Official TEXASMAC Memorial Ride thread 2010

[Baileyrock]

Good advise all. I live in Florida now, but being from KY I have run my share of twisty roads, but nothing like you'll see in them-there-mountains. You can get in over your head in a hurry.

"Fatigue multiplies the chance of crashing by 10 fold especially in this area where the turn you just screwed up is only half as hard as the one your now entering from the wrong side of the road. Even the slightest mistake is compounded by the extremely technical nature of these roads that provide little to No room for error!"

"Fatigue multiplies the chance of crashing by 10 fold especially in this area where the turn you just screwed up is only half as hard as the one your now entering from the wrong side of the road. Even the slightest mistake is compounded by the extremely technical nature of these roads that provide little to No room for error!"

Fatigue is a killer as is riding over your head/skill level. We found that riders who were not used to the Non-stop twisties these mtns provide tend to fatigue much faster so we shortened the length of the routes for these newer groups were as our veteran riders can easily run 350 mile plus routes.

Each Lead/Sweep team should take with the group about how the plan to ride, pass or not pass, stops etc, before the ride and ask questions of the members at stops about the Pace, etc.

[dutchinterceptor]

Kevin, thanks for putting together another great Tmac!! I know it'll be fun!! :fing02:

Hope to make it next year.

[house]

Good advise all. I live in Florida now, but being from KY I have run my share of twisty roads, but nothing like you'll see in them-there-mountains. You can get in over your head in a hurry.

"Fatigue multiplies the chance of crashing by 10 fold especially in this area where the turn you just screwed up is only half as hard as the one your now entering from the wrong side of the road. Even the slightest mistake is compounded by the extremely technical nature of these roads that provide little to No room for error!"

"Fatigue multiplies the chance of crashing by 10 fold especially in this area where the turn you just screwed up is only half as hard as the one your now entering from the wrong side of the road. Even the slightest mistake is compounded by the extremely technical nature of these roads that provide little to No room for error!"

Fatigue is a killer as is riding over your head/skill level. We found that riders who were not used to the Non-stop twisties these mtns provide tend to fatigue much faster so we shortened the length of the routes for these newer groups were as our veteran riders can easily run 350 mile plus routes.

Each Lead/Sweep team should take with the group about how the plan to ride, pass or not pass, stops etc, before the ride and ask questions of the members at stops about the Pace, etc.

Additionally, if you find the group is riding a bit fast for your taste, just ride your own pace. As a sweep, I know most of the roads and have a gps, so we're not going to get left behind. Our leads know what they are doing and will take it down a bit if they lose sight of their sweeps for too long (or might even take an additional rest stop.) You don't need to push your self to keep up ever as the sweep will stay with you no matter what.... that's why we are here. No one will chastize you or give you any grief at all and pratice at any speed is appreciated and respected by the group. The only time anyone will get upset with you is if you mess with the sign in front of the hotel... now who would do such an immature thing?

[Bent]

OK, since all the words of wisdom are spilling forth....someone has to be the party pooper. :fing02:

Heavy drinking the night before and riding with a hangover the next morning is a great way to have a miserable time the next day up to and including a crash. This area requires serious concentration, all the time, while riding. Don't underestimate it. :fing02:

[whitelightning]

OK, since all the words of wisdom are spilling forth....someone has to be the party pooper. :fing02:

Heavy drinking the night before and riding with a hangover the next morning is a great way to have a miserable time the next day up to and including a crash. This area requires serious concentration, all the time, while riding. Don't underestimate it. :fing02:

Very wise words. For any that will want to drink in the evening there is the hotel, or my wife and I will have our truck there for riding to dinner as I will have a few but won't want to be on the bike after. Fall meet we had 9 in the truck, and that was with 32 degree weather. If you plan on drinking at dinner, please arrange to ride in a vehicle.

