Time to reflect on 2012.  For Tim and I, this was the best ROT we’ve been to in at least three years.  ROT was more fun, more exciting, more energetic, better organizied and more entertaining than its been in a long time.

 

It was so good to see old friends and enjoyable to meet new ones.  Thanks to all who attended the Meet and Greet .. you made it another great success!  I am so angry at myself for not remembering name tags ... its hard to remember everyone’s name. :)  Next year, they will be on my things to bring list.  ROT and Bud Light once again made it special with their donations .. the tshirts and beer sure are nice additions and are greatly appreciated. :)  For my Cajun buddies .. on man, the crawfish and fixin’s were top notch and greatly appreciated.  The crab dip was fabulous also ... but I’m not sure who provided it.  The jello shots and Apple Pie flowed freely and were sure good!   I’ve got to try my hand at making Apple Pie!!

 

The new rules made it so much more enjoyable than recent years past.  For me, the best thing that was done was the elimination of all water cannons.  Being able to run the parade route without feeling it was a torture gauntlet made running it a blast.  Not having trailers was the second best thing ROT has ever done.  The parade route wasn’t bottlenecked because of them.  No ATV’s was another huge plus.  In Purple, the ATV’s have always used our section to race up and down and act like fools ... there was none of that this year.  While there were some who didn’t follow the rules, most did and it made a big difference.  This was the first year for the rules and hopefully ROT will have a better handle on enforcing them next year so those who didn’t want to play nice this year will have to in 2013.

 

The vendors this year were topnotch and better than I’ve seen in a long, long time.  We found lots of quality merchandise at extremely fair prices.  I think I bought nearly every Christmas present and got my holiday shopping out of the way.   The concert lineup provided some of the best music ROT has ever had.  The concerts were phenom from all I’ve heard.  (I only saw a snippet of two.)  The stunt show was fun to watch as were the midget wrestlers. 

 

From 2005 – 2009, when we left ROT we were anxiously planning our return the next year and all year long was spent in preparation for the next ROT.  In 2010 and 2011 we left wondering if we’d be back the next year.  It had gotten so chaotic, rude and radical that we no longer enjoyed it.  You either got drowned by rude people with water guns, propositioned like a streetwalker while walking around or talked to like dirt if you didn’t “show” on the parade route and I had quit even making rounds in the cart last year.   This year renewed our faith and interest in ROT. 

 

The rally had the same laid back, party hardy, no tension, have a good time feel it used to have.  For the first time in two years we had a truly wonderful rally experience.  And for the first time in two years, we pulled out of the Expo Center excited about next year.  We haven’t had so much fun at ROT since 2008.  WTG, ROT owners and staff!! 

Spirit, I am thrilled that you had a blast this year, however, from my perspective or reflection of ROT 2012, I have to respectfully disagree with your reflection.  Sure it was good to see old friends and meet new ones.  The new rules did not make it better or more enjoyable for our group of 12 folks.  I do, however, agree with the rule change on the water cannons.  It was great not to be soaked.  I think the trailers going around the parade route give more character to the “parade”.  More so than people just running wide open on their bikes to keep them cool.  I made a few trips around on my bike but did not feel comfortable with the constant clutching and heat.  The cart was so much nicer to travel in.  There were plenty of bottlenecks too – I have many pictures of the jams – mostly due to the stripper pole action or to bikes doing burn-outs.  As far as ATV’s/UTV’s – I saw a lot of them going around the route.  When I registered my RV spot, the folks asked if I had a cart, my answer was yes, I was already prepared to pay.  Guess if one had an ATV when asked if they have a cart, their answer is a “true” no.  So, loophole, they get a free pass.  I sure didn’t see any ATV’s/UTV’s in the impound lot.   

The vendors this year didn’t seem any better or any worse than the previous years.  I know, cause I spent more than my fair share on goodies.  I did NOT like the idea of not having an on-site cart vendor.  This allowed the rental companies that delivered the carts to “jack-up” their price by about $100/cart.  I have rented carts for the last several years- on site and the price was always reasonable – but not this year!  I felt the rules were NOT enforced and security was supposed to be better.  I’ve never have had a need for security while there, but as other have posted, I actually saw officers taking pictures with their phones. 

