Wow, what a month June has been here at CycleFish...Not only did we have record numbers of visitors and activity on the site, we also had two very successful CycleFish Meet & Greet Parties, one on the West Coast, and one in Central U.S. Laura and I just couldn't be any more excited about what CycleFish has become, and how it just continues to grow. Our main objective when we started the site was to provide a place where ALL type bikers and riders could come together, meet, and make friends - real friends. Well you don't have to spend a whole lot of time here before you realize how great the people here are, and how easy it is to make friends. And the two recent Meet & Greet events prove that these friendships go far beyond just knowing people here on the site by username.
CycleFish Meet & Greets
West Coast Meet & Greet at the Redwood Run
The first of the two Meet & Greets was held earlier this month at the Redwood Run in Piercy, CA. Laura and I, along with our good friends Russ & Cindy (of BikerCrap), have been attending the Redwood Run for years - it's one of our favorite rallies! This year we decided to organize a CycleFish Meet & Greet at the Run for all those CycleFish members here on the West Coast. As we headed out for Piercy we were not sure what to expect...how many would show?... and would we be able to get a good spot for all the CycleFish campers? Well when we arrived at the Redwood Run gates a day early, we were greeted with open arms by the Redwood Run Staff. They had heard about the Meet & Greet and were ready to help us out to make the event the best it could be. They let us go in the night before the event opened and stake out the spot for all of our CycleFish guests. So there we were, just Laura and I camping all by ourselves in the vast rally grounds of the Redwood Run...but that didn't last long.
On Friday morning just as the sun came up we got word from the Redwood Run Staff that the gates were about to open, and the mad dash for camping spots by the 1000s who were at the gate was about to start. As soon as the bikes started rolling past, riders would pull over and ask "is this the CycleFish Camp, I'm user so-and-so", and the CycleFish camp quickly began to fill. It was so nice to meet in person the people we knew from the site, and of course it was really great to see all of our old friends show up too. By the time the initial rush was over we had about 20 CycleFish members camping with us, and many more who camped in other spots walking over to introduce themselves. This continued throughout the weekend, and all in all I think we had about 70 CycleFish members show up and hang out at the camp at one point or another. It was such a great time hanging out with all the CycleFish members, that we really never even left our camp - with the exception of a couple quick trips to the vendor area, and of course to watch the wet t-shirt contest where all the girls were wearing CycleFish shirts! We even had one of our CycleFish members represent us in the wet t-shirt contest (but we'll let her tell you about that if she wants to).
The rally went way too fast, and before we knew it it was Sunday morning and everyone was packing up their bikes for the ride home. We had people leaving for home just a few miles down the road, others heading for WA, MT, OR, AZ, NV, CO, and many places throughout CA. Laura and I stayed until just about everyone had left to say good-bye and thank each and every one of them for coming out. It was a great time, and we are already looking forward to next year...and the best news is - There will be a next year. There was some talk about this being the last Redwood Run after 30+ years, but I heard from the promoters last week and the Redwood Run will go on.
Central U.S. Meet & Greet in Bowling Green, KY
The second CycleFish Meet & Greet was the Central US CycleFish Meet & Greet in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This one was really special to us because it was organized 100% by a group of CycleFish members, and what a great job they did. Laura and I were so bummed out that we couldn't make it to this event, and after hearing all the stories and seeing the pictures, we were even more bummed. Since we weren't there Mike (RexTheRoadDog) was kind enough to send along his account of the event (at least the parts that weren't sworn to never leave KY!)...
In a medium size town in the Southwest Kentucky farm land a small group of internet friends gathered. They came from as far away as West Colorado, upstate New York, Boston, and many places in-between. All in attendance signed the CycleFish banner sent by Lucky and I counted 24 names. Personally my anticipation of a great time was high as was that of everyone else. To say my vision was exceeded is a serious understatement. IT WAS A FANTASTIC FOUR DAY EVENT. There were no set plans, just people getting to know each other with a few impromptu side trips and a lot of good eatin’!!!.
