Britbike forum Forums Events - meetings / rallies / rides Three state mountain ride forum 2012 TSMR AAR

For those who couldn't be here with us this year I thought I would share pictures:





Your Innkeeper,
Sweet Melissa

We see our good friend Mr Ben & the guy alongside him with the bottle of Newcastle Brown can only be Windy. Another we recognise is Don Roe, others we remember the faces but cannot connect the names.
Thank you Melissa, the pictures are much appreciated.

Bryan & Marie in Old England

I drove almost the entire way home with a big smile on my face. It was a fantastic weekend, perfect weather again. I think I enjoyed the ride and ales n' tales even more than last year. There was a very friendly and interesting mix of people from all walks of life, young and old, from near and far. Joe's friend, Bill, from Manchester, England made it an international event. As usual, Gordon and his crew did an awesome job, and everything went super smooth. Last year, I wisely rode with the second group in order to get a feel for the roads and enjoy the scenery. This time I rode with the first group. The bike ran great, and the single carb 650 was able to keep the Nortons and modern appliances in sight. It was cool to watch Windy and Don pitch in and trace the source of weak spark (plug wires) on DPO's bike. Semper Bill helped solve carb trouble, and Mark was able to ride trouble free on Saturday. Thank you Gordon, Booth (and friend), ride leaders, Melissa and Ray for making it a safe, fun filled weekend for us all. Greg

Home again. What an

AWSOME weekend Gordon.

Fan-freakin'-tastick. Had great fun pitching the Thunderwing into corners and playing grabass with Norton's and the Goldstar Cafe. It was the Isle of Man up on the Snake.

Home again safe and sound. Beat the thunderstorms by 38 minutes here in Atlanta. Haven't heard from DPO yet.

Alex, Floyd - You were missed.
Many beers consumed on the front porch.
The was picking in the GAzeboo.
Richard on a Norton Interstate!
I did not hear a grumpy soul anywhere.
When the footpeg dropped off the Triumph and bounced 4 feet into the air, Gordon saw it laying in the road, recognized what it was, turned the chase van around and got it back!
Lannis Leads his first Group ride but Fay gets the HiViz shirt!
Slingshot pass of the Moto Guzzi driver!
Breakout group goes for broke! (Where did Don end up?)
30 minute trouble shoot of the Pazon.
30 second trouble shoot of the Norton Ignition switch (while riding the TSMR)
Vintage Iron Butt Rides!
Free sixpack beer coolers!
Pins! Stickers!
Breakfast at the Knight's on Main.
Three Amigoes on the Blueridge Parkway (Should have been Five).
I'm still giggling (when nobody is looking). Crikey that was fun.


I count my blessing in many ways but this is near the top.

I can hardly wait for next year...rain or SHINE!

Home by 6:30 Pm after nice easy trip. Great weather, renewed old friendships and made some new ones. Looking forward to next year!

Ben

DAMMMMNIT WHATLEY!! DON'T YOU EVER LEAVE ME ALONE WITH THAT BUNCH AGAIN!!!


dammit pt. two. was plannig on riding another two or three hours but major storms are poping up all around with major lightning so had to grab a motel early in eastern Illinois. only got 595 miles today.

full story on the 11:43 news.

Trust me, you were doing a lot of giggling when people WERE looking!

It's hard not to, actually.

Blowing Rock is as much a happening as it is a ride. Thank you guys that rode your old British bikes in from far distances. We need to keep a critical mass of that sort of thing going while the others of us get our minds right and try to get off the appliances ... (well, it really just applies to me and my guilty conscience, EVERYONE has a good time no matter what they ride!)

We took advantage of the capabilities of the Italian Stallion and made it home 240 miles in 240 minutes flat, including 30 miles on the Parkway and 20 miles on little two lane roads .... which means were seeing 80 MPH in our mirrors on the big roads! All in good fun, as I was planning on telling the bronze if they were to ask for any reason ... !

Lannis

Mike and I made 375 NON interstate miles, stayed in Front Royal, VA. Saddling up for the dash home now, in the rain. The BEST damn trip I can remember!

Another one in the books. That makes 4 now and they seem to just get better each year. Got to know some good folks a bit better, and nice to meet the new faces. I think the new route(s) are better than the old, photo op is in a great location.
Put about 700 miles on the new Hinkley. Probably ruined for life, but will ride the frankentriumph next year.

