Dragon 2005: Q&A

[Boy Scout]

Dragon 2005 Participants:
Got a question about the trip to Deal's Gap? Post it here.

[Sully]

You posted this at 2:07 am. Nate ???? You must really be excited !!!! .... Heck I am too....especially after I heard you were bringing your bananna hammock for the HOT TUB!!!


Anyhoo... If people are interested in snacks/soda..whatever for the trip there/back.. I can go to Sams Club and pick up stuff... just let me know what you'd like... granola bars, trail mix, soda, propel...

34moredays!

[Player 2]

Ok, I'm reposting my question in the Q&A thread

Would you guys (and Sully) like me to bring along my 650pc poker chip set??

[Sully]

Might as well.. but is this going to fit in your allotted luggage limit ?
I'm going to bring a few deck of cards as well.

btw - it was nice to meet you TaZ8U.

[Wahooman]

Ok, I'm reposting my question in the Q&A thread

Would you guys (and Sully) like me to bring along my 650pc poker chip set??

Yes that would be cool or I can bring mine too...whatever.
I am also taking a pocket bike for at least some pictures on the dragon..hehe, or just playing around.

[Player 2]

Nice to meet you too Sully...

Either way Wahoo. I've got a 650 & 500pc set of clays so... Your call meng

Pocket bike will be kewl. I'll see about bringing an extra digivid camera in addition to my digi cam.

[Wahooman]

Also...something Mark said last night that I really did not chime in at the dinner, but my wife actually brought it back up to me.
Now, before I state this please realize I am not trying to be a dick....just basically stating something.
Mark stated last night that he felt that Tom and I should not pay for gas due to the fact we are putting the few thousand miles on our vehicles and taking everyone and all the bikes out there.
I have no problem paying for some gas....but it did make me think a little about the mileage and general maintenance....of course we run an auto shop so not huge deal.
I am not looking to get anything for free or anything like that. But thought it was a valid point too.
I would just like honest opinions here and see what everyone thinks. Again.....be honest. Just curious how the group feels on this.
After getting home last night and watching the Daytona superstock and supersport races, I am really pumped up now!!!!!!

[Player 2]

Mmmmm.... Beeer....

[Boy Scout]

Mark stated last night that he felt that Tom and I should not pay for fuel due to the fact we are putting the few thousand miles on our vehicles and taking everyone and all the bikes out there.

I'm not suggesting that we should use the method I'm about to describe, but I wanted to throw it out for everyone to think about.

The IRS business deduction for mileage is $0.405 per mile for 2005. You pay for all of your vehicle expenses (fuel, maintenance, tires, wear & tear, etc.) personally. The IRS then allows you to claim a deduction of $0.405/mile to cover the portion of those expenses (by mileage) that were for business purposes. Perhaps a more familiar example for those working in the corporate world: if you use your personal vehicle for work related travel, many businesses will reimburse you for your mileage using this same rate ($0.405/mile).

Using this as a guide, we'll be travelling about 1500 miles each way in two vehicles. That's 1500 miles * 2 ways * 2 vehicles= 6000 miles. 6000 miles * $0.405 = $2430 allowance. $2430 / 7 (since fuel, maintenance, tires, wear & tear are covered by the allowance, everyone traveling would pay) = $350 per person.

Using our current plan (Tom & Curtis contributing to fuel), $800 / 7 = $115 per person. If we pick up Tom & Curtis' share of the fuel, $800 / 5 = $160 per person. While that's an extra $45 per person, it is still less than half of what the IRS allowance would be with all 7 of us contributing.

I'm all for keeping costs as low as possible, but I think we need to make sure we are sharing all of the significant costs, including those that may not be quite so obvious. Mark has a very valid point. There is more to vehicle costs than simply filling the tank with fuel. In addition to these vehicle costs, each of them is also providing a trailer, which is subject to wear & tear. Last year it may have made sense to simply split fuel costs. Three couples went, three bikes went, and two of the three couples provided a vehicle. The "overhead", so to speak, was two people out of six, only one of which had a bike to haul. This year things are a little different. There are seven people and seven bikes with two of the people providing a vehicle. The "overhead" this year is five out of seven, all five of which have bikes to haul. In short, Tom & Curtis are bearing a much larger portion of the overall vehicle costs this year than last year.