[Nicole]

Yaaa!!! I know whose group I'm riding in! :)

(My rain gear this year will provide an interesting conversation/joke topic too... Hee hee)

What's with all this safety talk? :fing02:

It's absolutely, 100%, definitely the truth! :fing02:

I'm leading a relaxed group with House as my sweep and I take everything Bailey posted seriously. I've had people crash in years past and it's a real bummer for the rest of the ride. . . and everybody was fine. If it had been worse, I can't imagine having that happen. I'll lead, watching my mirrors a lot and we'll stop a few times. This is where House and I will talk about the pace and everyone between the two of us. Then I'll ask the group if they're comfortable with what we've been doing. I typically will run at the speed limit or just above (+5-10). We rarely pass cars unless it's safe for the majority of the group to go at once. When we stop, this is where everyone owes it to everyone else to SPEAK UP if they're not comfortable. I can't change something if I'm not aware of it. Your riding might appear fine to the lead and sweep, but if you feel like you're pushing it too hard to keep up, you have to tell us. We're pretty good at figuring this out but we can't know what everybody is thinking. There's absolutely no shame in admitting this as this is the biggest non-ego riding group I've ever met and we will gladly adjust. I don't want ANYBODY to get hurt as I always feel responsible for those I'm leading.

Now, with that explained, we had a tremendous time last year. Everyone did very well (even in the torential downpour) and we had a lot of laughs each night. This year will be more of the same. This is my yearly sanity check, guy's weekend, time off work, getaway. I can't wait to see everyone again! Rivcyko and I will be rolling in late Thursday.

Dale

Now here's to a great time! :dry:

[y2kvfr]

I can't remember what group I signed up to be in.

I've been to the region once before, I guess I should be in either a relaxed or just up above that. Is there ride planning being done on Thursday afternoon?

I think Yoshi and I should be arriving Thursday around noon-ish...

-trav

[Guest]

Yaaa!!! I know whose group I'm riding in! :)

hey now! can i get some female girls in my group?? :fing02: i follow the same philosophy as mole!!

[billyjackjimbob]

Due to a co-workers misfortune I had to cancel my vacation days thursday and friday... I may try to make it down for saturday. Hate to miss seeing everyone...

Kevin

[Nicole]

Yaaa!!! I know whose group I'm riding in! :)

hey now! can i get some female girls in my group?? :fing02: i follow the same philosophy as mole!!

Glad you specified 'female girls' so you don't end up with any 'female boys.' :0). Ha!

[Bent]

Yaaa!!! I know whose group I'm riding in! :)

hey now! can i get some female girls in my group?? :fing02: i follow the same philosophy as mole!!

Glad you specified 'female girls' so you don't end up with any 'female boys.' :0). Ha!

Some things we really don't need to have to deal with..... :fing02:

[Monk]

Due to a co-workers misfortune I had to cancel my vacation days thursday and friday... I may try to make it down for saturday. Hate to miss seeing everyone...

Kevin

Sorry to hear that, BJJB.

[Baileyrock]

OK, since all the words of wisdom are spilling forth....someone has to be the party pooper. :fing02:

Heavy drinking the night before and riding with a hangover the next morning is a great way to have a miserable time the next day up to and including a crash. This area requires serious concentration, all the time, while riding. Don't underestimate it. :warranty:

Excellent point Bent as some of us like to partake in a few libations and it takes Very Little hesistation to cause problems on these roads. Please consider that fact if you are drinking the night before a ride!

BR

[CornerCarver]

Yaaa!!! I know whose group I'm riding in! :)

hey now! can i get some female girls in my group?? :fing02: i follow the same philosophy as mole!!

Glad you specified 'female girls' so you don't end up with any 'female boys.' :0). Ha!

:happy: on the "female girls" he specified, you do have to be careful out there, but enough about Craigslist....

Flasher, it may be as easy as changing your screen name.

IIRC Nicole had to change her screen name before she was let into the cool group with Dale and Will... :warranty:

[Nicole]

I make it the cool group!! Lol

Yaaa!!! I know whose group I'm riding in! :)

hey now! can i get some female girls in my group?? :fing02: i follow the same philosophy as mole!!

Glad you specified 'female girls' so you don't end up with any 'female boys.' :0). Ha!

:happy: on the "female girls" he specified, you do have to be careful out there, but enough about Craigslist....

Flasher, it may be as easy as changing your screen name.

