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FallRide Pics


Sweeper

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I was in the process of begging to leave on Saturday for the PreRide Tour when word came in that Rick (RDMcD) would not be able to make the trip. I changed my tone and told my wife I had to leave so that Rob (VFRpwr) wouldn't ride alone on Sunday.  I also told her that I had to stop and see Sam (SamW) as he was just returning home from getting a Titanium connecting rod installed...in his leg. So I stopped in to see that Sam was in really good shape and then headed to Marion an hour up the road. After driving around scouting breakfast for an hour, we settled on McDonalds. We then suited up and proceeded to the Back of the Dragon for two full runs. It was a great warm up of about 90 miles and we headed to the motel to help Donna (TheGirl) unload her bike at 3:IMG_4359.thumb.JPG.3395f1ec6cb4a6a6bc4d13f7132cae5b.JPG

First lap...I think he was happy!

 

About an hour after Donna's dinner time, Steve (007) arrived. We walked to dinner and then returned to the motel parking lot for some planning.IMG_4362.thumb.jpg.230c68ebcbaae086608faa6826fa08c6.jpg

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Day one of the tour, we proceeded to the Snake and made multiple passes. Steve found some locals he knows and we couldn't get him to stop.

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Yes, they are that bright!IMG_4398.thumb.jpg.67b386c3f4207a9acfd64fbcf57e2df3.jpg

My pass looked just like this except that my bike is red and I was a little more in focus!  :wink:

After a few shots of Steve, I looked down and found this at my feet...IMG_4413.thumb.JPG.32e64d5756f77ed30b8caf24d52e8f27.JPG

 

We spent much of the afternoon lost on gravel covered roads. There were lots of pucker moments. Thanks to the Sena's Rob and I were using, I had a running commentary on road conditions. It was like a rally navigator in my ear. We finally decided to cut and run up the slab. arriving at the hotel after dark.

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Should have been a sign.  Rob and I decided that day one would be renamed the SESand and Gravel Tour.

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When we rode into the hotel we were approached by a guy who was really happy to see us. It turns out that he is a new owner of a 4th gen and is a member of VFRD.IMG_4442.thumb.JPG.28e25e48988e56cca6c5059af218e776.JPG

Mike was in town on his GS this time. We had really important plans for day two that lead us to stop here first thing in the morning.

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It appears that you also park a BMW motorcycle in two spots.

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It was warm and a few bugs.

We finally rolled into Little Switzerland just in time to grab a beer and watch the sun set over the valley.

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The extra chair was pulled up in honor of Rick.

We began day three with a run down the DiamondBack. Then we on to Carver's Gap to take yet another picture without any Carver's.IMG_4456.thumb.jpg.9563c322ee9506d3f75403a59f727f8c.jpgIMG_4457.thumb.jpg.ea9916ef7ad3c8549c1e707b4fc8b6f0.jpg

I think Rob was not happy!

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Man that red looks good doesn't it?

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Food pic!  This is what fuels the Bratwurst Bullit. 

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When you ride with TheGirl.

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Another successful tour in the books.  IMG_4477.thumb.jpg.e29e209827f6d7dd222514cbead9f5bd.jpg

Just for contrast to day two's accommodations. 

That's it for the PreRide. The FallRide hasn't even started yet.

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So, due to our bad behavior, Rob and I needed tires before the FallRide even started. He was able to find the front he needed just south of us. I needed two and had no luck. IMG_4483.thumb.JPG.2fb832d6eaf5fd79f842195b1d46a0da.JPG

On the plus side, the shop was near one of my all time favorite BBQ joints.

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There was a really good turnout this year. I didn't get a head count. I went home early. Tire management boys and girls.

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After everyone pulled out on Friday morning, I started loading my stuff and saw them spraying down the motel. Maybe they didn't like us?

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Gee Sweeper, thanks for posting that picture of me near my GS at the Oak Park.  I had told my wife that I was working all weekend :)

 

Seriously, it was great running into you guys and I just drove back into Florida a few hours ago, things were a little cold up there the other day but the roads were dry and the days were sunny.

  I might have time for one more WNC trip this year and it will be on my VFR this time.  After hearing Sweeps bike and PWR's bike I might be looking for an 07/08, those underseat pipes..

 

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eb5044ea8af9388cab25bcb6805de4b3.jpg
Big shout out to KanadianKen for these. Rob’s Migs were the sound track to my week. More of a super car sound to the small block sound of my Staintunes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Have a few panoramic shots taken during the Pre-Ride (TM, all rights reserved, not valid in Rhode Island).  

Randy has the story telling well in hand, so will only add a few pics as well as wishing RDMcD all the best in making it for next year, but you still suck this year   ;  )

 

VFRD Fall Ride Pre-Ride - 1 Pisgah Inn Panorama.jpg

VFRD Fall Ride Pre-Ride - 2 Little Switzerland Panorama.jpg

VFRD Fall Ride Pre-Ride - 3 Roan Mtn Panorama.jpg

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Wait!  Let me add that the last pic, above, of the bikes parked on a lookout on Roan Mountain shows Sweeper (right of image) who appears to be overwhelmed with it all and he had to lie down.  On the road.  Fortunately he wasn't in traffic - we might have had to move him otherwise.  Maybe.

