STAR 2018 Location...where to go?

[Mooose]

I got one suggestion for Brainerd, MN. I understand they have good roads and very little traffic.

[Landon]

Landon sounds like you know the area, and you're right it isn't the most technical twisty roads, Deal's Gap, VA 16, and even our SE Ohio roads will beat that. But we don't have the scenery, the mountains and all that. I'm looking forward to it.
First time I went out west to ride (Taos in 2010) I fell in love with it, and we spent about 7 days in Colorado and hit some of the standard places (RMNP, Ind Pass, etc.)

Don't get me wrong, Colorado is a beautiful place to visit. My brother in law and sister in law lived in Colorado Springs and we made the trip out to visit a couple of times so I have spent some time in the area. RMNP can be done in a day from CS, but its a full day and it will be difficult to make back in time for evening events. I am not sure where Taylor Lake is, but if its over by Aspen its 163 miles from Colorado Springs to Aspen, I believe that would be far greater than any out and back route offered this year at STAR.

My point though was not to criticize Colorado Springs as the location for STAR, but to point out that its not necessary to offer 4 great days of riding if there are opportunities in the area to visit or see other attractions that people may enjoy. I went to Ben and Jerrys because I wanted to see and do something different for a day. I know others went over to Manchester to a large outdoor store(name of it slips my memory right now).

[Patmo]

Landon.....you are correct that for many people 4 full days of riding are not a prerequisite, but for some people it is.  Therefore it's been a part of the plan for almost every STAR.  This past STAR in Vermont was probably the biggest exception to the rule that I can remember.  I definitely did a lot less riding at this year's event than I can remember at any other one.  But it was also the farthest that I personally have traveled for any of the STARs I have attended, so my total mileage for the trip was at least equal to any of the others and higher than some.

I will say that the Nashville/Franklin  area would offer many many "destinations" and "attractions" for everyone.  These would include distillaries/breweries, live music venues, historical areas, tours, Civil War sites, museums, lakes, national parks, famous restaurants, and of course all of the things that Nashville itself has to offer....they don't call it Music City for nothing.

[africord]

I got one suggestion for Brainerd, MN. I understand they have good roads and very little traffic.

  This works!  I know that Brainerd has more than enough hotel space.  Cragun's resort has 300 rooms all by itself, and there are several other options in the area.  One of the companies I worked for used it for a business training session.  Breezy Point is also an option. I would love to ride the Chippewa National Forest.

[GlibGuy]

I got one suggestion for Brainerd, MN. I understand they have good roads and very little traffic.

  This works!  I know that Brainerd has more than enough hotel space.  Cragun's resort has 300 rooms all by itself, and there are several other options in the area.  One of the companies I worked for used it for a business training session.  Breezy Point is also an option. I would love to ride the Chippewa National Forest.

Not far from Duluth.

[stevegrab]

Pat,
Having the option to do many demo rides also had some of us doing some of that instead of riding our own bikes for a long loop. I had considered some demos in the past but never did them. Since my brother was intersted, and others in my group as well, it was a welcome break from our group riding and having fun on new bikes.

If I am at STAR for 4-5 days I'm generally looking for a few large loops (250-300) and maybe a couple shorter ones for days I want to be back early. But since I don't leave real early for rides I often know that doing a full day and being back for meetings and seminars may not be practical. So I plan accordingly.

I also see that as our membership continues to age there are more people (espcially at STAR) that want to spend time visiting with others they only see every year or two. I'm starting to do that as well.

Landon,
Taylor Park Reservoir (not Taylor Lake) is the place I meant, it is north of Gunnison, to the east of Crested Butte. Very nice ride up there, beautiful scenery. Highway 742 goes there from CO135. There is a partially paved (some dirt/gravel) road coming out to the east over Cottonwood Pass that goes into Buena Vista at US24. We stayed in Gunnison one night, got in early and rode up there along with the free range cattle making their way up the road. Got some great pictures along the water as the sun was fading in the west. Direct route from Colorado Springs shows 130 miles, so probably a long day ride to go there and back.

[Rayk86ss]

I Marietta, OH too far east?    I think Marietta was my all time favorite STAR location.  How about Nashville, IN?  It is hard to get a big hotel near super twisty roads.  I use tire wear as an indicator of how good a STAR was.   If I don't need new tires when I get home...  meh.   If my tire is worn out in the middle...  ok.   If my tires are worn out on the sides before STAR is over....  Great! 