I would not be opposed to the five of us kicking in an additional $45 each to cover Tom & Curtis' share of the fuel (it sounds a whole lot better than an additional $190 each for all seven of us if we were to use the IRS method of deriving vehicle costs). I think it would also be a nice gesture of our appreciation if we were to cover their share of a few other things. Groceries, gas for their bikes, and a vehicle service (at Stan's, of course) upon our return are a few things that come to mind. While it would be difficult to come up with an exact amount of what the trip will cost each of them from a vehicle standpoint, it is clear that there is more involved than just fuel and I think we need to take that into consideration.

So what do you think? Any other "hidden" costs that we haven't thought of?

[Player 2]

Fine with me guys...

[Wahooman]

Damn Nate.....I think you should pay for my trip in fuel plus a $150 delivery charge
Really though in all seriousness I don't mind either way. Nice write up Nate though. As for vehicle maintenance and repairs or trailer maintenance don't worry about that I have that covered. I just ordered a new tire and wheel for the trailer too for a spare (think tom needs one too) I will buy that myself. Not too many people have replied so I am assuming this idea might not be too poplular? I am open to anything. If our fuel costs stay around $800 that will be cool. Just have to see how prices of gas go---diesel too, and how the load goes.
Again, I am going to do some adjustments on the diesel chip but I still will get better mileage and distance than gramps
As for covering our groceries and bike fuel.......we have to ride and eat too, we can pay for our own stuff. I don't want this to become a "Curtis and Tom are taking our bikes so their trip is free" type of thing. Definetely not what I am looking for.
I am going to Lurchs today for the daytona party. I have a trailer, quad, and a bobcat on it.....will see what kind of mileage I get if I remember to check it.

[Wahooman]

Damn Nate.....I think you should pay for my trip in fuel plus a $150 delivery charge
Really though in all seriousness I don't mind either way. Nice write up Nate though. As for vehicle maintenance and repairs or trailer maintenance don't worry about that I have that covered. I just ordered a new tire and wheel for the trailer too for a spare (think tom needs one too) I will buy that myself. Not too many people have replied so I am assuming this idea might not be too poplular? I am open to anything. If our fuel costs stay around $800 that will be cool. Just have to see how prices of gas go---diesel too, and how the load goes.
Again, I am going to do some adjustments on the diesel chip but I still will get better mileage and distance than gramps
As for covering our groceries and bike fuel.......we have to ride and eat too, we can pay for our own stuff. I don't want this to become a "Curtis and Tom are taking our bikes so their trip is free" type of thing. Definetely not what I am looking for.
I am going to Lurchs today for the daytona party. I have a trailer, quad, and a bobcat on it.....will see what kind of mileage I get if I remember to check it.

[Wahooman]

Damn Nate.....I think you should pay for my trip in fuel plus a $150 delivery charge
Really though in all seriousness I don't mind either way. Nice write up Nate though. As for vehicle maintenance and repairs or trailer maintenance don't worry about that I have that covered. I just ordered a new tire and wheel for the trailer too for a spare (think tom needs one too) I will buy that myself. Not too many people have replied so I am assuming this idea might not be too poplular? I am open to anything. If our fuel costs stay around $800 that will be cool. Just have to see how prices of gas go---diesel too, and how the load goes.
Again, I am going to do some adjustments on the diesel chip but I still will get better mileage and distance than gramps
As for covering our groceries and bike fuel.......we have to ride and eat too, we can pay for our own stuff. I don't want this to become a "Curtis and Tom are taking our bikes so their trip is free" type of thing. Definetely not what I am looking for.
I am going to Lurchs today for the daytona party. I have a trailer, quad, and a bobcat on it.....will see what kind of mileage I get if I remember to check it.

