So here we are at last, finally at Boise ID and CCR 2011. A years worth of waiting and planning behind us, still with square butt’s from four days in the saddle, but here at last. The room is a nice comfortable size as I said in an earlier Blog, but we didn’t have the hang of the A/C, so it was a pretty warm night. For all that, it was nice not to have to think about getting back into bike gear for another long hot day on the road. However, ‘Gertie’ was booked in for an oil change and I had a test ride booked on the new K1600GTL!
We passed on breakfast, quite unusual for me, but we had slept in a little and our appointment time was 9am. We actually arrived a bit early and had one minor navigation error! Wendy saved the day by stopping a passing guy in his truck and asked where Big Twin BMW was located – we were just one street out. Within a couple of minutes we had located the dealer, parked the bikes and I was clambering out of heavy riding jacket. The guys at Big Twin were very helpful and the service manager recognised Wendy from the orders she had placed and booking in ‘Gerties’ service. I wheeled the bike down to the service area and left it with them. Then we went to talk to Kelly in sales and sort out the demo ride. It was all booked in and we were expected, the big 1600cc tourer had just been wheeled out ready for us. Kelly took a copy of my license and we moved outside for a quick ‘famil’ of the new luxury touring machine. I had watched and waited as it’s predecessor the K1200LT went out of production in expectation of the new bike. The K1600 was launched amidst lots of publicity and looked a beautiful machine. I had actually managed to take a look around one at our local dealer in Edmonton, but now I was going to try her out. This bike came fully loaded and there was way to much to take on one quick run through, the only answer was to ride it.
The first thing that I noticed was how very low I sat. The bike comes with a couple of seat height options and all the regular height options were on sold bikes. These machines were moving off the showroom floors as fast as they could get them in. Because the saddle was a mite low, it restricted my foot movement on the brake and gear levers, otherwise it felt wonderful. The only real warning I got from Kelly, was to watch the revs when I pulled away. There was so much power available, it would be easy to over rev the big six cylinder engine. Heeding his words, I carefully applied the power and manoeuvred out into the traffic. The power came in very smoothly indeed and there was a handful of it available. I took a short loop behind the adjacent airport, taking about fifteen minutes to get back to the dealer and collect Wendy. Once or twice on the quiet back road I dropped down to 4th gear and hit the power. The big bike took off like a rocket………. Back at the shop, I collected Wendy. Kelly readjusted the suspension for 2 up riding, then directed me toward a good route to try out the big bike. I headed out into the traffic again and immediately noticed how manageable the big bike was with two up. The low centre of gravity made it a joy to handle at low speed.
I quickly got onto the I84 eastbound and wound the power on. The big bike hummed along effortlessly at 75/80mph. A couple of exits later, I turned of and we headed into the hills and the twisties. This would really show how she handled and I wasn’t disappointed. The bike has so much power and balance; it was an absolute joy flicking in and out of the twisty mountain road. We only rode a few miles, but I had already seen enough, this is a glorious machine, must get it on the Christmas pressie list! All I needed was the taller saddle option and she would be perfect. When I turned round to head back to the shop, I had a little play with some of the electrical controls. BMW have created a revolving control ring on the left handlebar, which in conjunction with a menu switch adjacent to your left thumb, controls all of the electronic devices. This includes suspension selection!
We rode back to the dealer and I almost managed a very tight slow speed turn with two up. Only a car in my way prevented the manoeuvre. The bike is so beautifully balanced, I had no doubts about making the turn, something I probably wouldn’t have tried on my old LT and will only do 1 up on my GS. This new member of the BMW Motorad stable is a wonderful machine, just need the lottery to come up now! I handed back the K1600 to Kelly and thanked him for the ride. We then collected ‘Gertie’, headed back to the hotel, still with a huge smile on my face from the demo ride, and hugely impressed by the handling of big bike.
Back at the hotel we parked up the bikes – Wendy had ridden ‘Sydders’ down to the dealer and got some gas on the way back. In the room, we quickly changed out of hot cumbersome bike gear and headed down to see the vendors who had turned up for this years event. There were not as many as I had seen in previous years, but what they lacked in numbers, they made up for in the quality of products. On the table of the first vendor, I saw miniature video cameras, perfect for mounting on bikes! After last years trip to Alaska, I thought that a daily video diary or video from the riding would be a perfect accompaniment to the Blog. We soon got chatting with Richard from RKA who showed us some pretty amazing bike video footage. I was sold! Wrap one I’ll take it! So, another new toy for the bike and provided I can mount it easily enough, I will use it to take video on the return trip. We will be riding a number of miles through mountain twisties, so it should make for some interesting viewing……….
After a wander through the vendors, we had a bite of lunch in the hotel. While we were sat, an old friend from previous CCR’s dropped by and shared lunch with us. Bruce is an amazing amateur photographer, who’s speciality is underwater photography. He is especially known for one shot in particular. Take a look at this link to see why: http://www.pr.com/press-release/122629. Look at the foot of the article and go to Bruces own web site for more amazing photos. After lunch we wandered back through the vendors, collecting the video camera, having decided on which model would do the job. Then back to the room for a shower and freshen up for the evening event.
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| John 'Muns' & Laurie Munson |
The first evening on CCR, we traditionally have a welcome reception. This year we were lucky enough to have both the venue and the temperature to allow this to happen outside. The hotel is a low level two-story complex, with a pool and quiet lawn area behind the accommodation. There is also a pretty rose arbour adjacent to the pool area. This was where the reception was to be held. The arbour was where the staff laid out the buffet and tables were laid out on the lush grass. We sat with friends we have known since our first CCR in Gatlinburg 2003. Every year that we attend, we meet up with John & Laurie Munson and we just seem to take off from where we left of 12 months before. That is one of the beauties of this event, catching up with old friends again, all with a common love of motorcycles.
The CCR organisation has three simple aims, to promote fellowship and friendship through motorcycling, to promote motorcycle education and training and finally, to leave a positive impact about motorcyclists in the communities in which we hold our reunion. The last we achieve by making a charitable donation to a selected local charity. This year, the board selected the ‘Ride for Joy’ charity. Please take a look at this link, which will explain in far better detail what this wonderful organisation does for kids than I could manage: http://www.rideforjoy.org/.
We gather funds all week via one means or another and donate all the proceeds to the charity on our final gala night. One of the biggest means of collecting funds is via the silent auction. Prizes are donated and auctioned of. Once again, all proceeds going directly to the charity. As I explained in one of the earlier Blogs, we were given a donation on our way to CCR. Please take a look at this link and the lovely White Bird Summit Lodge. Terrie, who owns the Lodge, kindly donated two nights accommodation for a couple: http://www.whitebirdsummitlodge.com/.
With the reception nearly over, a night cap was called for, so we headed back to the bar and bumped into Jim and Mary once again. We chatted over our respective antics during the day, then finally headed for bed. That’s it for day 5 on the road and our first day at CCR, more to come later. Nite nite fan and for all those on two wheels, keep the black stuff down!
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