Subject: Oompah-ship and Whiners Date: Wed, 25 Jun 1997 11:50:51 -0400 (EDT) From: Cliff Weston Reply-To: east@dnrc.bell-labs.com To: Multiple recipients of list Mostly to Mr. Sayers but in general: RCR Oompahship carries with it exceptional burdens. All of the logistical headaches are the Oompah's alone (we need but rarely have Official Deputy Oompahs (tm)). Countless long-distance calls must be made to secure a site and hunt for catering/nearby ice & snacks/gas. Sites must be carefully chosen for their range and number of accommodations, as some riders cannot or will not camp after riding hours -- or even days -- to attend, sometimes on machines as small as *360 cc's*. The site must have interesting roads around it. Every small problems, and certainly all the big ones, that develop are the Oompah's alone. Shortsighted planning will be discussed at length by the attendees. During the actual event, the Oompahs' level of enjoyment is penned by the intrusion of responsibilities (especially at feeding times, as I (who cooked at RCR3) and Dean (who gave away his dinner at RCR2) can attest). In short, there are a million annoyances of varying sizes that come with the snappy title. Why do we do it? For the women. Also, for the chance to have a major part in an event that so many people treasure. We certainly don't volunteer for it because it's fun (correct me if I'm wrong here, guys) ... although I'd not have loudly protested if I'd been carried around the camp on everyone's shoulders (sniffle). I agree with Martyn that the RCR should move through the region like a virulent strain of some dreaded yet strangely seductive social disease. If we always had it in the middle of RC-land, I'd always have a short ride (which sucks for me) and everyone on the fringes would always be very inconvenienced (notably, the contingents from the New England and Deep South areas). As it stands, this year's site is a 10-hour *interstate* ride from Charlottesville. If I'm riding ten hours, it sure as hell won't be on the interstate -- so this trip'll take me 14 or so. :) Two hours to make a semi-national (demi-national?) rally is a ridiculous expectation; if someone can't or won't ride four to six hours to make an RCR, then they just won't be there. The next one will be closer, I guess. Ride safely, Cliff '90 CBR1000F (for now) Charlottesville VA (also for now)