Randakk's Cycle Shakk, LLC
Randall Washington, aka "Randakk"
President and Chief Executive Rider
Winston-Salem, NC USA

Randakk's 2009 Customer Appreciation International Vintage Honda Rally

2008 Rally recap here

2007 Rally recap here

2006 Rally recap here

Randakk's Last Annual Drought-Busting Rain Rally was a big success!

Even thought it rained buckets on Friday and Saturday, we had just over 100 registered attendees. I'm told this was the largest gathering of 4-cylinder GoldWings in decades. I also understand that this was the largest single get-together ever of Naked GoldWing members (30+).

Thanks to everyone who braved the elements to make it a grand event. Below are are some of my favorites from all the pictures sent to me after the Rally.

Special thanks to Steve Seamans ("Whiskerfish"), Bob MacBird, Steve Mate ("Roady"), Robert Russell, Bill Karg, Steve Williams, Dean Spalding, Greg Jones, Paul Jack, Jerry Stenstrom, Bob Hillsgrove and Herm Goode for photo contributions to this recap.

Getting there was half the fun...really!

Dry camping on the way...no rain yet!

More fun on the way

More infiltration from the North...better alert the Canadian Border patrol!

Better watch this crew

Everyone's finally here...so is the rain! Wider lens needed to capture the whole scene!

Plenty to do at the Rally. The Weather Channel was scintillating entertainment!

Do I look slightly worried? Entertaining 100 people in the rain....fun!

Stock Class People's Choice Award Winner - Bob Hillsgroves's beautiful '77 GL1000!

Ryan Barrett's awesome custom '76 GL1000 - Custom Class People's Choice Award Winner

Bob Hillsgrove (left) and Ryan Barrett (right) with hardware

Luckily, there were few mechanical "casualties" this year. Above - Bob MacBird doing a lighting upgrade on Ryan Barrett's custom

Ross Davis and Steve Seamans presented an incredible Ignition Clinic!

Ross Davis' beautiful custom GL1000 - perhaps more impressive than Ross himself!

Howard Halasz in his element. Thanks goodness for the tent!

I was wondering when this bike would ever get a bath!

Youth (and sidecars!) were well represented: Ryan Adams (left) & Donavan Summers (right)

Most Experienced Rider: Homer Wheat - 89+ years old and riding strong!

"Old Fogey" AKA John Evans made it all the way from Glasgow, Scotland (bigger suitcase than mine I think)

2008 Rally recap here

2007 Rally recap here

2006 Rally recap here

Rally Details (as originally posted):

Dates: Friday, September 25 - Sunday, September 27, 2009

Location: Bedford, VA

I'm very pleased to announce the Fourth Annual Randakk's Cycle Shakk Customer Appreciation International Vintage Honda Rally. This should be one of the largest gatherings of early 'Wings, CBXs, CX500s, DOHC-4s and other models of this vintage. Begin making your plans now to attend in picturesque Bedford, Virginia.

If you've ever wanted to attend one of my Rallies, you should make plans. I've decided that this year's Rally will be the fourth and last one.

The Rallies have been lots of fun for me and I'm able to meet lots of customers face-to-face, but I've decided I can meet even more customers by "piggybacking" my vendor / hospitality events with other major motorcycle rallies and events throughout the year. This will also allow me to attend more events and cover a wider geography.

Beginning in the Fall, I will announce various events that I plan to attend as I "stir the pot" with some new ideas. Meanwhile, my traditional format '09 Rally should be the best ever. I hope you can make it!

Bedford is a great rider's destination in the foothills of southwestern Virginia. Great scenery and roads abound! Easy Interstate access from major population centers.

Typical Backroad near Bedford, VA

New this year:

1. I'm moving to a Fall date for better weather and to allow participation by folks who have other commitments during the summer.

2. Significant reduction in the Registration Fee (35% less than last year).

3. Committing to fill up an entire hotel, so the hotel rate should be very attractive. The group discount I've negotiated is $40 off the hotel room rate per night compared to the normal "high season" rates for the base hotel (the weekend I've selected is the beginning of the spectacular fall foliage season).

