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Hello from the BMW International Rally in Essex Junction, Vermont! The BMW marketing slogan for this
rally is "VERMONT...IT'S NOT FLAT!" RT and I made it in early afternoon after a very leisure ride
from Stillwater, NY where we picked up a stamp. Photo to follow. All 2 lane highway coming up
and passing small towns full of character (my fav) and unique shops. We basically rode beside the
Hudson River all the way to Burlington. Perfect weather, just a superb ride... until we hit major
road construction on a minor road (Rt 7) and we sat in the sun on blacktop for 45min. I didn't feel
like taking a picture as I was hot in more ways than one; I had checked the BMW rally website just last
night and there was no mention of road issues or delays (or at least it wasn't obvious). It didn't
help matters when I found out this construction has been going on for months. We breezed thru the
pre-registration line, unpacked the bikes and set up camp. Oh, the looks you get riding a non-BMW
are interesting to say the least. One guy said jokingly "they let you in here huh?" and I said
jokingly "actually it's posted that riders with the most mileage are given priority...so where did you
ride from? (as I eyed his tag from PA). I went to the Whitehorse Press booth to meet "MWValley"
and retreive my oil that I had shipped to him. He said a few Stromtroopers had already stopped
in. (btw, he has my cell phone number for those checking in with him). He says we apparantly
have quite a few lurkers here as they intro'd themselves as such to him. I think the BMW attitude
is wearing off on me as I've decided not to talk to anyone who doesn't have at least 50 total posts and
owns a bike with a minimum of 50 farkles. Just kidding. You guys jump right in here on the
boards and introduce yourselves!
I spoke with "oldgoat" tonight and we decided it's best for me to take my Strom to him in Montreal
tomorrow. So, O Canada here I come tomorrow morning! Hopefully I can report tomorrow nite
that I made it back across the border and did so with an improved cush drive. RT is going to hang
out at the rally and check on replacing his front tire. He's actually to my left here working on
programming his GPS with waypoints for our "Stamping Expeditions" after we leave the rally. Go RT
go! I'm out to save the Garmin from becoming target practice!
Being in this rally frenzy is not really my style. I've already figured out I can't be anywhere
near my bike without being bombarded with questions and comments. Whether it's the Strom or the AZ
license plate or the "AGIRL" attention is definitely drawn. Don't mean to be rude but it's the
journey not the destination as far as this rally goes. I've been here all of 8 hrs and I've
already exceeded my limit for Beemerville! Good thing I'm heading to Canada tomorrow, huh?
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