Don’t even get me started about the new contract with the Port-A-Johns.  The new contractor totally sucked.  There were not enough of the outhouses and they were NEVER cleaned.  Multiple times I stopped at different ones and they were dirty and ran out of paper like on Friday.  The past contractors did a bang-up job, as they were ALWAYS clean and ALWAYS had paper in them.  Shame on ROT for changing that – it could be a health hazard, nonetheless disgusting.

Can’t comment on the concerts as I only attended Shooter Jennings for about 30 minutes and I was not impressed.  Seen Ted in Sturgis and didn’t care to fight the traffic at the concert site to see him this year.

In closing, for the first time since I started attending in 2003, I am seriously contemplating NOT coming back next year and trying somewhere else.  I also agree with Papa Wheelie, I think who said, after he got home there really wasn’t anything exciting about this years’ ROT to talk about.  We had more gripes than praise for the changes and the whole event.  So that being said, I will probably re-new my lot next year (to hold on to it) but not show up.  Think I’ll be taking my money and vacation time somewhere else.

I do agree on the port a johns. after seeing what they dumped in my neighbors pool i would not let them refill my fresh water tank even if I had to haul it in myself in gallon jugs....

Port A-Johns were few and far between there was none near green I understand self contained butt hell were in between 2 stiper poles it gets backed up and then random strangers start asking can they use my rest room and Im not being RUDE By telling you know.A- I dont know you. B All my stuff is in my camper. While were discussing that I think some people forget just bc I tell you (a friend ) you can use it or have a beer dont call 3 or 4 couples to my spot and park and partake. Yes my neighbors own the 2 spots on both sides of me so were conjoined butt yourblocking us from getting in we already had to deal with all those beer named sport bikers blocking us in our spot and pretending not to understand English. I hope they move spots Next year. On that note all and all attendance did seem down especially down town.I will be coming back next year. Rot needs to regulate the golfcarts they told me it was 256 wed-sun then when I got down there they changed it to 425 thats crayz well had fun I guess.

 

Hey what was the official regerstration count and attendee count for ROT 2012?

This was my first ROT rally and met some really cool people And I will be coming back again and again.

I agree with you....the port-a-pottie situation was terrible. In our tent area they were only cleaned one time and that only happened because several people complained

Spirit, I have to agree with Gliderchick's statements.  We see this as the most BORING ROT and we have been attending since 2003.  We were charged $20 cart fee for extra law enforcement who either sat on a chair or took pictures instead of controling the bikes racing around the parade route or controling the illegal ATV,UTV.  Port a Potties were disgusting and few and far between.  As biker princess said, we had strangers walking up asking to use the restroom in our RV.  Or asking us for cart rides.   On Saturday, several vendors stated their sales were down more than 20%.  Where were the big name vendor tents this year? Like Hot Leathers?  Kureyaken?  Spirit, it is nice of you to host the meet and greet each year.  We were asked on Friday morning for directions to your camp by a rider.

Overall, I agree with Spirit, I was very happy with just about everything at ROT except that crappy ass Porta-potty company. I see no problem with the UTV's, it is the little ATV's that are abused, UTV's are just better golf carts and certainly wouldn't mind that rule being changed. 

I like the no trailers rule. I do love a trailer full of ladies but they are just too big to be safe at night with a bunch of drunks like me running around. ;) 

Now, that porta-potty company was the worst run company I have ever seen. The trucks drove by them all day long, never stopping to clean them out except when we called and complained and even then it was hours later. 

That one thing will ruin ROT, it was disgusting how poorly they were maintained. If they are back next year, I will be at the front registration area complaining every chance I get.

   Spirit,  I thought the extra security along the parade route was great, several times right before the stripper pole they came over and got the traffic moving.  I think the carts should be back and utvs should be back because there were many cycles that seem to race every gap in the parade route. There were several utvs but they were electric ones that I did not know even were made. I miss the creativity that most of the utvs had and usually they had set up for boom boxes for music. The port-a-johns were atrocious at best, we had 2 pretty close to us, they were cleaned 1 time after they were told.  In there defense they said it was not on there list and they would be back in the morning to clean it again but they never showed up for the rest of the rally.  We have never been able to get around the parade route in 30 min. like we did this year.  I would like the police to restrict the people from crowding into the route several times going up the hill from the main stage got pinched off to 1 lane wide and made a bottleneck.  I had just as much  fun as the previous 3 yrs and will try to be back to meet up with friends.

