Thank you's

[BigRedandRiding]

Thanks, TITO for leading an INSANE and SAFE Gaps ride on Saturday. A ton of fun and despite passing a dozen cops, no one got a ticket! That definitely deserves a Ton Up sticker.

Thanks of course to everyone else, Paul, Robin, Mark, Benny, Sevy, etc., etc. etc.

First time at the Bash, won't be the last!
p.s. May is a great time to have it and a great way to kick off the riding season!

[brit3]

I agree, late May is a great time for this. There are other motorcycle events later in the year that while not as WICKED AWESOME, would compete with this one.
I think the timing is great and the 4 day format was better this year.
NOTE: Next year try to get another Thursday when Hemmings is having their cruse night so we can see all the sweet local cars that roll into Bennington every other Thursday night during summer months... (it didn't happen this past Thursday, rain)

[matts1050]

OK Mark, If you insist on having another Bash this September I guess i'll have to go...

[bennybmn]

Many thanks to the folks who put this together! This was my first event, and my two buddies and I enjoyed it immensely! Since the northern rides are all in our backyards, we decided to do the southeast area, and using the Mohawk Trail ride as a starting point, we put together a really nice medium range trip that might appeal to some folks next year who are looking for something longer than the short rides, but not so long as the Gaps or Adirondack rides. Briefly, down to North Adams via secondary roads, then up Notch Rd. and over the top of Mt. Greylock, which has just reopend with pristine resurfaced roads. Then north on the east side of Greylock through Adams, right onto Rt.2, which was awesome! North on 8a, 112, and 100 to 9 east to Brattleboro, Top of The Grill (we couldn't make it in time Friday night), then back on 9 to the campsite. About 180 miles all together, and every one of them a treat!

Good ideas. We could even do a "two mountains ride", equinox and greylock. But yeah we need a 200-ish mile ride.

[bennybmn]

THANK YOU to everyone who organized, helped, rode, ate, joked, fished, etc. You guys are what make it! I appreciate the recognition for my ride too. It really means a lot to me to not only be able to sort of show off my home town a little, but also bring people together, and help them have fun!! Sorry I didn't get to spend much time with some of you "townies" down in the hotels, maybe next year!

As for when to have it, there's a lot to be said for the familiarity of the same weekend... Not only would we run into other rallies later in the year, but we definitely wouldn't have a campground or hotel to ourself, and there's random craft fairs, car shows, shit like that which would suck up lodging. Plus, it could have been 85 and muggy as shit last weekend, and it can be nasty stormy in June too... I hear what you guys are worried about, but It's Vermont. Ya never know.

[mark]

Plus, it could have been 85 and muggy as shit last weekend, and it can be nasty stormy in June too... I hear what you guys are worried about, but It's Vermont. Ya never know.

Exactly.

The first time I rode down to Curtis BBQ was with a couple of folks from my RAT pack, including Robin. It was in the middle of August, and I froze my ass off on the ride south. It was cloudy and cold that morning and drizzled occasionally. Dan Bisbee had the foresight to wear his heated vest. In fucking August. I stopped for coffee a lot.

The point is, the weather is unpredictable here no matter what month it is.

--mark

[jefff1]

Thank you Tito..Robin and Paul...You guys were the first 3 I met after parking my Tiger at the Kirkside and it was all great from there on out...I enjoyed the area..the rides and even doing some exploring by myself in the hills...I learned some twisty lessons too on the fastest ride of the day led by Mark (sorry Tito but how can you expect your Speed Triple to compete with Mark's modded Bonny...lol) It also gave me a great excuse to drop down into Mass. and catch up with my college roomate and spend the day with his family on sunday...Great time all around made really special by all the unique Triumph lovers in attendance from all over...I would look forward to attending again...

[schuitz]

My own big thanks to Mark, Tito and Robin for all their efforts, Kurt (and Beth) for the lift to the campground on Saturday night (I was beat!) and Jeff and EDISON for checking up on me when I pulled off to attend to my vision. I was ok, but it sure made me feel a lot better. And of course to Bill for the great company.

As a new rider on my first major trip, the experience was overwhelmingly positive. To a person, everyone I chatted with this weekend was awesome and supportive, and the intimidated feeling I rode in with quickly went away. I learned volumes about riding with skill and style, just by watching and listening to you folks. Thank you all.

Mike

[bruce19]

I just wanted to voice my regret at missing the event. Sometimes life intervenes when you least expect it. Vicki and I want to stay in touch with everyone and will make efforts to do that this summer. Perhaps a cookout redux at our place? Who knows, if I can sell my Yamaha FZ1, there might even be another Sprint in our future.

[Spad]

One more expression of thanks to all involved with this year's Bash. To Mark for a great ride on Saturday, keeping almost twenty of us together on some great roads that I'll definitely hit again (Tracy Road, anyone?), and for all the work on this site; to Robin, for the pre-Bash work from 'Bama, giving out some great prizes and keeping the party dancing till they shut us down on Saturday, and to Tito for his bottomless pit of energy and setting the tone for what has to be one of the best MC rallies around. It made for a hell of a fine birthday party.

The only regret is missing the BBQ on Friday, but that just leaves more for next year.

- Jim

'06 Wee Strom
'82 Honda CM450E (no longer the oldest Honda Twin to make the BTB!)

[bennybmn]

In fucking August.

Preach on, brother. On the other hand, it can be 100, which most people don't expect from VT. And we'd be sweating balls the whole weekend. I know it's a matter of preference, but I'd rather suit up for a chill than be helplessly sweating like a whore in church.

[bennybmn]

PS thanks to the kid who looked scared shitless who gave us a $5 a bike rate to go up Equinox. $10 for a bike?!?!? WTF? I think he would have said yes to just about anything, but still it worked out well.

[coldnight]

In fucking August.

Preach on, brother. On the other hand, it can be 100, which most people don't expect from VT. And we'd be sweating balls the whole weekend. I know it's a matter of preference, but I'd rather suit up for a chill than be helplessly sweating like a whore in church.

Hey, speaking of Churches and so on... Maybe next year we can plan a route that goes over by the Monk's place - I'd love to see it, but maybe I'm just crazy. I hear they make very good wine, so many a visit with empty saddlebags is in order.

[bennybmn]

You mean the Carthusians? Shoulda come with me

[Hedge]

My own big thanks to Mark, Tito and Robin for all their efforts, Kurt (and Beth) for the lift to the campground on Saturday night (I was beat!) and Jeff and EDISON for checking up on me when I pulled off to attend to my vision. I was ok, but it sure made me feel a lot better. And of course to Bill for the great company.

As a new rider on my first major trip, the experience was overwhelmingly positive. To a person, everyone I chatted with this weekend was awesome and supportive, and the intimidated feeling I rode in with quickly went away. I learned volumes about riding with skill and style, just by watching and listening to you folks. Thank you all.

Mike

I told you that you would have a Spiritual Experience going it alone and then meeting up with all your new friends! You would have missed this rare opportunity for personal growth by forgoing this event . . . and not personally meeting me, I mean us!
BTW - that was some awesome rope knots and carabiners holding up your campsite!