NOGILLS2
Apr 24th, 2006, 11:44 pm
Miss E and I departed Home for STCII on Monday 4/17/06. Our first destination is Warner Robbins, Ga. We plan to visit some friends there. Rachel and Miss E went to college together. Rachel and her husband are both Military Chaplains.
We headed east on I-12 to Mobile, Al. We stopped in Gulfport,Ms for gas and breakfast, but not all the business' are open yet so we went on to Pascagoula. We stopped at Cracker Barrel, enjoyed breakfast, then rode on to Mobile. In Mobile we headed north on I 65 to Opelika the east to Warner Robbins. I was very glad to leave the I state and hit the back roads. We arrived just in time for diner, we visited for awhile.
Tuesday we toured Warner Robbins Air Force Base and air museum. We had lunch with Mike. Rachel wanted to look at motorcycles, that afternoon I gave Rachel and Nathan (son) a ride on "The Beerburner". They both enjoyed it immensely, and they are considering purchasing a bike for themselves.
Wednesday we were up and headed out for STCII and the Iornhorse lodge. I spent some time researching a route and wanted to avoid the I states. We headed north to Macon and headed north on Hwy 129 to Athens, and onto Hwy 411 all the way to Franklin, NC. As we approached I-85 we came upon a restaurant called "Uncle Jacks" country cooking. It was very good food and as we prepared to sit down the sky opened up and the rain and lightning began. So we visited with the staff and other patrons, they were amazed that we rode so far and was not trailering. They even changed the TV station so we could watch "The Weather Channel", it was reported that 1364 lightning strikes were recorded in the last hour. After an hour or so the rain let up some so we suited up and headed out. As we left it started raining, and as the rain fell we watched several gas stations raise the price of gasoline, $3.19 seemed to be the norm. About 3 pm we arrived in the area of Stecoah and was not sure which way to go, but continued on Hwy 28, about that time a truck pulled up along side and a pretty lady was waving at us, we returned the wave, I looked back at the road, and the truck stayed alongside, after another glance I saw the Iornhorse advertisement on the side of the truck. So we acknowledged that and followed the truck to the Lodge. It was then that we discovered that it was John's wife Charleen that escorted us to the lodge. That was quite a coincidence, only I dont believe in coincidences. We were very grateful for the escort. We met Don, and checked in, found our room in cabin 3. We began to greet friends and to meet new friends.
Thursday morning we woke up to rain and breakfast in the lodge, we made the best of it by meeting many people that hung around the lodge waiting for weather reports and watching the rain. making plans for a ride, some waited for the rain to stop while others rode regardless of the weather. About lunch five bikes headed out for "The Dragon" and the Cherahola skyway. Our plans were to ride "The Dragon" backwards and finish at the store so we could shop for souvenirs and t-shirts. Only our ride Captain took a wrong turn and we ended up at the store before we rode "The Dragon". Miss E and I decided not to buy shirts, but we did get a small dragon sticker to put on "The Beerburner" .
This reminds me of many friends that compete in triathlons and for each race they receive a shirt, after a time they have more shirts than they know what to do with. A couple of inventive friends took their shirts and made quilts with them. So I refrain from the shirt thing, a friend commented at my first rally about my not buying all the pins and shirts. I just chuckled. You know: "Been there, done that, got a t shirt, it has holes in it.
Well Friday rolled in with more rain and more clouds, and some frustration, a couple of folks left and went home. About one o'clock, Miss E and Tandemcyclist and myself decided to head to Franklin on Hwy 28 for lunch. No sooner than we left the rain stopped, the sun popped out and away we went. I personally think hwy 28 towards Franklin is a much better ride than "The Dragon", as we rode over the road was still wet so we took it easy. I was very anxious to try the tips that Sue gave us the night before. We stopped at the visitors center in Franklin looking for a restaurant, found a couple of choices and headed into main street, our first choice was closed, they closed at 2:30 pm, and it was 2: 36 as we walked up to the door. So we headed to choice number two, and hit paydirt. The four of us had a great lunch, then walked about town checking stores, shops, and museums. We closed up the town, they rolled up the sidewalks, and began to look at us kinda funny, so we decide to head back to the lodge, back on Hwy 28, by now the roads were dry so I started using the techniques Sue taught us, Rick was behind me, as I had a GPS, well things started getting rather fun, with us darting about the roads, the next thing I knew Rick and Vicky went zooming past us and it wasn't till they got into traffic that I was able to catch up. as they passed I started laughing out loud, it was passed the smiling stage. I finally had to make myself stop laughing and pay attention to the road. This was the best fun we had! After arriving at the lodge we began to talk about the ride and we began to critique our driving. I learned a few things and raised some questions for Sue that night at the next lecture. I have to say that my riding has improved incredibly. The tips have proven to work and my confidence while riding has improved a hundredfold. After diner Sue went back over some notes and explained other tips and also explained some points further. The best tip I received is how to judge a turn from the speed sign when entering a curve. If it says 35 mph, the first number indicates what gear you should be in, and then you can double the number for recommended speed +- 10 mph. This one tip has done more for me than anything.
