The weather couldn’t have been better and thousands of riders attended the rally. We are in the process of getting all of the photos together and will post them ASAP. In the meantime you can take a look here for some from Bryan Pearson, a volunteer.
– 
– I said NO!
– 
–
Hi Eric and Steve,
I had a great time on the rally this year and last. It is truly a great event!
This year I convinced three other groups to go also, fifteen riders and some spouses. I just wanted to comment on a couple of things. Last year you sent a nice program and guide out. For the new riders and even the ones that had been there before and haven’t been on all the routes this was a great thing. I know that it’s alot of work to put something like that together and it also costs, but I really missed that and think it was very worth while. The other thing that I thought was a great part of the event was the Friday night welcome mixer. I know it cost alot but I think more people benefit from it than just the nine winners in the poker runs. Poker runs are fun but alot of people I talked to and rode with didn’t participate because they wanted to see other things and had to head home Sunday. So it was a poker run or sightseeing the dam etc. I talked to the owner of Annie’s and the organizers of the event in Halfway (Rotary I think) and both were under the impression that Saturday was the big day and seemed a little disappointed at the turnout. It is your effort that makes this the great event that it is and I don’t want to sound dissatisfied in the least I am not! I just know you guys can’t be everywhere and may not get feedback about everything so I thought you might want to hear some of the things the riders in the groups I met had to say. Again, everybody loved it and many already booked rooms for next year. Thank you for everything you do. Also it was nice to meet you Steve.
Steve,
My Girlfriend and I (along with the dog) rode from the Salem area (Concours 14, and 650 Burgman). This was our first time at the rally, and we had a great time. You know what really made it great was the friendly people we met.
The local community was outstanding, and really made you feel welcome. For example, coming through Richland on the way to the Dam, there was a small business called the Coffee Cabin, ran by Dick and Ruth Pederson. On the sidewalk they had a huge bucket full of bottled water on ice with a sign that read :Welcome Bikers, Free Water: Nice people. We stopped and had coffee on the way to the dam, and Iced Tea on the way back. You should ask them to be a check point next year on a poker run.
This rally made me realize that it doesn’t matter what you ride, cruiser, sportbike, big tourer, or whatever…it’s about the ride, and the love of motorcycles. The event was well organized for the most part. The only negative comments I heard from a few participants was that they felt the events were competing with each other.
I also want to thank the fellow bikers who stopped to pick up the stuff in my tank bag which was scattered along the highway…laptop, camera, wallet, credit cards…I had a brain fade and forgot I put it on top of the dog carrier at the rest stop…that was embarrassing. THANK YOU!
We will be back next year…We met friends who also rode in from Boise, and Medford. For some it was there first time at the Rally, and they’ll be back.
Steve, It was a pleasure meeting you…good job with the rally.
This was my first year at the rally, what a great event.
On a sad note the Idaho police where terrible. They pulled me over for 10 over on private property on the way to the dam. Each time we passed these cops they had someone pulled over. The Oregon police where just showing a presence without being axxholes.
Anyway, the roads in that part of the state are great. See ya next, except for Idaho.
WOW! What a rush. I really had a great time, even if I did come by myself. I rode in from Portland and this was my first time at this rally. I just have to give everyone I met a big thumbs up for thier friendliness and company. The thing I like so much about motorcycling is, you don’t need to know anybody just be willing to talk to others and share a little bit of yourself with them. I’ve made lots of friends along the way and bikers are some of the best people to know. I have already made plans to attend next years rally and I am spreading the word about the rally to everyone I know that rides a motorcycle and even if I have to I will be dragging some of them kicking and screaming with me. Just one question, when did poker runs quit using poker playing cards to make the poker hands to decide the winners? Because of the way the poker run winners were picked it felt more like a raffle run than a poker run. This was the first time I ever saw it done this way.
Never the less I had fun and can’t wait for next year. So keep the rubber side down, the shinny side up and the wind in your hair.