IIRC Nicole had to change her screen name before she was let into the cool group with Dale and Will... :warranty:

[VFRBulldawg]

I will be arriving Wednesday night. I'm really into photography (big Nikon set up) and would like to take Thursday to ride around some and get acclimated to the area and do some photography since stopping frequently at overlooks I assume will not be a major part of Friday and Saturday's itineraries. :fing02:

Is there another camera nut out there that would like to join me for a fun, leisurely ride looking for some cool landscapes and vistas to shoot?

Can any one make some recommendations on places to go that would provide photo opportunities?

[Baileyrock]

I will be arriving Wednesday night. I'm really into photography (big Nikon set up) and would like to take Thursday to ride around some and get acclimated to the area and do some photography since stopping frequently at overlooks I assume will not be a major part of Friday and Saturday's itineraries. :fing02:

Is there another camera nut out there that would like to join me for a fun, leisurely ride looking for some cool landscapes and vistas to shoot?

Can any one make some recommendations on places to go that would provide photo opportunities?

I think the Scenic group will be a casual picture taking group and depending on which Relaxed/Int slow group they may as well be stopping more frequently.

BR

[CornerCarver]

I will be arriving Wednesday night. I'm really into photography (big Nikon set up) and would like to take Thursday to ride around some and get acclimated to the area and do some photography since stopping frequently at overlooks I assume will not be a major part of Friday and Saturday's itineraries. :fing02:

Is there another camera nut out there that would like to join me for a fun, leisurely ride looking for some cool landscapes and vistas to shoot?

Can any one make some recommendations on places to go that would provide photo opportunities?

You must do the waterfall on 28 outside of Franklin or you should trade that Nikon rig of yours for a point and shoot Kodak 3 megapixel from Best Buy... :warranty:

There are many great places to shoot in the area and I know something will strike your fancy as ride through, it may be something different each time through.

[YoshiHNS]

I don't think I'd do too well on a scenic ride. Last time riding through KY, I kept on looking around thinking 'Oh, that looks like a sweet climb. So, start on that jug and work your way up that - OH #*@*#& corner' :fing02:

[YoshiHNS]

Since I'm going to be doing a couple bikes already, if anyone else wants a sync done (4/5/6 gen), let me know via PM

[theoxmole]

I make it the cool group!! Lol

Nicole's in the cool group because she's cool. . . but her former screen name wouldn't have hurt her chances at all of making it either! :mellow:

Just a couple more days until the insanity hits full bore!

[Bent]

I make it the cool group!! Lol

Nicole's in the cool group because she's cool. . . but her former screen name wouldn't have hurt her chances at all of making it either! :fing02:

Just a couple more days until the insanity hits full bore!

What what?? I thought I was going to be around a fine upstanding group of well behaved, diciplined motorcycling hobbiests with strong moral character and scruples.... :mellow:

OOPS....wrong forum I guess...... :goofy:

[KevCarver]

I will be arriving Wednesday night. I'm really into photography (big Nikon set up) and would like to take Thursday to ride around some and get acclimated to the area and do some photography since stopping frequently at overlooks I assume will not be a major part of Friday and Saturday's itineraries. :mellow:

Is there another camera nut out there that would like to join me for a fun, leisurely ride looking for some cool landscapes and vistas to shoot?

Can any one make some recommendations on places to go that would provide photo opportunities?

You must do the waterfall on 28 outside of Franklin or you should trade that Nikon rig of yours for a point and shoot Kodak 3 megapixel from Best Buy... :fing02:

There are many great places to shoot in the area and I know something will strike your fancy as ride through, it may be something different each time through.

This one?

waterfall 1.JPG

[wrestler]

Due to a co-workers misfortune I had to cancel my vacation days thursday and friday... I may try to make it down for saturday. Hate to miss seeing everyone...

Kevin

Really sorry to hear that Kevin. I was looking forward to a group chain cleaning/oiling on Saturday morning.

Sorry we will miss each other this year. Be careful on your way down from KY.

Wrestler

[wrestler]

Welcome to the official 2010 TexasMac Memorial Ride thread.

The event will run May 20th thru May 23rd, 2010.

