The 2012 Grand Tour will run from April 1st - September 15th, 2012

This year’s theme is USA.

You will be looking for town names that begin with the letters U, S, or A.   IN each town, take a picture of your bike, your rally towel, and a something that has the town name on it.   No Post Offices or City limit signs.  

I do not want the green signs or the signs at the edge of town that the locals put up.   I agree, some of those that the locals put up are very nice & would normally fit the spirit of the Grand Tour.   The purpose is to get you into town....look around, hopefully find a building, mural, business that has character.   I'm trying to discourage just chasing town signs.   ie, Stop on the hiway, shoot your picture, then turn around & head for the next sign.  

To be considered a finisher you must accumulate 25 points (one point for each town you visit).   You will then earn a Grand Tour shirt and entry into the first prize drawing (additional prize drawings for higher point levels).  

From August 10 - August 17th each town will be worth 2 points.   However, you must have your USA Grand Tour Flag & any other Rally Flag in each picture.   The additional flag can be from a previous Grand Tour or any other Rally/Grand Tour.   If there are not two flags during these dates only one point will be awarded.   Be sure your date & time is set on your camera.   If you're shooting film be sure the date prints on the picture.

Entry fee is $25.00.

You do not need to be a GLMC member to participate; a rider number will be assigned to you if you do not already have one.

Acceptable "towns" may be cities, towns or townships, in the US & Canada.   Town names must start with the letter U, S, or A

Some examples are:

Shasta Lake is acceptable.

Lake Shasta or Lakeshasta is not acceptable.

Town names may only be used ONCE.   Even if the same name is used in many states, it may only be used ONCE.

Pictures must include something in that town that displays the town name.   Park benches, Water towers, Police or Fire stations, signs attached or not attached to buildings are all acceptable.

The town name may appear alone ("Unityville") or as part of the name of a business or other organization, for example "Unityville Grain Elevator", or "Alpena Public Library".

No city limit signs.

Signs with arrows pointing the direction of the town or miles to the town are not acceptable.

Your numbered rally towel may only be used by you.   No one other than you may possess your towel.   If you find a towel at a location, LEAVE IT THERE.   The owner will most likely be back for it.

If you lose your towel, send in your current photos and $10.00 for another towel.   We won't ship out your new towel until these items are received.   Any photos sent in with the old towel # after this won't be accepted.   If you find your old towel later, DON'T USE IT!   Only photos with the new # will be accepted.

Three things MUST be in the photo:

1.   YOUR rally towel.   (To collect Double points in August, 2 towels must be visable)
2.   A significant portion of your bike*.   (Any bike, regardless if you own, rent or borrow, is acceptable)
3.   The town name must be readable.   The most important thing in the photo is the town name.   Be Sure it is readable.

*Some signs may be in places that it is not safe to park your motorcycle.   We understand this and will allow up to 5 photos to NOT include your motorcycle.   Park your motorcycle in a safe location and walk to the sign.   Your towel must still be in the photo.

Everything must be CLEARLY readable in the photo.
Polaroid photos, digital prints, or standard photos are all acceptable.

Photos may be submitted on CDR.   Flash drive or SD card.   Photos may NOT be emailed.

When submitting them, consider putting them in Alpha order & including a spreadsheet.

If you have an online Photo Album, include the link & we will include it along with the list of riders.   That way all can enjoy the places you've been to.

All entries & photos submitted must be mailed to:

To be considered a finisher you must accumulate 25 points.   You will then earn a Grand Tour shirt and entry into the first drawing.

Riders with 50 or more points will be entered into additional drawings, one for each 25-point level.   Prizes are not necessarily better at higher levels, but each additional drawing increases your odds of winning multiple prizes.   (For example, with 133 total points, you would be entered into 5 drawings).

The Rider with the highest number of points will win the grand prize of a $200 gift certificate to Aerostich Riderwarehouse AND entry in every drawing.   The rider with the second highest number gets a Gift Certificate to the Motocycle Shop, Watertown, SD. and entry in as many of the drawings as they qualify for.   Third place will win a prize, too.

Rider of the year points will be awarded to all finishers.   50 ROTY points for the highest-scoring rider, 49 ROTY points for 2nd place, 48 ROTY points for 3rd place, etc.

All questions or inquiries can be e-mailed to jbackerus at yahoo dot com.   You can keep updated and also post on the Barn at http://www.network54.com/Forum/152868/