2009 AMA Women's Conference

[Yamaha Couple]

My daughter and I are talking of going to the conference in Colorado in August 2009 and wanted to know if there is anyone else from Oregon that will be going and what is the schedule for the conference? Are you there all day everyday or can you pick and choose what you do? We have never been to one of these and would like a little more info from people who have been to the previous ones.

Thank You

Cindy

[Lion_Lady]

Well. There's tons of stuff to do. . . based on my vast experience of ONE such conference. I attended the 2006 event with my daughter.

There is a vendor area that runs the gamut from biker clothing, to bike accessories, to helmets, gear, as well as "just ladies stuff": jewelry, frills, etc etc. etc.

Most of the manufacturers had demo fleets there. All the latest rides!! Motolights and a couple other custom-type businesses were there. They had a couple "get togethers" - a parade and block party. Fashion show. Seems like a couple meals were included.

Then there were the seminars and classes. Among them: Self defense, Accident Scene Management (what to do if you are involved in or come upon a motorcycle crash), a panel including the biggest names in long distance riding, I think there was another on racing. Oh, there was an option to participate in a Track Day at Barber Speedway(?). I know there was lots more. There was a riding skills course set up.

There were several guided group rides, or you could pick up a ride/route sheet and go at your own pace. Folks could do as they pleased. Sign up for all the seminars, or spend all their time riding the offered routes, or something in between.

No conference schedule set as of yet. If you're an AMA member, you can keep up with the latest on the AMA web page and in the monthly magazine.

P

[Yamaha Couple]

Do you have to ride a motorcycle while there? I don't have my endorsement yet and don't know if I will before the conference. My daughter and I will probably fly and rent a car to get to the conference.

[follow]

You do not have to be on a MC to attend any kind of MC event. But for fun for you and your daughter the area venders do rent out bicycles that you might want to ride around on, that way you don't have to find parking for the rent a car, you might be able to see more riding around.... Also If you manage to rent a MC for a day or what ever I wouldn't mind riding with you.

[coffee_brake]

This AMA conference is not a "maybe," it's a "How lean must I go?" question. I've been scraping every penny since I found out where and when.
This summer having been my first trip across the country, I'm not too worried about going East coast to CO in about 3 days, maybe 4, even 5, if the camping is good. I just can't do a hotel for this trip.

Anybody on the East side (Lion Lady?) want to try to meet up somewhere and run that way? I'll likely be on the Kawasaki Concours, but no matter what bike, I don't hold anybody up and I'm out there to have a good time, not to complain or whine, don't need to be the leader but don't mind leading, either.
The 2006 Conference was the most self-defining organized riding activity I ever attended, this one for 2009 is a must! It's not about the hard-core; it's not about teaching new riders, it's only about riding, riding well, and riding as today's woman. In other words, this is for ALL of us!

And....I have never ridden in the northernmost states and would definately consider tagging along with any of you wonderful Yanks back east, and then grabbing I-95 south to home....

[coffee_brake]

Looking at the Keystone Resort's web page, it seems they have no tent camping amenities. This past summer I attended a different conference at
Frisco, CO, a few miles East, and had to tent camp at Lake Dillon Reservoir park. It was less than nice, I had to ride to Frisco to get a shower at the local health center every day. Not even a sink in the toilets. Still, it was quiet and beautiful and I'll camp there again, it's always easier with group effort, if anybody wants to make plans!

[Lion_Lady]

Already looking into renting a condo at Keystone... a 4 bedroom condo with 10 people, the cost will be just under $250 a person, for FIVE NIGHTS.

I've started putting $30 a week in my piggy bank, and will add any windfalls as well. I sat down and did a working estimate of costs for me to make the trip and came up with around $1500 as I recall. 4 days of travel each way (3 nights on the road), gas and food. Plus "fun money" when I'm there. And 5 nights for the event. (Included a 'recovery day' - arriving the day before the "official" start).

This sort of thing is more fun if you're walking distance to the main attraction. Frisco is supposedly nicer than Keystone, but Keystone is where the stuff is goin on. (If it were a BMW rally, camping would be part of the accomodations <sigh>).

I've got camping gear, and love to moto camp, but I am just not inclined to deal with doing the tent thing when I'm trying to get that far... rain happens on the road and there's nothing more miserable than setting up or breaking camp in the rain. Besides, its more gear I've got to pack.

P

[coffee_brake]

OK...is it because my Connie's not good enough to ride with your BMW?! I'm joking; I had a R1150RT and it was an amazing machine (before the final drive went out at 30k miles), I just like the inline-four Connie better is all.

We'll just have to meet up at the convention is all!
If you don't fill that condo, let me know, I'm selling off some extra bike gear on Ebay and may find a little extra moolah.

[Wrider]

Hey ladies, hate to barge in again, but I happen to know that there are tons of campgrounds up there, so LionLady you should look into that if you want to.
Frisco is also close to Keystone, it's about a 15 minute drive, so honestly no biggie to drive from one to the other. Breckenridge is also fairly close to that, about 20-30 minutes away from Keystone.
Anyway, like I said, I'll be up there in the summer so we can meet up if you all want!
Wrider

[Lion_Lady]

Hey ladies, hate to barge in again, but I happen to know that there are tons of campgrounds up there, so LionLady you should look into that if you want to...
Anyway, like I said, I'll be up there in the summer so we can meet up if you all want! Wrider

I have no doubt that there are campgrounds nearby. Too beautiful out there NOT to be. I'm just not up to schlepping my tent, etc. across the country for a ladies only event. Those of us who are moto campers are definitely in the minority. Besides camping means limited "other" amenities, like a cozy sofa to lounge in after a day long ride, a nice hot (private) shower or bath...

P