[Boy Scout]

Damn Nate.....I think you should pay for my trip in fuel plus a $150 delivery charge
Really though in all seriousness I don't mind either way. Nice write up Nate though. As for vehicle maintenance and repairs or trailer maintenance don't worry about that I have that covered. I just ordered a new tire and wheel for the trailer too for a spare (think tom needs one too) I will buy that myself. Not too many people have replied so I am assuming this idea might not be too poplular? I am open to anything. If our fuel costs stay around $800 that will be cool. Just have to see how prices of gas go---diesel too, and how the load goes.
Again, I am going to do some adjustments on the diesel chip but I still will get better mileage and distance than gramps
As for covering our groceries and bike fuel.......we have to ride and eat too, we can pay for our own stuff. I don't want this to become a "Curtis and Tom are taking our bikes so their trip is free" type of thing. Definetely not what I am looking for.
I am going to Lurchs today for the daytona party. I have a trailer, quad, and a bobcat on it.....will see what kind of mileage I get if I remember to check it.

Damn Nate.....I think you should pay for my trip in fuel plus a $150 delivery charge
Really though in all seriousness I don't mind either way. Nice write up Nate though. As for vehicle maintenance and repairs or trailer maintenance don't worry about that I have that covered. I just ordered a new tire and wheel for the trailer too for a spare (think tom needs one too) I will buy that myself. Not too many people have replied so I am assuming this idea might not be too poplular? I am open to anything. If our fuel costs stay around $800 that will be cool. Just have to see how prices of gas go---diesel too, and how the load goes.
Again, I am going to do some adjustments on the diesel chip but I still will get better mileage and distance than gramps
As for covering our groceries and bike fuel.......we have to ride and eat too, we can pay for our own stuff. I don't want this to become a "Curtis and Tom are taking our bikes so their trip is free" type of thing. Definetely not what I am looking for.
I am going to Lurchs today for the daytona party. I have a trailer, quad, and a bobcat on it.....will see what kind of mileage I get if I remember to check it.

Damn Nate.....I think you should pay for my trip in fuel plus a $150 delivery charge
Really though in all seriousness I don't mind either way. Nice write up Nate though. As for vehicle maintenance and repairs or trailer maintenance don't worry about that I have that covered. I just ordered a new tire and wheel for the trailer too for a spare (think tom needs one too) I will buy that myself. Not too many people have replied so I am assuming this idea might not be too poplular? I am open to anything. If our fuel costs stay around $800 that will be cool. Just have to see how prices of gas go---diesel too, and how the load goes.
Again, I am going to do some adjustments on the diesel chip but I still will get better mileage and distance than gramps
As for covering our groceries and bike fuel.......we have to ride and eat too, we can pay for our own stuff. I don't want this to become a "Curtis and Tom are taking our bikes so their trip is free" type of thing. Definetely not what I am looking for.
I am going to Lurchs today for the daytona party. I have a trailer, quad, and a bobcat on it.....will see what kind of mileage I get if I remember to check it.

We get the picture, Curtis.

Damn Nate.....I think you should pay for my trip in fuel plus a $150 delivery charge

You're starting to sound like a bike dealership.

I don't want this to become a "Curtis and Tom are taking our bikes so their trip is free" type of thing.

I wasn't suggesting that either of you were, nor was I suggesting that the rest of us should cover all of your expenses. What I was trying to point out in support of Mark's comment is that use of your vehicles and trailers "costs" you more than just the fuel it will take to get there and back, and that the rest of us ought to keep that in mind. The trip is for everyone's enjoyment and my intent was merely to point out that the two of you are "paying" more than your fair share of the total bill by way of the use of your vehicles and trailers.

[Wahooman]

Nate.....sorry about the posts....don't know what happened
And I also understand where you are coming from Waiting to see any other respones.....

[Boy Scout]

I know that some of us carry our emergency contact information with us all the time, but I would like to suggest that everyone make a point of gathering this information and bringing it with them on the trip. I don't think it matters much if you have it on a card you carry with you or if Gramps or Wahoo wants to collect the information from everyone and compile a master list that is kept somewhere accessible to everyone should the need for it arise. We all plan on making this a safe, accident-free trip, but realistically, accidents can happen. Let's be prepared.