I have to agree with everthing that was said.  We had good times and bad alike.  I did think that most of the vendors had reasonable prices, but there were a few that thought their stuff was priceless(And I've seen better CRAP at the $.99 store).  As far as the PortaCans.  I can't really comment because I try my best not to use them.  The issue I had with them was the guys cleaning them.  We were setting next to a set on the parade route and the truck pulled up about 9pm to clean them, which was fine even though it was smelly for a few minutes.  But one of the guys just started thowing the beer cans and trash out and right onto my sons bike and mine that I had just picked up earlier in the week.  Needless to say there were some words that passed.  The guy acted like it was our fault for being parked there and didn't seem to care what he did.  So ROT needs to seriously rethink the contract on this company.  Other than that I agree with you Spirit, It was and seemed more laid back than in the past few years.  Me and Mine will be back next year.  See ya'll then.

it was really great to see friends from last year..spirit, tim, bebop(and his girl friend), and new ones finally....banzai, monster, biker-princess and a few others.....

THANK YOU Tim and Spirit for a kick-@ss m&g like usual, of course!!!! your m&g is 1 of our highlights

seems like we saw the same vendors as last year with the same stuff...I was looking for a vendor selling/installing progessive rear shocks for our bike but no, then we only rode the parade route on thurs evening due to being almost to the backside and had no choice but to go

i don't know why people have "race" their bike on the parade route, only causes quick stops and jamups, not like they have only bike around at the rally..maybe I am showing my age alittle, oh well!

I feel sorry for the 3  bikers that lost their lives doing what they like to do....my bandana off to them and their families

ROT organizers need to have a broader range of hotels/motels on the list for discounted places to stay, not everyone can afford $115.00 or higher per night for 3 or 4 nights plus all the taxes, we looked around this year took down names for cheaper nights...we stayed at the Doubletree and this year they didn't charge a "parking fee" of $8.00/night

 

We always have a blast at ROT,  but I agree on the new port a jon vendor sucked!

The only port-a-potty I used was the air conditioned one between Lime and Purple.  It ran out of paper on Friday night but it was replenished on Saturday morning.  I always use that one because it has flushing potties and sinks with running water to wash with.  I also go up to the Thunderdome to use their bathrooms.  I do my best to not have to pay to empty our tanks more than once during the rally so I use the public bathrooms even though we have the rv.

 

I'll make sure management knows about the dissatisfaction with the service they used.

I heard at the 2012 rally this year that the ROT Rally is leaving the Fair Grounds and going to some new race track in Austin next year, is this true?

In response to aburk9.  I also heard, from a pretty reliable source, that the rally will be moving out to/near the new F1 track.  There might be more room there, but it will most likely have absolutely no shade.  I can't imagine sitting directly in the sun during the entire event.  We have been camping in the same spot every year that has lots of trees and plenty of shade.  We also put up shade tents in the sunny areas.

I have to agree with the comments about it being boring this year.  We meet up with the same people each year (lost count of how many) and we all said the same thing.  There are about 25-30 of us.   Same vendors, same type of music, same shows.  We hung out and watched about 30 minutes of Ted Nugent before walking back to our camping area - really, how long can you listen to the same guitar riffs, animal killing rants and political 'views'?  There are so many great musicians in Austin that I just can't understand why the organizers can't seem to get better acts. 

No trailers was a great new rule.  It made the parade route much safer.  I'm not sure the ATV's are any more or less safe than the golf carts.

I didn't use any of the port-a-pottys.  I go into the show barn to use the bathroom.  This year was a little less clean and ran out of toilet paper very early.  I've learned from years past to bring my own roll. 

Another suggestion I would make is regarding the website.  Seems like I always have trouble buying my tickets online.  The site stalls 3/4 of the way through and it took me about 30 minutes to actually purchase.  Others had the same problem so it wasn't just me.

We're unsure of whether we'll attend next year.

Was not impressed with ROT this year, not sure I want to return next year.   Think the choice of music is horrible and very out dated.  Vendors didnt have anything new this year and some were even very rude.   Had a confontation with a member of the ROT staff, that didnt even know their own cart rules, over our cart.   Now, with the parade route less congested, had to put up with bike running down it at 50 or 60 miles an hour.    As for the port a johns, didnt use,  but when I aquired about dumping our trailer they said it would be 4 or 5 hrs before they could get to us.   never had that kind of problem before, always caught them on sat morning and it was done.   Could ROT please move out the stripper poles from the parade route,  that is what causes all the congestion.  Since one stripper pole was actually charging people for dances, maybe he should have to pay what a vendor does.   just my opinion.

