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Would anyone be interested "discussing" a {special} Group Ride?

C

connie_rider

Member
Member
In the past I've posted an idea about a new "Over the Pond" ride.
For this discussion, lets Refer to the new ride as OtP-II.
Surprisingly, there was very little interest. o_O:eek:

The basics:
In OtP we (COG/GCE) collected $$ and each year we sent/paid for a rider {or 2} to go over the Pond for the ride of a lifetime.
In OtP-II I think it might be possible for 10 or so people to go "Over the Pond" and have the ride of a lifetime.
The difference is the number of Travelers and each Traveler would have to pay for it themselves.

** There are many things to arrange/overcome to make this possible, and it would be some time before such a trip could be arranged.
I just need to know if there is any interest.

So, my question is;
"Would anyone be interested in a {special} Group Ride"?
If so, or even if you couldn'd go;
Please ask questions here so I can judge the interest, answer questions, and start working on details.

NOTE-II; This is one of the highlights that some of the OtP Travelers got to do when they went OtP..

"Passo Stelvio"


Ride safe, Ted
 
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(as of this morning) 49 views and not a single reply.
So, no one has any interest in a trip like this?

Ride safe, Ted
 
connie_rider said:
In the past I've posted an idea about a new "Over the Pond" ride.
For this discussion, lets Refer to the new ride as OtP-II.
Surprisingly, there was very little interest. o_O:eek:

The basics:
In OtP we (COG/GCE) collected $$ and each year we sent/paid for a rider {or 2} to go over the Pond for the ride of a lifetime.
In OtP-II I think it might be possible for 10 or so people to go "Over the Pond" and have the ride of a lifetime.
The difference is the number of Travelers and each Traveler would have to pay for it themselves.

** There are many things to arrange/overcome to make this possible, and it would be some time before such a trip could be arranged.
I just need to know if there is any interest.

So, my question is;
"Would anyone be interested in a {special} Group Ride"?
If so, or even if you couldn'd go;
Please ask questions here so I can judge the interest, answer questions, and start working on details.

NOTE-II; This is one of the highlights that some of the OtP Travelers got to do when they went OtP..

"Passo Stelvio"


Ride safe, Ted
Click to expand...
Many.many years ago I had the hankering to ride in different parts of the world. New Zealand specifically. But now that I'm older, my desires for travel take me to the historical places of world War two. I'm drawn to pearl harbor ( which should be easy to do) but Europe and and anyplace holocaust related are fascinating to me . My wife and I seem to find every holocaust related movie/series that's available. Being 5th generation polish might have something to do with it. Sadly I don't have the desire to ride the Stevio pass ..
 
Ted, I would love to do something like that, but I think the $$ of securing a bike might make it prohibitive; I would want more than one week.
I remember reading some time ago about an individual who had a unique service. He would purchase and insure a bike for you, then either store it for your next trip, or sell it. For longer trips it was more cost effective than renting.
Wonder if he's still in business
 
I will say that I'm not interested because if I was going to spend that kind of money I'd rather go to New Zealand to ride. I don't know it for a fact but I'm pretty sure that such a trip would cost much more than a trip to ride in Europe. I checked into it pre covid and decided that I'd rather spend my money elsewhere. Additionally, two days/one night in Quebec revealed to me how much I do not like being in a place where English is not the primary language. We couldn't get to Ontario fast enough (<--also a reference to some ridiculously low speed limits in Canada)

..but enough about me...

Ted, if I was interested, I would be reluctant to say so not knowing how much to budget for such a trip. Nobody wants to say they are interested and then have to admit that they don't have enough money to do so. With your past experience it might be better to throw out an estimated minimum cost and an estimated probable cost for the whole trip so people have something to work with. I realize there are a lot of variables that you would discuss after you get an interested group together (stay at hostels, stay at hotels, stay at upscale hotels, one week vs two weeks, etc) but I think most would first want to have an idea about the $$ vs. $$$$$.
I could be wrong, as I often are..er... am..is...er....I'm wrong quite often.

