Banana Bike Man
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posted October 19, 2006 08:39 AM
 Edited By: fish_antlers on 19 Oct 2006 09:47
SportBike West: passing into memory
 SBW06 was the 11th annual rally and how the event has changed. What began as a grass roots event has now become a huge gathering on the cusp of becoming a festival.
As each year passed the demands of the event grew and grew, beyond what one person could handle. So three years ago I brought on the Crew to help out. Five strong and yet the rally demanded more with both time and money exceeding what we had available. With all of us in different stages of life, new families growing, work changing, increased family demands, made it hard for us to volunteer the time needed to pull this event off.
As SBW06 approached we all knew a cross roads was getting closer. One, which would see some soul searching and long coffee debates. Back and forth we went with ideas, solutions and thoughts, all of which were only delaying the inevitable. The rally would not continue with us at the helm and so we've come to the difficult decision to suspend SportBike West indefinitely. None of us can commit the time and resources needed to successfully accomplish the rally each year. We felt it better to end it rather than have it whimper away a shell of what it once was.
To all of riders I've come to know, I say thank you for the support and great memories. I hope we'll cross paths on the roads some day and talk of good times.
To the industry that stood behind SBW and saw the benefit this event offered to its customers, Thank you for sharing my vision of having a sport bike event.
Rubber side down
Owen
SportBike West.
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"Friends come in when the rest of the world moves out."
......so where IS everybody then?
    
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
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posted October 19, 2006 08:41 AM
Edited By: Editor on 19 Oct 2006 10:03
 ...
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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dubious
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Needs more time to ride!
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posted October 19, 2006 08:59 AM
now what?
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Just Joy
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posted October 19, 2006 09:17 AM
I want to say HUGE THANK YOU to Owen (BBM) and the crew, for all your years of hard work, all who attended appreciated it.  
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princesskiwi
Administrator
MISTRESS of SMACK
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posted October 19, 2006 09:23 AM
Just Joy - I thought we were going to have an annual thing each year!
Now you will HAVE to come to Femmoto, now the SBW is gone......
You can ride down to Vegas with Izzy.
Too bad.
Going to miss seeing you guys.
Have to figure out another way to get together.
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madmike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
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posted October 19, 2006 10:01 AM
that is just plain crazy...
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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dubious
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Needs more time to ride!
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posted October 19, 2006 10:01 AM
We need to get a SBW gathering just for Bikeland members.
More manageable, tighter atmosphere, and if they act like hooligans we can manipulate them into smartening up, if manhandling doesn't work.
:P
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zaxis
Parking Attendant
Posts: 1
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posted October 19, 2006 10:27 AM
Any chance that this event will happen again. ( with help or something?)
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Dirtbag 4 Life
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zx23rr
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posted October 19, 2006 10:50 AM
Owen, I don't think anyone really can fully appreciate all the blood, sweat and tears that you originally and later, the crew put into this premier event. I for one wish to thank you all for the 7 years that I attended. It was always the highlight in the year of riding. I know I will be sitting down in my later years and reminisce of what great people, roads and stories that were SBW.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity of being apart of your dream.
Rubber side down.
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Just Joy
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Posts: 3976
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posted October 19, 2006 11:28 AM
quote:
We need to get a SBW gathering just for Bikeland members.
More manageable, tighter atmosphere, and if they act like hooligans we can manipulate them into smartening up, if manhandling doesn't work.
:P
mmmm, manipulation and manhandling.....two of my fav words 
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peaches
Parking Attendant
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posted October 19, 2006 01:34 PM
I'd like to thank Owen and the crew for the hard work, dedication and sheer hardwork they have put into the event each year as well. (as much as I bitched about the southwind this year, I praise the crew for the work) I also would like to ask, why no succession in that, pass the torch to young blood and see what can be done to keep the event alive. We as humans have changing lives though perhaps there are people out there who can carry the sbw torch? thoughts?
____________
Old age and treachery often overcome youth and talent
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thekaz
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spell chequer is bustimicated
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posted October 19, 2006 03:04 PM
Owen what else can I say other than "thanks"??
It is sad but I completely understand......
Vegas and other places are not THAT far but man once you have riddin the interior of BC it is kinda hard to get excided about anything else 
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seahorse sylv
Parking Attendant
Posts: 10
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posted October 19, 2006 04:32 PM
Wow........was really sad thing to read that there will be no SBW 2007.............my husband and myself have been attending this event for 7 years and always use it was out one holiday a year to be together without our daughters...........now what are we gonna use as an excuse!!!