Gordon, super job as usual. Didn't get a chance to say thank you yesterday. Thank you.

Mike

I think we might have made a few more miles last night, but discovered my panniers were loaded up with empty Newcastle and Pepsi containers. Just cause it looks like a rolling dumpster does'nt mean it is

One more tank of gas to go, in the rain, but still having fun!

We had a great time. Thanks for all your hard work Gordon. I'm really proud of Joy for making the whole ride and loved how everyone made her feel wellcome. She really enjoyed herself.

We've logged 1,348 miles so far on this trip, including the side trip down to Murphy, NC for a nice visit with an old friend who has moved down there. We have about 500 miles to go to get home. Hmm. Drive 1,800 to ride 22 miles on a non-British bike. I really need to do better!

Today will be pretty relaxing. Yesterday we left Blowing Rock about 7:30 and didn't settle into our hotel in the Louisville, KY area until 10:45.

Time to go home, get the wrenches (and credit card) out and start preparing for next year.

Thanks again Gordon.

Already thinking about next year ... one more year to try to meet my ideal of riding from home two-up on an old Brit, ride together with Fay on Saturday, and ride home Sunday. I've done everything else now ...

Do you guys realize how amazing it is that in 12 years/ avg 25 people/66,500 miles of riding (not including riding to/from), that no one has been hurt or had a bad crash, despite rather "Spirited" riding on the part of those who enjoy it? I mean, there are sections of the road where Giacomo Agostini himself couldn't hold the 55 MPH posted speed limit through a turn, so I'm not talking illegal speeds here ...

The new route was great; that means in future, we've got alternate routes Gordon can use if road conditions (or just our fancy) call for them.

Speaking of road conditions, wasn't it silly for the State of Tennessee to put up a "Road Closed 10 Miles Ahead - Local Traffic Only!" sign on 321 by the lake? If I happened to be just traveling through there, I would have assumed that the road really was closed, and that only people who lived between here and the washout should proceed. Instead, it was just a minor detour that didn't amount to anything, and they could have just put up a simple "Detour" arrow at the spot rather than "Road Closed" warnings every 5 miles. Stupid DOT engineers, they're the same everywhere.

Also, one more thing we might do. Leading the "Second Group", I used the rate at which the "First Group" disappeared ahead of us as a gauge of how fast to go. They got away pretty fast, so I figured I wasn't going TOO fast. But might I have been going too slow? In that case, I figured anyone who though it was too slow could just ease into the first group at the next stop.

But maybe it was too fast for only a few people, who really wanted to travel at "bimble" speed but who still liked to feel like they were part of the group. Something that would fix ALL of that would be to have someone riding "drag" at the back of the Second Group. That way, if someone just wanted to kick back and enjoy the scenery without having to keep someone in their sights ahead of them, they'd still have someone riding with them as part of the group who knew the route and all!

I'll volunteer for the "drag" position next year, as I will either be solo on the M21 or two-up with Fay on an old Brit, neither one of which will be appropriate at the front of ANY group!

Lannis

Sorry for the slow reply. Our computer at home is in the shop and I had to wait until a lull at work to get online to check in.

I've started this new thread so we can share photo's and yarns about this year's ride. The other thread was getting a bet leggy.. ..I'll move those few after ride comments over to this thread later in the week. I figure Richard's group photo turned out better than mine but I'll post mine then replace it when Richard has time to post his.



FIRST off.............I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY sorry for not introducing our visitor from the UK at the rider's meeting....Joe's friend Bill (?). (I'm really bad at remembering names)he's not the first we've had from the across the pond but having ANYBODY from another country is SPECIAL and I'm a slug for not mentioning him....I can be very lame at times. Joe....please tell him I'm sorry for that oversight. He was such a nice fellow to be around. He had a smile on his face all weekend ( or was he just laughing at us??? ) He did the UK proud as have all our guests from over there.

THANK YOU ALL who made the ride and/or the dinner for being there. It was wonderful seeing all the smiling faces and it makes it all worth while.

I didn't take many photo's at all and figured Richard would help us out there.

I'm going to hold off a bit until we're sure everybody made it back home safe and sound....then give you my high's and lows.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU,THANK YOU to you all for making the 2012 event one of the best.

YHS...........Gordon Gray

This was a great event. Thanks to Gordon and all those who helped.

Me, my wife and my Japanese appliance made it safely back to Delaware.

