Interlochen '09

410 miles from home is a small town called Interlochen, MI. And just west of it is a place called Cycle-Moore, a motorcycle place that took a few acres of land, put up a bath house and covered cement pad, laid down some gravel to define "roads", and called it a motorcycle campground. At $12 a night and the hottest showers around, its a true bargain - and home for the VROC Interlochen rally.

I took two days getting up there, enjoying the scenery and the area. Stayed at a Red Roof just outside of Lansing, working my way into the more basic accommodations that would soon follow. When I got to the rally on Friday afternoon, there were dozens of people already there! By the end of the weekend, over 50 people attended the rally staying in tents and motorcycle camper trailers.

Each night, we had a small bonfire. Most would wander their way to a circle about the fire, bringing chairs or picnic tables to sit on, and share their stories. There are never any "new" people at the rally, just those who have never been before and are welcomed in as quickly as the old timers. Probably 75% are return VROCers, with 25% first timers. People will ride over 1,000 miles each way to spend the weekend there.

During the day, small groups and individuals go about their site seeing, riding, or just kicking back at the campgrounds. The only rule for VROC is that "there are no rules." So everyone is free to organize group rides, participate in them, or go their merry way. I prefer the latter.

Each year, the rally is besieged by rain. Sometimes during the rally itself, sometimes on the rides back home. This year was no different. We sat around the fire on Friday night, watched the clouds darken, and eventually was inundated by waves of rain. Many suffered at the hands of the weather; some with soaked camping gear, others with damp gear that could be dried in the sun the next morning. Many took for shelter, playing cards and continuing the discussions into the wee hours of the morning.

I took two excursions over the weekend. One was to a place called The Cherry Hut. The best cherry pie known to man. And their food, while on the pricey side, tasted wonderful with large portions. It is an institution in the area, now in its 87th year and even recognized by bon appétit Magazine. The other was to take some curvy back roads into Frankfort, a town that sits on the tip of a peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan. Lots of activity, arts show, antique cars, and other touristy things. But my favorite, at the end of main street, is the sandy beach and lighthouse.

I rode back home on Sunday, getting packed and on the road by 8:30am. 420 miles later, I found myself in the garage at about 7:30. Eleven hours of riding with several stops to rehydrate and get out of the stifling heat. And true to its tradition, I dodged storms the whole way back.

It was a great time, wonderful to see people I have not seen in years. And I found that I CAN ride 400 miles in a day, if I have to. It still hurts to sit down, but such a small price to pay for the freedom and the excitement of being on the road and exposed to all there is to see.

For more pictures, some of them extraordinary, check out the Great Lakes VROC Picture blog at http://glvroc.blogspot.com/