Rhinebeck

[Buzz Kanter]

I thought the event was very impressive and the people putting it on deserve a huge degree of praise from us all. Perfect? Hardly, but it's their third year at this and I sense they want to hear the problems and make it better.

I was kind of floored by some of the asking prices and bought only a few odds and ends, nothing serious, although I was in a buying mood.

Had a blast with the Indian 101 Scout club and loved the road run with 6 other 101ers.

We will be running an article on the event in American Iron Magazine (www.aimag.com) and our classic American iron web site (www.caimag.com) are happy to support this event if the promoters want us to.

[RichO]

Rhinebeck

Hello, First time I've made a reply, but I read the Forum quite often. I, and my driving partner (he hauled an m/c 1,000 miles just to come with me) drove another 3,000 miles there and back to enjoy both the Roundtop ride and Rhinebeck. We're just working stiffs too. We rode 1,100 miles while in the Hudson Valley and the Catskills. The riding was some of the best I've ever enjoyed in some 40 years in the saddle. I've been going to m/c swapmeets since the late 60's. Easy boys and girls. You know all the hassles of todays legal, economic, and political problems one must endure to put on these type of events. If you don't then then become involved or do you really have enough info to judge. As one who has I know what's involved. Things can be tweaked but no human act is perfect. Somethings are out of one's hands. Positive is better than negative. I thought on the whole that Rhinebeck was well done. The amount of work to get it up to this point had to have been great. Greed has been driving this hobby for many years and will to come. For some of us though it's not a hobby but our life's commitment, along with family and friends. Congrats to all the 6 Chapters who made this meet happen. Good luck in the future. On another note, I was very sad to hear of Bob McClean's passing. A truely fine gentlemen and he will surely be missed. God's speed Bob. May he rest in peace. His work is done.

[Warren]

Rhinebeck Meet

Notes from a Vender about Rhinebeck 2008 meet

First off a big Thank You to all the workers and staff that made this years meet a great success.

I've been a vender for 35 years, as a vender we are motivated towards sales and and future sales a swapmeet provides.

This meet is turning out to be another kind of event that in the history of the AMC has never happened,
let me explain:

Up until Rhinebeck all meets were about the Venders, and how good the sales were (Oley),
for years and years the Venders and antique motorcycle enthusists have complained about the bad bathrooms, mud roads when it rains, and bad food Venders etc.

At Rhinebeck Fairgrounds the AMC was presented first class bathrooms, paved roads and a large verity of food venders. At 6 AM in the morning the fairground personal were out in force cleaning the grounds and taking away the trash. The gates and security was provide by the fairgrounds.

The point, all this cost money, lots of money (were talking New York State).
Who's gonna pay, its either raise the dues, charge Venders $400 a space or do what was done,
charge at the gate and let the general biker/public etc. pay for this event...this is a no brainer.

This event had a tremendous amount of entertainment for Familys and the general public.
From the comments I received from the bikers that went from the Albany area, I would expect the meet to double next year.

Suggestions: For this meet to succeed it needs to be a Sat/Sun meet.
Maybe if the venders arrived on Friday instead of Thursday it might be better.
Also, make designated vender areas that venders could not leave untill Sunday after say 2 or 3 PM or they would loose there spot the following year. Venders in building would also fall under that rule.
Dave from Way Back Wheels told me at Rhinebeck that this is standard procedure at car shows that charge admission fees.

This are just a few suggestion from a vender, my only goal is the success of the meet.
Thanks, Warren AMC #2028

[kval]

1916 twin
my first question is, why do you find that you have to hide your identity?
the Rhinebeck meet is NOT the first national meet to charge spectators.
if you vend at Oley or Wauseon you pay the same vendor fee, and if you have vended at car, bike etc shows, I bet you paid alot more for a 1 day show then the $17.00 a day for a 3 day AMCA meet. if you went to Oley or Wauseon as a spectator, then you were asked for a parking donation, so it was NOT free(unless you did not help the chapter putting on the meet)
step up and let everyone who you are
Kevin