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2026 WoodSToc 4 - Aug 10-15, 2026 - Woodstock, NB

kerbside said:
I have to ask why such a poorish turnout for this event?
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If I was a betting man, New Brunswick often gets a bum wrap about things to do, see and places to go. It becomes the drive-thru province to get to places like PEI, NS & Nfld. It's also vast, so to see all the things it has, you'd really need a rolling stoc type event, like Newfoundland often does. You can't relaxingly do lots of the good stuff in a day from the current location (RiverRun.) Distance and time just works against that. George found this spot with hopes of cabins, domes, trailer & tenting ability, all in one place, so that folks could easily mingle after a day's riding, possibly with caveman TV. It's the people that make the event great & memorable too, not just the places you ride.

It's a challenge to get folks from NB, NS & PEI to come, given the fact they either have decent roads to ride where they live, of don't want to outlay funds for something in their own backyard. I can ride most of these areas in a day if I wanted, and avoid hotel costs. I come for the people experience, not the locations.

This event is still in it's infancy too, this being the 4th year. The 3 previous events each were varied, and had some good bits and some that were reworked next time around to try and improve them. Anyone who came in the past and had a poor experience, likely passed that onto others. That spreads faster than any of the good. Every event will have it's pluses and minuses. That's normal. How you fix those, well that's what builds character.

Considering this is the only other running SToc in Canada other than OnSToc, I think it's doing OK-ish for being new. OnSToc has a large, local, repeat base, and an existing reputation. It's also close to WoodSToc's time frame. If you had only so much free time and dollars to spend, are you going to choose an unkown, or a known. As noted, OnSToc seems to have it's own challenges as well.

There's also 5 or 6 other MC rallies in the Maritimes that draw folks from all MC brands. As a SToc event, we're only publicising this in a limited base of attendees. Perhaps if this ever was to expand outside the SToc world, the story might change....

So there's my ramble, and my thoughts - right or wrong.

If anyone's got anything to add, or disagrees, feel free to pipe in. Everyone's opinion is welcome and valid. Who knows, your comments may even catapult WoodSToc to an inernational level. :)
 
Obo said:
If I was a betting man, New Brunswick often gets a bum wrap about things to do, see and places to go. It becomes the drive-thru province to get to places like PEI, NS & Nfld. It's also vast, so to see all the things it has, you'd really need a rolling stoc type event, like Newfoundland often does. You can't relaxingly do lots of the good stuff in a day from the current location (RiverRun.) Distance and time just works against that. George found this spot with hopes of cabins, domes, trailer & tenting ability, all in one place, so that folks could easily mingle after a day's riding, possibly with caveman TV. It's the people that make the event great & memorable too, not just the places you ride.

It's a challenge to get folks from NB, NS & PEI to come, given the fact they either have decent roads to ride where they live, of don't want to outlay funds for something in their own backyard. I can ride most of these areas in a day if I wanted, and avoid hotel costs. I come for the people experience, not the locations.

This event is still in it's infancy too, this being the 4th year. The 3 previous events each were varied, and had some good bits and some that were reworked next time around to try and improve them. Anyone who came in the past and had a poor experience, likely passed that onto others. That spreads faster than any of the good. Every event will have it's pluses and minuses. That's normal. How you fix those, well that's what builds character.

Considering this is the only other running SToc in Canada other than OnSToc, I think it's doing OK-ish for being new. OnSToc has a large, local, repeat base, and an existing reputation. It's also close to WoodSToc's time frame. If you had only so much free time and dollars to spend, are you going to choose an unkown, or a known. As noted, OnSToc seems to have it's own challenges as well.

There's also 5 or 6 other MC rallies in the Maritimes that draw folks from all MC brands. As a SToc event, we're only publicising this in a limited base of attendees. Perhaps if this ever was to expand outside the SToc world, the story might change....

So there's my ramble, and my thoughts - right or wrong.

If anyone's got anything to add, or disagrees, feel free to pipe in. Everyone's opinion is welcome and valid. Who knows, your comments may even catapult WoodSToc to an inernational level. :)
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Yeah, the same thing is happening for WeSTOC. I think too much is going on with costs of everything, gas food, hotels, etc.

Two years ago, there were about 75 people. Last year, only 46 showed up. This year, I have 26.

The only things, I can think of.
 
Ah yes. World politics, wars and rumours of wars - it seems folks are afraid to leave home. Gotta say, my own experience in June, riding to OhSToc, was all positive. And then, an American foursome traveling to the Maritimes soon afterward, provided proof that it's mostly about the people. (you've seen the pictures) From my perspective, it was a lot of fun showing them around. As for OnSToc, I've been to each one since it's inception, lots of memories, great people. Speaking of people, who can forget Karen, the belle of the ball at the SToc event in Connecticut?
I do hope WoodSToc will continue, but since I'll soon be 75, I'd like to see the illustrious Obo take over!
 
Obo said:
so that folks could easily mingle
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Spending time on the ferry will make for a good mingling opportunity, btw! Lots of seating, food and drink available...
Interesting stops are essential, in my experience. Who else remembers Gillette Castle, and going aboard the Nautilus - these stops were part of CT-SToc, back in the day.
Currently, we have the Speerville Flour Mill, as well as Sabian Cymbals, for Tuesday and Wednesday.
 
SupraSabre said:
Yeah, the same thing is happening for WeSTOC. I think too much is going on with costs of everything, gas food, hotels, etc.