4. The location is less "remote" than some in the past, so it should be easier to get to for most of you.

Riding and scenery will still be spectacular! My goal is to make this a very affordable event to attend. I hope to attract a record crowd this year.

Event Details:

Dates: Friday, September 25 - Sunday, September 27, 2009

Location: Bedford, VA

Schedule of Events: click here

Recommended Rally Ride Routes: click here

Required Release Form: A signed release form will be collected from each Rally participant. This form will be collected at registration check-in. Click here to download and print.

Note: This event is sponsored solely by Randakk's Cycle Shakk. I'm a member and support a number of vintage clubs including CWC, VJMC and GWRRA. I'm an active participant on several online Forums such as Naked GoldWings. Members of these and similar groups are welcome to register and attend.

Note: This is not a public event. Registration is required to participate.

I've been very blessed with the growth and success of my business. However, having a web-based business with no retail presence means that I rarely get to meet and enjoy face-to-face interaction with my customers. This annual event allows me to meet many of the great friends I've made in cyber-space!

This will be a low-key, 2 day event primarily for the enjoyment of my customers. Anyone with an interest in the vintage Honda models I support is welcome to register and attend. Registration is via the PAYPAL button below.

I want real running bikes to attend, not "trailer queens." You have plenty of time to finish your restorations and rejuventations, so get busy!

Door Prizes:

Upgraded Master Cylinder	2 Limited Edition Prints by R.L. Parker
Timing Light	Oil Filter Adapter Kit
DarkWing Seat	+ a few "surprises"

Just a few of the items I plan to give away at the Rally

Planned Activities:

Banquet keynote talk by someone you will enjoy meeting - me! The planned speaker at this year's banquet was to be Lynn Setzer (my very talented wife). But, she got a better speaking engagement offer for the Rally weekend and I was not able to match the fee (true story). Since Lynn bailed and this is my last Rally, I've decided that I will elevate myself to be the banquet speaker. I won't say much more, but you won't believe the content of my presentation! It will be a preview of a book project I'm working on.
Ignition Tuning Clinic by ace Honda mechanic Ross Davis!
Tech Sessions by other noted vintage Honda experts.
Informal, scenic rides on local roads which might include the Blue Ridge Parkway (self-guided). I actually prefer some local foothill twisty routes that are more engaging than the Parkway such as an excursion on VA Route #43 (awesome road!)
Sneak previews of new products I have under development.
There will be two "People's Choice" trophies awarded. Each attendee will be asked to vote for their favorite 3 bikes in attendance (in 2 classes: stock and custom) to determine the winners. There rules are here. Unfortunately, I'm not eligible to win one my own trophies, but this is not very likely given some of the exceptional bikes that I already know are coming! I will probably bring this bike to ride + my new CBX.

Randakk's People Choice Award Trophy (2 will be awarded...rules here)

Small prizes based on serial numbers, odometer readings, distance traveled, rider's age, etc. will be awarded.
One lucky attendee will win an original limited edition print by noted artist R.L. Parker. This beautiful print has a vintage Honda theme and will be autographed by R.L.
Each registered attendee will receive a commemorative T-shirt commissioned and released for this event ($22 value)
Each registered attendee will also receive a special commemorative jacket patch (limited to the first 90 registrations)
Banquet on Saturday night - this meal is provided by Randakk for all registered Rally attendees. This will be a cholesterol-rich extravanganza...you will like! If you have special dietary requirements, you will need to make your own provisions. No alcohol will be served at dinner.

Event Details:

Date: Friday, September 25 - Sunday, September 27, 2009

Location: Bedford, VA

Located in the beautiful foothills of southwestern Virginia, Bedford is at the base of the Blue Ridge mountains. Bedford is one of my favorite destinations.

See: http://www.visitbedford.com/ for details on this gem of a town.

Less than 15 miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway
Convenient to Interstate I-77
Close to Smith Mountain State Park
Home of the National D-Day Memorial
Some of the best backroads and twisties for motorcycle riding in the country
Virginia's Piedmont plateau is home to some surprisingly delightful vineyards and wineries

Base Hotel:

Super 8 - Bedford, VA

842 Sword Beach Lane

Bedford, VA 24523

Main Phone: (540) 587-0100

I have negotiated and reserved a block of 58 rooms starting at the attractive rate of $78.88 per night for regular rooms (some suites are available at higher rate) My "hold" on these rooms will expire on August 17, 2009 so make your plans as early as possible. You must call the hotel yourself to register. Mention this code for the discount: RANDAKK RALLY.

