Ladies and Gents, it’s happening again!
The 2nd (possibly annual) HOG TIE, September 13-15, 2013 in Harrison, Arkansas at the Hub Hotel.
After the great turnout last year, (and at the behest of many fanatics that seemed to enjoy themselves) I am putting out the call a little earlier this year to enable those needing to juggle vacation time ample opportunity to make the appropriate plans.
(I have found a sacrificial virgin and the weather gods have deemed it good. The weather this year will be as good as last year. You’re welcome.)
This year will include:
1.A cookout Friday night (13th). I’ll be bringing a truck and trailer this year and will tote along all the necessary bits to put together a burger/bratwurst/hotlink cook out.
2.Led groups for those that haven’t been to the area and are looking for a slower pace or a sightseeing group. There will be other groups looking for a faster pace, but I myself like to look around and take it relatively easy.
Once again, this year will be at the HUB HOTEL (www.hubinfo.com) as Randall and Debbie were fantastic for us last year. I’ve got a block of rooms reserved, tell Debbie that you’re with VFRD when you call to make reservations. No money is required up front, I think they keep reservations on Post-it notes. However, if you do cancel, please call them and advise so we’ve got an accurate tally of people coming out and availability of rooms. Rooms start at 60/night, campsites (the lawn) are 10/night and campsites have access to bathrooms. While accommodations are not the Ritz Carlton by any stretch of the imagination, the sheets are clean and the owners are wonderful. There is a restaurant on-site that’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the food is pretty good. Randall makes his AMAZING prime rib on the weekends. There is a beer cooler for a small donation as the Hub is in a dry county. If you prefer to bring your own, there’s a store about 6 miles north of the hotel that sells beer.
Remember, this ride is NOT limited to VFR's. If you have some family or friends that you'd like to invite, help yourself. That's part of the beauty of not making a bunch of plans.
***Edit 5/7/13*** There's a new and fancy liquor store now about one mile north of the Hub.
What to expect:
If you decide to join us at this meet, I can promise you great roads, good food and wonderful people. Beyond that, this weekend will be what you make of it. I’m not good at planning things, so I don’t really even pretend to try any more. Ultimately, your enjoyment of this event depends on you. Come out, enjoy the scenery, the roads and the company. Don’t expect a weekend full of planned events for you, it won’t be there. Keep an open schedule and leave your OCD at the house.
I will provide T-shirts again this year, and will take pre-orders as the date approaches. I’ve still got some vintage 2012 tees available if you’re skinny or looking for some spare rags to wipe down your bike. Hopefully I can sweet-talk Grapes and Randy at Barefoot Designs to help out with that again this year.
***Added 5/7/13*** VcFR is planning on making some name badges/info cards up this year. This was one thing I'd hoped to do last year and just didn't work.
Take some time to start the conversation on this thread about finding riding partners and scheduling runs. The ONLY thing I’m scheduling is a meal on Friday night and a weekend at the hotel. While officially, the HOG TIE is Friday, Saturday and Sunday, don’t be surprised if a few show up early or stay late. (I’ll be there early, there’s a bunch of stuff in the area I want to go see and do.)
If last year is any indication, ride groups will be pretty much out the door by 9:00am and will filter back in and out throughout the day, coming in for the night an hour or so before sunset. Take time and ask questions to find a group that is within your skill-set. If you are not accustomed to this type of terrain, I would strongly encourage you to pair up with people who will be doing a slower pace. There’s not much room for error (Right Rush2112?) and we really REALLY don’t want anyone to have a mishap. Last year, nobody was cited or went down… I’d really love to keep that record. Try to keep rider groups to 5-6 people at most.
There will be PLENTY of talk about routes. Keep your eyes peeled for it.
This ride is NOT limited to those on VFRD, but I’m not advertising it anywhere except on this site. Friends, husbands, wives, main squeezes and kids are all welcome, no matter what they ride.
Here’s some clips from last year a few of us compiled, along with a couple screencaps of some good routes.
http://vimeo.com/50389681
http://youtu.be/H789O2QJR-I
http://youtu.be/4FCFt0q2K48
[image: gallery_23869_6751_672166.png]
RSVP list-
Confirmed:
Yokel (+2)
2thdr + Christina
Gswanson
00Yeller
GadiantonRob
VcFR
Argsxrlady
Huntingguns
Dutchinterceptor
Adam79 (+the epic pillion, Leslie) -
(Mr. Francis and the wife.)
Gloryracing + Ellen
RUSH2112 (+ the non-pillion, BEEMER ROD)
09zzz
veequattrorazzo
pluseb0
kyledonahue
JeffInFranklinTN
MaxSwell
Nick from Loooooouisiana on a purty red veefalo.
rdg59
Panamawing
Tentative:
HispanicSlammer
Vecky5
There are NO FEES for this event. The goal is to encourage as many as possible to take part, and we had a LOT of last-minute additions last year. That was a bunch of fun!
Keep your eye on this post as it may change if I add any information or need to communicate anything to the group.
*****
Additional information on GROUPS:
Several folks have been kind enough to offer route suggestions or to lead a group. I feel that I would be doing a disservice to many of the folks planning on coming out without offering the following disclaimer- Take a moment to seriously consider your abilities. If you're a flat-lander (like me) you may want to take in to account that you will be surprised at the roads here. The pavement is generally good and offers a lot of traction (chip-seal) BUT the roads will be more technical than you're used to. Baileyrock has set the standard for making sure people find the right group, and he's posted some wonderful information on the TMAC threads that I'd encourage you to look up. While the roads in AR aren't quite as twisty as what can be found near Deal's Gap, they can still catch inexperienced riders off-guard. When I came over with the Triumph guys last year, 4 people rashed up their rides and two were hospitalized due to injury. Nobody wants that. It's far better to get into a sightseeing group and just enjoy the ride than it is to push yourself beyond your limits and pay for a poor decision.
Last year, I led the sightseeing group. Several of us would happily do that again, and any VFRD ride leader worth their salt wants you to get home in 1 piece. Do NOT hesitate to ride within (or below) your skill level, it will be fun regardless. Don't be surprised if the group you want to ride with veto's you. We've got some quick riders coming and they may ask you some honest questions about your experience. Give them honest answers and listen to what they say. Surely some of the folks from this area will be willing to either lead a group or offer route suggestions. Feel free to ask!
-Jon
******
Group lead volunteers-
Yokel (intermediate)
Huntingguns (sight-seeing, intermediate)
Gloryracing (good luck keeping up.)