Saturday, we woke to more rain, we logged onto the internet, uploaded pictures, and made plans. Miss E and I headed out for home, only we took the long wayround. I set up the GPS for our trip, we decide to head to Nashville, just a little out of the way. So what does the gps do? it sent us back over "The Dragon" with the bike loaded two up and all our gear. Anyway, I told Miss E that I really wanted another chance at "The Dragon" especially after what I learned at STCII. So off we went, as we passed the store I sensed all the looks from those around the store. The T hit me and I gassed the throttle, High RPM's and low gears, right. We were off. I scrapped the center stand at least 5 times on both sides, at first it surprised me then it just happened, we zoomed, just about at the end one sport bike passed me and a Honda car was behind, I just concentrated on what was at hand. I was glad to get to the end. We also was photographed a number of times by Killboy.com, looking for the pictures to be posted. I must say that was a rush knowing that the pictures would be posted so I really had to concentrate so it would look real good. after all that we had a great ride to Nashville.
Sunday morning we went downtown and walked around, took pictures, and had lunch, then we headed out west to the "Natchez Trace" and had a very quiet ride south on the Trace. We saw many turkeys, a couple of deer, and many motorcycles and bicycles. We stopped and took many pictures. All in all it was a beautiful day. We stopped in Alabama and had diner with my sister and BIL, then we rode on to Birmingham. We arrived in Birmingham about 11:00 pm, got a room and crashed.
Monday, we headed out for home, I guess all good things come to an end. Miss E and I had a great time, made some new friends, ate some great food, and rode some new roads, some both ways. We are really excited that we will make CCR this year, if all goes well. I am finally realizing my moto, "Sooner or later, I am going to have a happy childhood"!
We clocked 2035 miles this past week, most of them with smiles, even in the rain! Some miles were with friends, some alone, but all in all, smiles were with each and every one of them.
This was our first official event as a couple with this board, and I would like to thank those that make events like this possible. My hats off to each and everyone of you! Thank You!
We headed east on I-12 to Mobile, Al. We stopped in Gulfport,Ms for gas and breakfast, but not all the business' are open yet so we went on to Pascagoula. We stopped at Cracker Barrel, enjoyed breakfast, then rode on to Mobile. In Mobile we headed north on I 65 to Opelika the east to Warner Robbins. I was very glad to leave the I state and hit the back roads. We arrived just in time for diner, we visited for awhile.
Tuesday we toured Warner Robbins Air Force Base and air museum. We had lunch with Mike. Rachel wanted to look at motorcycles, that afternoon I gave Rachel and Nathan (son) a ride on "The Beerburner". They both enjoyed it immensely, and they are considering purchasing a bike for themselves.
Wednesday we were up and headed out for STCII and the Iornhorse lodge. I spent some time researching a route and wanted to avoid the I states. We headed north to Macon and headed north on Hwy 129 to Athens, and onto Hwy 411 all the way to Franklin, NC. As we approached I-85 we came upon a restaurant called "Uncle Jacks" country cooking. It was very good food and as we prepared to sit down the sky opened up and the rain and lightning began. So we visited with the staff and other patrons, they were amazed that we rode so far and was not trailering. They even changed the TV station so we could watch "The Weather Channel", it was reported that 1364 lightning strikes were recorded in the last hour. After an hour or so the rain let up some so we suited up and headed out. As we left it started raining, and as the rain fell we watched several gas stations raise the price of gasoline, $3.19 seemed to be the norm. About 3 pm we arrived in the area of Stecoah and was not sure which way to go, but continued on Hwy 28, about that time a truck pulled up along side and a pretty lady was waving at us, we returned the wave, I looked back at the road, and the truck stayed alongside, after another glance I saw the Iornhorse advertisement on the side of the truck. So we acknowledged that and followed the truck to the Lodge. It was then that we discovered that it was John's wife Charleen that escorted us to the lodge. That was quite a coincidence, only I dont believe in coincidences. We were very grateful for the escort. We met Don, and checked in, found our room in cabin 3. We began to greet friends and to meet new friends.
