Absolutely! The meetings are all about people sharing knowledge and experience. You are, in fact, far more likely to benefit from it than a highly experienced adventure rider would.

The only thing you have to worry about is how you're going to satisfy the itch for motorcycle travel you'll end up with after hearing so many inspiring stories...

John, no worries! NO experience necessary! You will learn a HUGE amount, and while some of it may not make sense - yet - most will and will be a big benefit to you as you ride and travel more. You'll also make a lot of new friends too!

I know a number of people who had almost no experience riding - one guy for instance bought his first bike two months before he headed for Africa. He's now written several books about his travels around the world over a number of years.

See you there!

Thanks for the encouraging replies to my posting. I will do my best to be there.

John

Make sure to find me and introduce yourself, John! I will be working as a volunteer at the greeting area, and my tent will be up at the end of the road past the cabins. Look for the black Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM surrounded by BMWs. :)

Attending cambria meeting
 

Hello Grant, I am excited to attend the meeting in Cambria, but have recruited friends & would like to stay at a local motel. Can I cancel my women cabin accommodation while keeping my meals with my reservation?

Craig Vetter, Walt Fulton, Greg Frazier and more coming to the California Meeting!
 

Some updates on the California Meeting!

We have some VERY special guest speakers lined up, and you REALLY don't want to miss them!

Craig Vetter - yes that Craig
Walt Fulton - yup him too.

will BOTH be presenting at the California 2012 Meeting! More details to come!

Greg Frazier is coming too, giving his Sun Chasing presentation- if you haven't seen it, you're missing out!

Jeremy Kroeker, from Canada will be there talking about Motorcycle Therapy!

more updates and another special speaker in the works, details soon.

see you there!

Grant (yes I will be there too.)

Glad to hear it!!


PS - Going to do your tire change talk again??

Responded to earlier by email - (yes no problem.)

We just need a week minimum notification of changes, preferably two please!

Again? Really? I thought every man and his dog had seen it - twice!

But yeah, looks like somebody has me down to do it again. I'll need a volunteer to do the work on the day though. I'm not allowed to lift anything over 10 pounds for 6 weeks, and I suspect a tire change will exceed that! (Though not if I do it perfectly... and it's an easy tire!)

A couple of wheels and tires (not too old and hard, and similar to make it fair) that could be used for a tire changing competition would be VERY cool though, if anyone is in the neighbourhood and can find such things, and perhaps drop them off early? Thanks!

Of course people COULD just buy my Tire Changing DVD! It's got everything I talk about in the seminar and much more. :)

see you there!

Ive only seen it once...at last years meeting. Im a friggin basket case when changing tires. One of those people that you dont want to be around while Im working on them...irons have been known to grow wings.

Need to see a pro do it again.

So you're going to be my volunteer are you?

Rules -
1. Longest tire lever allowed is 8".
2. No sweating allowed.
3. It's going to be fun!

I might be persuaded to do that. I have the 8" Touratech levers. I could maybe even postpone my tire change until that weekend. Although that depends on whether or not I have any tread left when it comes time to leave.

Ride out!
 

Rideouts - will be limited to 10 people per ride per group.

Jeff (Smitty) Smith will lead a dual sport ride FRIDAY morning. Be gassed up and ready to leave camp at 8:30.

"The ride will take most of the day, depending on road conditions and rider speeds. The ride starts at Los Burros road, which is ~40 miles north of Cambria on the One. From there, we ride up (a couple thousand feet) into the Santa Lucia Mountains. Then we ride the ridge of the mountains to Nacimiento Road, with a nice side trip to Prewitts Ridge. The ride back down to the One, on Naciemento Ferguson Road, is very scenic, with some spectacular views. We meet the one at Kirk Creek Campground, then we have about a 45-50 mile ride back to Cambria on the One. I rode it today, (Sept 29 2012) to check out the road condition. For the most part, the road was a relatively easy ride for anyone with off-road experience. However there were a couple of very steep up hill and down hill sections, with very tight turns and deep talcum-like powder, that may be difficult for some (including me). Smitty"

Sounds like a GREAT ride to me!

Ted Simon
 

Ted Simon has confirmed he'll be there with a brand new presentation for us!

:clap::clap::clap::clap: