2016 La Crosse Gathering

[grumpy]

Just an update on the 2016 La Crosse Gathering. The dates this year are Sunday, June 12th through Saturday, June 18th. We will again be based at the Days Inn in La Crosse. Rooms MUST be booked directly with the hotel, NOT through the Days Inn National Reservation line. You must call the hotel direct at 1-608-783-1000 – ask for the sales department and request the Boss Hoss room block rate. If they quote you a rate higher than $67.00 per night please let me know. The hotel is located on I90 at exit #2 (French Island, Wi) – easy on – easy off.
We suggest you make reservations early, they can be cancelled up to 24 hours prior to arrival without issue. Last year we had some waiting until the last minute and they had given the block away. The room block is only good until 30 days prior to the rally.
On Sunday evening, June 12th, Scott & Sara Paulson will again be hosting a BBQ at their place – more info and directions to their place to follow.
As in the past, we will have the south parking lot blocked off for exclusive parking for trailers and bikes/trikes and long rigs that require extra space. We ask that you drop your trailers in the parking area and park vehicles in normal parking areas. Makes it easier if someone needs to get out unexpectedly.
We will be going back to some things we tried in the past to make things a little easier for participants: maps of the area in case we get separated, we will have an agenda hand out at check-in time, we anticipate a few new rides this years and we will make those known as we can firm them up.
We will be running two groups every day for the rides – same destinations, but one for the people who want to sightsee a little more and then the group who likes to “canyon carve”……this worked well in the past and we have had a lot of requests for it again.
The Days Inn has totally remodeled their lounge and dining areas, they have set up a nice outdoor area for smokers and the inside lounge is totally redone….several ate at the restaurant last year and the food was good. As usual there are ample places to eat in the areas to serve all tastes and budgets.
As of right now, we have the following planned – Scott &Saras BBQ, Rudys Drive-In Bike Night, Freight House dinner…………………
Potential things – Elmers museum (cars and stuff) – Winery tour - casino run to Black River Falls. If there are any other suggestions please send them along via this site or to my email grumpy159@gmail.com
Hope to see you all in June.

[CanuckHoss]

That is only a week to 10 days before Gwen would be allowed to do the International Travel..she needed a year of solid health following her transplant before her Travel Insurance is valid again. Not sure what they will do with a week sooner than the year if she is well enough for riding. I could come myself I guess as I had a lot of fun last time.Also I need to get my trike from Florida to the event..logistics logistics logistics...

[grumpy]

Well I hope it works out for both of you Barry

[tjy]

Is that the Casino We went to many yrs. ago? Nancy really enjoyed that (me too)! Barry "Hold that Thought".

[Gila]

Hey Guys ,,, I am booked ,,, so looking forward to it ,,, Now ,,, which bike do I take ,,, probably the 502 if I ever get a new tranny in it ,,, See you there ,, Mike

[CanuckHoss]

Well I hope it works out for both of you Barry

Me too...Gwen is anxious as hell to meet these V8 friends I have been telling her about...you will all have to meet the crazy expectations that she is anticipating...lol

[Gila]

Hope you make it Barry ,,, maybe we could all ride together ,,, Mike

[CanuckHoss]

Hope you make it Barry ,,, maybe we could all ride together ,,, Mike

That would be cool. I for sure am not riding anything to the event...not into the long haul bike trips anymore.

I have my 32 trike in Florida that I could ship to Lacrosse. If I trucked or trailered from here I have my 57 502 trike or my SB Sierra to take...

See where we end up....

[grumpy]

Is that the Casino We went to many yrs. ago? Nancy really enjoyed that (me too)! Barry "Hold that Thought".

Yup Tom that is the one

[Gila]

Hey Barry ,,, I hear ya about no more marathons ,,, last time I went on a long one was from Niagara Falls Canada ,,, to Paris for the rally then onwards to Kelowna BC ,,, hit snow in the northern states ,,, was so cold when I pulled into a U-Haul and shaking so hard I accidentally abused myself trying to pee ,,, I am hauling ,,, I talked to Bryan tonight and he is hauling his ,,, we could all haul together ,,, be great to finally meet Gwen ,,,

[grumpy]

Well we hope you can all make it. We understand that timing, economics, competitive events and other stuff gets in the way.......but we'll be here

[V8 Perv]

Sounds like my liver is going to take a beating this year if Gila is coming. Looking forward to seeing everyone in June.

