Okay....I lied about the date...I will set it this weekend..and know which weekend I want but I've sent an email to our innkeeper to see if it's going to be a problem. If I don't hear back for them by tomorrow night....I'll set it without them (they've worked with that before)

Now for some GREAT news....I rode the "Goat Path" today...in both directions and I'm happy to report it's BACK and better than ever!!!!!!!

5.2 miles of it has a brand new surface and it's PERFECT. There is only one (1) section (approx 300') that they changed. If you were there and remember where Ken Strain's front wheel locked up on him during the Backasswards ride...that's where the 300' of changes happens and to tell the truth...it's SO much better than it ever was in the past. The rest of the "Path" is WONDERFUL and I'm tickled it'll be part of the ride again.

I designed the ride to have tech sections and then easy sections...so you had to work hard....then take a break. Doing away with the Goat Path for the past few years put a kink in that design.....but we're back in business now.

I'm calling the 2013 TSMR the "Purple Three State"....more on that to follow.

I'm still on the fence on what we'll do at the end of the ride this year....but it will probably be different from past years...I'm still thinking that over.

I hope to see a LOT of new faces this year....and to get a chance to see old friends again too.

You guys and gals take care, have a safe and happy holidays and we'll see ya in May.

One of your Three State Mountain Ride hosts....Gordon in NC

I do seem to remember that stretch. You can hit the mountain, go over the cliff, and be run over by the chase truck all at the same time.

Talk aboutcher cliff hanger!

Yep.....that's the one!!!!!

Okay, after considering, Mother's Day, Commencement at Lees McRae, and the Ton Up NC's schedule we've picked the weekend of May 17, 18 and 19. I know that this isn't going to work for everybody but we had to pick a date with the less conflicts and this one fit the bill better that the rest.

It does conflict with Germantown and Denton...but no races so maybe we can get a few of the Ton Up NC fellows to tag along this year.

So that's it.....the 2013 "Purple" Three State Mountain Ride will be held the weekend of May 17, 18 and 19. We'll be staying at the Blowing Rock Inn in beautiful downtown Blowing Rock, NC.

Mark that down on your new Britbike Calendar's (cause I know ya got one )

If you have any questions or if there's anything I can do to help you get there, do not hesitate to contact me.

One of your Three State Mountain Ride hosts.....Gordon in NC

sigh

I'll start packing tomorrow. someone call RF

Five months is still a long way away, but I mentioned to Gordon and the others at the Dillard House that our daughter will graduate from college on May 11. That will be an expensive weekend in Statesboro, GA, and probably knock me out for 2013. Not impossible, though. Greg

Maybe I can do Friday and Saturday at TSMR, then get up early Sunday morning and head to Chester SC for the dual sport. About 2 1/2 hours...

Not only is it a DS promoted by my local cycle club that I'm on the board of, but it is a ride on a fledgling DS series that I am the webmaster of.

I'll be riding with the sedate crowd, my bike will need offroad sprocket ratios for the DS ride. Tried it with the street ratio last year, aged my clutch plates a bit!

Hey Ob1...I have had to leave early twice that I can remember. I think you will find it worth the trip no matter how long you can stay.

Bill

At least it isnt competing with my chosen charity offroad ride {sometimes it does}. Thomson GA is a lot further away from Blowing Rock!

What bites is that I generally take my kid to that DS where she rides her bike on the trails on the trailhead property on Saturday {when we also hold a club fun race}, then rides them more on Sunday with Club Kids after the DSers have gone.

Maybe a custom seat would make her riding pillion worth it. The tail end of a DRZ400 seat is there for looks. I have her back there for area "poker runs" nowhere near the distance the TSMR covers, and her bee-hind suffers.

Like I said, sigh...

Robert, a lot of times I can only make it up for Friday. C'mon up!

Robert,

I wish I could make it work for everybody but I can't.

The Three State Mountain Ride only happens once a year...one weekend out of 52.

Keep putting it off and there's a chance you'll never make it to one.

Look at padding up a better seat, rig up a sidecar....country boys (and girls) can survive.

I'd really like for you to make this one (hint: purple)

Greg......I'll keep my fingers crossed you can make it...I'd like to see ALL the crackers there next year.

Been a bad weekend.......still in a slump and trying to deal with it.

You ALL take care....hug your kids...one of your TSMR hosts...Gordon in NC

Only 151 days to go....but I'm not counting. Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait! Lots of work to do to the Norton that should help expend some of this pent up excitement.

I think I'm there. Graduation not till June 1 so I'm in the clear.

That's good news Bill (aka Semper Gumby). I'll keep my fingers crossed.

JUst got through ordering up some generic ride pins....so I can use them every year instead of having leftovers.

While we're at it Morgan and I are working on the design for another batch of BritBike.com pins.....bigger ( I got your 25% Morgan ) and better than the first ones.

It would be GREAT if we could have all the Ga boys together next year....DPO's going on a cruise??? What the heck is that all about??????? Jon boat on the Chattahoochee???????

You all take care and have a safe and happy holidays...HUG YOUR KIDS!!!!.....one of your TSMR hosts...Gordon in NC

You know, I enjoy and look forward to seeing EVERYBODY in May. Each and every one who takes the time to attend is TOPS in my book and I'm honored to be around you all.

BUT.....there are a few of you....that over the years have become what the TSMR is to me....and when you can't make it...it hurts. Like the time the Carters couldn't come...there was a hole there nobody else could fill. A TSMR without Mr Mike....or Lannis????? Richrd and that darn cat....Mr Ben and Ms Peggy...now that I think about it...there's MORE than just a few, the list goes on and on....Willy, Tom, Bill, on and on I tell ya.

Mike....you and the "boys" have been a big part of that group and I always look forward to seeing you fellows show up (but I'm not trying to pressure you). I was telling my wife just this past weekend about the time several years back when we were both in the motel's office....and there you were in front of me with one of those 1999/2000 T-shirts on...you'll probably never know how much that meant to me.

Can't wait to shake your hand again.....take care and if there's anything I can do to help you get there...just let me know.

Your friend south of the Mason Dixon.....Gordon in NC

I'm putting this in my calendar book, and my phone calendar. YES! i'll even put it on my BritBike.com calendar (in INK)!
I *even* got Miss C's blessings!
That pesky Norton of mine is all but dialed in, and I'm GOING to make 2013 my lucky year. (fingers crossed) I don't have a bucket but my list is growing longer. How can it get any shorter if I don't cross some things off?
I just texted Wade to see if he was up for it, too.
Things are looking good for the "new" year! All I can say now is

"C'mon MAY!"

Hey Tom-we gotta go right through PA to get to Blowing Rock. Maybe three Nortons in a row?

Gordon, Dave and I are planning on being there this coming year it does conflict with a charity event we usually attend but the ride and blowing rock experience are something to not be missed...looking forward to seeing the dead cat, you and meeting new guys and gals...cya

Mike and Dave Carter

Got it on the calendar. Should be able to make at least one day of riding if not a couple.
http://tonup-nc.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-2013-tonup-nc-vintage-motorcycle.html

Dates for cruise not set yet....probably can't afford both though....will try to work something out if I'm not on the Hooch in my raft!!!

C'mon man - suck it up. That Thruxton needs to be broken in!

I'll give it my best shot, David. Greg

That's the spirit!

could be a lot of new blood to buy the beer this year. A local Norton rider says he's coming this year as well. Seems he's heard so much about the roads he has to see for himself. He's another one of them englanders that talk funny..............kinda quirky, as someone on here once said.