Two years ago, there were about 75 people. Last year, only 46 showed up. This year, I have 26.

The only things, I can think of.
Click to expand...

Attendance stats:
Year 1, there were about 8 people.
Year 2 saw 12.
Year 3 saw 4.
This year is TBA, looking like 7 if everyone attends on the guest list arrives.

Other stats:
Only 2 people have done all 4 events
Of the others, one person did two in a row (#'1 & 2) & two people (a couple) did two, but not in a row (#'2 & 4)
2 folks who did one were in a cage.
We've had 6 folks who did parts of the event, but not all.
Attendees who are not STowner members/spouses: 3
Couples: Y1: 1, Y2: 5, Y3: 0, Y4 (2 estimated)
Y3 had no ST's in attendance.
Locations of attendees (SToc's 1-3):
6 NB
2 NFLD
6 ON
1 AB
4 US (TN, ME, PA, MA)

Each year has been slightly different than the year before, trying to find a sweet spot for everyone & attendance. George has changed locations, length, accommodations etc, all in efforts to help entice folks to come an experience what we have here.
 
Many STOCs have had declining attendance for a number of years. Some have faded away completely.

We're getting older gents. Our hobbies, interests, abilities and responsibilities change. We're very different people than we were 10,15,20 years ago when these STOCs 1st got rolling, some longer ago than that.

In some respects its amazing that we gather at all, given that the bike(s) that drew us together in the 1st place is long gone from production lines.

Testament to @Mellow for creating and maintaining this online space that gets it to happen.

FWIW: I think for a number years Westoc had attendance in the 150+ range (2010- 2015 maybe). I expect I get corrected if I'm wrong - a good thing.
 
Obo said:
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Current forecast....
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Current forecast, might want bring your rain gear and a change of socks along with the shorts and t shirts... 🌤️⛅🌥️🌦️⛈️🌧️
 
Getting older, yes. That's been ongoing, naturally. But many of us still love being out on two wheels. While out on the Honda yesterday, I was reflecting on how sweet it is to have such lightly traveled routes under my wheels. Great scenic views abound, including field upon field of potatoes ,lol. Passing and being passed - hardly happens. Two things give me pleasure - a bike ride, and a mug of coffee in the morning!
 
Couple of things worth mentioning:
Tuesday - Breakfast probably at Murray's. (Woodstock) Then a tour of the Speerville flour mill. I told Dean we'd be there between 9 and 9:30. Went there earlier with some American friends, we were all quite impressed. Thereafter, I have a scenic ride to lead,only a couple of hours.
Wednesday - a tour of Sabian Cymbals. Sould be interesting.
Thursday - The Fundy Rose to Nova Scotia!
There'll be a touring ride Friday, starting with breakfast (9am) at Porter's Diner on the Hanwell Road. To be led by Brent Strong, who's been with us before. Eastern New Brunswick, a ride on a free ferry, and more.
 
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It's like the BRG - there was a time where there was not enough room to pitch another tent - except in the roadway! ;)
I've led group rides of close to 50 riders in some years.
Campers seem to be the 'minority' at most events (but not all) as the old, aching bodies want a nice bed and air conditioning.
Many 'regulars' have moved on or passed on in the 25 years I have been holding it.
That is the nature of these events since there are not a lot of young people even interested in motorcycling of any sort.
But if people come and enjoy it - whether it's 50 or 2, then I'm still doing it.
I think the 'rolling' idea event has a lot of merit - start in NB, visit PEI and then Nova Scotia - and maybe even Newfoundland!
 
SupraSabre said:
Yeah, the same thing is happening for WeSTOC. I think too much is going on with costs of everything, gas food, hotels, etc.

Two years ago, there were about 75 people. Last year, only 46 showed up. This year, I have 26.

The only things, I can think of.
Click to expand...
I remember the WeSTocs from 20 years ago when the turnout was fantastic, but over the years attendance has steadily declined. My partner enjoys these events as they are hotel based, but my preference would be the camping/cabin events as there is definitely a different vibe. But in saying that nice beds and rooms do have appeal for us old ones, as noted by Phil.
 
I gotta say - it was a wonderful experience! It started out a bit slow with me showing the area to only one couple on the first day. But by breakfast time this morning, there were eight of us seated at one long table! After that fine feed, we hit the road on five motorcycles.
The Tuesday thru Friday concept worked well.
Thursday's ferry excursion and the exploration of a bit of Nova Scotia, was memorable indeed - on the road at 5:30 am, and back to the resort at 10 pm! Yes, I'd do it again. That's what memories are made of! Route planning was shared by three of us, thanks guys!
Lots of pictures were shot, but not by me... Watch this space...
 
Laughs, smiles, hugs, naps, whales, showers, cymbals (one signed by Neal Peart), flour, two provinces 5 hours of ferry crossings, Canada's first quarantine island, some crazy lightening shows, a few bad dad jokes, the falls, a dirt road, Potato World, Hall's Harbour, Grand Lake, a 16 hour day with a 5:30am departure, two missing breadcrumbs, Welcome to the USA and a few bumps along the way.

A great time was had, and many memories made.

Mrs. Obo said it was her 2nd favourite SToc event she's attended. (This being her 2nd - lol.)

We're safe 'n sound home, having left today's group around 1pm. It was great seeing everyone. It was sad leaving early. We avoided the fleeting downpour clouds.

Thanks again to @catcher for all the hard work and planning he put in. As said in person, it's always appreciated.

Obo & Mrs. Obo.
 
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