About the Finger Lakes 2008 Rally

Always Labor Day weekend; for 2008: August 29th to September 1st

For those who want to plan your trip to the rally really early, and if you are a rider who travels by GPS, here are the coordinates for the rally site, the Watkins Glen Hidden Valley Group Camp, front gate:
N 42° 21.753' W 76° 54.965'
Find other useful information at http://www.watkinsglen.com including lodging.

Would you care to see a road map of the local region at Watkins Glen? Here also is an image of a hand-drawn map of the Hidden Valley Campground which you may print. (Press your Back button after viewing map.)

Go to the Preregistration Form

2008: The 34th Annual Rally

Year after year our visitors tell us the Finger Lakes Rally is one of the nicest, friendliest motorcycle rallies. Again this year, it's held at the one Hidden Valley Group Camp
Main Entrance of the most beautiful settings ever to park a BMW, set up a tent, and find someone to talk with. Once again, you will be able to camp at the Watkins Glen State Park's Hidden Valley Group Camp.

Enjoy three nights camping, two catered dinners, free coffee, two live bands, great door prizes, rally pin and mug, terrific facilities, flea market, vendors, exciting touring, on-site Sunday morning services, bike judging, snack bar, and more. BMW riders and their guests only.

Camping areas range from ultra quiet to right near the action.

Rally Fees

	Pre-registered	At Gate
Adults (16 and up)	$47	$50
Children ages 6-15	$25	$30
Under 6	Free	Free

All fees are in US Dollars. Pre-registration forms and checks must be postmarked no later than August 16, 2008.

Gate opens at 9:00 AM Friday. Sorry, no early arrivals, no pets, and no campfires. More information: use our contact form, or email us at rally@fingerlakesbmw.org, or write to: Finger Lakes BMW Club, PO Box 35, Webster, NY 14580.

Go to the Preregistration Form

Events

Enjoy a wide variety of events on the rally site, and nearby. See our Attractions section for more. Some of the regular events:

Awards: Long Distance Male/Female, Oldest, Youngest, Largest... These are all calculated by the information you write on your registration form at the rally.
Door Prizes: The big prizes usually include riding suits, helmets, tires. Lots of other prizes as well: hats, clothing, books, flashlights, certificates, and chain lube. ;-)
Meals: Admissions include Saturday and Sunday evening dinners by our acclaimed local chef. Vegetarian meals available upon request at rally.
Live Bands: Live music on Saturday and Sunday nights. Plus, our Pizza Shack opens and serves until the kitchen is bare.
Bike Judging: Ride your bike onto the judging grounds, and let rally guests vote on the winners.
Flea market: Bring items, and leave with cash, or find gently used necessities. Clothes, accessories, parts, and more.
Seminars: Details available on arrival. In the past, we've had talks about foreign travel, packing for long rides, airhead tips and tricks, riding safety, and more.
Vendors: Helmets, jackets, raingear, accessories, tune-ups, lighting systems, gourmet coffee, and more. See our Vendor section for details.

Food

Both Saturday evening and Sunday evening catered meals are included with rally admissions. These dinners are usually served about 5:30pm. Dine inside in the Main Lodge, in our massive big-top tent, or use your Kermit chair by your tent.
Rolf's Hots: Our famous White and Red Hots and Italian Sausages Shoppe is open from late morning until evening. Enjoy Rochester's famous Zweigle's Whites and Reds, along with delicious Italian sausage sandwiches. We will also provide you with all the accessories including grilled peppers and onions, sauerkraut, and more.
Breakfast is available for purchase on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings. Entrees include scrambled eggs, meats, toast, pancakes, French toast, fresh fruit, yoghurt, juices, dry cereal, etc.
A special police breakfast is an alternative purchase: locally prepared donuts are trucked in before dawn from downtown Watkins Glen. Enjoy them with your free coffee.
The Pop Stand has more than pop (soda). Bags of ice, chips, chocolate things, and all items needed to grow zits. Sorry, no beer or alcohol. But that's available from friendly merchants in nearby Watkins Glen.

Tentative Schedule

(The final schedule will be published in your Rally Program.)