Hotel expenses are your responsibility. Ditto for cancellations and room guarantees.

Important: since Bedford is a "tourist" destination and late September is "high season," if you must cancel your reservation for any reason, you must do so yourself by the cut-off date of August 17, 2009 to avoid the hotel's cancellation charge policy. To clarify: telling me that you're not coming for any reason does not also cancel your hotel reservation. You must do that yourself.

Directions: click here

Registration Fee: $22.00 per attendee.

This fee helps calibrate interest, sizing the hotel room commitment as well as the Saturday night banquet. The fee will include a commemorative Randakk's Cycle Shakk T-shirt for all registered attendees. When you pick up your registration materials, you'll also get a coupon for the "meet and greet" social on Friday evening.

Lodging and other meals will be the responsibility of the attendee.

Rally Registration is per attendee and does not include lodging. You must make your own lodging arrangements separately..

Rally Registration Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations on or before June 30, 2009

The $22.00 Registration Fee per individual will be refunded (for any reason) if requested by June 30, 2009. Refunds will be processed as PayPal refunds only.

Cancellations between July 1 - August 30, 2009:

50% refund of $11.00 will be refunded (for any reason) if requested between July 1 - August 30, 2009). Refunds will be processed as PayPal refunds only.
Cancellations after August 30, 2009 or later:

No Rally Registration Refunds will be made (for any reason) if requested after August 30. 2009.

Note: if you must cancel your registration for any reason, you must also cancel any hotel reservations yourself by the cutoff date of August 17, 2009 to avoid the hotel's cancellation charge policy. To clarify: telling me that you're not coming for any reason does not also cancel your hotel reservation. You must do that yourself.

Other Important Details:

This is a vintage Honda event primarily for GL1000 / GL1100 / GL1200 / CBX / DOHC-4 and CX500 models. I naturally prefer that you ride a vintage Honda, but all bikes are welcome so long as you have a keen appreciation for the vintage Honda models that I'm devoted to.
All bikes attending must have quiet, mufflers!!!!! Stock and reasonable aftermarket mufflers only. No unbaffled straight pipes please.
I've assured the Bedford convention folks that even though we are "bikers," we are a calm, non-rowdy reasonable bunch. They are extending the welcome mat. Please keep this in mind and behave accordingly.
I plan to come to have fun and meet folks I've never seen in person. Make sure your bike is in top operating condition. I don't plan on spending ANY time fixing any broken bikes - unless it's mine :)
Commemorative T-shirts and jacket patches will be distributed at the Rally.
The weather should be pleasantly warm, but prepare for a wide range of temperatures (and moisture).
The event is a "Go" regardless of weather and turnout.
Virginia law requires that motorcycle riders wear an approved helmet at all times. Exceptions will not be permitted.
The hotel property will not permit motorcycles or motorcycle parts inside any hotel room.
No flea market or swap meet vendor activities will be possible in the parking lot (hotel policy)
Legal disclaimer:

Attendees assume ALL RISKS and will be required to sign a disclaimer to that effect upon registration. Specifically, all motorcycle riding will be done at the rider's own risk.

Click here to download and print.

Event details will be documented on this page and updated as appropriate. Thanks for your interest. I hope to see you in Bedford!

Finally, please don't plan to skip the registration detail and just "drop by." If that's your plan, be aware that some activities will be inside. The venue is securing a special area of their parking lot for us to use for this event that will not be accessible unless you've got credentials. Non-registrants will not be eligible for the trophy or other prizes. Non-registrants won't receive the swell T-shirt nor will there be "space at the table" at the banquet on Saturday night.

I hate to be a "heavy" enforcing these rules, but it would not be fair to the people who've registered if I didn't.

Limited Rally Sponsorship Opportunities are Available for Vendors:

email me at: randakk@hotmail.com

Other Questions:

email me at: randakk@hotmail.com

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