Note to interested parties:
The State Department recommends renewing your passport at least six months before your planned travel. Most countries require visitors' passports to be valid for six months at the time of travel.
Click to expand...
I don't know if our new forum software (how many years can we call it new?) allows for polling. Perhaps an anonymous poll would help you determine the level of interest.

Regardless....Best wishes for a successful trip!!! ;) :cool: (y)🥳🤩

🧵 <---RED FOR TED
 
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Sure I would be interested! The COG/GCE members in Europe are a great group of men and women. They always know the best places to go and best roads to get there. :)
 
Thanks for the replies!

First of all; This is NOT a request for "Who wants to go".
I've been bouncing this idea around for some time.
I know that one of the barriers to such a trip is knowledge.
So, I started this discussion as a way for others to understand what is required to make such a trip possible.
If we get enough discussion going, together we could help make it possible for some of you.

Note;
For many it would be a *trip of a Lifetime but most don't know where to start on planning such a trip.
** ie; If I had money/time/ {and looked as good as Ted} I would love to go to Europe and ride (but I don't know how to do it.

A few questions have been asked. In the next reply I'll try to answer them as best I can.
I "and several others" have made the trip. (Hopefully they will add their knowledge).

Ride safe, Ted
 
Konehead;
*The information in this discussion would help you plan your trip to New Zealand/etc as it would be similar.
** On our trips we went to Dachau {and saw some of the horror of the Holocaust}, and we saw many WW-II area's {including Normandy and Bastogne}.
*** Passo Stelvio is one of the thigs we did. Not everyone at the rally went there.
ie; Each day we formed into groups that went in different directions.

Jorge;
* I agree that Renting a bike is a big part of the cost.
When I went, I rode a friends bike and know only a little about the renting.
Luckily, several here did rent and can help us with information.
I do know that the Rental Agencies worked with the Travelers on costs and add on's for the bike. (such as bags/GPS/etc). I'm certain that they would give us a discount if we were to rent multiple bikes at the same time.
One thing I did learn is bigger is not always better.
ie; On my first trips I rode a big Touring bike. On the last trip I rode a smaller bike and enjoyed the trip a LOT more.
## Anddddd; Rental costs are less for smaller bikes. (Hint, hint)
** I agree that 1 week would not be enough. Once you have paid to get there, the biggest cost has been paid.
Best to extend the trip.
My method was to do the rally and then we extended the trip for 2 more weeks.
Thinking of idea's; Mebbe we could arrange a 2-week rally. {??} (I can dream, can't I?)
*** I have no idea if that person is still in business. That is something we could look into.
NOTE: I considered buying a bike and leaving it there for future rides. But you have to know that you will be doing another ride before you could do such a thing, and buying a bike Eu is EXPENSIVE. (I know I looked at some bikes)
## Steve has gone to Eu to ride multiple times. When he goes, he ships his bike over.

Motomaniac/Russ; I REALLY enjoyed riding Eu with you on our trips.
Please help me answer their questions. {Starting with info on Rentals}
* I totally agree that the COG/GCE folks in Europe would be a great source of help on this.
I've already contacted several that are willing to help us if we move towards such a trip.

Marty; I'll start another Reply after I rest my brain a bit.

Ride safe, Ted
 
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Ok, my brain is (somewhat) rested.

Marty; You asked the big one.
ie; The thing that makes the trip possible or impossible.

Your correct, there are many variables.
To get an idea;
I'll use a crystal ball.
I'll use my previous costs {and increase them} to Guestimate the expected costs..
I'll do it as per person costs to go to the Rally and then try to estimate the costs for additional weeks and the cost to take a spouse.
All guesstimate's are done assuming the cost of Standard (Non Luxury) rooms.
To prevent any surprises, I'm intentionally trying to do my guestimate on the high side.