A huge round of applause to Owen and his SBW Crew for the many wonderful memories they have given us. Their hard work was never forgotten. Its a huge undertaking to put together an event as wonderful as SBW.
Best wishes to Owen and Crew and if your ever on Vancouver Island.....please look Chuck and I up.......we'd love to show you some of our local roads.
Rubber side down to all
Seahorse Sylv
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silverD
Zone Head
Tour Guide
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posted October 19, 2006 04:56 PM
Owen, it's sad that you're ending the event, but I can understand totally.
I've only been to the last three, but enjoyed them beyond belief and made some good friends there.
So as someone once said
"Thanks for the Memories"
Best of luck,
Don
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I'm not addicted and I'm not quiting
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Lonewolf
Parking Attendant
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posted October 19, 2006 05:12 PM
Wow, Well Owen & team, what can I say but thanks? We'll miss the rally forsure... Who knows maybe someone will set something up for the years to come.
____________
www.islandriders.ca
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osti33
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posted October 19, 2006 05:53 PM
Sorry to hear you are ending the event.
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Pete
Parking Attendant
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posted October 21, 2006 12:38 AM
Oh man i sure hope someone takes on the task of having something similar or a continuation. Loved every second of it. No doubt that I would attend this even for many years to come. Maybe someone with the time and resources can take this on.
We shall wait and hope.
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crazygerry
Parking Attendant
Posts: 17
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posted October 22, 2006 09:05 AM
i would also like to thank Owen and the crew. SBW was the highpoint of my riding season. I have a reservation for a room @ the southwind for the proposed date of SBW 2007, and I am going anyways. I simply will not give up my break from the kids, and the rest of the world. I am going riding, anyone else want to go for a rip on the weekend of the 17th of August?
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eb
Parking Attendant
Posts: 1
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posted October 23, 2006 01:27 PM
Owen and gang,
Sorry to hear that '07 will not be happening. We enjoyed our time at SBW 2006, and were looking forward to next year. Though I completely understand where you are coming from.
Over the years lots of great people came together and had lots of great memories, without your hard work, that wouldn't have happened.
Well done.
Ethan
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lizard
Pro
Modulator
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posted October 23, 2006 06:12 PM
Never heard of it. I was in Oliver for the rodeo.
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Izzy
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SV650S
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posted October 24, 2006 09:01 AM
quote:
Just Joy - I thought we were going to have an annual thing each year!
Now you will HAVE to come to Femmoto, now the SBW is gone......
You can ride down to Vegas with Izzy.
Too bad.
Going to miss seeing you guys.
Have to figure out another way to get together.
Well I have to say riding in the Vegas area was absolutely spectacular, however I don't know about riding down to Vegas. We trailered our bikes, there were only a few good twisties. Now that I think about it, we could of taken our bikes down and gone for short rides, oh well maybe next time. Yes getting together again would be awesome 
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Izzy
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SV650S
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posted October 24, 2006 02:17 PM
Many thanks to the Crew of SBW....the last three years were a blast!!! Greatly appreciated.
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KWACKER
Parking Attendant
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posted November 03, 2006 12:21 PM
I too was saddened to hear of the demise of SBW. My friends and I had a great time attending the last three events. It was a great escape from lifes every day pressures and responsibilities, and a chance to ride some great roads and mix with like minded others in a relaxed and beautiful setting. Great job Owen and crew. One last request. Perhaps you could post more pictures from this year and the power wars results on the website. Thanks
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mapleleaf
Parking Attendant
Posts: 1
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posted January 03, 2007 10:41 PM
Well, that is all too sad...we just heard the news.
As you know, the Okanagan is a great region to cruise around and we thought maybe some of you would like to get together at our modest little property...if your interested.
Our motel can accommodate up to 40 people. We don't serve breakfast , nor do we have a bar ~ but we offer great summertime rates, have nice little BBQ Gazebo, are located right in Oliver & we have access to a pool at our sister property just 2 kms down the road...
For what its worth...if any of you want to get together for a few days in the "heat" of the BC interior this coming summer...then you are invited to call us at 1.866.232.6987.
Cheers,
The Maple Leaf Motel.
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