The BMW Riders of Missississippi’s annual Dogwood Trail Rally was held April 8 – 10, 2011 at Turkey Creek Water Park, right outside of Newton, MS. Over 140 people from 20 states joined us at the Rally. The weather was great, cool nights and 85 degree days.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the people and the companies that donated some great door prizes. Don’t forget to visit these guys in person, on line or via the telephone and tell them thanks and spend some money with them. They need monetary support to keep the lights on and the doors open.
First, we want to thank our great sponsor BMW Motorcycles of Baton Rouge for one of our Grand Prizes – a Shoei helmet. Thanks to Andy, Cody and Clark for bringing up the bikes and making this a great rally for everyone. We cannot thank you enough for your support.
Thanks also go to the following for the other great door prizes listed below:
2 Mugs/T-shirts – Bench Mark Works
Easy Pack Duffle – Kermits Camping Products
Ancra Tiedowns – Richard Coyle
F650/800 Throttle Cable – Richard Coyle
Frogg Toggs Rainsuit – Alan Henderson
2 Rick Mayer Saddle Certificates – Rick Mayer Cycle
4 Works Shocks Certificates – Works Performance Products
Bike Detail Kit – Got Gear Motorsports
1 set of tires – BMW Riders of Mississippi
And let’ s not forget the BMWMOA, thanks for sending Roger Wiles and the Ride Smart Trainer. It is a lot harder than you think to ride smart.
The water park is a great place for the rally. We had lots of room, privacy, quiet and hot water. Thanks to the staff at the Turkey Creek Water Park and the Pat Harrison Water District. We knew you were there if we needed you.
Richard Coyle headed up registration. Bill Biel cooked up some good gumbo on Friday night and folks spent alot of the evening walking around looking for old, familiar faces and meeting new people. We are always happy to see old friends and we welcome the new faces and hope to see them all again next year.
Saturday morning, Paul Vegas and Betty Vegas, with help from Fletcher Clark and Henry Klingman, started us off right with some hot pancakes. Other talented volunteers assisted and other helped in the kitchen. After breakfast some took naps, others took off to wander down country lanes, dirt roads or the local Wal-Mart. Alan Henderson supplied some great rides via maps he made especially for the Rally and he promised to mark the gravel roads as such for next year.. Those Olivers started singing around 2 in the afternoon and while they took a much needed break, various awards and door prizes were handed out. Then on to the barbecue dinner. Those Olivers serenaded us for another hour and then it was lights out. Whoever was in the tent next door needs a new muffler on his chain saw!
Sunday, started with another round of pancakes and good fellowship. It was truly a wonderfully relaxing weekend. Good food, good friends, good riding. It all came and went too fast.
David Coles, Bill and Debbie Biel, Frank Glamser, Ken O’Malley, Paul and Betty Vegas, Fletcher Clark, Richard Coyle and Henry Klingman, please excuse me if I missed anyone. We could not have put on such a great rally without your help.