Recent Travelers PLEASE tell me if I'm doing a decent guestimate.
Everyone; Check my math!!

NOTE: When we were at the rally, the Lodging was mostly in Mountain Ski Area's.
They did this because {during the summer} the Ski Area's offered low-cost rooms for motorcyclists/etc.
(business was down so they offered good rates to fill the lodges).
** The Lodging rate we got was with 2 people per room and it included 2 meals per day.

Using Flight/Rental/Food/etc. I came up with $6225 for Rally Week.
Using Flight/Rental/Food/etc. and subtracting Flights I came up with costs for Additional Weeks.
I broke the additional weeks into Costs while at another Rally and Costs while on the Road (Traveling on your own).
$4725 Costs while at another Rally
$5250 Costs while on the Road (Traveling on your own)

Using Flight/Food/etc. and subtracting Rental/Gas I came up with Costs for Spouse Traveling with you.
$4125 for Rally Week
For each additional week: (I subtracted Flight/Rental and Gas) Used Food/etc, & came up with
$2625 Costs while together at another Rally
$3150 Costs while on the Road (Traveling together on your own)

See the List of costs I used to do the Guestimates.
Cost List:
Item: Previous Costs ^ Guestimate of new costs
Flight: $500-$750 ^ $1000-$1500 Round trip
Rental: $500-$1000 ^ $800-$1400 per week
Lodging: $50 ^ $75 per night
**Lodging: $350 ^ $525 per week
Ex Food: $25 ^ $50 per day
**Ex Food: $175 ^ $350 per week
Drinks: $25 ^ $50 per day
**Drinks: $175 ^ $350 per week
Gasoline: $50 ^ $100 per day
**Gasoline: $350 ^ $700 per week
Trinkets: $50 ^ $100 per day
**Trinkets: $350 ^ $700 per week
Other: $50 ^ $100 per day
**Other: $350 ^ $700 per week
Total: $3500 ^ $6225 Rally week (includes Flight Costs)
Tota: $2750 ^ $4725 per additional week Costs while at another Rally
Total: $3250 ^ $5250 per additional week Costs while on the Road (Traveling on your own)

Lastly;
Every year GCE puts on an Annual Rally. {They call it Tour de Twist}
If we did a Rolling Rally, and then go to their Tour de Twist, we would have 2 weeks of riding (@ Rally Rates).

Ride safe, Ted
 
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Edelweiss and other touring groups do a terrific job putting a tour together and one day would like to go on one, but is obviously more expensive than going on your own. The last time we went as a group to ride with the Concours group in Europe was 2018. My total expenses for 18 days including airfare and bike rental for 17 days and all other funds used was about $6200.00. PP. We had 6 guys on the trip! We all roomed with another person. Many of the hotels you stay at have both breakfast and dinner (both always good) included in your daily rate. Had a super time and we would not hesitate to go back and hang with GCE group and do our own thing also. They know the roads out there so well. Guaranteed smiles everyday! Places to stay, eat and drink also. Yes you may also get lucky and rent/get a bike from one of the members there too. I know the costs have gone up but I think you can still go for less than 7k for the 18 days. I think as Ted says you need to spend at least two weeks there. I have been very lucky to do it twice and I would highly recommend doing it. Yes we have very similar roads across our states especially out west, but it is very cool to ride the classic and backroads of the Italian, French and Swiss Alps and meet the people that live there! Questions? I may have a few answers. :D
 
Thanks' GRR. Your ahead of me on the discussion. (I didn't give e'nuff info in my posts)
If this trip was done, I agree with you that the Rally should NOT be self-arranged or self-guided.
I didn't include a Tour Company because I was trying to do this as inexpensively as possible.
BUT, I AM open to discussion using Edelweiss or other Tour Companies.

