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RAT



Hi Gang,
Just thought I would chime in on my experiences with RAT.  I have been
the RAT Pack Leader for 3 years now.  My pack here in the Cleveland area
is basically non existent as far as participation goes.  I have a very
active mailing list of people that seem enthusiastic about Triumph and
riding, but I have no participation in actual events that require
getting the hell off the couch,  such as breakfast rides, overnight
rides, or longer rides.  I have tried to cater to the likes of the
members to no avail.  I don't really know what I am doing wrong but I
believe there is a problem with diversity.  There is too much difference
in bike/riding style to be able to make everyone feel like part of the
same group, as Eric pointed out.  Harley Davidson has one kind of
bike/riding style to deal with, which is why their HOG chapters are so
easily formed.  Triumph is spread way thin here.  I mean look at the
turnout from the Blue Ridge for the TSRA Rally- about 50!  That is a
tiny, tiny, tiny number when you consider the area of people that were
invited to this.  I'm not saying it was lame, not at all.  I'm just
trying to demonstrate how small Triumph really is here in the US.  So to
try to make individual RAT packs successful is going to be a endurance
test of my patience, at least in my area (Cleveland).  And the bottom
line is:  The pack is only going to be as good as its members!  No two
ways about it.  Corporate Triumph has absolutely nothing to do with my
local pack and I don't think their support (in what way I don't know) is
going to get my RATpack off their ass anyway.  I wrote the newsletters
and suggested the rides, and  my dealer supplied the postage and a place
to meet but still didn't seem to draw attention.  So when someone asks
"Why is RAT so lame?" I say look at its members.  Corporate RAT will
just about let the packs do anything they want.  All you need is
participation and the pack will form itself.

BTW, anyone been thinking of checking out Hocking Hills in southeast
Ohio?  I'm going to be camping at the State Park over the weekend of
Sept. 22.  Any RATs are invited.  Great roads and scenery.  Let me know
and we can hook up.  

Jonathan West
RAT Pack Leader, Triumph Enthusiast        
95 Trophy 4
97 Trophy 900
98 Sprint Sport
99 ST
99 955i


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