Oswestry 2008; your comments please.

[kevscrivener]

Can we please use this thread for constructive and sensible comments regarding the 2008 Oswestry rally?

The Committee would like to know what we did right, what we did wrong, and how we can make the rally a better and more successful event in future years.

I've kept it out of Club Business so that non-members who attended can have their say as well.

Please keep "chatter" to a reasonable minimum. The "disciplinary" issue regarding a Club member doesn't need discussing here either as it's not relevant to the rally itself; furthermore the member concerned doesn't, as far as I know, post on here so we owe it to him not to judge the matter on this forum.

Thanks

Kev

[sue_M]

I would like to endorse Kev's comments above.

I would also like to thank everyone who came to the rally and supported us and also a very special thanks to all the members who put in some of their valuable rally time to help keep things running smoothly.

Unlike a local rally all the rally working group are spread around the country and tend to only meet up at the final countdown - i.e thursday afternoon, to put everything together.
We don't know that traders and caterers are going to let us down until they fail turn up. We can't book the weather in advance, yet we have to book the site well in advance. We can't know everyones taste in music, but we have to book the bands.

What we can do is listen, and our planing for 2009 has already started, but we need input, both in ideas and commitment.

Its going to be the 60th anniversary year - lets make it a good one. I already have loads of ideas, and hopefully so have you.

It was good to see old friends, and to make new ones.

Cheers!

[Music]

Hi Kev a good idea I have sent a note to Andy to put in the Quin
would be interested in the response here.

Hi Andy,

A Little note regarding Oz.

I am sure all that went had a great time as I did owwww my poor head lol. Would like to send my thanks to all that put in all the hard work setting the rally up and making
all the ralliers welcome. The bands were very good and certainly got us rocking.
Now to the sad bit I was sorry to see so few stands this year and there were a few food wagons missing.
But my main concern is the lack of support by the members. What is wrong? I am sure the committee would like to know. There must be concerns for next year it should be the
main rally of the year but I am afraid if the support is not there its going to be a disaster.
Could we not get some input from the members what do you want !!! come on guys and galls lets make it a rally to be proud of
There said my bit.

[patrick]

Great Rally - thanks to commitee and all who helped. Was a bit quiet compared to previous years but we had a great time, excellent ride up from New Forest - what more could you want decent ride and a party with your mates. No problems with showers, bogs were great and kept clean- respect to cleaners and users . Food options OK but don't rekon they would have coped if everyone had turned out. Bands were banging - can we have a punk band next time please Barrie
Seemed to be quite a few grumbles - don't know why facilties , bands etc all great. Was a bit suprised to meet non members who were not offered chance to join at the gate- thought we used to do that and give em members entrance rate. They all seemed to be liking it and will probably be back.
I think we all got to pull together for the international , members need to turn out but on the other hand enjoyed it being quiet. Guess it all depends what you want - if you want hoggie type facilties etc Oz probably aint the place.
Perhaps if we had a sight close to a port and advertised pushed the rally we could get loads of international riders from across the sea- but you got to then provide facilities and the risk of a big loss goes up, but then we got to spend the money somehow and if people dont show we gonna lose- Dilligaf-nah.
Comes back to expectations though - I suggest that If the rally is at Oz next year can we get professional caters to run a dining hall type set up in the second hall, know there no kitchen but some of them got all the kit to bring along - oh and can we get an awning outside the main hall for people to stand under and smoke when it's raining or some kind of awning /marquee over the catering area - not that it will rain on the 60th

Thanks again to those that made it appen - top job, nice t shirt too - not to common

[old-mo]

1. A few more trade stands.
2. More selective food stalls.
3. Wash Basins, with hot water for those who dont want a shower and for
those who like wet shave + mirrors.
4. Some kind of daytime activity.

And only a sugestion on my part.
Why does the club not run an evening hot dog stall in a hospitality tent.
Frankfurter Sausages which simmer in there own brine from the can & a frying pan for the onions = table 2 burner cooker 1 frying pan and 1 simmer pan, small preparation table = Profit for the club.

Just my sugestions.

[BaZa ®]

1. Unless your in the know no one knows who is on duty or running the rally.
2. Wrist bands and bike bands were handed out to people instead of being placed on their arms and bikes in some cases.
3. Without encouraging non H-D riders to attend on there own (Still NOT Allow) BUT make it clear non H-D's are welcome if accompanied by H-D riders, we miss out on a lot of our members not attending because of this rule. (Wives, friends, sons and daughters) that have other makes.
4. Entertainment in the main grassed arena would go down well in the afternoons.
5. The bike show looked like an overspill from a parking lot. The locals should have been invited to see this event and donate to the local hospice charity. This should have been a big event with locals seeing what is going on.
6. H-D sign behing the bar would look better behind the band for any photots taken.
7. Bar prices are way too expensive there are hardly any overheads for the people running the bar and I am sure we could/should be able to compete with Weatherspoons?
8. Start advertising for our 60th from January not a poxy one inch column advert but at least a half page at a time... (American V and BSH) at least and get the tickets on sale on line at the same time.
9. Food was fine we had a good choice MJ's did a good trade but we ain't a club for buying bling so the traders go elsewhere for a bigger turnover.
10. Dare I agree with some others 'Change the date!!!'.... Don't compete with 700 + attendees at Shipley over the August Bank Holiday, they have the monopoly now after all the 23 plus years we were there building up a good reputation.
11. The main badge (orange) that we since last year have had a year bar added to it ran out I was told by an upset member! How the heck does that happen when we were about 200 down on numbers from last year? The whole idea of that badge was that it will last for years to come so we should always have a decent number in stock to sell to those people that did not ever make the 2007 rally where it was free!

