| Author | Message | ||
     Doncasto |
This is an all brand gathering at the scenic mountain resort of Copper Mountain, Colorado over the 21, 22, 23 of August (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) High Country Harley Davidson/Buell will have 2 or 3 demo bikes available for the event, including a XB12 and a race kitted XB9. There is some sort of admission fee/registration for either the entire weekend or for day riders. For additional information check the Cyclefest Website http://cyclefestco.com/ | ||
| Joplin |
Soooo,,, how was it Casto? jOp | ||
| Doncasto |
JM: It was something of a cluster schtuppfest. By the time we (myself, John and Sherrie Blackfeather) got up there (just before noon) several things had happened, none of them good. First, the Cyclefest had turned into a "monsoonfest", with regular thunderstorms dampening the demo schedule, available (more like unavailable - see below) demonstration rides, the Copper Mountain organizational capacity (see "Yellow Meanies" below) and the ability of Cyclefest organizers to adapt. Second, by time we got there, all the demo registrations for Friday were already filled - translation, no demo rides except on a standby basis. With all the rain, standby was not much of an option. Third, the Copper Mountain (all wearing yellow golf shirts - ergo, "The Yellow Meanies" -) people apparently opted for the "heavy handed" approach to controlling hoards of motorcycle enthusiasts invading their cute little resort. Rather than organizing parking near the event, they tried to corral all the event ride in visitors in remote lots that required a moderate walk back to where the action (or lack of it) was. They seemed to have failed to comprehend the concept the motorcycles can, and often are, capable of being parked in less space than cages. DUH! To make matters worse, there were no shuttle buses running when we got there, leaving no option but to "hoof it" in motorcycle boots or come up with a more devious method . . . Lastly, the Cyclefest organization seemed to fall a little shy of the mark. They seemed completely unprepared for ride in day visitors, apparently figuring everyone attending would be staying at the resort. They also apparently didn't understand Colorado's summer monsoon season - and the effect it has on motorcycle rides and/or the willingness/ability of the manufacturers demo personnel to put their products onto rain slick roads. On a little brighter note, some of the cluster schtupping worked in our favor. Since they had forgotten to have "day tickets" ($15 ea.) printed up, we got in free. After having been turned away by the "Yellow Meanies" we were able to pick up the tail end of a Buell Demo ride (being lead by Reed Holmes of High Country HD/Buell), blend in with the demo bikes, slip past the parking Nazis (busy turning away more motorcycle crazies) and parked right behind the Buell tent. They had one of those XB12R Buells in red and gold livery in the demo corral that really was an eye catcher - too bad the recent knee replacement does not fit on the "R" pegs. The demo rides were certainly better than a run through the parking lot around a set of orange cones, but Copper Mountain's location does not readily lend itself toward any decent Colorado Twisties - and the demo route we tailed was not particularly invigorating. Some of the manufacturers ran rides all the way to Leadville (Buell did not)and did provide a little more real world seat time on their products. The Buell representatives (all from local dealerships) set themselves apart from the outset - and were given the equivalent of "double secret probation" for their efforts. Bright an early on Friday morning their product warm-up included burnouts - which had the corporate demo personnel from the other brands horrified. At the end of the first Buell demo ride one of the dealership staff offered a 40 ft. front wheel loft Buell salute to the UJM fleets, which precipitated a visit from the Cyclefest director and the previously mentioned "probation." I was personally disappointed with most of what I found there. This was Cyclefest's first attempt in the area, and I feel they will now have plenty of opportunity to improve in their next years offerings. It was great to see Kim and Cheryl Beres in attendance (Kim did a short sidecar flying exhibition on his Ural for the Buellish participants) and I did get a chance to swing a leg over on what I believe will be my next motorcycle purchase - an Aprilla Futura. Too bad the folks in Milwaukee, in their infinite wisdom, have not provided us ol' gray haired, arthritic sport touring types any options in their product line - or even any hints to keep our Buellistic appetites wetted. So, if you are heading up to Copper Mountain GO EARLY (already too late for today), bring your rain gear, bring comfortable shoes and a reduced level of expectation. Don edited by doncasto on August 23, 2003 | ||
| Stubby |
Bummer. I was going tomorrow. But I think I'll pass for now. Stubby. |