Do we really need a big hotel?   I think a cluster of smaller hotels is fine.  Paducah, KY comes to mind as such a cluster, but the roads are in the meh category.   How about West Plains, MO?  (probably too small), but Mountain Home, AR might work?   If we can hold a great STAR in Nashville, IN we can have it a lot of places. 

[stevegrab]

Ray,
Based on my geography, a map and the description Pat gave from Dennis for the central area, I think Marietta would be too far east. I know they have lots of roads from the many MPFBs I've attended. I don't think they had a large hotel with a banquet room for STAR, recall people talking about a tent somewhere.

I do think that having one big hotel with enough rooms for the event is better than many smaller ones grouped together. The more people get spread out the more they're inclined to just hang out in their small groups of friends, instead of mingling with others.

When was STAR in Nashville IN?  How many members attended and what was the club membership at the time? It must have been before 2000, I've been a member since then and kept up pretty well with STAR locations.

The first STARs were held at a campground with 40-50 members, doesn't make them suitable today.

[Rayk86ss]

I think Indiana was 1994.   

[Patmo]

Don't discount the southern Indiana idea yet......there are a couple of possibilities there that haven't yet been mentioned in this thread, but have been mentioned elsewhere.  Remember what I said about not discounting casino and resort properties? hint hint hehheheh

[Paco Bulto]

When was STAR in Nashville IN?  How many members attended and what was the club membership at the time? It must have been before 2000, I've been a member since then and kept up pretty well with STAR locations.

Nashville, IN was 1994. I don't recall what the membership was at the time, but it was probably close to what it is now (did I read that it is now 1300?) We had the Honda demo fleet there and Nick Ienatsch was the after dinner speaker and spoke about his theory of "Riding the Pace". I was surprised at the quality of roads in the southern IN area.

[Patmo]

Suggestions so far...

Branson, Mo
LaCrosse, Wis
Franklin/Nashville, Tn.
Southern Indiana

Guess it depends on just how far East we would want to go, but if 2019 is somewhere in states along the east coast we could go pretty far to the east and still be considered central.  I do like all of the suggestions so far, and to be quite honest, the Southern Indiana and Central Tennessee choices are the closest for me and areas I am familiar with. But Branson and Wisconsin are areas I've not spent any time in, and like the idea of exploring new places.  I think that any of these areas will work for riding, and all of them have the accomidations we want and need.

[Buckeye56]

Ray,
Based on my geography, a map and the description Pat gave from Dennis for the central area, I think Marietta would be too far east. I know they have lots of roads from the many MPFBs I've attended. I don't think they had a large hotel with a banquet room for STAR, recall people talking about a tent somewhere.

The banquet was at a storage building Haas had just east of the Comfort Inn. I only recall tents at Avon. All of the suggested locations "can" work as long as folks don't OCD about every little detail. We all need to be flexible in what we want in a perfect world versus what is available at the chosen locale. Please understand that this is not meant as condemnation, only that there is NO perfect location that will satisfy everyone. I have attended STARs in areas that where not stellar, IMHO, but I did have a great time. Side note, some time ago, BL and I were at a bird watching event when conditions were less than optimal. Folks were complaining that it was cold, over cast, the birds were hunkered down.... An elderly lady looked at them and said, "Having fun is a decision". To me, those are words to live by.

Sorry to get side tracked, but for me, where ever STAR is held, I will do my best to go. And I will have fun there! I really don't compare one STAR against another, there is too much variability for that to make sense for me.

Keep the options flowing, I think this is  a great way for the membership to have a voice in the future locations of the event!

[stevegrab]

Well said Bill, I'm more than a bit OCD and compulsive in my planning, then have trouble deviating and enjoying. But I'll try to attend no matter where it is, and try to enjoy myself. To me somewhere new is better than somewhere I've been or ride regularly. I'm not as adventurous as others, but a group event in the west or Vermont is a chance to go there and have a great time with less planning.

You're right that not everything can be perfect, we need to be flexible, not easy for this guy, just ask people that ride with me

[STLTHMSTA]

Bill, those were the wisest words (not wise ass) I have heard in a long time. Thank you!! I have had a great time at every STAR I have attended. Some more than others but all were up on the fun meter.
Steve, that's a big step you making there trying to be flexible. "I'm SAILING!!!"  :^)  TM