It all starts here, Ladies and Gentleman. 😀
This is where WE.....the Minions of the SCMA....get to voice our thoughts and opinions for next year's ride....the 2020 Three Flags Classic, which is also the 45th Anniversary of this great ride.
To get things rolling, I would like to take a public poll, and ask each of you to post here......where would YOU like next year's ride to Start from, and where would you like next year's ride to Finish ?
Don't go into a long soliloquy about where we have been in the past.....we know our history.
Keep it short, and to the point.....where do YOU want to Start, and Finish ???
For those riders that are not familiar, or aware of it, next year being the 45th annual running of the Three Flags Classic, which means it is a 5th year event.....means it is also one more extra day of riding, and an additional Checkpoint thrown in there. It also means a longer distance Route, generally 2,200 to 2,500 miles in total.
THINK..... about your answers for the Start and Finish locations..... before you post them.
Do your best to post ONE time, if possible. I know that is hard for some of my riding friends, but....do your best.
I can tell you that Key West, FL. to Prudhoe Bay, AK., has been ruled out. 🙁
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New post by Steve Shulman added below on Octobr 15, 2019.
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Hello Everyone!
Well, preparations for the 2020 Three Flags Classic have begun.
So there is as little rumor as possible, let me tell you there are 3 people who can dispel most rumors about the 2020 TFC. They are Gonzo, the SCMA Chairman; Steven Shulman, the Three Flags Chairman; and Brian Hooker, the Three Flags Vice Chairman. I intend to monitor this forum regularly between now and the start of Three Flags so you will get much of your information here.
Let me start by telling you I have put out a call for people who want to serve on committees. I have received a fair amount of response and will get information out to those interested this week regarding those committees. If you also wish to participate, we welcome any helpful hands!
The first thing that came up was a request to begin the Three Flags the week following Labor Day. A survey was sent out and an overwhelming response favored the request to move the ride to the week after Labor Day. This survey was conducted after we had requested rated from several hotels for the banquet, so the response we got back were for Labor Day week. Brian Hooker and I traveled to the greater Vancouver area and also Whistler to meet with a number of venues. While there, we asked about rates and availability for the following week.
While we are currently in discussions with a few locations, one of the venues has their banquet room booked the week after Labor Day and the other does not. At this time we are having a difficult time being able to afford either venue for either week. The discussions continue and I hope to have new proposals this week. Frankly, Whistler is our first choice coming in from the north and departing to the south for most people. It is likely the cost will drive our decision whether to have the ride Labor Day week or the week after. I'll keep you posted as negotiations continue.
We have considered a few other options as well. They are:
1) Raising the registration fee for the 45th somewhere between $285 (2019 price) and $325.
2) Reducing the cost at the start to afford the follies at the finish.
and/or
3) A combination of both.
While I know I may hear a lot of "If they raise the rates, I'm not going," we ARE cost conscious! Costs have gone up everywhere and the cost for the 40th ride was .
still under $300... 5 years ago, and that was at the EMPRESS HOTEL! The overall cost for this ride from the time people leave home until they return home runs between $1500 to $2500 USD depending upon your choice of lodging. I hope you'll consider where $40 fits into the equation in the overall scheme of things. I welcome your thoughtful comments.
ROUTE:
We have people working on the route at the moment, despite not inking the finish location. Early work on the start means we have plenty of time to make this a terrific route.
I'll have much more to report as time goes on as we are working on some cool stuff for 45... until then, ride safely!
Steven Shulman
2020 Three Flags Chairman
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