If you are planning, or even considering, on attending the BMW MOA National Rally in Great Falls it is not too early to start your planning (routes, hotels, rally registrations, destinations, etc).
For your information, the rally will be at the Montana ExpoPark, 400 3rd St NW, Great Falls. You can see all the info here: rally.bmwmoa.org/faq. If you want to register here are the prices:
MOA Members: $65 in advance; $85 at the gate
Non-Members: $$85 in advance; $105 at the gate
Children ages 6-15: $10 in advance; $15 at the gate
Children ages five and under: No charge
Saturday-only Day Passes: $35
Register now at https://bmwmoaf.regfox.com/2020rally. Register two people for $99 through 15 February 2020.
From Houston the Google Maps most direct route is about 1800 miles, so that is three 600 miles days back-to-back. Most people will take 4 to 7 days to get there. The rally will take 2-3 days (Thurs-Sun), and then you can take 4 or 5 days to get back home. Total is about 11 to 15 days for a reasonable trip there and back again. (As a side note, for those that went to the rally in Billings a few years ago, Great Falls is another 220 miles northwest.)
If you can't take that much time off consider shipping your bike and flying in for the rally. I might consider planning an option for some people if there is enough interest. If 2-3 people are interested I think they can do it on their own. But if 4-6 people are interested I will put together a plan. I have already reserved 6 rooms at the Holiday Inn Express there.
Here is a form to sign up if you are planning or interested in going. You don't have to decide or complete the form now, I will keep it open until a week or so before the rally. The purpose of the form is to gauge interest and collect contact info to start a separate email list. Click here if you want to send your info now: BMW MOA Rally Planning
Watch for more information as we get closer. If you have any questions you can just reply to this email.
Jerry Matson
President
BMW Motorcycle Club of Houston