'UN-RALLYING'

BY SOMER HOOKER

I sometimes have a hard time comprehending people who like to own things and not use them. Over the years, I’ve even had some old race bikes that I would manage to get out for a parade lap. I try to ride most of the bikes I own. It is a tall order at times [top pic - a group of Vincents stop at an 80yr old gas station in Appalachia; two Shadows, a Comet, and an Egli].

Anyone who has put on a Rally these days knows it is not a simple feat. You have to book a venue, get event insurance, caterers, PA system, trophies, mailings, security etc.,etc..
Years ago we were putting on an event. With just weeks to go, I noticed that very few entries were coming in. Consequently, we changed it and called it an “UNRALLY”. You booked your own room, you bought your own meal, and you pretty much could do as you pleased with likeminded folk. There was no money being paid to an event. Kind of like picking a coffee shop as a jump off point for a morning ride. In this case the binding glue was Vincents. We typically have 8-10 show up. A ride leader will go on a ride. You can follow if you like. You don’t have to either. Everything becomes an “UN” event or uneventful [second pic; why they call them the Smoky Mountains!].

Typically done in some sort of pastoral setting like the Smokey Mountains, we have access to scenic twisty back roads. Rides are kept to a moderate pace but then people have been known to break away at a more “brisk” pace. [Third pic; a small resort in the middle of nowhere is the best rally spot - make sure they have a restaurant]. We have done things like Deals Gap aka. The “Dragon”, a road between North Carolina and Tennessee that has 311 turns in 11 miles (We do it early in the morning before the Squids are out). Sometimes it is just studying a Deloreme map and figuring a nice loop of 120-150 miles to do in a day. It’s good for your bike and good for your head [last pic...the Road is all-important].

[Some comments from Pd'O - having organized quite a few Week and Weekend rallies, I echo the sentiment that it can be trying to plan and predict, especially after laying the groundwork for a good time, getting all the puzzle pieces together of good roads, accomodations, food. An 'Un-Rally' sounds pretty appealing too! But, there is something really nice about Just Showing Up, paying your check, and 'only' worrying about your mount and your progress!]