2023 10th Annual NW Starfest Official Thread!

[Ahodge75]

I have not done either Orifino or the peninsula so I’m fine either way. If we do Washington I think we need to consider doing Orifino again in the near future.

[Duke]

Yes, that is a good area. I'd like that.

[Jaybo]

I'm cool with Belfair, it's close for most of us, hotel looks decent, and I'm sure Steve will have some good rides thought out. Orofino would e awesome but I'd have to skip it this year as I won't have the time to take off the extra travel days. Next year? Spray would be fun as well. Grants pass would mean new territory which is always awesome.

[MidnightRide]

Steve, I don't think we need to be in a 'hurry' to get something booked ASAP. I get that motels will book, but even last year there wasn't much activity, even through February, with our very limited supply of rooms in the Ione area. Plus you've said we've already got Belfair booked through mid-February, so if nothing else we've got that as a backup while we chat about all of the scenarios. One day you were saying we should book Orofino within a day, and the next it was suddenly Belfair, with no prior discussion. I realize you're probably wanting to set this in stone for planning, but let's instead focus on the best quality experience for the group, be it Belfair or elsewhere.

Also, we're talking seven months out, and pushing dates back to August 1st certainly isn't going to cause anyone a dilemma, other than Darrell who's already booked for Grand Coulee the week before, which I do believe deserves some weight in making the decision. He's coming a long way just to hit Grand Coulee.

But I grew up over there, and I don't do rain on my bike, something imbedded in the region's DNA. If it's a rain forecast, we're not coming, simple as that. No guarantees for any time in the summers, sad as that is, but historically the numbers say that August 1st is smack-dab in the middle of the historical climate records. Common sense, if I was planning the event. However I'm fine with whatever decision is made, don't get me wrong. Mid-July may be spectacular this year.

I lived in Redding, CA, south of the Medford/Grants Pass area, and the summers were similar. Can be hot as hell. But as Ahodge75 and MikeyC knows, the ride up to Crater Lake is gorgeous, for one, and those coastal rides are breathtaking. Lots of stuff between Bend and GP as well.

I've been thinking the 10-year thing should be a focus, and support Steve's desires for that ride area. However we could also decide on the 'BEST' of the 9 previous rides and return to that, a known quantity, or come up with something new and different, maybe even out of our known area, such as heading down into far Northern California, for example, like Yreka or Mt. Shasta, which would bring in more riders from down there who've never been able to make it up our way. We'll likely be trailering if it's any sort of distance, so it really won't matter on our end.

On a side note, we could base here in our town this year as well, which is 135 miles SW of last summer's rides, around 20 miles from Grand Coulee. We have two motels at the end of town with around 20 rooms total, plus our (rather primitive) building would be available for hanging out and the like. Our buildings here are 120 years old right now.

If you guys are fine with Belfair, then we're fine as well. We trust your judgment. Beautiful country out there, and I know if Steve is excited about the rides then they'll certainly be good. We've never actually tripped overnight on the bike, so gearing-up might be a challenge. But Anne may be working out of town so it'll just be me and I'll be riding if that's the case. Too far out to really know.

My suggestion would be to keep kicking around ideas, at least through the weekend, with Belfair being the default location unless something better comes along. Good job nailing those rooms down, Steve.

I'm like others. Riding in heat works for me when compared to the opposite. Living in Vegas kind of conditions you that way.

The pic below was somewhere on the southern Oregon coast when I ran up there while living in Redding, CA, making a Crater Lake run for the first time. Crater lake follows.

How do you all feel about heading as far south as Mt. Shasta, CA, for example, or Yreka, which is further north?

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mt+Shasta,+CA+96067/@41.7219432,-122.4520437,151131m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x54cde0d325020841:0x8e6a2d01c84b8607!8m2!3d41.3098746!4d-122.3105666

Klamath Falls is a good town as well, with tons of possibilities, covering several surrounding states. You'll see it in the Mt. Shasta map above in the upper right corner.

[Shores]

Regarding booking early, Ione Washington is very different than the coast of Washington as far as tourism. Belfair is in the heart of the Olympic peninsula, a very popular vacation area where folks plan well in advance. I would not attend anything as far south as California. I would have to trailer and I have no access to a trailer nor would I want to. I'm beginning to feel that this is a lot like producing a new movie, where it has to be better and more outrageous than any previous movie. If we try to do that, I think we're doomed. Every location has its pros and cons.

[MikeyC]

Belfair sounds great, I drive thru there alot and always wish I was on the bike. I enjoy the scenery so much more on the bike.

Steve, throw us your routes and lets see where it goes.

[MikeyC]

By the way, I was going to book a room at Belfair today. It lets them know we're serious. And I get my pick of the rooms

[Ahodge75]

Shores, I don’t think anyone is saying that it has to bigger better more outrageous than previous years. You’re right if that’s what we expect we will not achieve that. I think we all just want the 10th to be special because it should be. Starfest is what Starfest is because of the people involved, yes the location is important but it’s more about the people and atmosphere than the ride only.

