 |
20th Annual Roadrunner RallyMay 19-21, 2000
|
 |
|
20th Annual Roadrunner RallyMay 19-21, 2000
|
|
| Happiness is a BMW motorcycle rally in the cool pines of beautiful Strawberry, Arizona. This is the second PITS (Phoenix International Touring Society) Roadrunner Rally that Judy and I have attended, and the second one that's been held in Strawberry. Having Mike and Scott join us made it all the more fun. |
NOTE: Each of the images below is a "thumbnail." Click on it to see a larger version. |
| The rally is held at the Strawberry Hill Cabins, about 1/4 mile up the Beeline Highway from the Strawberry Lodge and Fossil Creek Road. By mid-day Friday, most of the participants had arrived. |  |
 |
This year's rally attracted about 300 people on all manner of BMWs and a few non-Beemers as well. The most popular model BMW appeared to be the GS dual sport, both in "oil head" and older "air head" varieties. Standing with Judy is Dave, who owns a R1100GS and a F650 single, the bike he rode to the rally. |
Noted long-distance motorcyclist and creator of the legendary  Super Packing System, Helen Twowheels was on hand
showing off her wares. Believe it or not, Helen carries a tentful of her products
and everything else she needs on her bike and in the trailer she pulls behind it.
Here she is pictured with new friends Scott and Judy. By the way, her bags are tremendous
(no pun intended, Helen). |
 |
 |
Helen needed to link up and download some e-mail to her laptop, so we invited her to use our phone line at Chez Greenberg. Here in the driveway is Helen's trusty K-bike with Scott's yellow K1200RS ("Big Bird") and Ed's "Big Red." |
| Another "K" model BMW is the K1, manufactured from 1988-1993. This radically aerodynamic high performance model has become something of a "cult bike" with a following of very loyal, some would say fanatical, owners. We heard the K1 pictured here referred to by one passerby as "ketchup and mustard" and as "the clown bike" by the owner's wife! |  |
 |
What's a rally without demo rides? Dirt & Street Unlimited of Phoenix brought several new BMWs to the rally for participants to try out. Ed and Judy demo'ed a R1100RT, a R1150GS (which Ed really liked) and then Ed went out on a cushy new K1200LT "luxury touring" model. This is an impressive big bike, but don't worry, we're not going there, at least not yet! Where was Judy while Ed was test driving the LT, you might ask? |
| She was off with a maniacal sidehack rider, that's where! Leave her alone for just a minute and look what happens! Many thanks to Don for giving Judy the sidehack ride that she's craved for a long, long time! |  |
 |
 |
What's a rally without a traditional chili dinner? I don't know, but after a second helping I was wishing I knew the answer. Aside from the exponentially expanding nature of the stuff, it was mighty tasty. And did I say it was filling? Scott, Judy, Mike, and Dale pose for the camera while doing their best to stifle the passing of gas. |
 |
On Saturday, Scott, Mike, Judy, and I took the three K12s on a ride to Mormon Lake (breakfast stop), Flagstaff, Sedona by way of Oak Creek Canyon, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, and back up the General Crook Highway to Strawberry (route pictured at left). It was a most perfect day and a most perfect ride. Pictured at right are Judy, Mike, and Scott in a beautiful spot in Oak Creek Canyon. |  |
| That's about it, folks! Sunday morning after breakfast at the Strawberry Lodge, Mike and Scott rode back to the Valley. Judy and I rode back a bit later with Dave (on his perky little BMW F650) who also spent Saturday night at our place. Mike and Scott are no longer "rally virgins." And all of us had a grand time! |
