St. Patrick's Day Parade Changes! Poll Closed - UPDATE!

[Spiderman]

I say stick with it because it was the only time we could all get together and have a good time

That's just the thing - we're not all together... at least not the same way we've been in years past.

I'm going to look at costs from last year, and see if I can estimate costs this year, depending on the number of people that sign up. If I can figure that out, I'll post a sign-up thread.

[Kim-n-Dean]

I did it once, I think 2005. I was on my DRZ Supermoto. It was fun to do it once, but once was enough for me. Too many rules and regulations. Really hard on the motorcycle.

We did it in 2004. There were quit a few bikes that had to pull off because of over heating or fried their clutch. On the way home, my clutch went. That was the first and last time we did it...

[FZRguy]

Perfect duty for a Zero. Hope you can figure a way to keep doing it, Bob.

[Snowman]

Does this mean we will have to pay 3 times as much to get the same 30 bikes in as last year?

[Nolan]

Get a long flatbed trailer, tie down bikes..... wouldn't that be 1 vehicle?

[rforsythe]

Get a long flatbed trailer, tie down bikes..... wouldn't that be 1 vehicle?

We were going to attempt it last year, that has the effect of cutting the vehicle count by 5 (or did at the time). The way it's going now, they may just make that the entire entry.

[Nolan]

If a bike is strapped down on the trailer can they say anything about it doing burnouts?

[rforsythe]

If a bike is strapped down on the trailer can they say anything about it doing burnouts?

Denver PD might. The owner of the trailer might as well.

[UHATEIT]

I'm going to chime in and say let's put the $ towards the Annual BBQ since we didn't have one last year have a beginning of the season BBQ instead. All that $ spent on entry fees could cover some ribs or steaks!

[FZRguy]

I like the trailer idea, and the BBQ idea.

[Jason ON]

Even if the reduced number of vehicles allowed is limited to 10 I still think it's a good idea to participate (with a minimum of 10). Not only is it tradition, but it's good PR for motorcycle riders, specifically sportbikes, to get out there are be seen as normal people. I won't ride again, but will be there camera in hand.

[racinjason]

Last year was a blast for me... Id do it again. rules suck at the 10 people a group. have the passed it or are they trying too. Im down to appeal it.

[Spiderman]

Perfect duty for a Zero. Hope you can figure a way to keep doing it, Bob.

It's already in the works. (see below)

Does this mean we will have to pay 3 times as much to get the same 30 bikes in as last year?

No. Each $75 entry includes 5 vehicles, same as years past. Additional 2-wheel vehicles have always been, and still are, $5 each.
In previous years, that was: $75 + $125 (25 bikes @ $5 each) for a total of $200
With the new limit limit, it's: ($75 + $25 (5 bikes @ $5 each)) x 3 (for 3 entries) for a total of $300
Basically, it would be $100 for every group of 10 bikes.

Get a long flatbed trailer, tie down bikes..... wouldn't that be 1 vehicle?

Yes, that would be considered a float... each entry includes 5 vehicles OR 1 truck & trailer.

We were going to attempt it last year, that has the effect of cutting the vehicle count by 5 (or did at the time). The way it's going now, they may just make that the entire entry.

Actually, last year we were talking about having smaller trailer (e.g. 8x15) with a couple of bikes on it (IIRC), but even a trailer that size is considered a float, and yes, it would have cut out 4 bikes (each entry includes 5 vehicles OR 1 truck & trailer).

I'm going to chime in and say let's put the $ towards the Annual BBQ since we didn't have one last year have a beginning of the season BBQ instead. All that $ spent on entry fees could cover some ribs or steaks!

Money wasn't the issue, I just didn't have the time. I'm planning on putting together a BBQ this summer. I'll try and do it earlier in the season as well.

So... getting back to the parade...
Here's what I was thinking over the weekend: a lot of us are discouraged because we don't like how things have changed since we first started participating 13 years ago, and it will no longer be the same experience... But, it would still be an experience, and there are people who don't care that it changed, as well as others who would still like to experience it. I took some time over the weekend and looked at the numbers to get an idea of how much entry fees and t-shirts might cost us, depending on the number of participants, and sponsorship we got.

I'm pleased to announce that both TFOG Wheelsports and ABATE of Colorado have both agreed to sponsor the club's entry this year again. Assuming t-shirt costs haven't gone up that much (I'm waiting for a call back), and because it's hard to predict the number of people that will sign up, a $20 sign-up fee per rider would cover the balance of the costs (if you have a passenger, there will be an additional $10 charge, but that's payable later)... Depending on the number of people that sign up, you may even get some money back. As in years past, all participants will get a commemorative t-shirt specific to this year's event, to be worn during the parade. I'll post a sign-up thread tonight.

There is one restriction that will affect the final participant list (to keep the per rider sign-up fee under $20): Each group/entry MUST have at least 5 bikes.

On the plus side, we could have 50 bikes in the parade this year!

[~Barn~]

Dibs on a spot in the back of the RalphWagon!
(and happy to pay my sign-up fee)

[Spiderman]

Assuming Ralph is going to do that again... Ralph?

[madvlad]

Thanks once again to TFOG and Abate, you guys are awesome!

[UHATEIT]

Money wasn't the issue, I just didn't have the time. I'm planning on putting together a BBQ this summer. I'll try and do it earlier in the season as well.

I wasn't saying money was the issue I know there just wasn't any time for it, but if we have more $ towards the BBQ we can have the bounce castle and strippers someone talked about in the BBQ thread Just busting everyone's chops

[~Barn~]

Thanks once again to TFOG and Abate, you guys are awesome!

+1

[bornwildnfree]

If Ralph does not, we have a truck that can be used.

[Nolan]

If you have access to a semi with a flatbed, I'll drive.... :-)