2018 Colorado Rally, July 12-16

[Bonz]

In chalk Lake the fishing is pretty good. Caught a number of fish there each time I've been up. They keep it stocked with fish throughout the year from a hatchery just down the road. Worms seem to be your best bet for catching fish. They respond to lures and flies but worms are the ticket.

I don't know about the stream however it is a good size stream in places.

[3Phase]

In chalk Lake the fishing is pretty good. Caught a number of fish there each time I've been up. They keep it stocked with fish throughout the year from a hatchery just down the road. Worms seem to be your best bet for catching fish. They respond to lures and flies but worms are the ticket.

I don't know about the stream however it is a good size stream in places.

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[Sebastian_99]

Hey guys, sorry it took a bit to get back to you (Christmas time is busy when you have little kids).

When I said Chalk Creek initially I meant the Chalk Lake Campground but screwed up the name because it is situated right next to the creek. With that being said, I am not set in stone on Chalk Lake Campground, I only recommended it because it's a really nice setting and you are a few miles off of the highway and in the trees.

In regards to water, if we did Chalk Lake CG then I would imagine we would have to bring in water. I could take care of this prior to people arriving and load up my Tahoe with a bunch of necessities (jumper box with outlets, loads of water etc).

No showers though...

To alleviate Jeff's concern, 9000ft mid summer in Colorado isn't that cold. I'd expect temps around 65 degrees. I live at 9k feet and no one will freeze

To be clear, I am proposing general areas and ideas here. Anything can be changed if we have better/different options that suit the group as a whole.

[Sebastian_99]

The only thing set in stone is that Bonz will be feeding everyone with the fish he catches and this will be the ONLY thing we eat...

[Bonz]

Yo, there is a limit of four fish per day. I guess we will eat in shifts... on alternate days...

In hearing from Sebastian, I’m going to explore some other campsite options and report back soon. I am also going to check into hotels in the area like the ones Sebastian posted links for. This area is a huge tourist Haven and hotels fill up fast. So I want to give guys an honest assessment of how soon they need to book and commit.

From a temperature standpoint, I suspect it will be similar for nighttime temperatures like we had in Kremmling. The sunshine is hotter on the skin at a higher elevation and overall day temps will be similar to what we experienced in Canon City because we are closer to that in terms of geographic location/latitude.

If anyone has checked the hotel situation and would like to report that would be welcome.

[JeffH]

Motels

BV being prime a destination = No motel bargains

I've stayed at both Best Western and Super 8 in Buena Vista but not at any of the local Resorts or Lodges. Some of the Resorts & Lodges have minimum stay requirements and difficult cancellation policies if you have to cancel. Like 30 days advance or forfeit some amount.

Some of the better places where you can park your bike out front of the room are Rivers Mountain a 10 room place by the airport but it is isolated spot. Pinon Court downtown BV has a few small old 1950's style cabins. $100 a night with 14 day cancel policy.

Some aren't really convenient biker places. Like Liars Lodge & Surf Chateau on the Arkansas River. Or the Hot Springs places if you are going to hang out in health spa water.

I just booked Best Western BV for July 12-13-14 check out 15th. Kind of pricey at $501. I thought Super 8 down the street would be cheap, nope that's $156 a night + tax too

Probably will not be Camping so best way to be wrong is to book something i
can cancel easily if i need to. BTW: a few of the places are already fully booked for at least Sat & Sun night. Even at Super8 and BW rooms are getting sparse.

Jeff

[MaximPhil]

Sadly at those prices I have taken Colorado Rally off my wish list for 2018.

Phil

[JeffH]

Sadly at those prices I have taken Colorado Rally off my wish list for 2018.

Phil

Motel pricing in prime summer is about like Florida in the prime winter. Sadly $150 a night is about average for the low end chain motels in prime tourist country. No more $59.95 deals. Our fav Spanish Gardens in Key West is now over $230 a night.

Jeff

[Bonz]

Hey guys, time to look at a different venue. I'm not happy with those prices, nor the scarcity guys are already encountering, along with the not as biker friendly aspect.


I called the Buena Vista KOA and they said there will be group space available however they won't tell me prices until January 1st which is when they start taking reservations.

That irks me a bit and leaves me feeling we should be moving to another venue where costs are reasonable and the riding is great with a lot less tourist mumbo jumbo.

Sebastian do you have any problem with that? I know you suggested this area however this just isn't working out like we both had hoped. Let me know and I will get working on it.

[JeffH]

I'd say set the Camping spot then let us motellers know. The "tellers" can work arrangements that fit. (though campsite-motel proximity like Echo Canyon Rally & Kremmling Rally worked out A+)
Most attendees camp anyways so imho I'd work around what location has the camp amenities (if any) that work best for the campers. (Some or none of power, shower, sites, shelter etc.)

BV is a great area and would be a fun selection if roads to ride. If a suitable Campground could be locked in then maybe we could see if the local mom & pop motel would set aside 5 or 6 of the $100 rooms for us prospective motellers.

Oh, btw fwiw, I did some benchmark motel price checks aound the state. $110 to $125 is about the norm. The $156 a night in BV could be reduced to $100+ tax if we could lock in rooms at one of the mom&pops though one place has ten rooms and the other 8.

Jeff

[BA80]

Look for a place that's NOT a tourist trap. There are always off the beaten path spots that would welcome the business.

[Bonz]

I guess I’m always looking for a deal and with this venue it’s just not gonna be as inexpensive as the years past. Do guys ever consider sharing a hotel room? That cuts it in half.

[JeffH]

Share a room / split the motel cost, Yep all the time if we feel like it.

But if this a mostly Campers rally then motel stayers just need to figure out
what they want to do during rally weekend.

Seems just haven't heard much yet from either Campers or Motellers about commitment to attend.

Gotta Pay to Play and we all know 2018 costs are UP and 2018 Demand is UP over prior years.

Jeff

[Bonz]

You have that right. I heard a saying one time: "The cost of living is high however it's pretty popular".

We've been blessed the last three Colorado rallies with hotel cost on the low end of the scale and group sites that cost next to nothing.

I withdraw my "protest" vote of checking out a different venue. Let's stay the course and make this happen. Sorry... (Insert image of me with my head hung low and sheepish tail dragging between my legs).

As soon as we get past Christmas I'll check out some of the places and ask about blocking off rooms until certain reasonable date.

[DeanR]

I would love to get back to Colorado for a second time. Didn't even make it into Utah last time, as I had kinda planned, because Colorado was so satisfying.
Likely won't happen due to having to cross the middle of the country, but if it does, I'd be camping.