[grumpy]

Ron your liver takes a beating if you're the only one there

[grumpy]

Just a quick update on the "Gathering" in LaCrosse - currently we are at about 70% of our room block booked - a good number - the room block will be released May 12th - after that date rooms will only be available if open - there is still a large contingent of construction workers staying there so I'm not sure what will be available. My suggestion is if you think you may be attending, make a reservation now - they can be cancelled up to 24 hour prior to arrival with no penalty.

We have not set a dates for things like Hansens, etc - plans always change. We do know that Sunday the 12th - Scott and Sara Paulson will be hosting their annual BBQ - we will have a couple of new destinations for rides - I would suggest that Hansens will be on Saturday so that they do not have to bring in extra help or open on a day not usually there.

There is still a large amount of construction in the area on I90 so be cautious.

Will post more updates as we get closer

[grumpy]

Just an FYI - the room block at the Days Inn has been released - there are a couple of nights that the hotel is full - any reservations made now might not get honored at the block rate or they may continue to honor it. It is their call at this point. If you are told the hotel is booked please contact me and we will see if we can get something done.

For those coming in prior to Sunday evening, please let me or Scott know if you plan on attending his BBQ Sunday evening so he can plan accordingly for the food - his BBQ will be at 5 pm Sunday the 12th.

We will have a hand out sheet for people registered at the hotel which you should get at check-in. If you don't receive one let me know and we will get one for you. Not a lot on there except outlines of activities. We considered map hand outs, but most were not in favor of it and as destinations are announced each day most can plug them in to their GPS.

Rides will start each day (weather permitting) at 10:30 am from the Days as usual. As we have in past years, we try to get back to the hotel between 4 or 5 - that gives every one time to get cleaned up, out for dinner at a favorite place and then back to the lounge or parking lot for happy hour

As in the past rides are weather dependent - if its raining up north, we go south, and so on.....we usually get one rain day each year - if we do there are options for that chance.

Again we will have the south parking lot cordoned off - the south side of that lot is reserved for long units (coaches/motorhomes/long trucks, etc.) - the side near the bldg. is for trailers and as most of you know we put them in double wide - we would appreciate it if you would drop your trailers and park your tow vehicles in the other lots - it makes it easier should someone need to access their trailer if need or if they might be leaving early.

There will be garbage containers, wash stations and porta-potties in place Sunday or Monday at the latest.

For newcomers - the Campbell Police Department is located across from the parking lot - PLEASE do not do any burnouts near the hotel - we have developed a great relationship with them and they keep us updated to issues of weather, etc. - the past couple of years we did not respect that and I got an earful after the gathering was over.

Saturday the 11th - sort of a meet and chat day, not ride planned - right now we have 4 rooms booked on that day.

Sunday the 12th - 5 pm the BBQ at Scott and Sara Paulsens house - directions will be given or we can meet up at the Hotel and Jen and I can lead you out there.

Monday the 13th - normal ride day - weather permitting - ride will leave the Days at 10:30 am - destination TBA

Tuesday the 14th - normal ride day - leave at 10:30am - destination TBA

Wednesday the 15th - normal ride day - depart at 10:00 am - destination TBA

Thursday the 16th - normal ride day - leaves at 10:30 am - this will be a little shorter ride day, get back to the hotel a little earlier and then to Rudys Drive-In for Bike night - I believe it starts at 5

Friday the 16th - normal ride day - leaves at 10:30 am - normal return times. Friday evening is the annual dinner at the Freighthouse Restaurant - happy hour will be 6 and dinner at 7 - this is off the menu and we all go dutch.