What I did like about this year,  was Thursday was a great day for riding the hill country.  Weather was great,  cloudy and a few sprinkles.  never got hot.   Sorry Spirit that I missed your M&G, but we actually rode for 12 hrs that day, over 400 miles on bike thru the hill country. and I did this with a foot broke in 2 places.

Shall wait and see what is in store for ROT 2013...........?????

Its funy you mention the striper poles there was a guy aroung the end of purple that had midgets stripping and said you had to pay to watch or keep moving, what was that about, and rot wasnt as fun as it use to be. I agree about the music It could have been better My main gripe was those sport bikes kept blocking us in they need to stay in there own spot yes we did have 3 spaces but not room for 5 or 6 sport bikes to infrindge up on us and they kept doing darn burn outs. I see rot attendence will keep going down if they dont do something quick, they need to get better music and a good country act I sugested jason Ashley hes always at cowboys and rocks the crowd. as far as the rv getting dumped we called them at 8 am they said they wil get us in 30mins well at 11 I had to call them again they said they forgot and got busy they showed up 2 hours later. this being my honeys first rot he thought it was ok butt not what I told him about even downtown was boring

ROT 2013 we will see

Well I have to admit it was not as much fun as the last one I attended. Had the RV and the AC was nice but just was not the same as previous years.

My group and I have been coming to the ROT for several years.  We have watched it grow year after year.  This year I enjoyed the cart only rule as it kept the parade route moving.  Another great item the ROT offers is Free Golf Cart shuttle.  I personally didn't use it however I saw several people enjoying the benefit to get to their car, to grab some ice and so on.  Good Job there!!!

We were in Lime across from the Port - o - Johns and I must agree the service was less than par.  People don't take care of them mostly at night when they are drunk and crazy.  Service on the johns should be conducted in the morning not a night when the parade route is picking up.  Not sure how many times they are contracted to be serviced but it only happened once a day in our location.

Also water distribution is kind of a joke.  We we cut off from water to fill my holding tank with the explanation that it was effecting the vendors.  Hello I pay as much if not more than the vendors but that's not my issue.  My issue is how are the water guys going to charge me over $100.00 for the water they are getting from the same place I get it?

Now lets talk cost.  I'm running 4 couples deep in my RV to afford the slot.  $600.00 a year?  I know theres a lot that goes into this however the TX Heat Wave in July is only $140.00 a slot and they get water and electric.  The $600.00 a slot might be a bit more to bear if the entertainment was a little better.  RV slots were sold out (so consider the revenue) hopefully better headlines will appear.

Don't get me wrong.  I love the ROT!!!  We have a great time and I think there is a lot to do (if you choose to).  I understand it is a lot of work and things cost money.  I just think $600.00 RV slot and $70.00 at the door for a ticket is not a wise business decision.  

i thought you got 2 passes(tickets) with each rv spot??

I'm with Spirit, I had a blast and got to see more of what was going on, on the grounds than I have in the past 3 years. Saw 2 concerts (thanks for the ride Neil, you were right on time), bike stunts and the midget wrestlers. Got to host the midnight toast on Friday, sorry I was late...that was Neil’s fault cause he wanted to hang out at the stripper pole lol. Got to visit with old friends and meet new ones. Was great that some very dear friends of mine were able to get a RV lot on the same row as mine, was great to visit with ya Mike and Gerri!!  

The only problem I had was getting my tank dumped. Didn’t take them long to get to me but now my seal leaks on my black water holding tank. I think they turned on the suction before opening my tanks. Now the Fun Finder is grounded until I can get that fixed!!!  Also they charged me over $40.00 for a dump, they called it taxes and fees.  Cant remember but I think they charged me $47.00.  ROT, GET THE OLD VENDOR BACK!!!  #1 in a #2 Buisness.

I think this rally was one of the best. I did like those years where anything goes and had trailers and floats.that's all gone now!And if we do move to a new place the rally as we know it will be completely different, so I really appreciate this year for what it was! It was a kick ass year with good friends good memories!!!!

neil,.....I have to agree