The reason for doing away with the cards is that with that many rider you end up with everyone tied for first. It’s still random, but much easier to manage.
wellllllllllll…we were back, just like we said we would….and again really enjoyed the ride. we had a fantastic ride up from Forest Grove friday, had a great St Joseph poker run, had a great early ride to the dam on sunday and a fantastic ride home monday….but…we were bummed by the choice of entry to a poker run or a bike show. we really came to ride but really wanted to show off our bike…pride in our ride..but the set up made being in two places at one time impossible. yes we already booked for next year, but sure wish it could be set so we could participate…we do, after all, have the prettiest purple bike around, according to admirerers ( actually illusion blue) and one more short reaction…as a Vet it was great to see all the veterans there, even met one from my old unit…to all of you…” WELCOME HOME”
This was our third year in a row! As in years past, we had a great time. We couldn’t have asked for better weather (how did you work that one out…LOL)!
We had a group of 9 sportbikes with us and we all enjoyed it very much. We did the Ghost Town poker run and thought the route was excellent (of course we added an extra 100 miles to the route on some unbelievable roads). Most of the bikers on the road were very courteous and moved to the right to let us pass by — thank you!
As someone else stated, it felt like the events in town were competing against each other. We barely made it downtown in time to hear the winners of the bike show and didn’t make it over to the poker run winner’s announcement. It was very difficult to get from one event to the next. Can it all be in the same place? Also, maybe a couple more shuttle buses running during “peak” hours would be nice. Part of the reason we missed some events was because we were waiting upwards of 25 minutes for a very crowded shuttle bus. I’m not complaining, just trying to give you some feedback for years to come.
I know this is A LOT of work for you guys and it keeps getting better and better each year. Keep up the good work and we’ll see you next year!
Thanks guys for the constructive comments. We do need more time and better scheduling and I’ll make sure we get it right. We are in a little bit of a political battle with some locals that think they should run the rally, but I think we can get that worked out this year. The poker run were very popular, so we will add those on Sunday and maybe just do shorter ones on Saturday and have the show a little later and award everything on Main Street so no one has to move around.
Anyway I’m glad you are all coming back and Eric and I will work as hard as we can to continue to improve the rally.
PS I am doing the TourBook for 2009, so you’ll get the nice glossy book with ALL the maps and my sense of humor!
Eric & Steve
I want to thank both of you for providing an exceptional time and event. This being our first rally experiance we couldn’t of asked for more. There is no better place than the Baker Valley. Looking forward to next years rally and hope to get back to Baker this summer to do some additonal rides/
Well, I have to say despite the long bathroom lines (only one bathroom to share with all those riders) at each stop of the poker (raffle) run, standing in line behind all the folks who were buying stuff just to get my card stamped, the “Must be present to win” rule (first I heard of that) the closed gas stations in the small towns surrounding Baker City, the ghost town feeling in Baker City (all businesses closed or open after 4pm during the rally except for the two, yes I said two block where the rally actually took place, and the asphalt beer gardens (hot w/minimal shade), the weather was nice. I saw many lost opportunities in Baker City and the surrounding towns to making money. Only a hand full of vendors. It isn’t Sturgis. All that were unhappy with the accommodations the rally provided or shall I say lack of, please speak up. I will never get better if you do not. NM Steve
This was my second time coming to the HCMR, some friends and I came last year, and it was great. This year on the other hand, I can’t say the same. I feel very cheated as far as the poker run went, we decided to drop out half way though, and continue on on our own ride. The only two gas stations in the town before you got to Halfway were closed. We got to the second stop for stamps and there was one lady at the restarunt running the show, and only 2 bathrooms. One womens, one mens. We were hungry and couldn’t eat, there were no accomodations.
Don’t do a raffle and call it a poker run. It’s very misleading. I think it could have been set up a little better…if things don’t change I won’t be coming back next year.
To Steve with lost tank bag.
You would have done the same for us.
The Rose City Hog Members Would like to say that the Rally was a real Blast.