We did 550 miles in less than 12 hours. (And that's going through Baltimore/DC area.)

I know it's not the Iron Butt but maybe an Iron Cheek?.

I hope to be there next year on my Norton.

Home again, and always a major let down. Something about pulling in the drive is depressing after a week withyou guys.

More later after a beer and cigar

Got home today (Monday) at about 4:30 this afternoon. I struggled all day getting the bike from Hiawassee to the Rock, but once there, everything turned around dramatically....Good to see old friends and meet new, and to check the bikes....never get tired of that! The bike ran perfect as Wendy's, Richards, and several others had me up in running in no time...thanks to everyone for pitching in and bailing me out, next year she'll be ready (right)...Coming home, I did get drastically lost somewhere near Brevard in search of something familiar, which was'nt there...An old local really got me confused, had to buy a map...Into Hiawassee kind of fast, as the storms were brewin, so I stopped for a break, and well, the rest was magical for me, as I met one of the most important persons in my life....Can't go into it here, but I am definitely a changed man from the impromptu, but fateful night, and next day I spent at Enota campground with that very special person. (I'll explain at the BIBR)....
That was the first time I had ever laid down a street bike by the way, and everything is good, and Im very fortunate...Thanks Gordon and company for all you do, did, and done as always....924 miles total according to my odo....See ya'll in a few....

Hi, Bill Roberts here.

I'd like to send this message to all of my new 'Brit Bike' friends!

I'd like to thank you all for making me feel so welcome on my first trip to the US, and my first '3 states ride'. It was a fantastic day's riding, on great roads, alongside really top people!

I'd especially like to commend Gordon on putting together, the best, and most well organized ride, I've ever taken part in.
The attention to detail was just unbelievable. We in the UK, just don't compare as far as I'm concerned.

I came along, as Joe's guest, with a completely open mind, and with no expectations.
All I can say is that the whole experience was fantastic, & something I'll never forget!

So, I'd like to say thanks to all of you for making me feel so welcome; thanks again to Gordon, (the ace organizer!!), and a special thankyou to Joe, for trusting me to ride one of his great bikes!
(Bearing in mind, I hadn't ridden a 'Bonnie' for 33 years, and I'd only practiced riding on 'the wrong side of the road' in the US, for a few miles.......TWICE!)

Thanks again to all.
Bill

Bill, when we left the lunch stop, which group were you in?

Happy you made it safe and sound. That's some Bull Goose riding you're doing there on that Norton, year in and year out "popping over" to Blowing Rock and riding with us. A testimony to pain tolerance, acceptance of weather and road conditions with a stiff upper lip, the basic Norton design, and your getting the bike into shape ....

Enjoyed it and looking forward to next year, even if it's a non-Norton "surprise"!

Lannis

This was a great "Break In" ride for you, sounds like! You had a little bit of everything happen .... some running good, some running bad, some bits falling off, the bike falling over, getting things fixed, bodging a repair on the road and then riding home ... true BritBike action!

You're IN now!

Lannis

THE FURTHER MISADVENTURES OF Commando KITTY AND HIS BOY RICH(RD)

It's hard to think of anything new to say after these years so just a few random thoughts from a wandering mind.

for you newer riders that enjoyed the "snake" (421 at lunch stop) do you know you only rode half of it? there's another mountain across the intersection just as good.

this was the first year I did not get rained on the entire trip. but it was close sunday nite with the lightning surrounding me as I looked for shelter.

The tv said it was nice monday am so I started off dressed for a quick warm up. I soon knew how Ben felt last year after the OSMR. I stopped three times to put on more clothes but the wind was cojd, out of the north and kept getting worse. I had about two hours that were just plain hell from pain. It wasn't the usual midwest gusty wind that moves the bike over three three or four feet then stops, but a constant sustained cross wind up to about 30 mph. kept trying to blow the tank bag and my helmet off. My neck and back hurt so bad I forgot I had a broken arm.

turned off in Galesburg Ill and ran the small road across Iowa rather than I80.(no place to be with a cross wind because of endless truck traffic.) about 1150 miles out and 1120 home and 2675 total for the week between two bikes. ( I got in tuesday afternoon)

finally met Sember Gumpy, he.s a new target!

if you haven't heard, I'm trailering next year.

Again, the whole reason this ride is so great is the people involved. you are the reason I come out.

