Thane, I do not understand the "vaporized until July" comment. We will be headed home from the rally and our visits in Iowa and Omaha and will pass thru Nebraska on the freeway, not too far from Broken Bow. Wanda has ridden in our other sidecars in the past, as well as thousands of miles as a passenger on two wheels. She said after her knee replacement she will no longer ride on the bike, but is ready to go in the sidecar.
We will be headed out from western Oregon in a few days, riding the entire way to Mena. Tell Karen she should think of it as an adventure rather than an ordeal. The two of us are 80 years of age and we look forward to our next adventure. Our latest sidecar was mounted on a 2005 Harley, but after the first ride Wanda said it needed more power, so it is now mounted on a 2016 Harley. The sidecar is a 2021 DMC Expedition. Hope to see the two of you in Mena.
Gary and Wanda Shearer, Salem, Oregon
Thanks for the encouragement, Gary. By vaporized, I mean that my attempts to procure or devise a sidecar rig of our own have (literally) blown themselves apart over the last two years. Most recently, my 1150GS ate it's cam-chain guides and did a lot of engine damage in the process. The bike is being sold as parts and I am hoping to buy Dave's Venture Royale rig, but that won't be until late July.
We are going to the rally, but in our Tahoe, not on three wheels.
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
Leaving for rally Monday or Tue. early. Grandkids can't come this year, will be in school till Wed. so no rally for them this year. Kiya and I will be in late thur.
Dave USCA president for a few more days.
Dave, Thane, everybody on their way or about to be, God Speed, safe travels, looking forward to seeing everybody again. Welcome to those attending their first USCA Rally. Plan on a busy three-four days. There is a lot to do, see and enjoy in the Mena area and at Rally Central on the CMA Iron Mountain Campgrounds.
For the first timers, you will realize the sidecar community is much larger than what you might see on your local street. We all may be scattered across the country, but are passionate about having a third wheel.
Jan
Heading over to Denver this morning to stay at a friends and then the two of us will head towards Arkansas tomorrow morning. We should be at the rally on Tuesday evening as long as the weather holds up.
Really looking forward to this one since I have not been on a road trip on the bike since the 2019 rally in Coeur d'Alene.
Quote from SwampFox on May 1, 2021, 6:46 amSelf-Guided "Domino Runs" for the Benefit of CASA of the Ouachita Region - $10 per Play
Jena has worked up four self-guided tours....
Queen Wilhelmina Lodge Route - ±41 miles all paved (with a ±12 mile unpaved optional extension)
Rich Mountain / Three Sticks Loop - ±80 or ±87 miles all paved
Cassatot River Loop - ±86 miles all paved (but maybe a little bumpy in places)
Little Missouri Falls Loop - ±88 miles with 1/2 unpaved NFS gravel roads
There first two Runs and the second two Runs can be combined and run together.
Each participant will have a guide sheet (a "Run Sheet") with directions....
Jena and a representative of CASA plan to have a table set up in the CMA meeting hall to accept the Run Sheets and play the draws on Thursday 6-8pm, Friday 6-8pm, and Saturday 5-6pm. The four winners will be announced Saturday evening.
Unfortunately, Mrs. SwampFox (Jena) & I are not scheduled to arrive until Wednesday afternoon (or Thursday should work toss monkey wrenches into the schedule). BUT the Domino Run Sheets will be available: Rally Master Jon has a few with him and Hostess Barbara plans to bring bunches of the Run Sheets on Tuesday. The Run Sheets should be readily available in the CMA meeting hall - just "grab and go" and enjoy the local area.
Safe travels, Lee
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
We left Dayton early this morning and plan to arrive in Mena Wednesday afternoon after stops at the Quilt Museum in Paducah KY, then Memphis to visit Stax, Sun, Graceland. and Beale St.
Will check in before we ho to hotel to see if you need any volunteers
Duncan & Mary Margaret
Please be especially cautious entering and exiting CMA Iron Mountain as there is just enough rise to the South to limit the view of Northbound vehicles.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Really enjoyed chatting with every one at Coeur d'Alene. Sadly my plans have been dashed again and no cross boarder travel. Soon please let it be soon.
Taking the back roads and with the rain coming out of Denver on Monday we are running a little slower than we had planned. This is not a bad thing though. Stopped about 150 miles from Mena last night so should be pulling in about noon today.
Dana
TEMPS IN THE LOW 70'S TODAY, NO RAIN. GREAT DAY TO TRAVELING.
LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GETTING A BREAK IN THE WEATHER TILL SUNDAY. EVERYBODY COME ON OUT AND PLAY, THE RIDING IS GREAT IN MENA.
Please post lots of pictures and info!!
Quote from John Holbrook on June 2, 2021, 10:32 amPlease post lots of pictures and info!!
I'm with John and perhaps others.........show us what wer'e missing !!
I sure wish we could be there with you at Iron Mountain campground. This is the first USCA national rally we've missed in many years.
A quick update, just arrive back home in Texas, final rally count was 283 attendees, beautiful riding weather two out of three days, even the Saturday Rain Parade was well attended, sidecar games were held under the roof in the huge CMA pavilion, live country music Friday night, the local church youth group raised $600 with their Friday night ice cream social, rally attendees rounded up $4000 for the local CASA children charity via games, raffles and such, three rigs arrived with for sale signs on them, two changed hands leaving with new owners, heard people are dickering on the third rig. In all a huge success thanks to the generous members of USCA. New friendships were made, old ones renewed.
Many thanks to the rally committee who spent many hours putting this event together, and to all the people who stepped forward to help thru out the rally.
The CMA staff and volunteers were wonderful to work with, making the rally a smooth operating success with their behind to scenes efforts.
Muchas Gracias to all those who attended or tried to attend. Was a fantastic gathering of sidecarists from across the country.
Next year the rally will be hosted by the SouthEast Region, likely in North Carolina. Watch for announcements on location and dates once they are firmed up.
p.s., please post your rally photos folks. Let everyone know what happened in Mena this year.
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