Oh, and now that Wahoo is finally legal it might be a good idea for everyone to check that their license, insurance, and plates are current.

[Boy Scout]

On second thought...feel free to add things you think of. If you have to remember to bring it / do it, someone else may need to as well.

This list includes posted suggestions through 04/07/2005 08:00 AM.

Things To Bring:
Basic tools and chain lube will be provided.

1. Me
2. Bike
3. Bike key / Spare bike key (1500 miles is a long way away to be in a twisty envrionment without one )
4. Tie-downs / Canyon Dancer
5. Riding Gear (Boots, Leathers, Ear Plugs, Helmet, Gloves, etc.)
6. Non-riding Gear (i.e. normal clothes)
7. Swim wear (Hot tub)
8. Evening wear (something comfy; leave the sequins at home Wahoo! )
9. Emergency contact information
10. Cash and/or Plastic
11. Grocery list for your night as Head Chef
12. Entertainment (cards, chips, games, movies, pocketbike (Curtis), etc.)
13. Emergency Bike Items:[list:91110463fc]
14. Spare oil filter
15. Zip ties

[*]Still camera w/memory, film, batteries, charger (if applicable)[*]Camcorder w/tapes, DVDs, batteries, charger (if applicable)[*]Cell phone w/charger[*]Sunscreen / lip balm[*]Tank bag / Camelbak for fluids during the day (if you have one)[*]Snacks, sodas, propel, granola bars, trail mix, etc. Sully has offered to pick up some of these things at Sams if we let her know what we would like.[*]Beverages (the party variety) to be purchased when we arrive[*][/list:91110463fc]

Things To Do:

1. Check drivers license / motorcycle endorsement is current
2. Check license plate is current
3. Check insurance is current
4. Gather emergency contact information
5. Basic motorcycle inspection (T-CLOCK would be a good start):
   Tires and wheels
   Controls (levers, cables, hoses, throttle)
   Lights and electrics
   Oils and fluids
   Chassis and chain
   Kickstand
6. New tires (if applicable)
7. Service bike (if applicable)
8. House sitter (if applicable)
9. Pet sitter (if applicable)
10. Vacation hold on mail (if applicable)
11. Vacation hold on newspaper (if applicable)

[Gramps]

thats a pretty good list nate

i admire your preparation, i think if you prepare the trip will be better

[Wahooman]

Damn, someone is excited to go....*cough* Nate *cough* Good list. Bike is going in this week or Saturday and spend a few days with our crew. Probably just going to stick with M1 sportechs.....nice and sticky and heat up nice. Keep the diablos along for spares.
I have PM's Nate, but to let everyone esle know.....
I just ordered 3 videos from the gap. Put together by several groups including Killboy. They show full run throughs, roads, killboys lowside, some wrecks, autos, etc......Also shows 2 un named regulars doing a very fast dragon run!!! Some sweet motard action too. Once they arrive we can have a video night at my place if people want to......might be a good idea for those who have not been to see some actual footage and full runs.

[Gramps]

sounds like a great idea

just keep your dog away from me

[Wahooman]

Another item to bring if you have is either...tank bank or camel pack to carry some fluid...if not no worries we share and there are places to stop.

[?]

Yeah!

Videos sound pretty cool - just the thing to get us tweaked (like we're not already?) and a bit of perspective on the riding out there. Lots of twisties on and off the Dragon.

Doing a full tune-up and valves, so the bike will be sorted. Bias tires seem to wear a long, long time. Now for the rider......

Nice prep list, Nate! Dint see the hammock on thur, huh? Sully will be soooooo disappointed.

29 days and counting fast!

[Boy Scout]

Dint see the hammock on thur, huh? Sully will be soooooo disappointed.

Some things are better left off the list -- which isn't to say that they aren't going.

[Wahooman]

Got all 3 videos.....WOW! Some of the best video I have seen. Definetely the best of Deals Gap too! Watched all 3 of them tonight. Really shows you what its like out there. Killboys footage is nice! We NEED to get together and watch these things prior to leaving for those who are interested. Going to watch again..............