As spring is performing its springing here, and the Sport rolled over 98,000 miles today, I'm motivated to revisit the raison d'etre of Spine Raids, and Spine Raiders.
The inaugural South'n Spine Raid was all about getting a few V11 together in order to get some 'semblance of understanding of their traits, transitions , and taming. This was 2004, about a year after Jaap launched this forum. It was massively revealing to put the four V11 side by side and pore over them.
Along with my 2000 Sport was the 2002 LeMans of TheProfessorHisOwnSelf Andy York (now with something like 120,000+ miles), Bill Hagan on a 2003 Ballabio whose absence in his life haunts him to this day, and a beautiful black 2004 LeMans. Since no photographic evidence exists of that event, we need say no more . . .
With no SSR in 2005, we've gathered every year since in the TN/NC/GA mountains. The collective experience is beyond words. So many great folks, so many interesting bikes (not all V11 or even Guzzi), so many Tech Sessions (some rather impromptu!)
After moving the meeting place around for several years, we've settled on Walt and Anna's TheLodgeatTellico for so many reasons, not the least of which are Walt's garage and Anna's breakfast!
I am reminded to repeat the disclaimer: This is not an event, rally, or official gathering of any kind. It has nothing to do with V11LeMans.com, its owner, administrators, moderators, members, posters, spouses, offspring, or pets. There is no fee, no insurance, no sponsors, no map, no plan, no organization, no support. No , no T-shirt, sticker, patch, pin, or swag. There is no release to sign because there so no one to release any more than the last time you took your bike somewhere or showed up to talk with some fun folk. It's like Burning Man. Without the smells.
So, let's say some V11 are likely to be in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, the weekend of September 9-11. Some at Walt's (LodgeatTellico), but often folks stay all around. This year, a little nuance: the theme of the Slimey Crud Run, up in Wisconsin, seems a propos, especially for Saturday:
"Show up. Plan your own route."