I learned about kilts and wire fences.

Throughout the trip I kept noticing the "biker chicks" usually loud, always tattooed, with short blond hair and all much bigger than me. not to mention the way they dress. yipes!

Then I thought about the beautiful classy ladies in our group. There's no comparison,

The bike ran great the whole way, the only hitch was a warped brake rotor causing a shimming when stopping.

Don't leave a key in your bike in the parking lot. someone might take it for ride. especially if it's eyetalian.

So thanks to everyone.

Hi Rich, I was in 'slow' group all day, riding a '79 model Bonnie; black & grey tank. What were you riding on?
Regards, Bill

You'd BETTER trailer next year if you think you got home Tuesday afternoon this year .... Tuesday afternoon hasn't gotten here yet!

You're right about the relative merits of the ladies in OUR group and the normal run of scruffy-looking, leather-and-piercing mannikins that make up the normal "biker girl" persona that you see all the time. WE'VE got all the good ones. I think it's the BritBikes that attracts 'em .... !

Lannis

NO LANNIS, I got to windy's on Tusday. spent the week running the twistys with windy and the New Hamp boys.

Seems like with all the britbikes in my garage I could get me one of them ladies. must be the nebraskan water.

Bill, I was boppin around on the old ducati with the camera on my hat.

GREAT to see everyone's handywork showcased.. and PROVEN reliable on the ride. WELL DONE! Learned LOTS about details of bikes, even more about the interesting people who attend!

Hi, all! Got home yesterday, all settled in. Stopped in Asheville yerterday, Lin scored some antique furniture for house (LOTSA SHOPPIN)! Is it time to pack for BR-13???? Gordon n crew were AWSOME!!! Enjoyed the new faces/ old driends.Cheers, W&L

I really enjoyed chatting with you, Bill. Did you make good on your promise to try some grits before heading back to Ohio with Joe? Enjoy the rest of your visit. Greg

The Dr. diagnoses..


and prescribes a cure. As the attendants scurry for the prescription, the hands of a surgeon are cleaned and reach for a beer in one smooth motion

Well I made it! Except for the last dash between Front Royal and Gettysburg it was GREAT. Ran into some nasty rain but its all part of the fun I guess. Learned a very fun lesson on the Parkway on the way home too-no matter how down on power a 650 Triumph may be on an 850 Norton, it can still embarress the hell out of any Screamin Chicken equipped HD with twice the displacement. I have lots of pics to post as soon as I get around to downloading the camera. Thanks to all who planned, put on, and attended this event :bigt
First rate all the way around.....again

Hi Greg, good to meet you to, and 'shoot the breeze' for a while! In answer to your question, yes, I tried grits for breakfast. And, as you predicted, no real taste/flavour as such. I just dipped other things in it.
As a matter of interest, we do have something very similar in the UK; it's an inexpensive pudding/sweet we call 'Semolina'. We serve it hot, and often put a spoonful of strawberry jam in it. (I often had it as child at home, & at school too.)
Anyway, it was good to meet you, and all the other guys; and don't forget, if you come to the UK again, to look me up if you're in the area where I live, (Manchester area) give me a call.

Will, you should have tried the Livermush at breakfast... THAT has flavour, in a slaughter house floor sweepins kind of way! In Pennsylvania it's similar to the Scrapple breakfast meat. A pleasure to meet and chat with you! I was the guy with a Boston dialect riding a red Commando.

Semolina is VERY similar to grits, except it's made out of wheat instead of corn.

To make corn grits, you take the whole corn kernel and soak it in a strong lye solution, which takes off the rough outer hull and leaves a puffy white kernel called "hominy", which can be boiled and eaten as is, OR dried and ground up, which creates "grits".

The only problem with getting grits in a restaurant, any restaurant, is that they have to make them MUCH more watery and "loose" than we make them at home, because they have to keep a big pot of them on the stove to serve and they can't stiffen up or you'll never scrape them out of the pot. At home, we make them much stiffer, so that a fork will stand up in them, and serve them with butter and salt and pepper, and let them soak up the runny yolks of the eggs ... Good eatin'!

If we're over Manchester way we'll let you know and give you a call!

Lannis

When will the photos of Gordons socks and boots be posted?

Shoes and socks and shorts? Somewhere in THIS lot!

Oops, this one isn’t him …



We’re getting closer …



He’s around here somewhere …



Who are all these people LISTENING to?