Saturday - we anticipate we will make a trip to Hansens Hold Up in Arcadia - please note....we do not know the situation with law enforcement or the neighbors so be cautious if you choose to repave the road

This is the 17th year for the gathering - we have never hand a fatality or for that matter a serious accident on the rides - we hope to keep it that way - we do not utilize police escorts for traffic control and Scott tries hard to make sure our routes circumvent construction and congestion - with that said please use common sense on the rides - the routes are beautiful, lots of twisties and elevation changes -this is not the flatlands of Kansas

Ride destinations will be announced each morning - if you choose to stop for refreshments enroute or take a little slower pace that is fine - please be considerate and let someone know if you leave the group - when we lose someone we send scouts back - so let us know

We look forward to all of our old friends and new comers - this is a great week - lot of laughs, lots of riding, lots of fellowship - and a few adult beverages for those who chose to indulge

See ya'll there.

[grumpy]

Probably our final update before the "Gathering" - we got the room update last night and we are doing really well - we have booked 90% of the rooms we blocked - a good number for sure. Do not have the campground count so it appears to be a good year.

It appears 12 rooms are booked for Saturday/Sunday - I am assuming most of those guests will be there in time for the BBQ at Scott and Saras place Sunday evening. Scott would like a count so he can plan on the food prep - please let him know through here. Jen and I will be at the hotel and can lead everyone to Scotts as there is some construction on the way up there. We will leave the Days at 4:00 for their place.

The Days has made a number of improvements during the past year included are these:

Complimentary Continental Breakfast with Hot Items 5am-9am Weekdays & 6am-10am WeekendsThe Area’s Largest Heated Indoor Pool, Whirlpool Spa, & Fitness Room
Heroes Bar & Grill featuring a Friday Fish Buffet

•Lunch Counter: Open Tuesday-Saturday 11:30am-1:30pm
•Serving food 4:30pm-9pm Monday-Thursday & 11am-10pm Friday & Saturday
•Bar open 4pm-11pm Monday-Thursday & 11am-12m Friday & Saturday

Complimentary Wi-Fi, Parking

We will have a handout sheet at reservation time with the times and such for rides and a couple of events during the week. If there are any questions please contact me at my email grumpy159@gmail.com or call me at 320-266-8766.

We look forward to seeing you all in a few days - weather in the long range looks normal for Lacrosse - temps in low 80's - no major rain events so far

Again be cautious of the road construction on I90 - especially westbound as the lane shifts are a bit weird

[grumpy]

Made a quick cruise to LaCrosse today to make sure that Quillans has fresh 93 in the tanks - the construction at the exit #2 sucks - please be cautious

[grumpy]

Well another La Crosse Gathering is "in the books" Thanks to everyone who made it this year - hope you all had a good time. Its great to see all of our old friends and this year we had several newcomers join our "neighborhood".

As usual Scott and Sara put on a fabulous BBQ on Sunday evening - Scott layed out some great rides all week long - we had no rain outs this year !! One day a 1 1/2 hour delay in our start due to some rain and one afternoon of 5 miles of semi-wet roads. The rest of the week was warm, sunny and dry. As usual most days came in around 150+ miles - perfect !!

Parking lot social hours were great - we must all be getting a little older as I don't think there were any 5am events

Freighthouse dinner Friday started out a little rough as they had lost our reservation information, even though Jen had called them Thursday with a head count....but in their usual style they had a room set up, servers and bartenders pulled in and it was "all good".

We have set the dates for next years event, Sunday June 11th through Saturday June 17th. We are going to be talking to the Days Inn about contracts in the next 30 days, they have proposed a 3 year deal but we are not 100% satisfied with their proposal so we are going to explore some alternatives. We will keep you all posted as to the outcome sometime in the next month or so.

In addition we are going to start a Facebook page for the La Crosse gathering shortly - several people are not on this or the other site but all agreed FB was a good route to go for posting photos and updates. I will let you know when it is up.

Thanks again for coming to visit us - hope to see you all next year !!

Tim & Jen

[grumpy]

Okay - I created a new FB group called "La Crosse Gathering"
I added a few individuals when i made it, but not everyone - it is a closed group.We can use it to post photos and stuff and keep updates coming for future gatherings.

[Iron Maiden]

Grumpy there is a V8bikers FaceBook page with all our members plus more, maybe you can add a few photos there? The direct link is at the top of each page on this forum.

[grumpy]

This is strictly for the individuals who visit Lacrosse so that we can update the dates- reservation information - rates - construction - etc

I want to keep the miscellaneous stuff and non Lacrosse stuff out of it