BTB 2010 - ONE Group? ONE Hotel? What do you think?

[LoVel]

There were bunches of people that missed the meet and greet but it is worth the effort if there is any way you can make it.

[drlapo]

1. meet and greet needs to be a bit later: early evening
2. one hotel is a great idea
3. ability to walk back to the hotel after a couple of beers is a major +: in town hotel is best
4. hotel with "secure" parking: is that possible?
5. nothing else needs "improvement"

[ATriumphGoddess]

I had a great experience with the Paradise.
The parking lot is huge. Plenty of room for lots of bikes. And there's a hose for those of you who want to wash the road grime off the bikes!
Walking distance to town.
The room rates were very reasonable, and there are different categories of rooms for different budgets. I really don't think secure parking is necessary. Bennington didn't strike me as a high crime area. Bring a bike lock.

I loved the meet and greet with the ride to Brattleboro for dinner. I vote keep that tradition. There was an evening meet and greet post Top of The Hill Grill scheduled for the campground, but it got rained out. Perhaps the upstairs at Madison's could be reserved for both Friday and Saturday nights? I'm sure they made money on drinks and food on the BB group.

(Let's appreciate the folks that work very hard to make this a cool and chill event and not get carried away making suggestions for change unless the suggestions come with the willingness to take responsibility to create the change. Just my 2 cents.)

[matts1050]

The paradise is a clean motel. The cost is $70 a night.

[beck49]

For me it's really important to stay at a place that is closer to what's going on in Bennington. I like to be able to walk to breakfast and the bars. I don't think I'd like the Hampton for that reason. The Bash seems to be a combination of camaraderie and do your own thing. Mark, had a a good question. Why was everyone so scattered? I have to say that I actually enjoyed the Kirkside, despite its "funky" quality. As a first-timer I was surprised more didn't stay there. Aside from the convenience, the small horseshoe lot, and benches outside the room make it very easy to meet new people. It seemed like at least half of the rooms had non-Bashers in them so there is certainly more room there. It might just be a step forward if we could encourage more of the people staying in town (and maybe don't care where they stay) to stay at the Kirkside or the Paradise.

[jefff1]

I do like the proximity of the hotels to the downtown and being able to walk for breakfast....Also easy to get to Madison's and other gathering places that were cool..

I stayed at the Kirkside which was a fun place to meet Tito..Paul and Robin..The manager had turned off the electricity for the room heat so that none of us could turn it up when it got cold one night...minor inconvenience but one which I've never experienced before...and as stated before the rate was $20 higher a night than the Paradise...I would book in the Paradise next year...Barbeque was great...so were the rides and Saturday dinner at Madison's...The only change I would make is just a personal one for me...All the rest I felt worked super

[mark]

Perhaps the upstairs at Madison's could be reserved for both Friday and Saturday nights?

Not an option, unfortunately. We tried to get them to do that for the Saturday night dinner/party, but without going the route of preregistering everyone for dinner, prepaying, having a limited menu, etc, they weren't willing to accommodate us any further than "we'll see what we can do."

We'll work on some other options for next year. Already have an idea for the Friday night party, but it'll be a while before we can confirm anything, of course. After all, we're a full year away!

--mark

[bennybmn]

Yeah the friday meet n greet was awesome, and if people can't make it, then after dinner would be good too. Everyone was just trying to beat the rain home this year... As for the upstairs at Madisons thing... As long as the camping contingent is that far out of town, you're never gonna get everyone there. I had a local friend give me a ride, but I still didn't stay long... It's tough when the place is open to the public. Also, if there's a place we can REALLY call our own, then Robin, Tito and Mark can take their time with the raffles, thank you's, etc, which I think would be nice!

[M is for Monster]

Let me start by saying I'm not a big fan of camping.

But I stayed at the camp site and had a blast. 1st of all the road from town up to the site is the perfect way to start or end the day (and the driveway was a good sobriety check for folks leaving). Staying up until 3 or 4 each night around the camp fire (thanx for the wood Kurt) in the rain Friday and cold Saturday was an experience and not a bad one. The stories that were told and friends that made around the fire those two nights will not soon be forgotten. I have a feeling the camp site will be even more organized next year and the year after that. There is a learning curve to that kind of get together. But all in all I felt it was super easy to talk to people in a very relaxed environment. I will say that after meeting some folks Friday night in the dark and after a couple beers meant meeting some new people again Saturday morning! Seemed like twice as many people were there almost!

Already waiting for next year!

