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| Development of the MTF Ride Calendar !
ByAlan Leduc (AL2000(1343))
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The First MTF ride: The IBA 50CC/100CCCThis trip developed from a post on the Motorcycle Tourer's Forum regarding AL2000's (Alan Leduc) plan to do a 50CC. Another member said they would be interested and then another and eventually it turned into a plan to do a "group" ride.
There was no cost for the trip other than expenses. Each rider was responsible to submit documentation to the Iron Butt Association and pay certification fees if they wanted their ride certified.
The 50cc/100ccc Ride
took place in 2002 and there were 14 participants who started and 11 finishers (9 completed a 50CC and 2 completed a 100CCC).
This was just an informal gathering of like minded riders that started and ended a ride at the same location. For more photos and reports of this first ride, go here:
It should be pointed out that the word “Group” is in quotes. The MTF philosophy posted for this first ride still stands today:
 Left to Right: Randy Kirgiss, Kent Ailes, Howard Burcham, Tom "Yogi" Maiden, Greg Martin, Dave Hinks, Bo Griffin, Chad Baird. Kneeling: Alan Leduc, John Oravec. Missing: Marty Hamilton, Al Carey, and Dave Sheally who did not make it in from SD and PirateJohn who made it right at 7:00 a.m. after bikes were on the road.
Next MTF Ride: The Poker Run from Hell
Tom Maiden (YOGI on the forum), who completed a 100CCC in the inaugural event, suggested that we should have another ride in 2003. YOGI’s idea was that we should do five consecutive 1000 mile days and out of that suggestion the concept of the Poker Run from Hell was developed.
As preparation for the 2003 ride began, the Flower Sniffing MTF riders began to feel left out, so the concept of the
2003 Poker Run from Hell
The Flower Sniffing PhilosophyThe intent was to provide pre-planned routes and let riders do their own thing but it seemed that most Flower Sniffing folks actually wanted to ride together. So each morning the group would start out with Jason in the lead. Jason made it
very clear that he wasn’t leading anybody – he simply was the first bike and everybody else was following. Soon somebody missed a turn and that person then became the new ride leader. This happened many times over the course of the day and small groups developed. This philosophy still drives the MTF Flower Sniffing events today.
Later in 2003, Andy Simons organized the 2003 Summer Mountain Ride [http://www.mctourer.com/rides/smr2003/smr2003.html]
and Neil Dolson organized the
2003 Great While North Tour.
Like the 2002 50CC/100CCC, these rides were loosely organized as a gathering of like minded riders doing their own thing. In 2004, Andy Simons organized the first Summer Mountain Dirt Ride allowing the MTF to offer a full compliment of rides.
Rides Become TraditionChants for repeats of the 50CC/100CCC long distance ride, the SMR and GWN Flower Sniffing rides, as well as the Rough Road rides, put the MTF’s efforts full force into continuing to offer events for the members. The rides remained informal and became the basis for the many friendships that are still prevalent among MTF members.Fast forward. The MTF incorporated in April 2004 with an inaugural Board of Directors of Alan Leduc, Jason Jonas, Bill Neese, Terry Braud, and Roger Bliss. Like any entity trying to organize from an individual effort to a more formal framework, there were a few bumps and bruises. By January 2005 the MTF Board was at full steam with each Board Member being responsible for a given area of the forum. Incorporation brought a bit more formality by requiring online registration through Jason Jonas’ Ridemaster and an occasional event shirt and formal banquet; however, for the most part the rides have remained as informal gatherings of like minded riders. In the next issue, I’ll share with you how the MTF develops its ride calendar for the upcoming year. Return to front page |
was expanded to include both the proposed Long Distance Ride and some Flower Sniffing rides as well. Jason Jonas and Alan Leduc volunteered to put together the Flower Sniffing rides that centered around some great riding in Russellville, Arkansas. This ride showed both Jason and Alan that they had no concept of a true “Flower Sniffing Mentality,” as the originally planned long mileage days needed to be pared back significantly.
