My wife and I had a GREAT time at the 10th anniversary AVR.  We met some wonderful Vision-Rider forum members, Steve Rolland, Glen, Pete, Dan, Bob, Jason, Wal-Marty, Jeff and more.  We toured the Spirit Lake factory, enjoyed rock music, walked in the venders displays, the riders social, listened to Steve Rolland give his presentation about his Florida to Alaska trip, met Gunnery Sergeant R. Lee Ermey aka and even met Jeff the owner of this forum ;-)

Congratulating Steve Rolland on his Florida-Alaska ride and I believe that is Bob from Poynette,Wisconsin on the right.

I met Jeff the owner of this forum ;-)

Glen and Cathy from central Illinois. I wish we would have taken the time and got more pics of forum members with their bikes.

Riders' Social was entertaining :-)   We ate pulled pork sandwiches and baked beans, good thing we we're all outside...lol!

We listened to Gunny's boot camp style talk ... lol!

We could see the guy on the water power contraption from the tent.

Dianna giving JB Hatch a hug for making the passenger brackets, that I like and she loves ;-)

We were able to meet Gunny ;-)

Later that night I caught one of the tee-shirts that Gunny shot out into the crowd.

Can you believe this? On Sunday morning on our way home we get a thumbs up from Gunny on the Interstate, I'm guessing he was being transported to an Airport.

About an hour from home, who do we see on the Interstate?          The one and only Steve Rolland ;-)

Later in the day we went to the Grand Marsh,Wisconsin  50th Corn & Tater festival, I'm wearing the 10th Anniversary Victory shirt, three people come up and ask

if I was at the AVR Rally? Come to find out, they are from Texas and are employees for Rick Fairless of Stokers Dallas, who I met at the Rally.

Reality is setting in, we are getting close to home, turkeys up ahead. 

A Buck! Oh yeah we're home in Central Wisconsin the deer mecca. 

varyder - 2012-08-20 12:04 PM Great report on a great event. I'm hoping to get there next year, well, I said that last year and the year before, but this time...

Thanks Chris, You could have had your moment of fame. Gunny was talking about Victory motorcycles having comfort, performance, reliability and etc. Then he mentioned dependability and asked if anyone in the crowd (during the dinner social) had 100,000 plus miles on their bike?  No one stood up ;-(   But he did talk about someone else that he met that had over a 100,000 miles.

waterboy - 2012-08-20 12:09 PM Great summation of the rally Thomas. I rode out with 10 Victories including Bob from your first pic. Had a good talk with Rollin also. Was hoping to chat with you about rear tires but Rollin filled me in on the wintersport. Looking forward to next year. Mike

Mike did we meet?   Sorry we didn't talk, where in Wisconsin are you from?

Kioti - 2012-08-20 12:19 PM Sorry I missed you Thomas, I could only attend on Friday but it was a great time.

Mike it would have been fun to meet up again. We were there Friday but not until 4pm.

There is that other guy that rolled up 100,000 on his vision, though he's not active in the forums.  I got him beat by a few months of ownership, I believe and he's seems to be gaining if he keeps doing Iron Butts like he does.  My son just returned from Germany, and had it not been for that I might would have been there.  I have an itch that needs scratching bad and it got worse since I couldn't take off for Sturgis.   The AVR was the next target, but my son has the higher priority, naturally.(and I wonder how many looked around for me when he ask that?)  It's good to see you have your priorities right but I have to admit I was one looking for you or someone else. 

Talking about Germany, my wife and I were able to motorcycle the Alps back in 2010.

johnnyvision - 2012-08-20 3:00 PM Your kidding me Rolin was going home? I can't believe he didn't take the long way

Yeah like maybe around Lake Superior ...lol!

Rollin headed home.

HLUSN8 - 2012-08-20 3:56 PM Crap...not what I wanted to hear! lol I was supposed to be there this year, I had the time blocked out, vacation scheduled and an HD buddy planning to join the FUN. But then I got trumped with WORK issues...I was annoyed and an now more annoyed. I have not made it to one yet in the three years I've owned a Vic. But I will someday. That being said, I am glad it was a GREAT EVENT for those who were able to go. I will just have to block out next year and hope for the best.

 Yeah there's always next year, this was our 2nd time touring the Spirit Lake factory plant and our 1st AVR.

kris1956 - 2012-08-20 7:44 PM I'm going next year, come what may. Great pictures, thanks.

I'll make sure to tell my wife, she took most of the pics ;-)

Rollin' - 2012-08-20 8:41 PM I had a great time!! I was able to meet and talk to a lot of Victory riders. I can talk a lot but I may have set a new talking record. It was fun to hear stories and see what others had done to their bikes. This was my favorite AVR and I'm hoping to go again next year. .

You didn't run out of things to say ... lol!  Yes is was a fun AVR and seeing how people personal their ride.

 8-ball - 2012-08-20 8:57 PM Thomas and Rollin, Glad you had a good time, wish I would have been able to make it. Varyder, the kids always come first, my son is now at Ft. Drum and is looking at deployment early next year. We all need to remember that we have so many that keep us free here at home and they all pay a price for our freedoms.....

Bill a good time it was, even with the rain Saturday morning. 

My Father who will be 91 next month has paid the price for freedom. He was captured in the Philippines on shore from a submarine during WWll and held POW for 28 months.

waterboy - 2012-08-21 11:25 AM Mike did we meet? Sorry we didn't talk, where in Wisconsin are you from? We met a few years ago at the slimy crud run, I did not see you at the AVR but one of our group said he talked to you. We had 10 bikes ride from the Madison area, I live in Sauk City

Well maybe we can meet again at the fall Slimey Crud Run on October 7th. Sometimes I ride just to Leland.

visionaire - 2012-08-23 8:31 PM Great pics of a great event!!! It was nice meeting you and your wife and hanging out for the rider social, thanks for the seats. It was my first AVR and was impressed with the first rate treatment from Victory. I may try to sneak out there again next year, one never knows where I'll show up. Take care and ride safe. Dan  

Dan, We had fun meeting you too. Your bike is looking GREAT with the added bling ;-)

 bbrist - 2012-08-24 6:05 AM The trip was an accomplishment of firsts for my wife and I, first big rally we ever went to together, first two up riding in the rain. I met a lot good people there Walmarty, Rollin, Tom, Gunny, Lloydz, and all the great people that but my baby together. Even the rain could not put a damper on the festivities got a few good deals on t-shirts and jackets that I've always wanted. Just wish the hitch guys could of showed because my wife was in the mood to purchase a trailer. All-in-all one of the most memorable events in the time I've owned and ridden motorcycles. Walmarty my wife sends her thanks for letting us ride with you on the way home and shes thinking about the rally in Eureka Springs this coming month. Let me know the dates again. Most definitely will plan to go next year to the AVR, there are still some parts I need to get. Y'all keep the shiney side up and keep it rolling!!!

I have a HitchDoc trailer hitch and yes you would have thought they would have had a display set up at the AVR especially having their factory close to Spirit Lake,IA.

pete a - 2012-08-24 7:11 AM Nice post Thomas was very nice meeting you and Dianna, was hoping to get together after the seminar, but our group left shortly after we are talking about staying over next year !

Thanks Pete, Make your reservation early for next year.