Here he comes, I think, striding to the podium ….



Who wants to ride today? Raise your right hand ....



He proudly displays ONE shoe …



And here they are in all their glory!!



Wow!

Lannis

Mid Ohio 2008 comes to mind, that brassy blonde of uncertain years at Ashlands Flat Track. It was an experience

Gordons got new boots...
maybe the socks too!

Don in Nipomo

My friend Don...yes new boots and socks and did Mr Whatley show up to take "the" photo this year....nope Thanks to Ms Fay for stepping up (if I remember correctly???) and taking it for him.

WARNING!!!!! THIS IS GOING TO RAMBLE

WOW....what a week. I left Blowing Rock Sunday morning and spent 5-6 hours picking up the ride signs and thinking over the weekend. Made it home in time to unload the van and mow the grass and then had to head back to work. In between helping my daughter move across town (Asheville, NC) and trying to get the owner in this building I've been working on for the past two years....this has been a heck of a week.

I want to thank everybody again for showing up....you're a special group of people and words can't describe the pride I have in all of you.

Special thanks go out to the ride leaders...Don and Wendy seem to have it dialed in. Lannis stepped up and lead Mr Mike's group this year....first time for him and he did a GREAT job and never complained one bit. I'm wondering if having two ride leaders for the second group like we do for the first isn't a good idea???? I'm not sure if most people know just how hard leading a group can be. Thank you folks for helping out.

I also want to thank Dennis (aka Dennis Ral) for the ride stickers. If you didn't get one (or two) give me a shout at [email protected] and I'll send some to you. (I'll add a link to Dennis's sign business later) Dennis has printed all our ride signs and banners...great work and a wonderful fellow to work with.

Ray and Melissa at the Blowing Rock Inn...what can you say about those two??? They treat us like family and in doing so makes everybody feel welcome....thanks guys.

Another "I'm sorry" Bill (from the UK) for not introducing you at the riders meeting....you show up again and I'm going to have you stand up there with me....and I'll pay for your room to boot...promise. He was one fine fellow to talk to and always had a smile on his face. (BTW...like Lannis said grits need to be thick and I add EXTRA SHARP CHEDDER CHEESE...I'll fix ya some next time you're here.

Some cons:

I REALLY missed the Carters....it wasn't the same. I missed hearing their voices in the parking lot. Hope they can be there next year.

My friend Mr John Taylor...(aka JT441) made it all the way from Mich only to get 22+ miles on his bike and spent the rest of the ride in the chase van...if you've ever been locked up with me for 8 hours you know the pain he was in. At least his wonderful wife Joy made the whole 200 mile ride without a problem....good on her.

Not knowing how to act around the bluegrass band....if you stand out there somebody is going to come up and start talking to you...I never know if that's okay or not??? The music is ALWAYS wonderful and we all enjoy it...sure adds to the weekend...thanks fellows Mr Mike, David, Ben and Willy...you guys are the best. OH....and thanks to Irene (sp?) who joined in.

I have to figure out how to make the first gas stop work....last year it went off like clock work and this year was a mess....I gota do better.

I hate that we're still not using the goat path. It's going to take another year or more before we're back on it...for those who've never ridden it....it's a hoot.

If Hwy 221 down Grandfather Mountain doesn't get repaved soon...we're going have to skip it too.

Some pros:

My favorite bike this year....and we had a LOT of nice bikes.



Man what a sweet Goldie and not just another Cookie Cutter Clubman Clone. For those "experts" out there who don't think the Hall's can make a Brit Bike go smooth AND fast....you should ride behind them for a couple of hundred miles. :bigt

Mr Mike....has finished all 12 rides...on a BRIT bike. Not once has he had to be picked up and trailered...he's the only rider in all these years that can say that.

Having Mr John and Joy Taylor made it a very special weekend for me.

I really enjoyed talking to the Halls and Tom Sanders...I just don't get enough time to talk to everybody.....damnit.

Several Brit bikes were ridden in to the event. More than ever. (I'll add those names later...it's getting late)

The chase van's tool box was not opened along the ride for the FIRST time in 12 years.... :bigt.

Okay enough for now....I've got a little more to say but will hold off until tomorrow afternoon when I have some more computer time.

Thanks again to all of you that took the time to attend. You ALL are more than welcome to join us next year....take care, one of your Three State Mountain Ride hosts...Gordon in NC

More photos please Gordon.

