Americade Registration Now Open-Get R Done!
I can’t believe it’s that time awready but it’s time fer all you boys n girls to start thankin about the 2006 Americade Salvo (Thursday June 8th thru Sat June 10th) here in beautiful Lake George, New York.
I’ve divided this post into two parts: Part I: a brief highlights for those who attended last year’s Salvo and “know the drill” and just need quick updates on changes, etc and Part II for newcomers to the Americade Salvo: Ok here goes:
Part I: For returning Americade Salvo participants: The basic format is unchanged: If you can get into town on Wednesday June 7th, Pamela and I will again host a bar b q at our house..just let us know you’re coming so we’ll have enough burgers and dogs for me to burn to a crisp (my specialty!).
The Salvo starts at Noon on Thursday (change from last year) because I’ve gotten Bill Dutcher (owner of Americade) to move the Triumph Rocket judging up to 1:30 PM (from last year’s 3 PM) so we aren’t so jammed for time to get to the boat dinner cruise which leaves the dock promptly at 5:00 PM.
Americade on-line registration (
www.tourexpo.com)
is now open with the lower cost pre-registration prices for the “full package” of $79 for the rider and $69 for the passenger which includes the dinner cruise. Triumph is NOT sponsoring a boat this year but we’ll simply take the same boat (the “Adirondac”) in the 5 PM time slot on Thursday June 8th—its being sponsored by Shoei/ Tourmaster so when you sign up for Americade, click on that choice under the ‘full package” option. (See details on pre-registration below).
Friday I’ll lead an all day ride leaving North Creek around 9:30 after a mandatory riders meeting- We’ll probably do the App Gap again but take a different route to get their than last year..more twisties and lakes along the way this time. Friday evening is open to do as you please.
Saturday morning Triumph Rockets and other Triumphs will again be the ‘caboose’ of the parade..bring yer kilts.. don’t have one.. buy ‘em cheap at
www.sportkilt.com
Hopefully Multibob will return from Texas bringing some other Rocket Captains with him along with his fine collection of kilts for those to cheap to buy a kilt of their own. Also Davo is returning from Australia along with his lovely wife Michelle! Maybe the cheapskate will even buy his own kilt this year. Get R done Michelle!
Saturday, another all day ride lead hopefully again by Dan Rockwell and the weekend will wind up with the Triumph Party at Casey’s Tavern. This time we’ll buy a better quality keg of beer like Smithwicks or something..sorry about the suds last year..pretty lame..Ooops. The party will be $25 per person..send me a check at 92 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Queensbury, NY 12804. Same deal as last year..limited seating so reserve your places now. Thanks.
Non Iron Butt Spouses:
Several Captains have mentioned their spouses enjoy short day rides but are not interested in long hauls to get to Americade. May I suggest they drive a car to Americade or take an Amtrak train to either Albany or Saratoga where you could meet them and just do the day rides with you. I guarantee they’ll love the company of the many spouses who joined us last year.. It’s a wonderful group of folks as all of us know..an honor to be associated with all of them. Start twisting your spouses’/significant others’ arms now!
Lodging: The decision has been made to make North Creek our 'headquarters' and to try and limit the lodging choices to two for now. If and when these fill up, we'll add a few more.
The classy choice is the Copperfield Inn 518-251-2500.
www.copperfieldinn.com. They have blocked out 15 rooms from June 8th (Thursday night) thru June 10th (Saturday night)and will hold them until March 1, 2006. They are offering a price range of between $110 to $150 per night depending on weekday versus weekend nights and room type. There is a 3 night minimum. The price includes breakfast so in reality, it's not too bad a cost.Those who plan to arrive on Wednesday the 7th can book that night as well (if available). Tell them you are with the Triumph Owners Group.
For those who want less expensive, we've blocked out a dozen rooms at the Black Mountain Lodge 518-251-2800
www.blackmountainskilodge.com They offer either single rooms with Queens or rooms with two doubles. Their prices are $219 for 3 night starting June 8th or $288 for 4 nights if you plan on arriving on Wednesday the 7th. They'll hold the block of rooms until March 15th.Tell them you are with the Triumph Owners Group.
Part II: For those new to Americade and the Americade Salvo:
For those unfamiliar with the Americade Salvo or perhaps Americade itself, here’s a brief primmer. Americade itself is a very large 75,000 bike touring rally held in Lake George, NY each year for the past 24 years. It’s a week long event but our Rocket Salvo is only the last few days of that week, officially Thursday thru Saturday. This way, you don’t have to blow an entire week of vacation time to enjoy the company of other Rocket Captains. The Salvo is also for any other Triumph model riders (and frankly if you have friends that ride other makes, they’re welcome too). We ain’t brand snobs although of course Triumphs are the BEST..and Fastest..’Specially Red Rockets ha- ha.
Last year, we had what was then the largest gathering of Rockets in North America..a full 18 of the beasts along with several other Triumph model riders..and we had Rocket Captains join us from Australia, England, Wales (by way of Texas) as well as Captains from Florida, North Carolina and many northeastern states. Many wives and girlfriends joined us for a great long weekend. A few months later, our very own Multibob, Bob Roberts got some 20 Rockets together for a ride in Texas.. so Bobbo, a) R U returning? and b) howsabout bringing some of your fellow Texans with you? And c) we need more kilts so you gotta show Bro!
The Salvo will officially start on Thursday June 8th at noon at the Triumph Demo truck at Roaring Brook Ranch. However, Pamela and I will again host a bar b q at our house Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM for those who can get into town early. I’ve gotten Bill Dutcher (who owns Americade) to move the Triumph judging up to 1:30 PM on Thursday (rather than 3:00 PM last year) so we’re not so jammed for time to get down to the boats which start loading at 4:30 for the 5:00 PM dinner cruise. Last year, our Rockets were the single largest class of any bike, make or model at Americade and so Bill is also providing a second place trophy for us as well. Shine them mothers up (prolly the last time they’ll be clean all weekend).
Friday we’ll do an all day ride..take a different route but still do the App Gap if that’s the consensus (snaky twisties over in Vermont)..Friday night’s free time do enjoy Americade.. Sat Morning we’ll do the Parade again (30,000 to 40,000 spectators along the Parade Route)..our Rockets brought up the rear of the Parade..kilts flying and all!
Saturday another all day ride and Saturday night the Triumph Party at Casey’s Tavern in North Creek. Sunday, tail it home.
What to do now?
1) You can’t get into Americade (
www.tourexpo.com) events without registering and the pre-registration time period offers lower pricing. Best bet is the ‘full package’ at $79 for rider/$69 for passenger and it includes the Thursday night dinner cruise. Select the 5PM Shoei/Tour Master boat (again Triumph isn’t sponsoring the boat this year).
2) Book your lodging NOW.. you can’t believe how quickly things fill up. We’re using the Copperfield Inn in North Creek or the Black Mountain Lodge in North Creek (details above) so all the Captains and spouses will be in the same general area. They are holding rooms under the name of “Triumph Owners Group”.
The highlight of the weekend is the Saturday Night Triumph Party at Casey’s Tavern in North Creek. Many laughs and good times plus door prizes, etc. Again, get your checks in to me as soon as posible- 92 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Queensbury, Ny 12804
3) For Captains from overseas who are willing to make the trek, let me know. Many of the US Captains own second bikes and several have offered their rides to help out our overseas bretheren. This way you can fly in and leave yer rides at home.
If you have questions, call me any evening at 518-761-9024 or email me at
dharvey27@adelphia.net. That’s it for now.
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