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I just want to say thanks to y'all for the peek at your party. I am quite sorry I did not make it. 

It may be trite but "Next Year!"

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"So, due to our bad behavior, Rob and I needed tires before the FallRide even started. He was able to find the front he needed just south of us. I needed two and had no luck."

IMG_4483.JPG.ba7ac2457b92f161646995e21db2ae47.JPG

 

On previous rides I had never even remotely considered bringing a tire changing machine or a spare front.  I mean c'mon, who could go through a set of tires on a VFR?!  Well, on the "Best Roads on Earth" (TM, all rights reserved, not valid in Rhode Island) and with local help (TheGirl and 007) finding and guiding Sweeper and I to hidden gems along the Fall Pre-Ride route, combined with vacation exuberance and blunt force throttle inputs - you can burn through a set very rapidly.  Spare tires and/or mounted spare wheels are a must for this flat lander when next visiting this area in order not to cut the fun short.

 

There should be a mental health warning for riders entering the area of the country:

Smokey Mountain Fever - it is real, highly addictive and affects individuals with different levels of tire wear.  The only known treatment is extensive riding therapy with Dr Roads throughout his extensive mountain network treatment centre.  (Treatment times may vary depending upon available vacation/free time.  If you experience prolonged periods of endorphin overload; continue use - you're are doing it right.  Reactions to gravel in corners may range in severity from a mere riding line adjustment to explosive diarrhea)

 

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Where’s that damn like button?
The Siena’s were great for saving my bacon on the SESand and Gravel Tour.

When I was complaining to Kimball about my S21's only lasting like ten days, he informed me they only last eight days in the mountains. Now I know.
Tire shopping has begun.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Like! Like! Like!   More please :)

Looks like you all had a great time. Really wish I could have been there.

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On 10/2/2017 at 10:09 PM, bykemike said:

Gee Sweeper, thanks for posting that picture of me near my GS at the Oak Park.  I had told my wife that I was working all weekend :)

 

Seriously, it was great running into you guys and I just drove back into Florida a few hours ago, things were a little cold up there the other day but the roads were dry and the days were sunny.

  I might have time for one more WNC trip this year and it will be on my VFR this time.  After hearing Sweeps bike and PWR's bike I might be looking for an 07/08, those underseat pipes..

 

Great meeting you, Mike.  Sorry I couldn't chat longer, but we were on a mission to eat.  I'm sure you will love your 4th gen.  If it isn't enough, you can always buy one more...

13 hours ago, VFRpwr said:

"So, due to our bad behavior, Rob and I needed tires before the FallRide even started. He was able to find the front he needed just south of us. I needed two and had no luck."

IMG_4483.JPG.ba7ac2457b92f161646995e21db2ae47.JPG

 

On previous rides I had never even remotely considered bringing a tire changing machine or a spare front.  I mean c'mon, who could go through a set of tires on a VFR?!  Well, on the "Best Roads on Earth" (TM, all rights reserved, not valid in Rhode Island) and with local help (TheGirl and 007) finding and guiding Sweeper and I to hidden gems along the Fall Pre-Ride route, combined with vacation exuberance and blunt force throttle inputs - you can burn through a set very rapidly.  Spare tires and/or mounted spare wheels are a must for this flat lander when next visiting this area in order not to cut the fun short.

 

There should be a mental health warning for riders entering the area of the country:

Smokey Mountain Fever - it is real, highly addictive and affects individuals with different levels of tire wear.  The only known treatment is extensive riding therapy with Dr Roads throughout his extensive mountain network treatment centre.  (Treatment times may vary depending upon available vacation/free time.  If you experience prolonged periods of endorphin overload; continue use - you're are doing it right.  Reactions to gravel in corners may range in severity from a mere riding line adjustment to explosive diarrhea)

 

I'll work on individually optimized treatment plans for next year. 

12 hours ago, RDMcD said:

Like! Like! Like!   More please :)

Looks like you all had a great time. Really wish I could have been there.

You were missed, Rick!  There are a number of FB posts that I will not be duplicating here in case you haven't seen them.

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Thanks double OO!

 

  I am cruising for an 07/08 now anyway, I have found if I look everyday something usually comes up.

 

  I love the Anniversary edition, they seem to be in high demand, hardly any around anyway.

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Hi everyone, I was really hoping to make it to the Fall ride this year, but medical issues kept me sidelined. After upcoming surgery in November, I should be back to normal. Hope to see you all at the Spring Memorial Ride in 2018. Be safe.

 

Bill Mersch, aka MisterBill

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5 hours ago, MisterBill said:

Hi everyone, I was really hoping to make it to the Fall ride this year, but medical issues kept me sidelined. After upcoming surgery in November, I should be back to normal. Hope to see you all at the Spring Memorial Ride in 2018. Be safe.

 

Bill Mersch, aka MisterBill

Hope to see you this spring. Heal quickly.  If it makes you feel any better about missing the FallRide, you missed this....

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