One of these days(years)and it won't be long I'd like to attend. I always look forward to the tales and tails and just wish I could be there to help you all have a good time, or give you all a bad time. All in fun of course, my fine southern friend.

So did they discontinue your Georgia Boot style or did you just decide to mix it up a bit at your advanced age? Some times change can be good. Pledge no allegiance to any particular brand but don't steer too far from the heavy weave colored rag wool socks, the tidy white wraps just don't scream style.

Coming out west in a couple of years?

Don in Nipomo

My friend Don....my choice of boots are Redwings. Those Georgia Boots were a cheapo purchase not meant to last (boots left at home)....the darn things lasted almost 8 years!!!! but finished off their life here at work when my wellies (Redwing's) bit the dust. Those new boots...well....they were cheap too and not Redwings...I've lost my dealer and need to find another source.

Socks........damnit a man can't get away with anything. I purchased brand new socks to go along with the new boots, only to find out once I was in Blowing Rock that they were those "shortie" types used with running shoes. They looked great in the package...so being a country boy....I made do with what I had. I didn't like the white socks, but at 7 am Saturday morning (the day of the ride), what's a man to do??

It would be GREAT if you could make the event.....you get here and we'll take care of ya.

Funny that you asked if I was going to be making a trip out West.....buzz is I just might be, for work. More on that later.

I only took the group photo and some of the Goldie.....there were a couple of people taking lots of photos so I figure they'll post them soon. Also I saw a fellow Saturday with a video camera strapped to his helmet...figure we'll see some of that too.

Take care...your southern fried friend in NC.....Gordon

A good and wise southerner once said, "Momma always said there's an awful lot you can tell about a person by their shoes. Where they going, where they been." Greg

Yup.
Loved the the movie... Forrest is my hero.
Chippewas, Diehards and Danners here.

Don in Nipomo

"Not knowing how to act around the bluegrass band....if you stand out there somebody is going to come up and start talking to you...I never know if that's okay or not??? The music is ALWAYS wonderful and we all enjoy it...sure adds to the weekend...thanks fellows Mr Mike, David, Ben and Willy...you guys are the best. OH....and thanks to Irene (sp?) who joined in."

Hi Gordon

I don't mind if people talk at all! Do whatever you want. We're not exactly playing chamber music. Listen if you want to, talk if you want to. It don't matter to me!

See you in a few at BIBR.

After $5B in government spending, the only upbeat economic indicator remaining.... new shoes and clean socks for 2012.



I really missed coming up this year and seeing each of you... and the cat. Sorry, but things with the new house have just swamped us. I've been shoveling mulch for the better part of 3 weeks now with no end in sight. Only 2 more dump trucks of mulch to go. I'm beginning to believe these "no-mow" lawns are just a euphemism for "kill the husband and collect the life insurance early".

I will be there next year! :bigt

Hmmm. Trying to post a few pics from photobucket. All I'm getting is the html code. Suggestions?

Wes just had his wife email me to post some pics. ok, almost ready...............

" DAMMIT, BILL!!! No more beans for YOU!!" Greg

Nice set of hooters on that Triumph eh?

PS-somethings wrong with your camera Richard. I KNOW I got more hair than that on my head

PHOTOSHOP

By FAR my favorite Pic!!!

Thanks Richard, your pic of me may have solved a "mechanical issue" . I kept hearing a grinding noise when I'd turn
hard lefts. When I came home after Shady lunch, I pulled the primary cover,(tore my gasket),checked my gear, chain ,etc. and only found a chewed up plastic oiler hose. In the picture it looks as though my kickstand spring is failing and maybe dragging ..
I'll check it tonite.

Yeah, well, trying to sort the Bonny may have done that to ya.

But at least it's sorted now. And to think, all it took was a loss of folicles and a chicken dance or two!

Thank you for sharing the photo's Richard......just like being there.

I haven't been home since that Sunday...been stuck at work and all my ride supplies are still piled up in the basement and need to be put away.

I've ordered some ride pins..(thanks to the kind donations)..these will come with no date and we can use them for any of the rides. I'll report back when they get in and I'll be happy to ship them to anybody that want's some.

Take care and thank you all again for the good time....Gordon

Two pictures I really liked from the last TSMR.

Pictures of people taking pictures. This one came out like an optical illusion.



