| SMALLSTATE 5: Rhode Island Scooter Rally 2008 will be the fifth camping rally held on our site along RI/Massachusetts border. The RI Rally takes its inspiration from traditional scooter rallies with an emphasis on and appreciation of classic motorscooters and "scooter culture" - then we toss in a couple of traditions originated here over the last few years. It’s more laid back than many camping rallies, most like it this way (and the neighbors and local cops do too).
NEW this year we’ll be On the Road to Quahog (Providence) on the ride out**. It’s just about 20 miles into the city, where we’ll stop for a quick group photo in front of the statehouse before riding through the campuses of the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University for lunch and shopping on Thayer Street (dozens of food options, some with sidewalk tables or air-conditioned dining). For those who just want to grab a quick bite and see more of the city we may try to have some small, break-off rides. Everyone will meet up again at Javaspeed Scooters for sips of cappuccino or 2-stroke oil before riding back up to the rally site as a group.
There will be awards for Best Vespa, Lambretta, etc. (in order to qualify for the Furthest Ridden Award you must arrive on a scooter. We may also handicap entries based on scooter age, displacement and transmission - 100 miles on a 1963, 150cc shifter would beat 120 miles on a new, 250cc automatic. Just ride in and tell the folks at registration where you are from and what you were riding; we'll sort it out from there).
SMALLSTATE '08 will also feature the 5th annual Duke of Bedford's Rough Ride™ (not your typical gymkhana), our traditional Friday night stampede to the Beef Barn, scoot-in movies and music by the bonfire and delicious food provided by the SmallState Italian Scooter Syndicate.
And finally, we are going to limit attendance in order to keep SmallState small, since we are bound by size of our site, shirt & patch production and food preparation. You need to pre-register on-line (or contact register@rirally.com) in order to reserve dinner and a rally bag – once we reach the magic number we will post the SOLD-OUT sign.
** You need to be able to keep up with the group ride. We’ll take back roads in and out of the city, but if your scooter is not capable of a sustained speed of 45mph, you should either plan on skipping the ride or finding your own way. Here’s some recommended reading for those new to group riding (and a good review for the rest): http://saintssc.com/groups.html. We do believe that the reason to attend a rally is to participate in the riding and events, but please don’t make this ride your first ever with a big group – you could be placing yourself and others in danger. Thanks.
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