[BIGGREENTROPHY]

Al Gore said it was going to be really warm next year! So the campsite is a good spot, They did have rooms (hostel style). The campfire was great, can't do that in town, . Some people like hotels...some like playin' boy scout. What if we (you) offer the campsites and one main (MEET UP, SIGN IN.. coffee b-fast, name tags?) hotel. The front desk may be willing to act as concierge just to get the extra business???? GREAT TIMES !!!! Dave

[TonUp]

I like the idea of a big central location that could accommodate everybody, close to town, bars, restaurants. I also like the possibilities of the Hampton Inn.

I also like the idea of every camping.

But then again what will happen when we grow again to 200, 300 or 400 plus bikes???

People everywhere for sure, no one place big enough for all of us perhaps. Except for one big ass campground.


Here's what I think, we have over 11 months to get it done. Lets promote the hell out of the event. Get a better feel of how many people will actually show up to the BTB 2010 by March 30th we should be able to make a better decision.

Earlier meet and greet on Friday say 1:30pm get name tags shake hands and leave for the BBQ ride by 3:00pm.

Meet at the campground for a bonfire and have a second Meet and Greet around 8:00pm

Saturday as usual, and at night everyone have dinner together

I plan on being there on Thursday night for sure or sooner.


Lets keep talking, input please!


Thanks!

Tito

Ton Up!

[ATriumphGoddess]

Saturday as usual, and at night everyone have dinner together

Is there a VFW or KoC- type hall in Bennington that could be rented out on Saturday night? Have dinner catered in, cash bar, music, space for a large group, raffles/thank you's could happen, etc. A deposit holds your place, plus gives a headcount and gives deposits for food, music and at the hall, remainder of payment at the door. Factor in walk-ins paying a bit higher price. Fundraisers do this all the time.

Also, along the everyone at one place theme, Is there a place in/near Bennington like - http://www.bentleyssaloon.com (in Maine)?
Camping and motel on one property, biker friendly. Very cool place and proprietors. Also, in the Berkshires on the same weekend as the Bash, there's the
http://www.places2ride.com/calendar/eve ... event=4381
at Eastover Resort, very casual place, biker friendly.
I've googled biker/bke friendly camping and lodging but I didn't come up with anything near Bennington. I'll keep looking.....

[TonUp]

Paula!

Good idea! Me liking it too. Keep them coming folks. Suggestions!!!


Tito

Ton Up!

[Speedblastr]

it did feel a little awkward to go grab a beer, as it was loose and no one seemed to be the person to say "Hi, welcome and glad you could make it". Once we had a chance to visit a bit, however, we were quickly comfortable, even if we couldn't contribute to most of the conversations taking place among folks who had some shared experiences in common./Let me start by saying I'm not a big fan of camping.

But I stayed at the camp site and had a blast.
SEVY , DID I MEET YOU ? M is for MONSTER or you ?
TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH , SOME OF US WERE THERE WED. EVENING AND STILL IN SHOCK BY FRI. LoL.
NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER AS FAR AS THE THING GOES , IT WAS A DIFFICULT THING TO MANAGE, AT FIRST,WHY? WE PLANNED THE GREENWOOD EXPEDITION BROTHER JIMMY AND TODD AND MYSELF AND IT BUILT ITSELF.
SOME OF US COULDN'T MAKE IT THRU NO FAULT OF THERE OWN, AND IT LEFT A VACUUM IN SOME OF OUR MINDS , SO WE WEREN'T SURE EITHER ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER AND WHAT NOT, BUT REST ASSURED NAMAG BROTHERS WILL REUNITE ONCE AGAIN, THIS I GUARANTEE YOU !
LoL
I'M A SEASONED CAMPER AND NOW I"M REALLY SEASONED, NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT TO BRING AND WHAT NOT TO, ON A SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN.
IRREGARDLESS I STILL ENJOYED THE COMPANY WE KEPT, WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH OTHERS AS WELL......
CAMPING....LOL..... IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOUR EITHER ALL IN OR OPT OUT.
NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER !
SPEED.

[mark]

Is there a VFW or KoC- type hall in Bennington that could be rented out on Saturday night? Have dinner catered in, cash bar, music, space for a large group, raffles/thank you's could happen, etc....

Funny you should mention that, I made the same suggestion a couple days ago in an email to Robin and Tito.

We're definitely considering a wide variety of options, but since we're still a year out, it'll obviously be a while before we nail anything down.

--mark