CMCA RALLY

dundreamin · Veteran Member

CMCA RALLY

Vic41 · Guru

Doesn't look like it Dianne, although there are a few CMCA members on here, but some don't go to the rallies.

Hope you have a good time! biggrin

milo · Guru

would like to go some year , what happens at these events ??

we used to be a member when we had the tardis

-- Edited by milo on Saturday 8th of March 2014 08:03:11 PM

jetj · Guru

I might go to the next one though, I've never been to one.

dundreamin · Veteran Member

Vic41, Milo & Jtj

Thank you all for the replies. Didn't think anyone was going to and was advised that this subject wasn't popular amongst some of the GN fraternity. I don't know what their rallies are like as I've never attended one before. They've all been too far away for me to find the time so after this one I should know just what they're all about. Have some information on what is happening and Im not too sure if it will be my "cup of tea" or not but am going to give it a go. Only thing is I have to survive for about 9 days without power which I've never done before. Might have to try to figure out how to start the "gennie" but I don't think that's easy at all. May not last that long anyway especially if I have a problem with power. If I don't like it I'll just tootle off maybe to Greens or somewhere.

Dianne

Vic41 · Guru

No problems letting other know you are going to be there Dianne, especially if they are members of CMCA too, then they can keep an eye out for your rig.

Any clubs are not favoured by some GN's but some also belong to clubs, so no problems posting any events on here that I am aware of.

Only no/no I am aware of and it is in forum rules is not to post links to other forums (nothing about clubs though).

I would still go if it was me and check it out, you might really enjoy yourself and get to meet some new people. smile

native pepper · Senior Member

dundreamin wrote:
Vic41, Milo & Jtj

Thank you all for the replies. Didn't think anyone was going to and was advised that this subject wasn't popular amongst some of the GN fraternity. I don't know what their rallies are like as I've never attended one before. They've all been too far away for me to find the time so after this one I should know just what they're all about. Have some information on what is happening and Im not too sure if it will be my "cup of tea" or not but am going to give it a go. Only thing is I have to survive for about 9 days without power which I've never done before. Might have to try to figure out how to start the "gennie" but I don't think that's easy at all. May not last that long anyway especially if I have a problem with power. If I don't like it I'll just tootle off maybe to Greens or somewhere.

Dianne

G'day Dianne, is it a chapter rally or full CMCA. Chapter rallies can be fun, if they aren't run by psychopaths, which a couple were a few years ago. The main rallies from my point of view when we were members, were overcrowded ego fests, expensive and not that good if you don't like big smelly crowds and noise 24/7. It's well worth the experience going, but I'd be have plans for a quick escape as they can become boring and very cliquey.

Bryan · Guru

I'm a CMCA member but i wouldn't go to the rallies. Too crowded for me judging by the pics published in The wanderer.

dundreamin · Veteran Member

Thanks for the insight Native Pepper. I was prepared for the crowding but I thought everything was free once you'd paid for the registration unless you're referring to the various trade stalls etc that I think are there pretty much like a caravan & camping show. I've already got more stuff than I really use and don't plan on buying anything more. Noise 24/7 seriously? Surely between 8pm and 8am should be pretty quiet with no "gennies" running? At the very least it should be fine after 10pm same as caravan parks but I was actually preparing for an early escape as I was thinking it may be as you say - cliquey and possibly boring for the full time. As a first timer I get to go in early so it ends up being 9 days total and I can't see me staying that long. I'm also not sure how my dog will behave with so many people and probably other dogs. She's fine in C/P's but this I think will test her a bit especially if it's too far for me to take her "off site" for a good run somewhere. All that aside I'm looking forward to going, it'll be an experience but if it's not for me then I just head off to greener, quieter, cleaner pastures.

