Plans for the 2026 BMW MOA National Rally in Essex Junction, Vermont, are gathering momentum, and the event’s co-chairs, Bob and Bonnie Cohen, say they’re eager to welcome members back to New England. It will be the first New England National Rally in about two decades. 

The Cohens come to the role from Downeast Maine, a place they describe with equal parts pride and geography. Living in Washington County near the Canadian border, they joke that “down east” is “defined differently by everyone you ask,” but for them it’s home base for a quiet, tide-paced life. 

As rally chairs, they bring a well-matched blend of organizer energy and hands-on craft. Bob is a retired veterinarian and lifelong rider who has been on two wheels for more than five decades. After stepping away from his veterinary career two years ago, he and Bonnie built a separate workshop devoted to motorcycle repair and restoration. 

“I spend as much time as I can in my garage,” Bob said, noting that he has six motorcycles and has recently leaned into restoration work, including a frame-up project on a 1986 R 80.

Bonnie’s workshop is a different kind of engine room. A former teacher, educational leader and human resources professional, she’s now happily deep into woodworking. Her projects range from charcuterie boards to deck furniture, and lately she’s taken up turning, which is working with a lathe to turn circular things like bowls or plates. She laughs, saying she’s the real tool enthusiast in the household, with Bob chiming in that she has “far more tools and knows what to do with them” than he does in her domain. 

Their day-to-day rhythm reflects the same calm competence they’re bringing to rally prep. Bonnie, an avid hiker, plans her retirement schedule around the tides, and spends part of every day on local trails with Trudy, the family dog. The couple live on a dirt road in a small coastal town where, as Bob put it, “The nearest town that’s big enough to have a traffic light is 35 miles away,” making the setting both serene and a perfect launchpad for rides. 

That love of open roads extends well beyond Maine. The Cohens spend much of their vacation time exploring Canada—especially the Maritimes and Newfoundland—often encouraging fellow riders to pack a passport (or passport card) for easy cross-border detours from Vermont. Together they also maintain strong ties to the MOA community in New England, riding with several chartered clubs and looking forward to a rally turnout that includes plenty of Canadian neighbors. 

While Bob has been an MOA member since 2004, he only began attending national rallies after retiring in 2021—then promptly dove in headfirst. His first rally was Springfield in 2021, followed by Richmond, Redmond (via an 8,000-mile camping and trailer journey across Canada with Bonnie and Trudy), and Lebanon. 

“I’ve been accused of having volunteer addiction syndrome,” he said with a grin, describing how retirement quickly turned into Regional Coordinator work, a seat on the BMW MOA Foundation Board and now co-chairing the national event. Bonnie, meanwhile, is frank that her connection to the MOA comes less from riding and more from people. She’s ridden some with Bob, but doesn’t much enjoy it; instead, “The hook for me was the people,” she said, praising the local club community and the friendships that grow around the rally culture. 

For 2026, the Cohens say their focus is on a welcoming, well-run gathering that reflects both Vermont’s charm and the MOA’s volunteer spirit. “Safety first,” Bob emphasized, reflecting on a career spent managing complex, people-centered work—experience he sees as directly transferable to rally logistics. 

They’re also highlighting the Rally’s Karol Patzer Children’s Charity, which will benefit Head Start programs in the Essex Junction area. Bonnie said, “I’m looking forward to selling as many raffle tickets as humanly possible,” calling it a cause with a direct local impact for families and kids in the host community. 

With major committees already in place, volunteer sign-ups are expected to open around January 1, and the Cohens are encouraging members to consider taking a shift. “We certainly invite all the MOA folks planning on coming to jump in and pick up a shift,” Bob said. “It’s always fun and enjoyable to meet other folks aside from just attending.” 

Registration for the 2026 BMW MOA National Rally is currently underway. Members with questions or ideas can contact the co-chairs directly at rallychairs@bmwmoa.org, and the Cohens say they can’t wait to see the community roll into Vermont next June!