Extreme and Bon Bon’s site became the defacto gathering place which they graciously shared with the rowdy bunch that almost always was there. It probably had something to do with the meals so fantastically prepared. MDbikergirl & Steven, Bull Dog, Sky, Adventure Girl, Extreme and Bon Bon supplied most of the Fantastic Meals. And I DO MEAN FANTASTIC!!! The Ettoufee and Boudan (sp) prepared by Extreme and Bon Bon, the jerk chicken and pork prepared by Bulldog were the big hits. Oh, and the coolers were always full of cold water, beer and soda. And a certain someone will remember the White Russians.
This motley crew of internet friends gelled into a cohesive bunch of people who after a few minutes felt as if they were all life-long friends. I know this writer made a lot of good friends. As we slowly broke apart and made our departures there were many tears shed but all agreed to begin planning for the “SECOND Annual Central U.S. CycleFish M&G”. I am already counting the days until that event plus I will surely visit some as I travel near their homes.
I have to echo the unanimous feeling of the attendees. Thanks to Lucky and Laura for creating CycleFish. This great weekend was made possible because of you two. For those who missed it don’t miss the next.
Your Friend, Mike (RexTheRoadDog)
Upcoming Sturgis Meet & Greet
Sturgis Meet & Greet at the Buffalo Chip (August 10) - We have nailed down all the details and this event will be held at the Pitchfork Fondue & Stage at the Buffalo Chip Campground. Thanks to our good friend HighRisk at JLHOils for sponsoring this event and making it possible to create a really great party. There will be a live band, fully stock bar, and lots of other stuff going on.
Just announced, The Charlie Brechtel Band, a long-time crowd favorite at the Buffalo Chip will be the featured band at the CycleFish Meet & Greet!
Remember to check the Event Listing regularly for updates. We are also working on a second Meet & Greet Ride during the Sturgis Rally. Right now we are thinking of doing it on Thursday morning - meeting up at the Full Throttle Saloon around 10:30 for a ride out to Mt Rushmore, and than back to the Full Throttle later that afternoon...more on that to come.
We would like to see more CycleFish Meet & Greets around the country. They can be organized events, like the ones listed above, or just a simple ride or get together at the local watering hole. If you would like to plan one in your area, just go to the Meet & Greet Forum and get the ball rolling.
CycleFish Bike of the Month Winners
We would like to Congratulate our two June Bike of the Month Winners... For the Stock Class: TACO and his 1999 H-D Heritage Softail ; and for the Vintage Class: 1941roy and his 1961 Velocette Viper Clubman.
Preferred CycleFish Businesses...
Please remember these businesses along with the ones you see ads for in the right column are who support the CycleFish site. Please take the time to visit their profiles and their businesses to show your appreciation for their support.
We Need Your Help
As I am sure most of you realize, the CycleFish network is not free to maintain and took a lot to develop and get to where it is today. We rely 100% on motorcycle related business to support the site either through upgrading their business profiles, or directly advertising on the site. So for those of you who are personal users of the site, be sure to let all of your local motorcycle businesses know about CycleFish. If you would like some business cards to pass out, just drop a message to user CycleFishAdmin, and we will be happy to send you some.
For those of you who have business profiles, we ask that you take a look at the benefits of upgrading your profile, and/or advertising on CycleFish. In addition to all the benefits you will receive from advertising on one of the fastest growing motorcycle focused websites, you will also be helping to support our great community, which I know our users will show their appreciation for.
As always, we want to thank each and every one of you for being a part of the CycleFish community. Remember, this is your website, not ours (we just maintain it for you). Those who are active in the CycleFish community, sharing photos, adding content, and making friends, have already realized the benefits of being a part of a community sharing the same interest...motorcycles and riding. So if you haven't stopped by in a while, you need to check back in and see what's been going on. And don't forget to tell everyone you know about CycleFish, so that our community can continue to grow.
Regards,
Your CycleFish Ride Leaders
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Safe riding to all...
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