[Shores]

You are exactly right Aaron!

[MidnightRide]

Agreed, my thoughts as well, but it's always nice to have a pretty hot ride along the way. We all enjoy the ride, and scenery. Even a run up to Crystal Mountain Ski Area would be nice, from what I remember of it 40+ years ago. Anyone ever run the North Cascades Highway? Twisp and Winthrop are awesome little western towns.

One of the things I really liked about last year, my first Starfest, was that we had the entire motel and space to ourselves, with no distractions, in addition to the BBQ lounge area, lake access, etc. I don't think most people even made it down to the lakeside, but we should have, because there were lounge chairs, the dock, and more, which was a perfect place to toss a brew, especially after dark.

I think our ride will be good most places, but we spend far more time at the motel hanging out than we do riding. So that places some emphasis on the base station itself.

[Tykes_Place]

I expect the 30th annual NW Starfest to be absolutely epic. Something to rival Sturgis and Daytona. Start planning Steve....

[Shores]

I expect the 30th annual NW Starfest to be absolutely epic. Something to rival Sturgis and Daytona. Start planning Steve....

That would probably be an out of country trip don't you think? Rent dual sports in Mongolia.

[Tykes_Place]

At the very least.

[Shores]

Darrell booked a room, then Mike did and so I did. So we are tentatively set for the Belfair Motel in Belfair, Washington for July 13, 14, 15 and 16, leaving on the 16th. Refer to the first post in this thread for periodic updates. If you call and book a room, be sure to say it is for the Northwest Starfest organized by Steve Shores.

[MidnightRide]

And no further discussion...

I thought David was going to report on the motel after checking it out?

I'm not impressed with how this has all unfolded. Fail to understand what the hurry was about. This thing has jumped all over the map in just a few days. It's like everyone was hurrying to take shelter from some kind of impending storm, without a single cloud on the horizon.

[Jaybo]

Ron, calm down! We've done pretty well the other 9 times. We've always (well since I've been involved) had a spot picked by the first couple weeks of January. The hurry is to get a place and get rooms booked ASAP, We have had to have people in other hotels before. Belfair will work for a large majority of people and I expect it will be higher attendance since its in the heart of the PNW. Reviews of the hotel look good, it's central to the likely rides, plenty of good places to eat, etc. Yes there are other perhaps more exciting ride spots, but I feel like it is a better choice than Puyallup simply because of the large # of street people and sketchy hotels in our target price range.

[YamaDave]

I'll be going up to Belfair this Saturday to get some pictures of the motel, mostly the property, so I have a better idea of what to bring in the trailer, ie. Large BBQ, 10X10 pop up, lots of folding chairs, several folding tables, etc. I'll also try to grab some pictures of the local restaurants that are close by, get a feel for a good breakfast place, etc. I'll post up some pictures here by Sunday, I'll also make my reservations while I'm there. I only live 22 miles south, but it will be much more fun for me to stay there with y'all. Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

[MidnightRide]

I'll be going up to Belfair this Saturday to get some pictures of the motel, mostly the property, so I have a better idea of what to bring in the trailer, ie. Large BBQ, 10X10 pop up, lots of folding chairs, several folding tables, etc. I'll also try to grab some pictures of the local restaurants that are close by, get a feel for a good breakfast place, etc. I'll post up some pictures here by Sunday, I'll also make my reservations while I'm there. I only live 22 miles south, but it will be much more fun for me to stay there with y'all. Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

[Tykes_Place]

All of our hopes for a successful event rest on your shoulders Dave. No pressure though.

[YamaDave]

If everything goes perfect, I'll take all of the credit, if it is a sh*t show, it's all Steve's fault, LMFAO

[Ahodge75]

I reserved my room

[Jaybo]

Room is booked!

[MikeyC]

It’s not the place that makes a successful meet it’s the people that make the meet

[Brad_G]

Exactly! I look forward to the Eureka Springs M&G for this very reason.

[Tykes_Place]

The meat helps too.

[Shores]

Darrell, please add Mark Lindell. Mark is booking a two bed room and would be interested in anyone who wants to share a room with him. If so, private message me your phone number and I will get him in touch with you.

[YamaDave]

Booked my room. I took a bunch of pictures of the hotel and of a couple of restaurants just up the road, with pictures of the menus. I will post pictures when I get home later today. Hotel staff is awesome. Nice end of building 5 parking spot section we will block off for tables, chairs, BBQ grill etc (I will supply these).

[YamaDave]

Hotel Belfair.

[YamaDave]

Hotel Belfair.

[YamaDave]

At the hotel, the staff said we could cone off these 5 end spots, for the tables, bbq, and social area.