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Time for The 4th Annual Elroy Bike Meet,
A Rural Hill &
Valley Experience
This time - Please read it all
through
You have to show me that you want to come to Elroy Bike Meet.
I received a mail from Minnesota before the first bike meet in 2007.
It read something like this…
”Thank you for having the vision and organizing a bike meet in
that area.
I believe that is the most beautiful area for great riding in USA”
Here is the "History" of Elroy Bike Meet so far... in
2007
People told me before the first Elroy Bike Meet “It will never
work…”.
“You should be happy if it comes 50 bikers”. It came 550 bikers
from four states, and I believe
they all went back with the impression that this was a great area to
have a bike meet at.
Peter Egan, editor from Cycle World the most widespread motorcycle
magazine on the Planet
was there signing his books and reporting from the first Elroy Bike
Meet.
He wrote a full page how well everything was
organized
and how beautiful the Train was
(a scenic motorcycle ride) on Sunday.
Read
the full article here.
My Comment: The weather was with us that
weekend…
2008
We
marketed the second bike meet about the same way as the first -
radio, advertising,
fliers and posters to bike stores, bars etc through out the
Midwest. We had reason to believe
it should work similar to the 2007 meeting. We also had a motorcycle
raffle…
giving away a Can Am Spyder worth $17000
Well, that weekend
went to the history books as the worst weather ever making
a touch down in this area. The bikers who had planned to come
probably stayed home /
sitting in the bars and followed the development on the TV or on
their handheld weather stations,
even called cell phones. It was a major loss. I went through with
the raffle.
I paid it with my own money. In hindsight perhaps not the smartest
thing I have done
in my life (as it ruined my economics for the next year and
counting). But, I walk my talk.
2009
As I seldom give up. I organized a third bike meet in June 2009.
Well, shit happens…
it was bad weather again. Cold & rainy, few visitors and even more
money lost.
This is not a business venture for people with weak hearts. But
still the spirit was there…
Then came a City Hall meeting in September…I was there to ask
for free camping
for the visiting bicyclists to the Bicycle Edition of Elroy Bike
Meet in October.
Some people in the audience couldn’t understand why I should have
free camping
when I am the one gaining from it….Well, how do you meet that?!
I tried to explain the bigger picture that EVERYONE stands to gain
if more people
are coming to the area…So far I have used $30,000 of my money trying
to
create something which everyone will gain from. So…why shouldn’t I
gain from it??!!
BUT I never came that far,
as the Mayor interrupted and changed the subject...
Besides that and everything else my organization is the ONLY
organization trying
to get very much needed fresh (REAL) money into the community – not
turning around
the same money all the time through bake- and garage sales
But ALL that is history and it might very well stop there.
The future of Elroy Bike Meet is up to you! Yes, YOU…. Here is
the DEAL.
At least 100 bikers have to pay $30 each by June 1st
OR there will be no bike meet July 17/18
The money paid in advance will be
deposited and
on June 2nd, I will decide if there is
enough
interest. IF NOT -The money will be refunded.
I rather accept a
loss of $30,000 than wasting more time and money moving
something no one really cares for.
The $30 fee includes, Weekend Pass, Camping, Pig Roast and the Train
on Sunday.
Now you can JUST DO IT by use this
PAYMENT function.
FOR
YOU THERE IS NO RISK INVOLVED!
….OR
you can let this opportunity for a Great Event in this area just
slip away…
IT IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU
Bjorn Sjogren
founder
& organizer of Elroy Bike Meet
info@elroybikemeet.com
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