I want to say thank you for putting on the rally. We were disappointed in the Poker Runs though. Not really a poker run, but more of a riding raffle ticket. There was alot to be desired at the check points we did make it to. Such as a timely way to get your card stamped and back on your way, food, bathrooms and parking space. We ended up parking on some private property thinking we would just be a few minutes. But that turned into an hour+. At the 2nd stop we were well over an hour so we just decided to blow off the run and go out on our own to find some food. Hopefully you didn’t discourage too many people with the poker runs or the attendance will be much lower at the rally next year. You may also want to negotiate something with the fuel stations along the routes and smaller towns around baker. Most were closed on Sunday or close early in the day. We saw more than one person pushing their bike looking for an open station. That’s gonna make it tough to complete any good ride on Sunday.
Also, having the closing raffle drawing and prize giveaways at the same location would be a good change. Trying to be at all the gatherings was impossible.
You had told one of my friends that the reg. fees may go up next year to help pay for some extra accommodations (bathrooms) check points… With that, you’ll either have a lower attendance or people will just join the run in Baker without paying. Either way, you lose. Maybe you should check into a getting a church Youth Group or other non-profit groups to work at the check points to stamp cards or serve food. I’m sure they’d love the chance to make a few dollars for the organization. It would make for faster turn around times for the riders as well as provide something to eat.
What’s the point in paying to ride the open roads of Eastern Oregon? So I don’t get a raffle ticket (which I had to be present to win if I completed the “Poker Run”) and I don’t get a wrist band that saves me 25 cents on gas. At least last year I got a T-Shirt.
Thanks again for your valuable comments. It’s info like this that will help us make the rally better….. And we will!
We sure enjoyed the Rally again this year. We took the Enduro poker run. There were some rough roads as one would expect. I forgot to zip up my pocket and my poker card jumped out somewhere along the way. Oh well, no raffle ticket for me, just glad it wasn’t my camera.
It was great fun on the road less traveled. We topped off the tanks in Durkee and had a snack at the Redneck Diner where Crystal enticed us for dinner later with those big neck razor clams.
Friendly folks, nice rest facilities at the Lost Dutchman Mine. Scenery that reminded me of “Robber’s Roost”, in some old western movie.
Glad I left the bagger home and brought the dual-sports this year. Cruised into town with a bit of mud on the tires for final check point at the Fillin Station. I sat on a newspaper while I drank a beer, to keep the upholstery clean. My muddy V-strom was like a miner’s burro parked amongst the thoroughbred’s on main street. Nice to have a six gallon tank though, I guess. I’m glad I had so much fun or I’d probably have to “give it up”.
I’d like to volunteer to keep track of all those poker cards and try to figure out who had the Royal Flush, but sorry I’ll be out ridin’ or tellin’ lies at Mad Matilda’s.
Regards, RT Fink
Steve & Eric
Another great year thanks for the Memory.
As I stood at the awards ceremony on Saturday and while sitting on pins and needles the announcer said we have two awards left. He then gave out the trophy for best chopper. Well that would mean the only award left was for Best Of Show. Well I said to myself, I’m standing among 6,000 high dollar high end HD, Big Dog, Iron Horse Choppers, and every make and model known to man kind, well almost . I have no chance in Hell or Hells Canyon.
So I’m leaving and heading back to my bike and he starts reading the entry form that was submitted by every contestant.
1. The best of show is “I don’t believe this” Eric said.
2. The color is silver.
3. Its a 2006 Star Stratoliner
4. It has 113ci motor and was dynoed at 98.9 hp
5. It has Patrick Racing Velocity stacks
5. This guy is from Vancouver Wa
At at this point my eye start to swell with water. “I don’t cry, it must have started to rain”
6. His name is Roger Moody come get your trophy.
I RECEIVED BEST OF SHOW TROPHY AT THE BIGGEST MOTORCYCLE RALLY IN THE NORTHWEST.
As I was walking back to my bike Trophy in hand proudly strutting my stuff. I could hear guys on their cell phones calling god knows who? say your not going to believe this but a “Rice burner just won at Hells Canyon.”