This is the 7th Annual T-Mac.

Event HQ/Motel

This year we will return to the Franklin Motel in Franklin, NC it will be event HQ and starting point. http://www.thefranklinmotel.com/

Please see Event Registration below and sign-up also when you book a room.

I have all the Motel's 51 rooms reserved for VFRD and these rooms will be held for us only until April 15th when all non-reserved rooms will be released for anyone else to rent.

Ask for the VFRD/Kevin Bailey reserved rooms.

Our rates for this event are $50/night for singles and $55/night for doubles and $60/night for the large doubles w/king & double. Please contact the Franklin Motel (800-433-5507) and reserve your room(s) with a credit card in order to hold them for our event. I would love to have the entire place just for the T-Mac, but doubt we will have that many attenders to do so.

Beer is allowed at the Motel, but as there is no large indoor meeting room the Pool area is the only other area we can hang out as a group. Bottles/glass are NOT allowed in the Pool area, please respect this one rule!!!

Event Registration

Again this year we are using Eventbrite On-line registration for this years T-Mac.

Here's the link: http://texasmac2010.eventbrite.com

Please add your VFRD member name to your Paypal payment note, thanks.

There is a registration fee that includes an event T-shirt and helps to cover other incidental cost of maps and such for the event.

It will ask for you shirt size, preferred Ride Group, days you plan to attend and emergency contact and info so we know what medication you might need and have someone to contact in case of any problem. On that note it's also advisable to carry emergency contact info on you for the same reason, I like the helmet info packets best myself.

Also with Ride group selection being private you might be less likely to let ego choose your group and I suggest you drop down one level to start with, then move up or down as needed through out the event.

You can now order extra T-Shirts on-line also.

Group rides

I may only have ride groups organized with Lead/Sweep teams for the Relaxed/Scenic ride groups this year and just let all Int. & Advanced riders organize their own groups. Let me know your thoughts here!

We will have group rides/routes planned for Friday & Saturday that will include both long and short versions so riders can decide just how far they what to ride. Thursday & Sunday will not have any official ride or route planned, just days to acclimate to the area and do whatever you like.

As mentioned we will have long (aprox 250 mile) and short routes (aprox 150 mile) each day and each group will have a Lead/Sweep team to guide/control/maintain a SAFE group ride .

We'll have at least 3 ride group categories, Relaxed(newer riders),Scenic(Int/slow)& Intermediate(Int/fast) groups. The idea here is Not to let Ego choose your ride group. We want everyone to have a fun and safe time while participating in this event and controlling how groups are run is the biggest factor in a successful and safe event.

This is not a Competition or Race and our Lead riders will lead for the entire group, not a "your one your own" attitude.

Safety and fun will be the focus of all group rides, the idea is for everyone to make it home safely and share what a great time they had at the T-Mac. Not who's the fastest rider. Please keep the ego's at home (I have enough for everyone)

- Routes will be posted sometime next spring and will include GPS and hard maps of each days ride.

- Lead/Sweep teams will be picked from volunteers I choose that have the attitude I'm looking for which is Group oriented not self and you do not need to be a star rider, super fast or live in the area to be a good team member. I'll start a different thread for that over the next few weeks and will get into more detail then.

- Group size - I hope to have enough quality Lead/sweep teams to keep group sizes small as smaller groups sizes make everything easier and safer. Preferably 6-8 riders per.

Basic Ride Groups:

Scenic: Beginner/newer riders & riders who never go over the posted limits, have little to no twisty experience and are in no hurry to get anywhere. Group stops often for pics/rest/talk.

Relaxed:(Int/slow) Experienced riders, but little twisty experience. Confident in skills except newer to Heavy Mtn Twisties. PACE is Speed limit +/- 5-10 mph. Fun, Safe & consistent PACE. Shorter Loops(150/200 mile) because heavy twisty routes cause fatigue to set in MUCH Faster than normal. Time for extra miles if desired.

Intermediate:(Int/fast) Experienced TWISTY/Mtn riders and or track day experience, confident with non-stop twisties and the endurance to handle them on longer routes(usually 300+ miles) Ride PACE avg. of 10-20 mph over.

