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BMW MOA National Rally in Springfield, MO - June 1...
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Update: The detailed events and seminars schedules are posted now.


https://rally.bmwmoa.org/event-schedule/

https://rally.bmwmoa.org/seminars/


Also you might be interested to follow some of the discussion in the BMW MOA Rally forums.

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/forumdisplay.php?11-Rally-Forum



Jerry M

"I ride because it frees my mind from the tyranny of petty things."

Heads up for anyone heading to the BMW MOA National Rally through Arkansas. The The Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) will have for their national rally on Iron Mountain in Mena, Arkansas from June 15 to 19, 2022. That means hotels in the area (and probably campgrounds) will be full for thru-riders to Springfield. Also expect many more motorcycles on the roads.


Tip of the hat to Marty G!


Jerry M

"I ride because it frees my mind from the tyranny of petty things."

Here is some more information about the BMW Motorcycle Owners Association (MOA) National Rally in Springfield, MO. 


If you have never been to a major motorcycle rally this is a great chance to experience one. It is not common for the rally to be held this close to Houston. Last year it was in Great Falls, Montana and next year it will be on the east coast somewhere. 


If you take the most direct route from Houston to Springfield Google Maps says it is about 650 miles (about 10 and a half hours). That's a long day if you are not used to it. And expect it to be hot. Better to take a more indirect and scenic route through Arkansas and make it a 2-day trip (check out highway 7!). This is a great opportunity to get out and have a relaxing adventure on your bike and not kill yourself trying to get there. 


There are no planned group rides or meetups to the rally. Everyone just rides with a friend or small group. 


For some people, attending a national rally is a little counterintuitive. Many generally prefer to ride solo or with a few friends on long rides and try to avoid the cities and crowds. In this case, there will be 4-5000 people from everywhere in the world riding every kind of bike you have ever heard of. But you don't go to a national rally to ride: the ride is getting there and getting home. At the rally you want to take in all the various educational and travel seminars, visit all the vendors, maybe take some riding training, or just people and motorcycle watch. It is fascinating to see what people do to their bikes! 


Most people camp on the grass there but many stay in local hotels. If you don't have reservations somewhere by now you will have to travel a bit to get there each day. We have some reserved tent spaces for the BMW Club of Houston in the chartered club area. Contact me if you would like a spot. Otherwise you can find a spot anywhere in the ocean of tents all over the area. 


There are lots of food vendors there serving a variety of styles and tastes all day long. 


Friday evening we try to get together in the beer tent before the band starts or maybe ride out to a local restaurant. Saturday we usually gather at a tent spot and have a group dinner before the final awards ceremony starts at 6 pm. That can be fun and surprising (ask me how I know!). Then we enjoy whatever the band is - usually pretty good. 


Sunday morning you can hear motors cranking very early and by dawn it is a stream of bikes leaving like a giant covey of quail! People need to get home to all points on the compass and usually many states away. It is an amazing sight to watch! 


Check out the FAQs for specific questions about the rally. I just want to give people who have never attended something like this an idea of what to expect. It's difficult to coordinate a central plan or group for this. We have Meetup.com, our club website and forums, and email and texts and not everyone is signed up for all of them. I don't want to spam people's emails who aren't interested so I will post this in a few places and respond to people as needed. Maybe one email blast... 


Many riders are quite experienced and Springfield is kinda in our neighborhood (650 miles is an average day for some!). But if you have never experienced a large motorcycle rally like this, this is one of those bucket list items that is the reason you bought a motorcycle! 


I am happy to answer any questions and I don't mind doing a guided tour or explaining where to go or what to do for first-timers there. 


Jerry M

"I ride because it frees my mind from the tyranny of petty things."


https://rally.bmwmoa.org/

https://rally.bmwmoa.org/faq/

https://rally.bmwmoa.org/event-schedule/

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