2015 Kootenay Rat Raid Recap
The 13th annual Kootenay Rat Raid went off nearly flawless. We again had no major incidents, a couple minor issues with tires and clutches. We had one poor bird fatality as he swooped directly into one of our attendees Scramblers and lodged himself during a ride on the 31A! We had only 2 speeding tickets, one close enough to have a bike taken but wasn't. Note for future events, in BC we stay under 40km/h over or they will take your motorcycle for one week. Weather was more than fantastic. So all in all, SUCCESS!
This year's charitable donation of $500 went to the Nelson Community Services Center, specifically in support of the Aimee Beaulieu Transition House. To read up more on this very deserving charity, please click here.
The planned events were all a hit for those who participated. Unfortunately this year the brewery tour up at the Nelson Brewing Company was cancelled. We are anticipating that this event will be back next month. We had 2 planned lead group rides; Creston loop which includes the 3A and the Slocan loop which includes the 31A. Due to the amount of construction and in the best interest of the safety of our attendees, we cancelled the Creston loop due to the issues on the Salmo pass. That put everyone on the Slocan loop which also had construction but was far less of an issue. This loop also had a unique opportunity where Travis Rathgeber was positioned at the start of the 31A outside Kaslo to take action shots on a curve. This was a new feature to the Raid and gave attendees the chance to capture a great moment on one of the best roads around the Kootenays. We will be brining this back in future events.
The Show 'n Shine was a huge success. Some really classic bikes won awards.
This year we commemorated and toasted one of ours that was lost September 6, 2014. Joel Countryman, known to some as Anvil, to others as Huggybear and to so many as a dear friend, was taken from us in a motorcycle accident by Bragg Creek near Calgary. Joel was a long time and experienced motorcycle rider, member of the Fez Monkey's, #37 in the Brit Iron Rebels and founder of the Blue Meanies. Joel was the life of the party everywhere he went. He was truly loved by those who spent a lot of time with him. This was evident when a group of us (20some bikes) rode out to Fish Lake Saturday to say goodbye. The Kootenay Rat Raid was the second of three planned celebrations in spreading Joel's ashes in places he loved to visit. I would like to say thank you, on behalf of our entire group, to the family for entrusting us with his ashes so that so many of his friends are afforded the opportunity to say goodbye. Brad Anderson then helped me deliver a toast to Anvil at our annual banquet. We will continue to raise a glass to Joel and all of the friends we have lost.
Speaking of the banquet, dinner as usual was fantastic. The Adventure always does such a great job with everything they do for us. Once everyone had had enough, we were off to give away a bunch of swag sent to us by Triumph Canada and a few goodies from British Customs and Bill's Snohomish Cycle. The room was one I haven't seen before, full of laughs, fun and such positive energy. In all my years attending, I have not had so much fun hosting a banquet. We gave away shirts, bags, jackets, mugs, most of the lady riders in the room received a Triumph pendant, and so much more. Once we finished handing out the Show 'n Shine trophies, I was once again caught off guard by the generosity and gratefulness of our attendees and was again recognized for my time and effort in putting this event together. It truly moves me, the appreciation shown. As I have always said, I do this because I love it and seeing how much fun everyone is having is the best reward for me. But to be shown how grateful the group is, means the world and from the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every one of you.
We all need to thank our partners and sponsors in this event. Without their support, the Raid as a whole would be very scaled back. So in no particular order:
Website is now updated with next year’s dates and the new registration form. The new 2015 gallery of pictures will be up soon so please check back.
Until next year, ride safe!
Cheers,
Liane
Raid Captain
This year's charitable donation of $500 went to the Nelson Community Services Center, specifically in support of the Aimee Beaulieu Transition House. To read up more on this very deserving charity, please click here.
The planned events were all a hit for those who participated. Unfortunately this year the brewery tour up at the Nelson Brewing Company was cancelled. We are anticipating that this event will be back next month. We had 2 planned lead group rides; Creston loop which includes the 3A and the Slocan loop which includes the 31A. Due to the amount of construction and in the best interest of the safety of our attendees, we cancelled the Creston loop due to the issues on the Salmo pass. That put everyone on the Slocan loop which also had construction but was far less of an issue. This loop also had a unique opportunity where Travis Rathgeber was positioned at the start of the 31A outside Kaslo to take action shots on a curve. This was a new feature to the Raid and gave attendees the chance to capture a great moment on one of the best roads around the Kootenays. We will be brining this back in future events.
The Show 'n Shine was a huge success. Some really classic bikes won awards.
- Best Sport/Sport Touring - Norman Glazier - Speed Triple - one of the most unique looking bikes that you will find, got a lot of attention
- Best Dual - Jenni Bailey - Scrambler - so many little unique touches on this gorgeous bike
- Best Modern Cruiser - GUDD - Rocket III - finally a Rocket wins! Unique paint job, beautiful bike
- Best Modern Classic - Linda Spencer - Bonneville - Violet had many little details and an incredible pinstripe design
- Best Overall - Patrick McGregor - Thruxton - Retro looking sage green Thruxton with a full fairing, unique signal lights, pure cafe racer
- Furthest Travelled - Mike Shanley - arrived Friday after a bit of a detour on his way up from California.