Some background on me and past rides.
I'll start with; I helped arrange OtP over years and made many friend's in GCE.
In OtP the club took up a collection and sent a traveler Over the Pond for a Ride.
GCE arranged for an individual or 2 to ride with the Traveler, and they attended the GCE Rally.
I was fortunate and traveled with one of the OtP Travelers and later I went on 2 GCE/Rolling Rallies.
{Motomaniac {and others} were on the Rolling Rallies with me}

The GCE Rolling Rallies;
GCE arranged a Rolling Rally and we participated in 2 of them.
They arranged Lodging/Routes/Food/etc, and GCE Members rode with us every day.
In my mind that is the best way for us to do a Rally.
(Least expensive and more fun because we are with GCE Members)
So, that's my hope. But as I sed before, I AM open to discussion using Edelweiss or other Tour Companies.
** On the Rallies we attended; about 1/3 of the People were from the USA and the other 2/3's were Eu/GCE Members. (total about 25)
NOTE: I've looked at a few Tour Company options but didn't mention that previously as we weren't that far in the discussion.

At this stage, We aren't planning the trip.
The idea here is to find out if enough are interested, to answer questions, and discuss idea's.
Please help us Keep the discussion going.

NOTE: I Broke my rambling into 2 posts as it was too long.

Ride safe, Ted
 
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My rambling continues;

*Before COVID shut my planning down, I had made arrangements for a GCE Member (That did the previous Rolling Rally's) to do so again.
If it had happened the hope was to invite approx. 10-15 COGgers and 10-15 GCE Members to participate in their 3rd Rolling Rally.
Unfortunately, Covid stopped everything.

The possibility of a GCE Rolling rally still exists (or a Special Rolling Rally like we are discussing).
(I've made contacts with some of the GCE Members that are interested in doing this).
NOTE: Last year they went to Ireland and this year they plan to do a Rally in Scotland. (I think)

**Roger went over more recently, and he did his trip with a Company that is owned by a COG Member.
(His Tour was similar to an Edelweiss Tour)
Roger could hook us up with the Company he traveled with.
ie; Roger,,, are you out there?????

*** We could make arrangements thru a Travel Company when/if it is decided to make the trip.
Edelweiss is a very good one and unfortunately (I think) the most expensive.
ie; I think we want to keep the costs down and I thought Edelweiss out of our price range.
But (because the bike rental is in the cost) the prices you posted at Edelweiss do not seem to be as high as I had expected.
Thank you!!

There is a 4th method.
**** Steve has Traveled on his own to several trips to Europe. (he did 1 this year)
He ships his bike over and Travels mostly by himself and stays approx. 1 month.
He has had some great adventures, and I admire his courage!
But I don't think this method would work well for a group.

Ride safe, Ted
 
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Motomaniac said:
Edelweiss and other touring groups do a terrific job putting a tour together and one day would like to go on one, but is obviously more expensive than going on your own. The last time we went as a group to ride with the Concours group in Europe was 2018. My total expenses for 18 days including airfare and bike rental for 17 days and all other funds used was about $6200.00. PP. We had 6 guys on the trip! We all roomed with another person. Many of the hotels you stay at have both breakfast and dinner (both always good) included in your daily rate. Had a super time and we would not hesitate to go back and hang with GCE group and do our own thing also. They know the roads out there so well. Guaranteed smiles everyday! Places to stay, eat and drink also. Yes you may also get lucky and rent/get a bike from one of the members there too. I know the costs have gone up but I think you can still go for less than 7k for the 18 days. I think as Ted says you need to spend at least two weeks there. I have been very lucky to do it twice and I would highly recommend doing it. Yes we have very similar roads across our states especially out west, but it is very cool to ride the classic and backroads of the Italian, French and Swiss Alps and meet the people that live there! Questions? I may have a few answers. :D
Click to expand...
Thank's Motomaniac. (I was trying to be a bit high "in my guestimate", but apparently I overdid it a bit).
You have more experience with trips like this and you rented motorcycles (I did not) so your Guestimate should be more accurate.
I'm happy to hear that my Guestimation was high.

Ride safe, Ted
 
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