2018 Grand Tour Questions

[xander84]

Yes, that looks good.

[Babbitt]

Does a google album with the points and other data in the information field work for submission?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oZeJj8dLo3fsdYgR8

Thanks

[xander84]

That is fine for the photos, but I also need a spreadsheet listing all of the locations and points claimed per location.

[Babbitt]

Got it

Thanks

[Willie]

Submission mailed today. I have to say at first I was not that thrilled with the theme this year, however after I figured out how I was going to attack this Grand Tour, it took me to some great destinations and roads I would not have been on. Got to see a lot of out of the way places in New England. Thanks for a great tour

Willie

[Willie]

Alex Kerkow is still the correct place to mail our results Right ??

Willie

[xander84]

Yes, that's correct.

[Willie]

when will the results be posted ??


Willie

[xander84]

I'll post them this afternoon.

---

Here are the final GT scores.
We'll have the final scores uploaded to the website ASAP.
Also, I'll get the shirts and prizes mailed out soon.

The 2019 Grand Tour Theme will hopefully be posted this week.

[Lapchik]

Are those all time high scores? I think the last big one I remember is shooters 800 something when he went nuts in Canada with the USA tour

[Frump]

Chad had 715 in 2012. Check the results at bottom of the page - http://www.glmc.org/grand_tour.php

We have 4 or 5 folks who are always pretty high. Some ambitious person should add up their combined numbers.

[UncleLumpy]

Just checking to see if the t-shirts have been mailed...looking forward to adding it to my collection!

Lumpy

[xander84]

Sorry, I've been slacking. They haven't been mailed yet.
Will get the shirts and prizes out soon.

[UncleLumpy]

No rush...just making sure the Post Office didn't decide to keep mine.

Lumpy

[Willie]

Has anything been mailed out yet ??

[xander84]

Working on it.
Apologies for the delay.

[rpmendez]

Hello, please forgive my ramblings, but after seeing the results of the 2018 tour I was disappointed...and fearful. Only 23 finishers?

When I returned to motorcycling in 2002, after a few years break, I discovered the Grand Tours (back then most were sponsored by the AMA) and I fell in love with them. They gave me a place to ride to. They gave me a goal. They added bonding time with my kids (1 at a time of course). I rode to many destinations with friends and many solo.

Mostly, they unglued my a** from the couch and got me riding on days where I otherwise may have watched the DVR or played a video game. This was hugely important to me.

I also loved, immensely, the planning of the destinations during the winter months. It got me thinking more about my bike and even encouraged me to do maintenance sooner (and maybe more thoroughly) than I would have without the upcoming tour in mind.

After another couple of years break, I re-returned to the sport in 2015.

When I searched out Grand Tours on the web and the AMA website I was shocked that there were basically none left. The AMA only has a few that cannot be accomplished in a normal, employed, 52 year old's free time and budget. Four corners of the USA? Ha! Maybe when I'm retired if I'm capable and can afford it.

I searched and searched. I reached out to clubs that had run tours I participated in in the past. They all replied with either "what?" or some version of "they were not financially viable".

Eventually, when I found the GLMC was still doing traditional tours, I was thrilled and immediately signed up!

I am so worried that you guys will not do them again especially since I have not heard anything in the way of a tour for next year.

I beg you guys to keep the annual tours going in the format they are in. Tours that the average Joe can complete without week-long journeys.

I would like to suggest the following:
- skip the prizes, I doubt anyone does these tours to win a set of tires. it would be nice, but bragging rights are good enough
- raise the fee a little if need be. I would hate to see these tours end over a few measly dollars
- advertise more. it took a lot of searching to find your tour a couple years ago. if its reasonable, I will pay for or contribute a bunch to advertise in American Motorcyclist. I deleted my Facebook account a while back so I can't help with that (sorry Alex if you thought I un-friended you, I didn't) but I can post other places if you'd like
- even though I'm a half a continent away, I will be happy to join your club and take on some of the burden of running the tours

The few people from your club that I have interacted with all seem great and I wish I lived closer to you all so I could attend the banquet and get more involved with your other activities. I just hope you keep these tours running every year!

They mean a lot to me. Thank you!

[Lapchik]

While it wasn't very hard to find locations this year, I think that the minimum to qualify [50] may have scared off a lot of potential riders.

Sad to say, but road rallies in all forms [and for all clubs] seem to be suffering from poor attendance as of late.

Personally, I wish I could have done more events in the last two years. Moving, my wife's opposite hours work schedule, and having two small kids put on the brakes pretty hard.

[rpmendez]

I hear ya Lapchik, I went through those times too, you'll get to the other side though like I did as an empty nester, lol. Sounds like you just need a 2-seat sidecar

I move 3 years ago too, last year I decided to join a local club, AMA sanctioned. They had no interest in Grand Tours, Gypsy Tours, AMA Corn-Boil, Charity Rides, organized rides of any kind. All they do is ride to various restaurants and ride back. They had 1 interesting ride to Gettysburg but I can't fit multi-day rides into my schedule typically.

What was really hilarious was I brought up these ideas at the 2nd meeting I attended and there was no interest then at the 3rd meeting they were concerned about ride attendance being down and very few new members joining....I emailed the officers with my ideas which were received with chorus of crickets and I gave up. I'm going to look for another club near me. I wish I was a female. The She-Wolves are near me, I've been to a couple of their charity rides and one of their associates was written up in an article in American Motorcyclist.

[Lapchik]

So..... any plans or ideas for this year's GT? Is it happening at all? Usually there's a new thread for that by now....