Best weekend of my life. Thanks
Roger
Justed wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped put on the HCMR had a great time and will be back next year. I would just like to say I hope that next year most of the events can be all centralized and not on two sides of the town and at the same time. I would also like to comment on the poker run/ raffle. I personaly dont care for poker runs with cards cause people tend to trade cards and well how fair is that. On one poker run that I have done in the past is that at every stop you pull a poker chip out of a bag with a number on it (1-99) and whatever number you get they write that number on your card then you place the chip back into the bag and the person at the end of the day with the highest acumlitive number wins. Also the wrist bands really didnt do to much I feel that you guys really need to make people want the wrist bands and give them more of a purpose other than get into the beer gardens. But other then those few complaints which to me were very minor I had an awsome time came home and told all my buddies about it and have them all jazzed up about coming next year and the rides were awsome. I must say I was worried about the roads from the rumors I have heard about the past with gravel from winter time but they were awsome and the views were jut awsome thanks again and will for sure be back next year and will be bringing plenty more riders.
Well Steve you pulled it off again! This was our 3rd time at HCMR and we had an even better time than last. Staying at the Sunridge was a key factor this year, being in the midst of it all; we have reserved our room for next year. We used the shuttle, what a blessing that was!! We enjoyed the bike show, stayed till around 11:30pm – had to wait 25 mins for the shuttle and everyone that rode with us was heading to the Sunridge to do some dancing, when we arrived the beer garden was closed, music had stopped! We were all dissappointed, we thought it would go on till later. Asked at the bar and even the staff were shocked it finished so early. So it would be nice to have the beer garden and music open longer. A live band would be nice too like last year, but I know the cost of a band is expensive! There was one downtown but we missed it with everything happening on Main St. But we plan on going next year, have already marked it on our calendar – Cheers to Steve and all who help put on a wonderful event!!
First year and had a blast, my only complaints were not enough vendors, brought some serious money to spend but no where to spend it. Poker run felt like raffle, which is a common theme here, and events ran together so nothing much new that you haven’t heard. Love the people of Baker and the surrounding areas friendly and seemed pleased to see us. Our group brought over 30 bikes to HCMR by separate paths, some from Wenatchee Wa but mostly from Portland. Routes to Baker city varied but from what I hear all were great. Scenery there is just unreal and you can bet I will be returning next year. Would like to thank the folks at Mt View RV park too they were just wonderful. Thanks for putting this on.
This was my first year at this event. Had a fantastic time and camped at the Oregon Trail Camp grounds. People were GREAT .A small but very nice campground. I bought a new Bike just for the ride. Yamaha Ventura. Great machine. I will be back nexted year. Really looking forward to a great ride nexted year. Where do i sign up for nexted years ride? You guys did a GREAT job. Keep up the good work. I will be bringing five of my friends nexted year. How many more days till the 2009 rally? Start the cound down. I am ready.
Mikey Owner of “THE IRON HORSE
Hey had a great time. First time to Baker City and my 14 year old son and I couldn’t see it all this year so we’ll be back again. Main critic I heard was not enough vendors. Not sure what can be done to get more. Maybe it’s up to us as particapents to spread the word more and turn some vendors on to the event. The yamaha dealer there in Baker City is the best one I’ve been to ever. Had some bike issues and they gave me a lot of options. great people if I lived there i would diffinetly shop there. Baker City folks were very friendly. Didn’t have the gas or lunch issues on the poker runs. I filled up in Baker City before I went on the poker run and packed snacks so we could eat back at Baker City. The stops were very busy but let’s face it that was probably their biggest day all year. they all seemed very friendly. I’ll be back.
Hi Steve and Eric,
Three of my friends and I made it down a half day too late to catch much of the activities. Long trip from Alberta. We are looking forward to next year and are trying to round up a few more riders.
Were you able to sort out the contact information for the rally t-shirts that sold out?
See you in 09!
BMac
I’d like to say if anyone that has a bike must attend this event. Me and a friend started in 2007 coming here and now we are at 4 guys attending. If fun is your game then this is the place. Like a small Sturgis only better!. Thumbs up Baker!
See u next yr.