50th

[Frank/Coletto]

I have been in contact with Victory concerning the 50th because I am the VRC (BFD). I know we have planned on staying at the Super 8 in Roseville. I received this e-mail from Kriss (who I have been speaking with) concerning a hotel that is 95 dollars a night and 13 miles from the Fairgrounds. She tells me that all Victory events, food will start at this location. They are blocking many rooms. I will attach her note to me, but I have a couple of questions. Will you want to stay at the official Victory hotel? Would want to start and stop at a couple of Dealers along the way? Say G&G's and maybe one in Madison, providing we go up 90/94. I know the Indy group was/is planning on joining up with us, so I will also post on their site. Give me your thoughts. Thanks

Frank - Just wanted to send you a note regarding the 50th Celebration. Since you are so well-organized, I'm turning to you to determine how much specific information I can acquire and publish for group rides to the Polaris 50th Celebration. Victory is putting together an invite via e-mail and letter to all owners regarding the whole event in the next week. We would like to have all of this information by Thursday, April 1 in order to get your information in the correspondence.

Our top priority is to publish only information that is rock-solid. To help Victory riders connect with your group, we want to publish when and where you will start each day's rides and where you'll spend each night.

So, I wonder if you can provide me with the following for each day you'll be on the road to Spirit Lake and/or Minnesota: Date, Starting/Meeting Point (ideally, this is a Victory dealership each day), and the starting time for the day's ride.

For example:
Day 1
Tuesday, July 21
Chicago, IL
Dealership Name (with address)
Meet by 7am
Ride Starts at 8am
Day's final destination: Spirit Lake, IA (?) / Minneapolis, MN
Also, do you have an estimated time of arrival in Spirit Lake on Thursday, July 22? This will help the Spirit Lake team plan its events.

We will be signing the hotel contract in the next couple of days. Once this happens I will be able to give you this information to make room reservations. Basic information right now is:

Location: 494 and 100 (about 13 miles from the State Fair Grounds)
Price: $95 per night plus taxes

I am also wondering if you have talked to any of the Ride Coordinators that seem to be in your line of travel to the 50th. There may be a chance that some of all of you can meet up on the trip to the 50th. Let me know if you need any help from me.



I really appreciate your help.
Thank - Kris

[daveltb]

Frank,
I can't speak for any one else but, I'm holding on to my Super 8 resevations for the time being.
Is the hotel booked for Victory or Polaris? Once we get a idea of what kind of events they are going to have, then we could make up our mind whether we wanted to change.
It might be cool to have the Super 8 be the VMC hotel, and have a VMC ride to the Victory hotel every morning to join them. 13 miles is a nice little eye opener in the morning.
As far a travel to the event, I'm probably not going to be part of a group ride. Christy and I have vacation that week and right now we don't have our plans nailed down.
Keep us up to date with what you find out.

[SIDECAR]

Frank, I am not even sure of what is going on in Spirt Lake Thur, Fri. and Sat.. :confused: You could set up three Staging areas( G&G, Randy's and Douglas & Frye) for Firday morning the 23rd. The 3 groups could meet up at the Vetesnik dealership in Richland Center, WI. for lunch. Then from Vetesnik to St. Paul.
Lisa and I have room for anyone who does not mind pulling up the floor or tent if they camp. We have the room to have a pre-staging party on Thursday night if anyone wants.
I know that the reservations can be moved , but do not know how many will want to move them this late in time. Polaris needs to start the planing prosess 6 months or more earlier. Our main rides for the year are set by around January 1st.
Tim T....sidecar

[Frank/Coletto]

I am told not that big of a deal in SL. Plant tour (for those that have not done it) and ride in. They will have the big day on Saturday. I believe they are planning a dinner, lunch and some other stuff at the hotel. Will post when I know more. Vetnesnik, wheres that?? I like the plan.

[SIDECAR]

Frank,Vetnesnik is a Dealer in Richland Center , WI. . That is about a hour and a 1/2 west of Madison on rt.14. This route would keep us off the Super Slabs. It would be a scenic route,but would add a couple of hours to the ride which is fine with me.
Tim T....sidecar

[Scabs92c]

I got the same letter that you did Frank. Exactly except the name:)
It sounds to me they still dont have a friggin clue on what they are doing.
Just glad they are not in charge of VRA rides.:sheesh:
Jack

[Kozy48346]

the Spirit Lake activities will be minimal.
Bill Wymer (Vic dealer) learned of the Wed-Fri Spirit Lake deal in the same newsletter we did.
the plant is closed that Friday - so really the only "event" is a group ride from SL to TheCities.
for someone passing that way anyhow, a good thing. for anyone to change route direction, IMO not worth it.

yes, all VRA were asked the same thing. this came about after several conversations with Kris Jarland & Mike Dapper. i told them that they were pissing in the wind if they thought large groups of Vics would gather in SL on a Wed & Thurs. - so to keep SL in the mix is when the Friday ride came about.

offer on the table for VRCs to lodge on Vic has been mentioned. as of this time "hotel central" has not been identified, although they must be close since they know the rate is $96.
my reservation is at Rosemont - but if they will spring for $96 for two nights i'll move.

i have another chat scheduled with Kris and possibly Derek Scott this coming week, and will report more as i learn it.
koz

[(t)]

Unless Daffy and Mama changes their mind, we don't plan on changing ours either.

