Kerrville, TX Hoedown Sep 29 - Oct 2

[darrell]

The BMWMOA is having an event in Kerrville, TX called Thrills in the Hills Texas Hoedown from September 29 to October 2, 2022.

Wayne (Grumpy Goat), Phil (Liteitup), Mark (Mark) and myself (darrell) are attending, have registered and reserved rooms at the events motel location where some evening activities occur.  Of course during the day we’ll be out riding.

If you decide to attend it would be great for us to meet you even if just to say hello, maybe join us for a meal or beverage or even a day ride with us.  

The event information can be found on page 89 of your August BMWON magazine.  Or at www.ThrillsInTheHills.com.

You do not need to be a MOA member to attend this event.

[Grumpy Goat]

Well, the event was a roaring success, and a great time was had by all. Tomorrow, we leave for home after breakfast. It was great seeing Darrell, Phil and Mark again and also having my wife Donna along. She had a great time she says. She also enjoyed the rides and was the perfect pillion. You'll have to watch for the videos to see more, but for how here are some photos.

   
   
   
   
   

[Grumpy Goat]

The waiting for the shuttle back to the hotel in front of the Arcadia Theater, and the event cake.

   
   

[Motorhead1977]

Looking like a very happy group. It's always good to get back together with friends. Sounds like it was a goodern.

[Ray]

Dancing pretty well for a Canadian.... Looks like those Texas roots are taking hold.
Thanks for another vicarious journey.

[Grumpy Goat]

Dancing pretty well for a Canadian.... Looks like those Texas roots are taking hold.
Thanks for another vicarious journey.

You are welcome ... more to come. You missed a good time definitely and according to SWMBO, we'll be back next year.

The dancing skills comes from the old country (Guyana) not Canada and definitely not Texas. 

[Liteitup]

What a blast! Good food, good roads, and great people.  Millions, maybe billions of butterflies were massacred on Friday riding the sisters.





Birdseye view of picture taking.


Already planning on next year. Of course, I've got the shortest ride there at a little over 200 miles.

[Grumpy Goat]

Already got the RS washed after getting in about 4PM and 260 miles. Think I got most of the bugs ... it was getting late and was too tired to bother too much today. Will have to try spraying any remnants with peroxide as Darrell mentioned.

I will say that the RS is a bona fide sport tourer for 2-up touring ... first time I did a trip of that nature and it worked beautifully. It may have even been close to the load limit but it still hauled ass. Cruised all day at 75 - 80 with us and both panniers and top box filled completely. What a bike!

[runnerhiker]

Thanks for sharing, great pictures, visiting with friends is the best.

[Lee]

Great area for a rally.
I wonder why the MOA no longer calls this one a Getaway?
Good to hear they had a shuttle planned. They did not mention that in any of the emails or website.
I thought it was odd they planned a bar and expected people to ride back the the motel.

So far we have not attended any of the Getaways, just the local club rallies that are mostly camping events.
The different Getaways around the country seem to get good attendance.
Wayne how many attended this one.
Have you attended the one put on by the local club at the Kerrville campground?

[Grumpy Goat]

Great area for a rally.
I wonder why the MOA no longer calls this one a Getaway?
Good to hear they had a shuttle planned. They did not mention that in any of the emails or website.
I thought it was odd they planned a bar and expected people to ride back the the motel.

Indeed it was / is a great area for a Rally and in some ways this one was a mini Rally, just that there were no vendors of course. Yes, the shuttle was a welcome surprise and it was handled perfectly. A 14-person commuter van was used and that made the 1.5 mile trip several times such that only a handful of people rode. Almost all who took part in the police escorted "parade" to the Theatre, turned around after the parade and came back to the hotel to park their bikes and drop their gear, then some jumped on the shuttle and came back for the dinner. I wished I was smart enough to do that! We just went there and came back on the shuttle. The Inn of the Hills facility was great too.