- Oldest Triumph - Tall Bill - Trident - the Blue Meanies all brought up Tridents this year but Bill's '95 was the oldest in the group
This year we commemorated and toasted one of ours that was lost September 6, 2014. Joel Countryman, known to some as Anvil, to others as Huggybear and to so many as a dear friend, was taken from us in a motorcycle accident by Bragg Creek near Calgary. Joel was a long time and experienced motorcycle rider, member of the Fez Monkey's, #37 in the Brit Iron Rebels and founder of the Blue Meanies. Joel was the life of the party everywhere he went. He was truly loved by those who spent a lot of time with him. This was evident when a group of us (20some bikes) rode out to Fish Lake Saturday to say goodbye. The Kootenay Rat Raid was the second of three planned celebrations in spreading Joel's ashes in places he loved to visit. I would like to say thank you, on behalf of our entire group, to the family for entrusting us with his ashes so that so many of his friends are afforded the opportunity to say goodbye. Brad Anderson then helped me deliver a toast to Anvil at our annual banquet. We will continue to raise a glass to Joel and all of the friends we have lost.
Speaking of the banquet, dinner as usual was fantastic. The Adventure always does such a great job with everything they do for us. Once everyone had had enough, we were off to give away a bunch of swag sent to us by Triumph Canada and a few goodies from British Customs and Bill's Snohomish Cycle. The room was one I haven't seen before, full of laughs, fun and such positive energy. In all my years attending, I have not had so much fun hosting a banquet. We gave away shirts, bags, jackets, mugs, most of the lady riders in the room received a Triumph pendant, and so much more. Once we finished handing out the Show 'n Shine trophies, I was once again caught off guard by the generosity and gratefulness of our attendees and was again recognized for my time and effort in putting this event together. It truly moves me, the appreciation shown. As I have always said, I do this because I love it and seeing how much fun everyone is having is the best reward for me. But to be shown how grateful the group is, means the world and from the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every one of you.
We all need to thank our partners and sponsors in this event. Without their support, the Raid as a whole would be very scaled back. So in no particular order:
- The Adventure Hotel - for your 13th year in supporting and helping to host this event. Danny, Rob, Graham, Destiny, Dave, Rhonda and all the staff at the Adventure, you go above and beyond every year with help and stellar service for our group.
- Triumph Canada - Chris Ellis, thank you for your continued support and sending us so much stuff to give away! We all more than appreciate the support from the brand we all love.
- Echo Cycle - Aaron represented the dealer this year and with class. He came out on the group ride Friday and mingled with a lot of different groups. Echo has been a great support for this event.
- Blackfoot - Joe organized an adventure ride out to Nelson that continued on stateside to return. Unfortunately we missed him this year as at the last minute he was unable to come. The ride still happened, just without Joe! Michael was there and represented the dealer quite well! It's always great when our dealers can come mingle and just be one of us for a weekend.
- Bentley Motorrad - Never ceases to amaze me that when I send out the sponsor letters, Dave is the first to respond. Your continued support of this event has not gone unnoticed and is so much appreciated. We hope to see you back out at the Raid in the future!
- British Customs - Big thanks to the folks at BC for sending up some great giveaways and their continued support for our event. Matt was a pleasure to coordinate with and it is my hopes that perhaps someone can come up one year to check it out first hand!
- Bill's Snohomish Cycle - Bill and Denita are salt of the earth people and came on board as sponsors 2 years ago after many years as attendees. Anyone in the Puget Sound area should pop in and support these guys. Truly one of a kind and appreciate all your help and your donations. Special thanks to Denita for her enormous help at registration. No words for how much that helps me out.
- The Hume Hotel - not just a favorite breakfast stop for our attendees, but also a great place to stay. Ryan, we appreciate your continued support of our event in your second year of sponsoring.
- The Mountain Hound - just around the corner from our headquarters, Dallas welcomes all of our attendees who are looking for a place to stay. We thank you for sponsoring our event.
- Travis Rathgeber - Your continued support of this event through photography does not go unnoticed. You are the reason so many of us have great memories to hold on to. The idea to shoot on the 31A this year ended up being a great success. I look forward to working with you next year on making this event even better.
- Volunteers - Big thanks from me to all who stepped forward to help with the event. Again, Denita for all her help at registration. Pav for offering any help at any time. Everyone who helped set up and tear down the tent and hauled boxes and water in and out of the storage room. Shane for his help setting up the banquet. Vicki and Denita for helping me sell tickets. Chris Hilton, Renee and Jon for their efforts in the Show 'n Shine judging. Mike Yakymishen for his design of this year's logo! And anyone I missed and I am so sorry if I did.
Website is now updated with next year’s dates and the new registration form. The new 2015 gallery of pictures will be up soon so please check back.
Until next year, ride safe!
Cheers,
Liane
Raid Captain