Our plans include leaving mid-afternoon from Indy on Thursday and riding to Daffy's place, then leaving for the 50th early Friday morning.

The Super 8 is fine with us, as it seems close to the events.

Whatever the plans are, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at this event. Should be a great time!

t

[Daffy]

"t" , no changes here, been looking at the map jus a little for a scenic ride to the cities.

[Kozy48346]

don't know your route from Il to TheCities, but thought i'd throw this out there ...........

OH & MI & ? (points east) will leave Marinette, WI (Cozzy's Victory) and meet a WI group in Eau Claire, WI about lunch time on Friday.
koz

[Frank/Coletto]

Posted this on the VMC site also.


Just wanted to post my thoughts for a route to the 50th Victory bash starting Friday, July 22. These are not cast in concrete just trying to firm up things. There will be two starting points from Northern Illinois, one From Sterling and one from Northwest Burbs, either Lake Zurich or Arlington Heights, the two groups will eventually meet up and ride the rest of the way together after meeting in Richmond Center Wisc. at Vetesnik Power Sports. The route home will be up to you. I will be staying until Sunday morning and am planning a leisurely route home.

The North West route will leave at 7:30 a.m. at a predetermined point, possibly Americas Open Road. Ride 1.5 hours to G&G Power Sports that is near Milwaukee. Leave at 9:30 a.m. to Vetesnik Power Sports and meet up with the group from Sterling. Leave there as a group at 1:30 p.m. and ride to the 50th near Minn. I can accommodate a few people at my house if you are coming from out of the area.

Reservations can be made at SUPER 8 MOTEL - ROSEVILLE
2401 Prior Ave. * I-35 W. & Hwy. 36, Roseville, MN 55113, US
Phone: 651-636-8888 * Fax: 651-636-8654 I believe the rate is 65 dollars.

Or
Vic corporate is finalizing a deal with a Hotel that I believe will be around 96 dollars a night. This sight will be where the Victory events will start from. I believe they are blocking 300 rooms and will have a concert on Saturday that will feature 38 special at the fair grounds. (This should be announced shortly)

Looking to get everyone’s thoughts. If you plan on going, please send me an e-mail at victory2909@ameritech.net so I can give the dealers an idea of the number of people (have not communicated with them yet). Again, this is just my thoughts and can be changed if necessary.

[Daffy]

Frank,
I like the plan for the trip up. Hooking up in Richland Center works well for me.

[daveltb]

FYI
Vetesnik in Richmond Center Wisc. SUCKS as a Vic dealer. They are a good Honda dealer but they don't seem to give a rat's ass about no stinking Victory. I've been there 3 times in the last 3 years, and they keep shrinking the Vic display and pushing it further in the corner.
Good news is it's beautiful riding in that neck of the woods.

[Frank/Coletto]

I think the pickens are slim. Did you have another thought?

[(t)]

Richmond Center WI???

I aint never heard of that place, nor can yahoo maps find it fer me.

Is this close to a real city?

Just curious.

t

ps: dave, tail lights that actually work are expected to arrive any time now.

[(t)]

also,

i'm not big on supporting bad victory dealers. if they're crooks, then no freaking way. if they need some encouragement (by seeing alot of vics) then i'm cool with that as a meeting spot.

t

[Kozy48346]

are the IL/IN sub-groups interested in meeting the MI/OH sub-groups?
we can meet in EauClaire if ya are. we will be westbound from Marinette Friday morning, 7/23.

t - Richland Center is NW of Madison 'bout halfway to LaCrosse. ya know, just down the road a pinch from Muscoda & Gotham:)
koz

[Daffy]

If Richland Center Dealer is a worm then how about hooking up in La Crosse, I'd follow the river up through Victory, WI. :D :D , then north from La Crosse to hook up with the MI/OH Kozman crew in Eau Claire? Just an option to the masses.

[SIDECAR]

Dave's right! I just checked Vetesnik's web site and they no longer list the Victory motorcycle. I will have to agree with Daffy. Sorry for sugesting Vetesnik in the first place.
Tim T....sidecar

[(t)]

<<just down the road a pinch from Muscoda & Gotham>>

aaaahhhhhh yes. That makes sense now. Good old Muscoda. Man, the times we've had in that wild and crazy city...

t

how bout i just follow daffy?

[Daffy]

how bout i just follow daffy?
Dangerous t, I'll for shore lead ya down a wrong road, better that it's planned!! Got some more input this evening lemme put together some ideas and run it past y'all. more to come.

[daveltb]

Originally posted by Frank/Coletto
I think the pickens are slim. Did you have another thought?

Frank,
Since I'm probably going to be somewhere else the days you guys are traveling to the 50th, I don't feel right planning your route. But I did want to give you a heads up about Vetesnik's.

