USA
| | Posted on Saturday, February 7, 2009 - 02:57 am: |
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Here's a small map to show the general area. It's close to West Virginia, Virginia, Pa.
Maybe Peter has some experience riding in the area.
 |
Peter Menard
Site sponsor
Username: Peterm
Post Number: 828
Registered: 07-2002
State College, Pennsylvania,United States
| | Posted on Saturday, February 7, 2009 - 01:50 pm: |
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Tom:
That area looks really good to me, proximity wise. I sent you a PM regarding the routes. I'm not really that familiar with the area other than as a means to an end. I generally wind through there twice a year on the way to Friendstoc and to the Blue Ridge. I'd like to say there are no bad roads, but we all know better.
Now, if you want to have Friendstoc and NESTOC coincide in State College, I would be able to put together a few rides. |
Max Copeland
Junior Member
Username: Wichita_lineman
Post Number: 13
Registered: 07-2008
Abilene,USA
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 02:25 am: |
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Reg, I see that you r going to be in the Big Bend/ Hill country in April. Is this a group ride or just a pleasure trip for you. ? I don't mean to pry, I just love the country and am interested.
"It all comes down to livin' fast or dyin' slow"
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Reg Siemens
Site sponsor
Username: Reg_siemens
Post Number: 3022
Registered: 07-2003
Winnipeg,Canada
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 03:23 am: |
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Max - No prying...check out the thread here. I expect we'll both ride in informal groups and it will be a pleasure. |
Tom Wright
Site sponsor
Username: Twvtr
Post Number: 1630
Registered: 10-2002
Roebling,USA
| | Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 03:03 pm: |
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Before I make the arrangements does anyone have any comments about the Wisp location?
I can look elsewhere if you have other suggestions for areas that would be interesting? |
Tom McCrea
Site sponsor
Username: Tom_mccrea
Post Number: 638
Registered: 05-2003
Hurlock,USA
| | Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 09:42 pm: |
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Tom,
While I would not want the event scheduled because of my needs, I do have a commitment for the weekend of the 15th - 17th. Other than Alex Schmitt, I do not recall any of the attendees signed up for NESTOC ever attending FriendSTOC so there should be no conflict in that regard.
Wisp may not be the optimum choice, but it is located close to good roads and, maybe, some that we have not ridden before. |
