Does anyone here go to the Center of the Universe (COTU) in Marietta, OH? For the last two years I have remembered to think about it just after the event passed. This year I have thought about it well in advance.
Any planning information I should know about would be greatly appreciated. For instance, dates, meeting location, food and drinking events, etc. Do people camp or stay at a motel? Is there beer drinking involved (IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/beer.gif) ?
Unless someone gives me a reason not to, I will be coming up from Southeastern VA. If anyone would like to ride up with me, then let me know.
jatlrdierk, Feb 11 2007, 11:56 AMDoes anyone here go to the Center of the Universe (COTU) in Marietta, OH? For the last two years I have remembered to think about it just after the event passed. This year I have thought about it well in advance.
Any planning information I should know about would be greatly appreciated. For instance, dates, meeting location, food and drinking events, etc. Do people camp or stay at a motel? Is there beer drinking involved (IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/beer.gif) ?
Unless someone gives me a reason not to, I will be coming up from Southeastern VA. If anyone would like to ride up with me, then let me know.
OHIOVFR1, what part of OH are you from? I grew up in the NW part and lived in Columbus for 7 years before moving to VA. Getting back to OH to see some normal midwesterners would be a good thing for me.
All I know about COTU so far is that it's usually held on the 2nd weekend in May. I saw some talk on another forum from just after the '05 COTU and they said 23 riders showed up, but I guess a lot of people pussed out because of a rainy forecast. I'm anxious to hear more about the event.
[quote name='jatlrdierk' date='Feb 11 2007, 04:00 PM' post='353571'] OHIOVFR1, what part of OH are you from? I grew up in the NW part and lived in Columbus for 7 years before moving to VA. Getting back to OH to see some normal midwesterners would be a good thing for me.
How far NW in the State did you live? I grew up in the Columbus (Mt. Vernon) area, but am now located in the NW (armpit for any hills or curves)!
I too always forget about the COTU ride, but really enjoy talking off for a few days to SE (Marietta) area. Will keep an eye out on this post and maybe try to work it in if others are headed that way.
Bunsel, Feb 11 2007, 06:57 PMHow far NW in the State did you live? I grew up in the Columbus (Mt. Vernon) area, but am now located in the NW (armpit for any hills or curves)!
I am originally from outside of a small town called Bradner. It's about 15 miles SE of Bowling Green. I don't miss the cold one bit. There are a few curvy back roads along rivers and such, but yeah, for the most part the roads are pretty straight and flat.
If I find out anything about the COTU outside of this page, I'll update this post so you guys can know all the details as I find them out.
For those who don't know about it, can someone explain the event? Thanks
COTU is a VFR-oriented spring get together in Marietta, OH. It is smaller but similar in structure to the WDGAH meet held in the fall in Lebanon, NH.
I attended the 2006 COTU and although rain threatened the entire weekend, our group rode to the south and avoided most of the weather. The west VA roads were fantastic.
Search the "Big List" archives for COTU and you should find plenty of info:
thx1139, Feb 12 2007, 10:39 AMCOTU is a VFR-oriented spring get together in Marietta, OH. It is smaller but similar in structure to the WDGAH meet held in the fall in Lebanon, NH.
I attended the 2006 COTU and although rain threatened the entire weekend, our group rode to the south and avoided most of the weather. The west VA roads were fantastic.
Search the "Big List" archives for COTU and you should find plenty of info:
The only thing I found on the big list was stuff about the '04 COTU.
Mr. thx1139, Did you have to sign up with anyone? What motel did you stay at? Are you planning to go this year? Can I just show up at the same hotel on the same weekend and expect to ride and party with other VFR folks?
Did you have to sign up with anyone? What motel did you stay at? Are you planning to go this year? Can I just show up at the same hotel on the same weekend and expect to ride and party with other VFR folks?
The Comfort Inn is off exit 1 on I77 in Marietta. I sent a feeler out for a room share ahead of time last year, but beyond that it was a solo journey down from MA for me. Show up and ride. Thought I won the points for most miles traveled until some iron butt canucks came and ruined it. (IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/rolleyes.gif)
Arrive early Friday night to group up for Saturday riding. It is better to keep it small, 3 or 4 riders in a pack; but like at WDGAH the ratio of leaders to followers is not easy to manage...
thx1139, Feb 13 2007, 09:48 AMArrive early Friday night to group up for Saturday riding. It is better to keep it small, 3 or 4 riders in a pack; but like at WDGAH the ratio of leaders to followers is not easy to manage...
Cool, I'll probably take the day off that Friday to ride up. Does everyone go home on Sunday morning or is there more riding on Sunday? Which weekend in May is it?