hoog62
Sep 3rd, 2007, 10:45 am
Worth the trip
Gail and I rolled in the garage about 10:30 last night to the comforts of home and some very happy dogs. This years CCR was all too short for us, having only two nights at Tan-Tar-A to renew acquaintances. We did get to touch base with many of our favorite people and meet some new folks, but had not nearly enough time to spend with any of them. Still, the day and a half there was absolutely worth the four days on the road. Heck, I even had a hottie give me her phone number. ;)
Kudos to all that worked so hard to make this years event happen. We found the accommodations very comfortable, the staff at TTA was more than helpful, and all those who volunteered, you're all a cut above. :thumb: There's no telling what next year will bring, but we're definitely looking forward to returning to the Rockies.
A dozen reasons, no excuses
Unfortunately, we had a little incident about 200 miles out of Osage Beach on the ride home. While making the left to stay on US 63 in Hardy(?) Arkansas, we low-sided. A semi was creeping up to the stop sign; I was approaching from his right. I set up wide in the turn lane, got off the brakes and turned in around the truck (who had now decided he actually would have to stop). Just as I was rolling on the throttle I felt the front end start to go. A split second later, I heard zziiiiIINNNG as the rear wheel spun up and instantly we were on the ground.
The bike did a lazy 180 on its left side as Gail and I did our best tandem 30 ft. "sliding into second" routine. Six Harley guys witnessed the whole thing, and say what you want about them "Harley" guys, by the time I had checked to see where Gail was they were all off their bikes and in a dead run towards us. One got to me just as I was righting the LT, the other five ran straight to Gail, go figure. Damage to the bike so far looks like a tip over cover burnt through and some serious shaving of the chrome strip on the left bag. No paint damage, amazing. The lower fairing was also scratched, but that was already scratched. :rolleyes:
We seemed unscathed thanks to the gear, but by the time we stopped for the night, Gail's ankle was pretty swollen. I had wiped some boot marks off the side case in front of the chrome strip and apparently she must have cushioned the Snoopster's fall with her foot. Hell of a woman to go that extra mile for the bike.
Heading into the sun, I had the sun visor down on my Nolan, the road was a brownish shade, numerous skid marks at the intersection, the semi creeping up, speed...there are a dozen reasons why I might have missed the diesel/gas/anti-freeze in the road, but I did, and Gail is limping around now because of it. That bothers me badly. She's going to try to get it x-rayed today; hopefully it's not broken. Without the good boots it surely would be.
Other than that the trip was uneventful. The LT did what it does best, eat miles. We made it home safe and relatively sound, already looking forward next year. Utah is a beautiful place and the venue looks great. Like Grif says, "Are we there yet?"
Gail and I rolled in the garage about 10:30 last night to the comforts of home and some very happy dogs. This years CCR was all too short for us, having only two nights at Tan-Tar-A to renew acquaintances. We did get to touch base with many of our favorite people and meet some new folks, but had not nearly enough time to spend with any of them. Still, the day and a half there was absolutely worth the four days on the road. Heck, I even had a hottie give me her phone number. ;)
Kudos to all that worked so hard to make this years event happen. We found the accommodations very comfortable, the staff at TTA was more than helpful, and all those who volunteered, you're all a cut above. :thumb: There's no telling what next year will bring, but we're definitely looking forward to returning to the Rockies.
A dozen reasons, no excuses
Unfortunately, we had a little incident about 200 miles out of Osage Beach on the ride home. While making the left to stay on US 63 in Hardy(?) Arkansas, we low-sided. A semi was creeping up to the stop sign; I was approaching from his right. I set up wide in the turn lane, got off the brakes and turned in around the truck (who had now decided he actually would have to stop). Just as I was rolling on the throttle I felt the front end start to go. A split second later, I heard zziiiiIINNNG as the rear wheel spun up and instantly we were on the ground.
The bike did a lazy 180 on its left side as Gail and I did our best tandem 30 ft. "sliding into second" routine. Six Harley guys witnessed the whole thing, and say what you want about them "Harley" guys, by the time I had checked to see where Gail was they were all off their bikes and in a dead run towards us. One got to me just as I was righting the LT, the other five ran straight to Gail, go figure. Damage to the bike so far looks like a tip over cover burnt through and some serious shaving of the chrome strip on the left bag. No paint damage, amazing. The lower fairing was also scratched, but that was already scratched. :rolleyes:
We seemed unscathed thanks to the gear, but by the time we stopped for the night, Gail's ankle was pretty swollen. I had wiped some boot marks off the side case in front of the chrome strip and apparently she must have cushioned the Snoopster's fall with her foot. Hell of a woman to go that extra mile for the bike.
Heading into the sun, I had the sun visor down on my Nolan, the road was a brownish shade, numerous skid marks at the intersection, the semi creeping up, speed...there are a dozen reasons why I might have missed the diesel/gas/anti-freeze in the road, but I did, and Gail is limping around now because of it. That bothers me badly. She's going to try to get it x-rayed today; hopefully it's not broken. Without the good boots it surely would be.
Other than that the trip was uneventful. The LT did what it does best, eat miles. We made it home safe and relatively sound, already looking forward next year. Utah is a beautiful place and the venue looks great. Like Grif says, "Are we there yet?"