2018 Kootenay Rat Raid Recap
The 16th annual Kootenay Rat Raid was possibly one of the best groups we have had to date. Lots of laughs some new events and no incidents! Not to mention we had some of the best weather we have ever had with temps in the mid to high 20's making it bearable to ride late in to the day!
The planned events were all a hit for those who participated. We brought back the photography on the Friday group ride including the 31A and the Slocan Loop. Our largest group to date of riders participated this year and Liam decided to move our photography spot to after Fish Lake which proved to be a fantastic plan. This gave us the time to visit and space everyone out for the hairpin turn going in to New Denver where Liam was positioned to take pictures. Later in the afternoon we held a private screening of the movie Out of Nothing where a decent group learned a bit about the Bonneville Salt Flats. We had a bit of a Q&A after as we had 3 racers in the audience. On Saturday we had 3 group rides go out which included 2 levels of trail riding and one on road, all lead by local riders. Again everyone seemed to have a great time! 20 other participants made their way out to the Kokanee Zip Line for a little tour up there! It was a nice addition for those who wanted to go!
The Show 'n Shine was a huge success. Some really amazing bikes won awards.
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 Mainjet, the local motorcycle dealer and some special surprises from Uptown Tavern that produced lots of laughts. The room was full of positive energy. We recognized our "every year" attendees which we are down to 4, we thanked our "first timers" for coming out which seemed to be even more than last year! Once we finished handing out the Show 'n Shine trophies, we drew for the 50/50 which was over $400 to the winner, won by James and Louise Baldo.
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 2018 gallery of pictures will be up soon so please check back.
Until next year, ride safe!
Cheers,
Liane
Raid Captain
The planned events were all a hit for those who participated. We brought back the photography on the Friday group ride including the 31A and the Slocan Loop. Our largest group to date of riders participated this year and Liam decided to move our photography spot to after Fish Lake which proved to be a fantastic plan. This gave us the time to visit and space everyone out for the hairpin turn going in to New Denver where Liam was positioned to take pictures. Later in the afternoon we held a private screening of the movie Out of Nothing where a decent group learned a bit about the Bonneville Salt Flats. We had a bit of a Q&A after as we had 3 racers in the audience. On Saturday we had 3 group rides go out which included 2 levels of trail riding and one on road, all lead by local riders. Again everyone seemed to have a great time! 20 other participants made their way out to the Kokanee Zip Line for a little tour up there! It was a nice addition for those who wanted to go!
The Show 'n Shine was a huge success. Some really amazing bikes won awards.
- Best Sport/Sport Touring - Richard McDonald - vintage Daytona 1200 SE
- Best Dual - Jenni Bailey - Scrambler
- Best Modern Cruiser - Liam Rathgeber - Rocket III
- Best Modern Classic - Bob Mitchell - Bonneville 100 edition
- Best Overall - Sue Mitchell - Bonneville
- Adventure Staff Choice (new this year) - Sean Renton - Bobber
- Furthest Travelled - Pete Foster who took a 2,900km motorcycle detour from Calgary to Nelson as he visits from the UK for this event!
- Oldest Triumph - Bill Renton
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 Mainjet, the local motorcycle dealer and some special surprises from Uptown Tavern that produced lots of laughts. The room was full of positive energy. We recognized our "every year" attendees which we are down to 4, we thanked our "first timers" for coming out which seemed to be even more than last year! Once we finished handing out the Show 'n Shine trophies, we drew for the 50/50 which was over $400 to the winner, won by James and Louise Baldo.
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 (Nelson, BC) - for your 16th year in supporting and helping to host this event. Rob, Robbie, Graham, Glenn, Chef, 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 (Edmotnon, AB) - Missed you guys there but appreciate the support.
- Blackfoot - thank you for stepping up to help Triumph with the shipping glitch!
- Bentley Motorrad (Kelowna, BC) - Never ceases to amaze me that when I send out the sponsor letters, Dave is usually 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!
- Bill's Snohomish Cycle (Snohomish, WA) - Bill and Denita are salt of the earth people and came on board as sponsors 4 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. Truly my "ride or die" volunteer.
- The Hume Hotel (Nelson, BC) - 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 (Nelson, BC) - just around the corner from our headquarters, even under new owners Tom made sure they stayed on board and welcomes all of our attendees who are looking for a place to stay. We thank you for sponsoring our event.
- Montgomery Distillery (Missoula, MT) - Ryan, god bless you for coming on board and coming back again!
- Tribute Boardshop (Nelson, BC) - So happy to have Shane come with us on our Friday ride this year! Until next year!
- Liam Rathgeber (Calgary, AB) - 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 has remained a success. The time lapse footage from the Thursday was pure genius and so fun to watch! 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! Clive, Aaron and Randy for the Saturday trail/road group rides! Everyone who helped set up and tear down the tent and hauled boxes and water in and out of the storage room. Gina for her help setting up the banquet. Denita for helping me sell 50/50 tickets. David, Graham and Mick for their efforts in the Show 'n Shine judging. Edwin for his design of this year's logo which was a huge success and fan favorite once again! 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 2018 gallery of pictures will be up soon so please check back.
Until next year, ride safe!
Cheers,
Liane
Raid Captain