Thunder in the Cascades anyone?

[samk01]

Hey everyone.

I am going to Cooper's lake for Thunder in the Cascades this year, and am looking to see if someone from the richmond area wants to ride together.
I plan on leaving Richmond Wednesday morning the 24th, and spending the night in Pittsburg. That way I can finish the ride Thursday morning and get to the campgrounds early enough to get a good tent site. ON the ride back, sunday, I will cut east straight to York to my bud's house.

If you want to take part in any of this ride or just have some insight to offer about the Cascades rally, let's hear it.
This will be my first rally ever attending.

Oh, and By the way, I know this is a harley forum, but before you decide, make sure that you are willing to take a long ride alongside a Japanese bike. I've got an 07 Kawasaki Nomad.

[STASH]

I have to ask why you chose "Thunder in the Cascades" as your first rally ever? Especially since your traveling a fair distance to get there. Just curious. I live just a few miles from the rally site.

[samk01]

Hey Stash, and thank you for responding. Honestly the only real reason I chose Cooper's Lake is because of timing. I am a teacher. School just let out last week and summer school starts the second week of July. This one just fit into my schedule perfectly. I wanted to go to the finger lakes event, I bought tickets to Orlando for this weekend all the way back in the fall. And I don't see myself taking the long roide to the Dakotas anytime soon.

I expect the ride to Coopers Lake to take 7hours of driving time. So far, the longest I have done is 5.5 hours in one day and then back the very next day. That went OK, so I feel good about this ride.

From what little information on the Thunder in the Cascades that I could find, it seems like a fun rally. I spoke with the rally coordinator, and of course it's his job, but he made it seem pretty fun when he was telling me about it. What is your opinion of it? From your post, you make it seem like you have some reservations about it. Anything I need to know to expect?

[otterbob]

Been to Coopers numerous times, then they moved its location to a fairground and we went one year for that but it seemed to lose its mystique so we started doing the harley rendezvous. Now this year thunder is back at coopers lake so we are doing thunder again and skipping the rendezvous. The only thing about coopers this year is that attendance is limited to 3000 people. Not sure what to expect but we will be there Friday. The big plus about Coopers is that beer is included in the admission price.

[samk01]

Yes Otterbob, I was very excited about the beer. I will drink it and enjoy its effects no matter what; I just hope it's something good. Being just outside of Pittsburg, it would be pretty cool if it is Iron City.
You camping out there? IF you see a big young guy on a red and beige kawasaki nomad, stop and say hello.

Im only 26. Most people I talk to say these things are usually an older crowd.

[STASH]

Thunder is a on site "private rally". If you enjoy drinking beer, then the all you can drink will appeal to you. I'm not a big drinker so that's not a big deal for me. A lot of nudity, much of which you will wish you hadn't seen.

The rally has moved from site to site, sometimes due to the nature of the beast. I was surprised to hear they were back at Coopers. Several years ago Coopers had decided they didn't want them back.

If you are looking for large vendors such as the Motorcycle Companys, Kurayakan, etc., head east to Johnstown's "Thunder in the Valley" which is where I will be. Thunder is a bit to hard core for my wife so we usually end up in Johnstown.