Registration will be at the lodge and will be available during the day on both Saturday and Sunday excluding meal breaks. After that, it will be available on a very limited basis to accommodate any "late" arrivals. It's about an even split between those arriving on Saturday and Sunday.
Keep checking here on the forum for access to GPS route downloads. They should be available before you head to W.V. We also have volunteers who can help you load your GPS with the routes once you get there. I like to have that all done before my arrival, but it will be easily accomplished if it doesn't happen until you get there. It may be helpful to have the cord to connect to your specific model, but that's probably all you will need. I generally have my computer at registration and there will be other folks scattered around to assist with that.
The first "official" gathering will be a "welcome" on Sunday evening. Prior to that, it's all informal hanging out. If there are other campers, naturally, that may be your base group. There will be much hanging and lounging around the lodge as that's where the majority of the attendees will be staying. I'm with you on the informal "parking lot socials". To me, they ARE the event. As a "rookie, you may not know anyone upon your arrival. Hopefully that will have changed by the end of the event.
My first event was STAR in Helen, GA in 1993. I was rooming by myself as I knew no one prior to my arrival. I rode by myself initially. But by the end of the event, I'd made several new friends and was starting to identify folks that rode a similar pace to my own (I put a huge value on that). Internally, I felt like a huge wall flower and was intimidated by not knowing anyone in the group. But even a wall flower like me found someone with whom to talk. I have camped at several events (still do on occasion), and recall some great evenings sitting around a campfire.
Here's hoping you have a great experience at your first STAR!