The last picture was the last rest stop before we parted ways on the way home. There was a bunch of Haley guys there and I corralled one of them into running the camera. After a 30 second coach session of what I wanted we came up with this:

Mike Me and the DPO. I don't know why but I really like this picture. To bad we were missing Greg and Cass for this photo. It ended up being a perfect weekend. This picture sums it up.



Ce'ya next year in BLOWING ROCK!

Well guys,
After trips to a bluegrass festival and another trip to Tennessee, I have finally sat down at the computer. Enjoyed the ride once again. A couple of thoughts:

(1) Second yeara in a row I brought two bikes and no one needed a spare. DPO almost needed one but good troubleshooting fixed him up.
(2) Lannis, Fay needs to get on a bike. Your slow pace is plenty fast for me. I hope by next year to have cataract surgery and maybe I can see better.
(3) Proud of you Richard!
(4) Gordon, you put the pressure on me from now on. You are correct, I completed all 12 rides on 4 different Brit bikes, but my number may well come up and I could be in the van with you next year.
(5) Them Hall boys can do bikes!
(6) Ray and Melissa, thanks again for having us.

See you all next year.

Mr Mike

One final thought....where be the Carter brothers?

Mr Mike

the Carters pleaded poverty. they invested all their spending money in machinery for the shop.

Jake understood when Elwood told him that he'd traded the Bluesmobile Cadillac for a microphone.

I can understand blowing the whole wad on machinery for the shop ..... !

Lannis

Here are some pre-TSMR pics;

On the BRP - For once it was not too rainy, cold, or foggy.


Polishing and setting needle heights.






Richard, Mike, and Greg


Cool Gold Star!


Nortons at lunch



Lunch break




The original Mast General Store



Norton SS650 (I think!)



Ben trying to remember where the truck keys are...



DPO with friendly consultants...

Gordon and Bill (from England)



Melissa


Mike's newish Tiger


View from the ride home

Thanks for the pics Dave. I have over a hundred in the camera and Webshots won't cooperate with me to download them

Well once again I have missed one of the most enjoyable events that I have ever been associated with. Each time I miss one I get a kinda funny little feeling in the pit of my stomach when I read the accounts of the ride and look at the pics. It's the same feeling you get when you approach a turn just a little too fast...something between fear and excitement. Thanks all for posting your experiences, I for one appreciate it since I was unable to make it. I sure hope to be back to one soon, and riding proper British iron. The Tiger is giving me fits with the rebuild and I have been having trouble with the Bonney bobber too...seems like the Brits have decided to revolt on me. I would have ridden over on the H-D but it is just so discouraging to head to a Brit rally on an American bike, and a LARGE CRUISER as well. Besides, I could just see the look on Commando cats face....

Glad everyone made it there and back safely, and doubly glad that DPO was unscathed, hope you get the bike patched up alright.

Anyhow, thanks for the account and the pics, I haven't forgotten just how great you guys are and what an epic event this is.

Bernie

Dave and I really did not want to miss this event I think I have only missed three which includes the very first one..Yep we did drop some coins in the shop Got a real Lathe and Mill 1956 and 1958 years on them in almost perfect shape Weigh about 3000 lbs each..Got a ton of tooling and tools with a roll away full as well..Could not pass it up..I really missed all you regulars and would have loved to have met some new ones..We will see you all next year..We will be at Barber.

Cheers you guys

Mike and Dave Carter

Bernie, I'd leave Commando locked up, and the rest of us would be so happy to see you again the hardly... Harley Davidson would go unnoticed until we all got home.

Here, here.....Gordon

I hated missing this, but p
rostate cancer got in the way. I had to skip BIBR as well.Hopefully next year. I miss your ugly faces.

Floyd aka Sonny

Hey! Who you calling ugly??
Get better quick Floyd, lots of good riding weather to come this year. But after seeing where you went after you left PA last year I don't think you care about the weather.
Stay Well Friend

Hey Mike, I don't seek out iffy weather, but I often find it or pehap

s it find me. I'm healing and head for Alaska 7/7. Take care my frie.nd

It sure was strange seeing someone other than Floyd camping by the big rock last weekend. Take care of yourself and have a safe trip to Alaska. Greg

Go get 'em Floyd. See you soon.

Floyd, You still got the same ride? Sorry about the prostate difficulties. For the rest of you, your time will come if you live long enough.

Mr Mike