Vetesnik's (http://www.vetesnik.com/)

[Frank/Coletto]

Thanks for the info Dave, glad that you caught it. Here is a letter from the Ohio group, Maybe we should plan on meeting up with them in Eau Claire with the Kozy Mich. group.


Hopefully you've received the flier on May 16 ride to Mohican if not email me and I'll get you the info. So here's the info on the ride into St. Paul
1. July 21st wed. Leave Cleveland southeast Polaris 9 am donuts coffee etc.
2. ride to flint Michigan arriving 2 ish at dealer there they'll have lunch for us we will add the Detroit riders here
3. after lunch ride to upper Michigan
4. stay over night on south side of mackinaw again picking up riders
5. ride across mackinaw bridge Thurs. morn July 22 turning west south west following rt. 2 along Lake Michigan
6. Stopping for lunch at a vic dealer in mennominee,michigan more riders added
7. we will stay over night part way across Wis.
8. there are at least 2 more vic dealers we may stop at along the way adding riders at each stop
9. in eau Claire, WI tentative groups from both Madison WI and the Chicago area will meet up.
10 arriving in St. Paul Friday, July 23 afternoon 4 ish
At all overnight stops the'll be motels and camping nearby to suite your lodging desires. this route will be ran at a leisurely pace no iron butts on this one. Feel free to join in anywhere along the way. Polaris has booked 300 rooms at 95 plus tax in St Paul this is the hotel that the BIG group ride to the fair grounds will originate from. I've been told that 95 is a decent price for St Paul in the summer. There are other motels nearby. Polaris is sending all the owners more info soon. At the fairgrounds will be much assorted entertainment. 4 wheeler stunt riders, the new 2005 vics,music just to name a few things. Any questions please contact me and I'll try to answer them, And yes Vicky the Mall of America is only minutes away.



Scott Hopkins
Cleveland CRC
Victory Motorcycles
scotts3kids@aol.com
440-647-0013

[Kozy48346]

there is an old PA Dutch saying ............ the further i go the behinder i get"

OhioScott is on drugs or his Ohio sub-group will split from the MI sub-group, specifically numbers 6 and 7. don't know what two other Vic dealers (#8) there are to stop at.

stop at Cozzy's Vic dealer in Marinette, WI is not a lunch but a lodge. it is 260 miles from the morning's departure.

it leaves the group in a position to be in the EauClaire area around lunch on 7/23.

the basic question for the NIVR is ............. what time and where in EauClaire do ya wanna meet on 7/23 - the rest of how we get to you don't matter.
koz

[Frank/Coletto]

I talked to bill G at G&G's power sports yesterday. He says that he has 4 riders from his shop that will join in, I have responses from a couple others from that area and Russ tells me he should have up to four more and I currently have 3 from here. He is going to provide me with a scenic route up to Eau Claire that would keep us off the Highway until the last 70 miles. I figure we leave from here around 7:30, get there no later than 9:30 and leave at 10. Should get us to Eau Claire around 3:30. Then hook up with everyone and ride in, I am told it's another 1.5 hours to town. Mark, Tim and T, if you would like to ride up with us, my house is open. I have three bathrooms (for the ladies of course) and a lot of floor space if you’re interested. If you would rather meet up some other place that would be great also. Thoughts??

[(t)]

I'm really looking forward to this.

My main comment is that the most direct way is my preference, in that i don't want to be worn out for the friday night activities (even if it's just drinking in a Super 8 parking lot).

Wisconsin interestate is fine, good scenery, flexible cops: we had more than one wave at us while doing 80mph--i think they knew about Victory even in 2000.

If we don't all ride together, let's find a 'meet up' spot Friday night if possible.

t

ps: and i hate riding around chicago...even anywhere close to it.

[Frank/Coletto]

Here is what is posted at G&G's site. I will ask Bill if they can be more specific on the route so we can meet up.

We are meeting at G&G Power Sports on Friday July 23 at 9:30am with several groups of Victory Riders from the Chicago area. At 10:00am SHARP we are leaving here and riding north to West Bend, WI where we are meeting the Midcities Motorsports Victory group and leaving there at about 11:00am. From here we are taking the scenic route across Wisconsin to Eau Claire, there we are meeting with the Northern Wisconsin and UP Michigan Victory riders groups at 4:00pm. Then we are going direct to the Hotel Sofitel in Bloomington, MN. This has been set-up by Victory Corporate as the Victory Hotel and ride HQ. There will be a free Barbecue and Welcome Party at the Hotel Sofitel Friday night courtesy of Victory Corporate. This hotel has 300 rooms reserved for Victory riders at the special rate of $95 per night. I recommend making reservations soon for July 23 and 24. The phone number is 952-835-1900 and request the "Victory Group Rate". Saturday morning at 7:00am we are all riding as an escorted group direct to the Minnesota State Fair grounds. This should be the largest single gathering of Victory Owners and Riders ever assembled and should be an awesome ride to take part in.