	What	From	To	Where
Friday	Registration opens	10:00 am	Late	Registration Tent
	Pin Table	10:00 am	10:00 pm	Main Lodge
	Hots, Pop & Snacks	11:00 am	11:00 pm	Food Tent
	Flea Market	Noon	6:00 pm	Near Main Lodge
Saturday	Donuts & Coffee	6:00 am	10:00 am	Main Lodge
	Breakfast opens	7:00 am	10:00 am	Main Lodge
	Pin Table	10:00 am	8:00 pm	Main Lodge
	Hots & Sausages	11:00 am	3:00 pm	Food Tent
	Pop, Snacks & Ice	11:00 am	11:00 pm	Food Tent
	Flea Market	Noon	6:00 pm	Near Main Lodge
	Self Guided Tours	Noon	4:00 pm	Table in Main Lodge
	Dinner served	5:00 pm	6:30 pm	Main Lodge
	Risky Bizness Band	8:30 pm	12:30 am	Main Lodge
	Pizza	9:00 pm	11:30 pm	Main Lodge
Sunday	Donuts & Coffee	6:00 am	10:00 am	Main Lodge
	Breakfast opens	7:00 am	10:00 am	Main Lodge
	Ride for Kids	8:00 am		Main gate
	Pin Table	10:00 am	6:00 pm	Main Lodge
	Hots & Sausages	11:00 am	3:00 pm	Food Tent
	Pop, Snacks & Ice	11:00 am	11:00 pm	Food Tent
	Vintage Bike Judging	Noon	3:00 pm	Near Big Top
	Dinner served	4:30 pm	6:30 pm	Main Lodge
	Awards Ceremony	7:30 pm		Main Lodge
	Paulsen, Baker & Garvey	8:00 pm	12:00 am	Main Lodge
	Pizza	9:00 pm	12:00 am	Main Lodge
Monday	Donuts & Coffee	6:00 am	9:30 am	Main Lodge
	Breakfast opens	6:30 am	9:30 am	Main Lodge
	Grounds close	Noon		Ride safe!

Go to the Preregistration Form

Vendors

Twenty or more reputable vendors are ready to meet your shopping needs. In the past, we have had these types of vendors:

Clothing: helmets, jackets, full riding suits, raingear, ventilated gear, boots, socks, and more.
Accessories: lights, communications, straps, packing gear, waterproof bags.
Accessories!
Souvenirs: 2008 Rally T-shirts, prior year's pins, mugs.
Gourmet Coffee: need your double decaf latte? Or an extra strong espresso? Yes!
Bike treatments: need a detailing? or a tune-up? or high-intensity lighting? or the latest communications gadgets? There will probably be a supplier to help you out, and discount rally prices.

Note to Vendors: confirm your space with Mike Lavelle as soon as possible. Those who wait to the last minute get space way out back. Use our contact form.

Vendor Listing

If they let us know they are coming, we'll add their name here. In the past, these vendors have been here:

Adventure Motorcycle Gear
Bob's BMW
Brushfire Design
Main Street
Country Rode Motowerks
Ear Gear
Gerbing Heated Clothing
Guitar Slinger (Val E. Gray)
Helen Twowheels
Lady Riders Wear
The Leather Expert
Lee's Motorcycle Accessories
Motorcycle Riders Supply
Patti Dennis Jewelry
Run-N-Lites
Touch of Class Motorcycles
Watkins Sporting Goods
Whitehorse Press

Local Attractions

For up-to-date visitor information, visit the website of the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce , or call them on 607-535-4300. You'll find they are very helpful. You can stop by when you arrive in town; they are at 100 N. Franklin Street, and open from 9am until 5pm every day, and later on Saturdays.
The Corning Museum of Glass is open from 9am until 8pm every day, and they have some terrific special exhibits. If you sign up in advance on their website, you can even attend a short glass making class.
There are now 32 wineries around Seneca Lake. If you want to catch up on what's new, visit the Seneca Lake Winery Association . You can download a map, and decide what interests you. Most have free or low cost tastings, and there are even a few with small restaurants. Drink responsibly.
Here are a few other nearby destinations: from ice-cream parlors to little towns - enjoy the back roads in the area by using this Google Map .
If you want to spend a half day, you can travel right around Seneca Lake. Here's another Google map , with riding directions.