So far we have not attended any of the Getaways, just the local club rallies that are mostly camping events.
The different Getaways around the country seem to get good attendance.
Wayne how many attended this one.
Have you attended the one put on by the local club at the Kerrville campground?

This one was well attended and judging by the people staying at our hotel alone and the crowd at the Theatre, and also what I heard, there was over 80 people in attendance. This even was also attended by Ted Moyer and a few other MOA notables (e.g. Wes Fitzer and his wife who Donna had a nice chat with about bikes!). At registration there were swag bags with some goodies in it (including the event T shirt which was slightly delayed), and there was breakfast and dinner included daily in the event fee. There were daily rides which may have been led (we didn't do any of those), and they conveniently had GPX files of maybe 10 ride routes in the area printed off and also stored in Dropbox for easy download. I gave my compliments directly to Chad Warner (event organizer) for an inaugural effort well done.

No I have not attended any MOA camping event here or anywhere. I bet it would be nice.

[Lee]

. I gave my compliments directly to Chad Warner (event organizer) for an inaugural effort well done.

It's been in Kerrville several years now, but this was the first year for music at the theater.

Nice idea to have maps and GPX files for people who have not been to the Hill Country before.

[Grumpy Goat]

I gave my compliments directly to Chad Warner (event organizer) for an inaugural effort well done.

It's been in Kerrville several years now, but this was the first year for music at the theater.

I know ... but it was the first time in this format and earlier time. They are trying something new for the Texas event.

[darrell]

Just to add a bit Wayne’s comments.  In speaking with Ted he said they are attempting to see if they can use 3 vs 2 days for these events hoping to increase attendance.  Several Getaways have been dropped for low attendance. The Utah event this year only had 40 attendees so likely will be dropped next year.  I’m not sure there are any in the midwest any longer except this TX event.

I’ve been to over half of the MOA Nat’l rallies and probably over 200 club camping rallies all around the US the past few decades.  This Hoedown in Kerrville was by far the best event I have ever attended.  Partly due the fact Wayne, Mark and Phil were there but also because it was well organized, plenty of good food, attendees were friendly and engaging.  Whether it be the parking lot chatter, someone new just joining us at a dinner or breakfast table and the riding area.

I personally found the weather too warm for my liking but wearing a Klim Kodiak suit did not help with air flow.  I’ll address that before next years event if same time period.

The theater and music was very good but I think if they kept that activity at the motel they would have more attendees stay for the music and come to dinner.  There were fewer for dinner at the theater then the previous night at the motel event.

[Liteitup]

Butterfly explosion explained
https://www.kxan.com/weather-traffic-qas...tterflies/

[Grumpy Goat]

Butterfly explosion explained
https://www.kxan.com/weather-traffic-qas...tterflies/

Yes, Donna shared that with me earlier ... American Snout Butterflies ... who knew.

[Liteitup]

https://www.txmotofoto.com/Photos/2022/S...t-Touring/

Photos from roadside photographer on the sisters. I see three member bikes, and a lot I recognize from the hotel.

[Grumpy Goat]

https://www.txmotofoto.com/Photos/2022/S...t-Touring/

Photos from roadside photographer on the sisters. I see three member bikes, and a lot I recognize from the hotel.

YESSS!!! I was wondering how to contact this guy as I did not notice any web address etc. (passed too fast) but I did see him take our (five) picture(s).   Thanks for sharing this Phil. Now I have to see which one to buy (since SWMBO is on the back I need to seek advice ...)

   

[darrell]

Phil thanks for sharing the website for the photographer.  I remember seeing him along the road.

[Grumpy Goat]

Just went to the Thrills in the Hills website and saw the simple message that 2023 was the last year that this would be held. 

Donna and I went to both the 2022 and 2023 events and had a great time. I did note that turnout was down this year compared to last year and that may have had something to do with it. 

I wonder if the MOA will have something else in Texas at this time of year ...? Hope so.