Again apart from that well done to all those that worked over the long weekend and leading up to the rally and the work done in the background in the previous year.

We I believe are too large in this club to put on a more personal rally the European clubs of 40-60 members and also in this country and our regions run great rallies because everyone lends a hand. (Well almost!)

We can't even get a third of our members (500) to our international let alone all the committee!

[FXSTC Dave]

Hi Kev & Sue.

I concur with old-mo regarding his 4 points.

For his point 4 perhaps something on both Sat & Sun ?

Also Rodbod and I were talking about the bike show awards and
the fact that every engine after 1984 are lumped together.
If Shovelheads can have a prize, why can't we have prizes for
best Evo, Twin Cam (both 88b and the new 96") and V-Rods ?

If I think of anything else I'll put it here.

[Rod Bod]

August Bank Holiday is always going to compete with other events around the country that might attract members away for a change of scenery before they return maybe next year - so no need for the committee to beat themselves up coz there is a requirement for consitency. A change of date might be worth looking into, but I would ask other regions not to arrange rallys close to any revised date.

Personally I think the best rally I went to was the Centrum because of how well it was organised and co-ordinated with so much to do on-site plus the bonus of free breakfasts each morning made by the members of the club. Each 'guest' was made to feel like they were special and very welcome. There were games which were well organised, and the Saturday party had a theme that was well advertised weeks before so people could make an effort if they wished.

For me the rideout is a special part of any rally and a chance to be introduced to the area by the people who know. Maybe having several rideouts to a variety of places via different routes could be organised to offer people choice of when to go but the chance to go on a couple if they so wish. For me the ride should always snake through the town to involve the townsfolk in a charitable bucket collection and to make our friendly presence felt a bit more. It could also be arranged with the town council for the bike show winners to display their bikes prominently in the centre for families to have a look at, chat to the bikers and pay a quid a time for a photo of the kids sitting on the bikes.

I think the evening entertainment may struggle to entice people back from the town. I have always thought the idea of a comedian would be good to start the evening off, or one of the comedy horror acts that are doing the rounds. Ever heard of 'Puppetry of the Penis'? Now that would cause a stir, lol.
Possibly having an 'adult' magician or hypnotist doing their thing might be an alternative idea.
The raffle might be better off with a small number of very worthwhile prizes to get the money in but to keep the draw short & sweet. The results of the bike show should be leaked to the winners so that they can ride their bikes onto the dancefloor area to collect their prize so we can all see the quality of the winner's bikes.

Cheaper beer would be good, cheaper entrance prices, especially for non-members, would be better. More choice of food retailers is a must and more trade stands would create a lively market atmosphere and more of a buzz on site. The gents toilets need full floor to ceiling partitions instead of the primary school efforts in place currently.

A team of video enthusiasts could be on hand around the site and at the organised events, bike show, rideout and bands etc, filming the members and their bikes making it feel like a special event. This footage could then be relayed in the bar on a big screen the next day entertaining everyone with people's japes and pranks. These films could also be relayed the following year or at other rallys whenever there is a lull in proceedings. I remember Roger doing something like this at the first Llangollen web party.

Just some ideas, but I'm aware my kinda rally may not everybody's cup of tea. Just one other thing though. I think its very narrow-minded not to acknowledge the revolution engined bikes in the bike show. I know V-Rods and the like aren't everyone's idea of a 'proper' Harley but, like any form of discrimination, it is only perpetuated by not being acknowledged in shows at the International and regional rallys by the organisers.

That being said I had a ball at Os this year and so did my partner Claire who was attending her first International. Attending a rally is like going to any party, I'm sure that its the spirit with which everyone contributes, that ensures its success. Well done committee and everyone who helped deliver once again so many good memories.

Rod Bod

[Realbark]

1- food stands were few and the quality was mediocre, maybe ive been spoilt but it was obvious to me and the missus - not impressed!

2 - bands - now this is a personal thing, but a variety of types of music would have been welcome. The bands who played were good (if you like the type/style) - but l heard many comments regarding the type. We dont all wanna listen to rock music!

3 - trade stands - clothing and engraved hip flasks? hmmm......

4 - security/ gates - excellent = i had taken off my bike sticker/bandage - was stopped and questioned which was ok - keep it up!

5 - general atmosphere was good - been there and done the attitude shit - this is an area where the club shines...keep it up!

6 - a tool tent/breakdown area.......... ive seen these on many sites - general tools, jump starter etc - maybe we had one, if so i did not see it? if not, maybe we should?

7 - The non - smoking bullshit. i know what the law says and i know we were told about "enforcement" and all that gubbins. Some rallys ignore this (councils have not got the people to police this) - but there must have been as many folk outside or by the doors as inside. We are all bikers and should not put up with petty crap from the councils - i know i will here an answer abot potential fines etc. BUT thats all they are , potential! Ignore em and you are 99% away! Again just a personal comment.

8 - Sunday rideout - great idea. 11.00am is to early. I know people leave to go home to have the monday with the family etc, but for those who have partied hard on saturday night its a relevant cooment. (not only mine!). !.00pm is a good time, - gives folk a chance for a wash, shit n shave and a sober up! On a weekend like this two hours makes all the difference!

9 - overall the rally (my first with hdrcgb) was ok - but only ok. I would like to see some general improvements before i would go again.

[Realbark]

And finally (see earlier comments) - FFS, bring the winning bikes in to stage area! ride up and lets see whats won! A reg no just does not do it for me!