Thursday morning we woke up to rain and breakfast in the lodge, we made the best of it by meeting many people that hung around the lodge waiting for weather reports and watching the rain. making plans for a ride, some waited for the rain to stop while others rode regardless of the weather. About lunch five bikes headed out for "The Dragon" and the Cherahola skyway. Our plans were to ride "The Dragon" backwards and finish at the store so we could shop for souvenirs and t-shirts. Only our ride Captain took a wrong turn and we ended up at the store before we rode "The Dragon". Miss E and I decided not to buy shirts, but we did get a small dragon sticker to put on "The Beerburner" .
This reminds me of many friends that compete in triathlons and for each race they receive a shirt, after a time they have more shirts than they know what to do with. A couple of inventive friends took their shirts and made quilts with them. So I refrain from the shirt thing, a friend commented at my first rally about my not buying all the pins and shirts. I just chuckled. You know: "Been there, done that, got a t shirt, it has holes in it.
Well Friday rolled in with more rain and more clouds, and some frustration, a couple of folks left and went home. About one o'clock, Miss E and Tandemcyclist and myself decided to head to Franklin on Hwy 28 for lunch. No sooner than we left the rain stopped, the sun popped out and away we went. I personally think hwy 28 towards Franklin is a much better ride than "The Dragon", as we rode over the road was still wet so we took it easy. I was very anxious to try the tips that Sue gave us the night before. We stopped at the visitors center in Franklin looking for a restaurant, found a couple of choices and headed into main street, our first choice was closed, they closed at 2:30 pm, and it was 2: 36 as we walked up to the door. So we headed to choice number two, and hit paydirt. The four of us had a great lunch, then walked about town checking stores, shops, and museums. We closed up the town, they rolled up the sidewalks, and began to look at us kinda funny, so we decide to head back to the lodge, back on Hwy 28, by now the roads were dry so I started using the techniques Sue taught us, Rick was behind me, as I had a GPS, well things started getting rather fun, with us darting about the roads, the next thing I knew Rick and Vicky went zooming past us and it wasn't till they got into traffic that I was able to catch up. as they passed I started laughing out loud, it was passed the smiling stage. I finally had to make myself stop laughing and pay attention to the road. This was the best fun we had! After arriving at the lodge we began to talk about the ride and we began to critique our driving. I learned a few things and raised some questions for Sue that night at the next lecture. I have to say that my riding has improved incredibly. The tips have proven to work and my confidence while riding has improved a hundredfold. After diner Sue went back over some notes and explained other tips and also explained some points further. The best tip I received is how to judge a turn from the speed sign when entering a curve. If it says 35 mph, the first number indicates what gear you should be in, and then you can double the number for recommended speed +- 10 mph. This one tip has done more for me than anything.
Saturday, we woke to more rain, we logged onto the internet, uploaded pictures, and made plans. Miss E and I headed out for home, only we took the long wayround. I set up the GPS for our trip, we decide to head to Nashville, just a little out of the way. So what does the gps do? it sent us back over "The Dragon" with the bike loaded two up and all our gear. Anyway, I told Miss E that I really wanted another chance at "The Dragon" especially after what I learned at STCII. So off we went, as we passed the store I sensed all the looks from those around the store. The T hit me and I gassed the throttle, High RPM's and low gears, right. We were off. I scrapped the center stand at least 5 times on both sides, at first it surprised me then it just happened, we zoomed, just about at the end one sport bike passed me and a Honda car was behind, I just concentrated on what was at hand. I was glad to get to the end. We also was photographed a number of times by Killboy.com, looking for the pictures to be posted. I must say that was a rush knowing that the pictures would be posted so I really had to concentrate so it would look real good. after all that we had a great ride to Nashville.
Sunday morning we went downtown and walked around, took pictures, and had lunch, then we headed out west to the "Natchez Trace" and had a very quiet ride south on the Trace. We saw many turkeys, a couple of deer, and many motorcycles and bicycles. We stopped and took many pictures. All in all it was a beautiful day. We stopped in Alabama and had diner with my sister and BIL, then we rode on to Birmingham. We arrived in Birmingham about 11:00 pm, got a room and crashed.
Monday, we headed out for home, I guess all good things come to an end. Miss E and I had a great time, made some new friends, ate some great food, and rode some new roads, some both ways. We are really excited that we will make CCR this year, if all goes well. I am finally realizing my moto, "Sooner or later, I am going to have a happy childhood"!
We clocked 2035 miles this past week, most of them with smiles, even in the rain! Some miles were with friends, some alone, but all in all, smiles were with each and every one of them.
This was our first official event as a couple with this board, and I would like to thank those that make events like this possible. My hats off to each and everyone of you! Thank You!