Note on group selection:

This area is unmatched in twisties both in volume, duration and technical level compared to 90% of the rest of the country and if you don't ride in similar terrine in that other 10% of the country YOU WILL NOT BE READY FOR WHAT YOU'LL ENCOUNTER HERE !

These twisties there are endless providing little chance to rest and fatigue sets in very quickly. Fatigue multiplies the chance of crashing by 10 fold especially in this area where the turn you just screwed up is only half as hard as the one your now entering from the wrong side of the road. Even the slightest mistake is compounded by the extremely technical nature of these roads that provide little to No room for error!

Please do not take group selection lightly, your life may depend on it! I can not express that fact enough!

We place a lot of importance and responsibility in the roll of our Lead/Sweep Teams and our desire for them to focus on GROUP safety as it's a very important aspect of this events success. But No matter how dedicated out Teams are, we can not control the choices each attendee makes and the effect these have on the entire Event. :mellow:

Each rider coming to this event also plays a hug roll in it's success buy choosing a proper and safe ride group for them. If you are an Intermediate rider in most of the country you will be a Relaxed level rider in this part of the country, please don't let ego pick your ride group! This is the single biggest and most important decision you will make when attending the T-Mac, it will play the biggest role in the fun and safety of everyone involved.

Please do your part and focus on the Fun factor along with Not loosing sight of the fact that this is a Memorial Ride for the first VFRD member to loose his life!

Thanks

Pre-Ride Meetings

We try to have pre-ride meetings each morning before the days ride at breakfast(TBA). The days ride is covered along with maps handed out to anyone that doesn't already have one, the group is then broken down into ride groups with Lead/Sweep teams for each. If there is a planned group lunch stop it will also be discussed.

Ride Rules

Please read rules at this link.

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=32096

We also ride the PACE, read link:

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=32055&pid=385787&st=0entry385787

Ride area

This area has some of the best roads this country has to offer with great pavement, beautiful scenery and tons of twisties. But all of these great twisties can also be a hazard for riders who don't get to ride great twisties often and even for skilled riders who loose focus. It's a great area, but can also be hazardous.

Be careful and don't ride over your head.

Please add your VFRD member name to your Paypal payment note, thanks.

Event History

For some members who have no idea what the TexasMac ride is here are some details, Texasmac was a member here who was from *you guessed it* Texas who met Baileyrock and some others for a ride into the Tennesse/North Carolina Smoky mountains to ride the famous Deals Gap. He passed away in a bizarre accident when his bike went off the road and ended up on top of him. He was the first member at VFRD to pass away - it was a shock to many of us, and to those who where with him they decided to honor him with an annual ride to the same spot of the accident, where there is a cross placed in his name. Baileyrock has taken it upon himself to organize this event for the last five years and each year it gets bigger and better, always with safety in mind so that what happened to Texasmac doesn't happen to another member.

BTW the picture at the top of this thread is the actual Cross Raising for TexasMac Event of April, 2004 which is what the T-Mac anniversary is based on. Bruce Williams aka TexasMac was Lost Dec. 27th, 2003 riding with Baileyrock(Kevin) and Hot Rodder(Ray).

Note:

I was told that some newer riders have some worries about not being a good enough rider to attend this event and I want to dispel that fear. We will have at least one(more if needed) beginner/new rider group with a qualified (for this group) Leader who will maintain a Scenic/Relaxed pace that the entire group can easily maintain. These groups will also run shorter routes so that's there's no pressure to keep up with the entire event and also to prevent fatigue from setting in.

Every group will have both a Lead rider and a Sweeper who tags along behind their group to make sure no one gets lost or left behind and will be there (first to scene) if there's a problem.

Please PM me with any concerns or needs.

On the other side of that, there will also be some faster Paced groups for experienced riders and everything in between. We'll most likely have Scenic/Relaxed/ Int. slow/ Int. quick/ & Advanced groups.

Thanks!

No refunds after April 15th.

BR

Woooo Hooo!!!! Can't wait to see y'all in a couple of days!!! :ohmy: :ohmy: :fing02: :goofy:!