2011 Curve Cowboy Reunion (CCR) - Boise ID

We are being really spoiled this year, two decent bike trips.  First there was the West Coast Birthday Bonanza in June, now we are heading south to this years CCR.  I've just been out into the garage, washed 'Gerties' windshield and lights, topped up the 10 gallon fuel tank from canned stock and checked the oil & tyres.  Just need to pack a few things, throw the pannier bags in, fix the tank bag in place and fasten on the additional luggage behind my saddle and we are ready to go.  Wendy has been similarly preparing 'Sydders', so we will both be ready for the off tomorrow morning.


So, what is CCR and how are we getting there.  There are a few versions of how the group got it's name, but in essence, this is it.  About twelve years ago, BMW Motorad - the motorcycle arm of BMW - launched a new luxury touring bike into the US.  Called the BMW K1200LT, it offered an amazing touring machine with all the bells & whistles - heated grips, & saddles, ABS, GPS, and on and on - with amazing performance for a big bike.  Fully loaded an LT would come in at about 820lb, no lightweight.  However, she would handle like a dream, carving turns like a hot knife through butter.  Remember the handling bit, I'll return to that again soon.


The Curve Cowboy Reunion started in the summer of 2000 when a group of K1200LT riders decided that it would be great to have a get together centered around the BMW K1200LT and our common interests. A few of the K1200LT list's enthusiastic members planned and organized the first K1200LT Rally. Based on the brotherhood and friendship that ensued, along with the spirited riding that took place.  It was the 'spirited' riding that gave the name.  Apparently someone who had watched a group of riders make their way through some 'twisties', said they, "rode like a bunch of curve cowboys".  The name stuck and it was decided at that point to rename the K1200LT Rally as the Curve Cowboy Reunion.  The first CCR was held in Broken Bow, Oklahoma on September 22-24, 2000 with 45 BMW K1200LTs, 5 other bikes, and 60 participants in attendance.

Our first CCR was in 2003, which was held in Gatlinbutg TN in the beautiful Smoky Mountains.  We made friends there that we still see to this day.  Thanks to the internet and Face Book, we manage to keep in touch over long distances.  After Gatlinburg, we got the bug.  The big bike was simply amazing and the more I rode, the more confident I became.  The next year we trailed the bike all the way to Brekenridge CO.  In 2005 CCR was held in Jackson Lake Lodge WY.  Not wanting to make the long ride on the back of the bike, Wendy flew.  I rode the 2075 miles there in 3 days, making it home in 2.  In 2006 we headed to the deep South and Brasilton GA.  What the location lacked in riding, it made up for in an amazing venue with it's own Vineyards and Spa to name but two.  In 2007 we headed West again to Missouri and the wonderful lake side resort of Osage Beach MO.  What a wonderful location.  So good Wendy & I decided to stay a few more days and enjoy the lake.  

A move to Canada meant we missed out on CCR 2008, but in 2009 we were back again.  This time on two new bikes.  Wendy had had her license for about 2 years, but really struggled with low speed balance on 2 wheels.  However, we discovered the BRP Spyder the previous winter and her riding days would never be the same again.  I had fallen for another German model having sold the LT before heading to CCR 08.  So for this CCR, I was riding a new R1200GS Adventure - it was love at first sight!  CCR 09 proved a number of firsts for Wendy, first CCR on her Spyder, first time riding in a group and unnervingly for her, first night ride returning from the Crazy Horse Memorial.  CCR 2010 was just too far away from us which brings us up to date and CCR 2011 in Boise ID.

We plan to take 4 semi leisurely days to get there.  Initially heading West to the Ice-Fields Parkway, then pretty much south all the way to Boise.  After the reunion, we will head home in 3 days by a route which takes us a little further East, and along the 'Highway to the Sun'.  The ride home will be pretty hard going as we need to cover about 1000 miles in 3 days, a lot of which will be through the mountains.  Great fun to ride on, but dreadful if you are trying to make a tight schedule.

So there you have it fan, a potted history of CCR and our involvement to date.  I hope to keep the Blog up to date, you never know, I might even get round to finishing off the last one!!!!  I know Rhonda was disappointed that I left her just hanging there and not finish the trip - sorry!  We would love to have you follow our adventure this year, I aim to write the Blog at the end of each days riding and post a few photo's for you.  So come along for the ride and join us as we head South of the border for  few days.