Hot Springs, Arkansas Motorcycle Rally

We're are on I40 headed through Memphis, TN on the way home from the Hot Springs, Arkansas motorcycle rally. After low crowds and sales on Thursday and Friday, we thought for sure it was going to be a bust. Saturday however turned things around and the crowds and sales made up for the two slower days.

The rally was well coordinated and was held in a great town. We've not been to Hot Springs before so it was nice to get to visit a new place. We stayed at J and J Campground right down from the Hot Springs KOA and we highly recommend it. The fellow there named JJ was very nice and can fix you right up if you ever need a place to stay in your RV.

The show was held at the convention center indoors which we like as it makes for an easy set up and tear down. What we generally don't like about indoor shows is they charge vendors for their spots and then charge high prices for the customers to come in to spend their money. The fee was $45 for this show but in fairness, it did include two concerts, a chili supper, scenic rides, all kinds of games, tshirts, and the vendor area. I would have paid it if I was just there as a rider.

I imagine there was all kinds of good riding though I didn't get to talk to customers who went. Thankfully, it rained on Saturday which drove customers inside which saved the show for us. Those first days were nice so everyone was probably out riding.

We're trying to make it home straight in . Not sure if it will happen but we're gonna give it our best shot. Monroe, TN, here we come.

Milwaukee HOG Motorcycle Rally

We were biting our fingernails by Friday afternoon as the crowds and sales were almost non-existent. You never know until you go is our slogan and we were figuring this is one of them that you don't ever come back. Luckily, Saturday the crowds and sales picked up and we have at least covered our expenses. We still have Sunday to go so we'll see how it goes.

There are thousands of motorcycles here as we seen and heard them go by on nearby highways. I think the problem is that the event is at 5 or 6 different locations. Problem in that you don't see everyone all at once, you just see folks trickle in as they visit different spots. There is no entertainment out here to speak of and very few vendors so there really isn't a draw here. They are advertising a National Closeout Sale here by Harley Davidson but customers are telling us that they aren't really closeout prices. That tells us not to set up here next year as the word will get out and we'll see even less folks than before.

The things to be thankful for have been the awesome fall like weather and plenty of sunshine. We couldn't have ordered it better. The people have been nice and spent alot of time asking us if we are from "South Milwaukee" lol, I reckon we talk funny to them being from Tennessee and all.

All is good here and we're headed to Hot Springs Monday or Tuesday, hopefully Tuesday if they let us stay here.

Milwaukee, WI District H.O.G. Motorcycle Rally

We got into town on Tuesday evening and set up our display at the State Fair Park. Having arrived a day early, that gave us Wednesday to go sightseeing as we haven't visited Milwaukee before. We went down to downtown which is seated right on Lake Michigan. Milwaukee is a very beautiful clean city. There is all kinds of noteworth architecture and having the Lake Michigan in the background is like living on the ocean as it sure looks like it. The water is a brilliant blue just like some of the oceans we've seen.

We took the time to go through the Milwaukee Museum of Art and highly recommend it to any of you who may be headed that way in the future. What an awesome museum. We spent hours there and could have spent more and would like to go back for several of the upcoming exhibits.

Motorcyclists have been trickling in. The promoter says there will be over 50,000 motorcyclists attending, we'll see. It was a slow first day open but Thursday generally are so we'll see how it goes.

Georgia State H.O.G. Rally in Helen, GA

We're a little late on getting the information posted on the Georgia H.O.G. rally but better late than never. Helen, GA, what a great, great, place for a motorcycle rally. After traveling along the Ocoee River through some beautiful twisty roads, you arrive in a quaint "Little Switzerland" town out on the Chattahoochee River and nestled in the cool breezes of the mountains.

We don't expect big crowds at these type rallies but the word must have been out about Helen, GA as there was a good bunch of riders cruising into town. GearUpHelmets.com got set up on Wednesday and opened for business on Thursday.

Full Throttle Magazine coordinated the vendors and did a good job. There were a variety of vendors there for folks to shop. H.O.G. members could get their tires changed, LED lights installed, and buy just about any kind of riding gear they wanted right there in the vendor village.

Wish we'd have brought our motorcycles as we heard that there were several great rides to take out of Helen. We will for sure take a trip back on personal time so as to enjoy some of these rides.