49er Home

 

Why are Day Passes So Expensive?.
What's up with the liability waiver?
What if it rains?
Why can't I drive my car into the rally grounds?
Why can't I get a vegetarian meal at the '49er?
I'm pre-registered but my passenger isn't. Can he/she get the pre-reg discount?
Why isn't there more parking for motor homes at the Rally?
Where's the shower trailer?
Why do I have to be on a BMW motorcycle or be sponsored by someone riding one?
I'm curious about the '49er and I just want to drop in for a peek to see what its all about. Can I?
What about pets at the '49er?
Why are NorCal members so proud of the '49er?

Q: Why are Day Passes So Expensive?.

A: Day passes have been a very controversial topic surrounding every '49er Rally I've ever attended. The BMW Club of Northern California is a nonprofit organization, and the '49er is our main fund raising event, the proceeds from which must be sufficient to put on the '49er the following year. With a budget approaching $40,000, pre-event deposits place quite a demand on the rally fund. In a very real sense whatever small portion of the rally fee remains after paying for the cost of conducting the rally itself is a donation to this nonprofit, all volunteer, organization.

The current policy of a $30 day pass fee is, quite frankly, designed to encourage people to pay just a little extra and stay for the full weekend. There are several reasons for this. Most important is one related to the security of the attendees personal possessions. A tent isn't a very secure way to store anything, but we've found that if everybody's goods are at equal risk, theft is not a problem. If we encourage the sales of day passes, or open the rally to those not riding BMW motorcycles, we have a new element roaming the grounds with access to every tent on site, with nothing of their own at risk. In an era of $300 sleeping bags, $500 personal electronics, and megabuck motorcycle clothing, the temptation is just too great, even with our 24 hour security folks doing all they can to keep an eye on things.

Of secondary but almost equal importance is the negative financial impact of day pass sales. Fixed costs for the Rally must be paid and have no bearing on how many people come in through the gate. These include grounds rental, liability insurance, paying for the security force, advertising and mailing, trophy costs, entertainment costs, and artwork and printing costs. These costs are flat rate, and are spread over the total number of attendees. The only per head fees we incur are for food service. I'm going into this level of detail to help you understand that even at a reduced cost of $30, we are actually losing money on the day passes we sell, and unevenly distributing the burden of the fixed costs to those that ante up the full rally fee

Q: What's up with the liability waiver?

A: The release language is a legal maneuver insisted upon by the insurance company from which we secure the policy. It's the same company that MOA and AMA use, and it's the same release language you'll find in use at other rallies and at AMA sanctioned races. In fact, it's the same language we used last year, and at that time we heard no objections. Here's the deal: We're required to hold a million dollar liability policy by the facility we use, and we've chosen to go with an insurance company with broad industry experience and acceptance. That policy affords protection for motorcycling events both on and off the fairgrounds, something the other companies we spoke with were unwilling to do. The bottom line for us was buy the policy and use their language for the waiver, or cancel the event. Some option, huh?

The release does not require you to assume any liability for any losses, financial or otherwise, that the '49er may incur. It does just the opposite: we're not responsible for any loss you suffer as a result of attending. The release just gives us a leg to stand on in court if some unfortunate seeks to offset their pain and suffering with a lawsuit. At least we'll have professional help if it's needed, which in 30 years we've not. Please understand that we're just motorcyclists like yourself, and as volunteer organizers of the event, all this legal mumbo jumbo pains us more than any of the folks that we hope will attend. Unfortunately the antics of the legal industry in this country have ended forever the time when such events could be held on an informal basis. Not much we can do about it, except perhaps not let it interfere with our enjoyment of motorcycling or appreciation of those that work so hard to make the '49er the premier rally that it is.

Q: What if it rains?

A: Those that have been attending the '49er over the years know that May can bring showers as well as flowers. Quincy was notorious for the wet stuff, but even the halcyon years in Mariposa saw a few wash outs. But rain just isn't much of a big deal, no matter where the Rally is held. Auburn has a large number of buildings that make great places to put your tent and perhaps your bike, keeping you both high and dry. Look on the map for names like "Horse B" and "Livestock 3" and the like. No matter what the weather, the show will go on, the Lions will still serve piping hot food, and the '49er Rally spirit will carry the day.

Q: Why can't I drive my car into the rally grounds?

A: You can, but only to unload your camping gear and to load it back up when you leave. Motorcycles are treated as second class citizens on America's highways and byways, but at the '49er motorcycles rule and cars take a back seat. There is ample parking in the upper parking lot outside the entrance gate and we encourage you to use it for your four wheeled conveyances.

Q: Why can't I get a vegetarian meal at the '49er?