native pepper · Senior Member

G'day Dianne, we thought it would be quiet at night, but it wasn't as there are so many rigs, people wandering around and also peoples medical machines. Have you checked about taking your dog, we were at one and lots leave their dogs outside over night. Which meant barking and yelling, just like being in the suburbs. The last one we went to stayed only one and a bit days before moving on, the first one we stayed the whole time but back then there wasn't many thousand of rigs arriving and turning the place into a dust bowl. Enjoy yourself, it will probably be a great time, unless you dislike big crowds as I do.

dundreamin · Veteran Member

Thanks again Native Pepper. Yes, there's a box you can tick on the application form to indicate you have a dog and they apparently have a dog socialisation class you can attend at the rally. Surely they wouldn't put up with dogs barking throughout the night? No I don't like like crowds either but I thought I'd try to ignore that this once just to see what it's like. I'm tipping I'll last the first Sat & Sun when it's first timer's only and then maybe the next two or 3 days after everyone else gets there.
The rules say "Dogs should not be left for long periods unattended in vehicles where their barking/howling can cause a nuisance to neighbour". I guess it's a case of "We'll see".

Patto44 · Senior Member

I think it is a full rally.
Good money making event. Registration fee per person, site fee for power, must comply with a page full of conditions, must be part of the 'inner circle' if you expect to be recognised. Other fund raising events to extract your $$$'s.
Too many conditions and very overcrowded for me.

nomads_oz · Member

Hi Dianne,

We'll the rallies can be a bit daunting for a first timer. We have not been to any for many years for the reasons that other posters have raised, but we thought why not give it another go, thus we too are off to Robinvale. Basically the rallies are what you make of them. We are party animals and enjoy kicking our heels up. Guess we are not your average rally goers, but hey we can stay home and drink cups of tea. Keep an eye out for a couple of deviates riding a triumph!

Hope you have fun.

John and Maryane

dundreamin · Veteran Member

Hi John & Maryane

Yes I'm sure it may be a bit daunting and in the light of what many of the other posts have said, not sure if it's for me but having never been to one before, I thought I'd go along and see. I'll keep a lookout for you. Don't know about finding "party animals" in a crowd but certainly know what a"Trumpy" looks like.

Dianne

nomads_oz · Member

Fine Dianne we'll you will see us riding around. Just look for a black and white Bonneville.
John and Maryanne

dundreamin · Veteran Member

Will do

hokianga · Senior Member

i attended a large cmca rally in launceston in 2013, wouldn't go to another one, felt very lonely, but would definitely go to a solos rally. Just my opinion, I tried to be friendly with others around me but all teh couples seemed to buddy up and I felt a bit out of my depth. I have always enjoyed meeting up at small chapter rallies so will give it a go again if I get another motorhome.

Spook · Senior Member

I went to one in Mt Gambier in about 2006. Too many rules and too many motorhome owners up themselves. Having said that there were a lot of nice people there but overshadowed by the self-important ego trippers.

hokianga · Senior Member

Spook I agree with that, also really like your end quotation about dogs.

Spook · Senior Member

hokianga, dogs are better people than most people, in my humble opinion!

dundreamin · Veteran Member

Having just returned from the Robinvale rally I would have to agree with Hokianga.

Although everyone was friendly in passing & some would stop for a chat I felt very much alone within this massive group of people. I did attend some of the seminars and browsed around the trade stalls etc but found it too daunting to attend any of the evening entertainment on my own when everyone seemed to be in groups.

Luckily there was a dog trainer who held classes every morning & afternoon. Although my dog didn't need any training (cos she's so wonderful), I enjoyed the classes for something to do & the social aspect & at least there I felt part of a group with the same interests. If it wasn't for that I'm pretty sure I would have chucked it in.

The organisation etc has to be seen to be believed & the volunteers were absolutely wonderful. Due to some technical issues with my rig I was moved 4 times so I never really got to know my neighbours but the assistance I got was awesome.

Although I'm glad I went, I doubt that I'd attend another one but might try the Solos or Highway Wanderers.