A: This is another '49er chestnut that has defied solution for many years. We were baffled by the many definitions of what constitutes vegetarian fare, and came to the conclusion that there was no way to please the small number of people that are unsatisfied with the usual meat-and-potatos fare. We've worked hard with the Lions staff to ensure that the food is both tasty and healthy, and to avoid the usual greasy spoon nature of rally food. Auburn offers a wide variety of dining establishments, many of whom have meals that cater to specialized dietary needs. Contact the Auburn Chamber of Commerce for assistance in locating these restaurants.

Q: I'm pre-registered but my passenger isn't. Can he/she get the pre-reg discount?

A: When the rally fee is paid determines the amount. If the fee is paid after the pre-reg mail in cutoff (May 12) then the gate fee amount is due.

Q: Why isn't there more parking for motor homes at the Rally?

A: The practical answer to this question is there is a finite area of soft grass for camping at the rally site, and we believe attendees are best served by making that grass available for tents and not motor homes. The philosophical answer is that the '49er Rally was conceived and continues to be themed around riding motorcycles and camping out. Motor homes go against the grain of both of these central themes. We will attempt to accommodate motor homes on a first-come-first-served basis, but can not guarantee there will be room for your rig. There are several establishments that cater to motorized camping in the immediate area, and the local Chamber of Commerce would be happy to help you locate one.

Q: Where's the shower trailer?

A: The shower trailers we've used in previous years at the '49er are privately owned concessions that can be "commandeered" by the State of California to support fire fighting efforts. In "wet" years where fire danger is low we are fortunate in having the trailers and the comfort they provide. In "dry" years the brave men and women of California's fire fighting teams benefit. To help offset the absence of the shower trailers, we've negotiated with the fairgrounds staff to remodel showers in the ball field restrooms and to open access to showers in the National Guard Armory, both of which are marked on your map. The showers in the Grandstand continue to be available. The ball field showers are open all day and night, but we've been asked to set hours for the Armory showers and to keep them closed over night. Toward that end, Armory showers will be open from 7 AM to 10 AM, and again from 6 PM to 10 PM. Grandstand showers are open all day and night except for Friday night, when they will be in use by the Fast Friday Speedway racers. This year we also have tentative arrangements to have the shower trailers available starting Saturday. They will be located up the hill from the Vendor Building (unless, as mentioned above, they are made unavailable at the last minute).

Q: Why do I have to be on a BMW motorcycle or be sponsored by someone riding one?

A: The '49er Rally is sponsored by BMW riders for BMW riders. During your stay you'll ride, eat, sleep, talk and probably dream BMW motorcycles. If you don't have a BMW but are curious about owning one, find a BMW rider to sponsor your attendance. Your local dealer may be able to hook you up with someone, or show up at one of NorCal's monthly tours to our meeting sites and meet some of our members, one or more of whom may be willing to act as sponsor. If you're a dyed in the wool brand-x rider and don't have a sponsor, why are you interested in hanging out with a thousand BMW fanatics?

Q: I'm curious about the '49er and I just want to drop in for a peek to see what its all about. Can I?

A: The short answer is No. The '49er is open only to riders of BMW motorcycles and those they sponsor. It is not a trade show, carnival, or government institution open to the public. We believe those in attendance appreciate the camaraderie that restricted attendance promotes, and appreciate the security that controlled gates allows. Rally Staff would be happy to escort you on a brief tour of the facilities prior to you paying your rally fees, IF they have time to do so, and if it truly is your intent to attend the rally. The emphasis is riding and camping, not bench racing and gawking.

Q: What about pets at the '49er?

A: In years past we have prohibited pets from attending rallies, primarily based on poor prior experience. This year we are not expressly prohibiting pets, but we encourage pet owners to manage their pets in a responsible manner, to clean up after them, and to ensure that other attendee's rally experience is not degraded or compromised by a pet in their care. We reserve the right to ask owners to remove pets that exhibit disruptive or nuisance behavior.

A: NorCal members take great pride in the '49er Rally, and a lot of folks work many long hours and donate their own personal funds to make it the success it is every year. The format of the '49er is an extension of the basic philosophy of the club: A riding and camping oriented event. The fixed location of the rally allows us to expand on this theme to include vendors and hot meals and showers and the like, but it remains at its core a place to ride to and camp when you get there. I wish we could put on an event that was the best of all things to all people, but I'm afraid we wouldn't get any help from the membership if it wasn't basically a ride and camp function. A lot of motorcyclists aren't riders and campers, preferring instead to hang out at the local motorcycle shop or bar and bench race, or drive a motor home full of family and pets with their bike on a trailer behind it, or carve canyons on their sport bike on Sunday mornings. We harbor no ill will toward these folks, but they probably won't enjoy the event as much as those that appreciate the ride and camp philosophy. I can assure you, though, that we are a very friendly bunch, eager to share our riding and camping experiences, who welcome with open arms all those with like interests.