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

well it looks like it was a success despite all the inconveniences that had to be overcome. the route was figured out a week and a half before the ride with a test run a few days later. the BBQ was a no brainier, after all the Q is also a tradition. some things that was missing was the picking, fog on the parkway, rain on the parkway during the LONG drone back. on a good note we had a campfire every night, great time with the story swapping and seeing some of the gang. I just want to thank everyone that took the time to come out during these times we are in.

PS it looks like all made back home safe and sound.

I thank you for putting a great weekend together!
And I know what it takes to do it, and I value it.

Did not miss the fog!

I think we counted 8 rain drops on the lean-to roof Saturday evening.
I think I also counted 8 rain drops on my trip home.

Epic weekend, no doubt!

Nice solo ride down to the rally on the Norton, about 6 hours through a really pretty part of the country.

Goal this year was not Blowing Rock, it being all closed, but Shady Valley ...



Got there Thursday and found folks had set up camp, but out riding at the moment ...



A spectacular rainbow after a shower (looks worse than it actually was), everyone had to take a picture ...



A little breakfast place in Shady Valley would bring your food outside to you. Bob is probably eyeballing a passing sport bike wondering if he's being challenged to a race ....



"I'll bet I could catch him on Lannis' MkIII ..." while No Name Man is at the table praying that his breakfast hurries up ... Bob and Chris rode 2200 miles in 3 days to get there and back from New Hampshire ..



DavidP is the very image of a man on a relaxed vacation, while the mighty Norton awaits the next ride ...



And our own Semper Gumby performs the necessary rituals so that his Firebird will continue to sound good, run good, look good, and handle good even with snow tires on ....



A good weekend, good company, good riding, good food, good weather, and a great ride home with son Alec on Sunday.

Lannis

I'm not a financial adviser (I only play one on TV) but I do know that, although everyone has a concern that they have enough money to retire, I've never heard anyone say "I should have waited longer to retire ...." afterward!!

Hope to see you next year, and with no particular date that you have to be home!

Lannis

I’ve seen plenty people go back to work though. Actions speak louder than words we’ve never heard anyone say.

That's true, but those folks seem much happier in a job that THEY chose, suitable to their time of life today, and not just the job they've been in for 30 years because they sort of "had" to ... especially after they've taken a break, found out what it's like not to have to head in to the same old grind, and decided they'd rather do something for a bit of extra "bike" money.

I thought about it myself, putting my name in with a contract outfit for part time consulting work .... then said "Naaah, this is too much fun!"

At least at that point, you've given yourself the option!

Lannis

After all this time I still gota catch grief over the Parkway😂. I’m considering Hosting a get together later this year. Kinda miss the mother hen thing. I’m thinking TWO as a base. We have a “core” group that keeps in touch. I’m sure some of you haven’t been there and I know you’ll like it. I’d dust off my ole Mid-Ohio set up just for old times sake.

Take care and stay healthy.........he who can’t make the leap to retire..... your ole friend in NC, USA. Gordon Gray

I joined the ride last year for the first time - Gold 72 Bonneville and had a great time. Everyone was very welcoming and it was great to get on my '72 again as I haven't been riding too much lately with my relocation to NC. I'm sorry I missed this years ride as it looks like for the most part you had great weather, road and company (aside from the Turkey/ Bambi incident). A busy life got in the way this year but I'm looking forward to joining next season.

Dave Varney

Don't take the "parkway" thing too seriously. That original route you laid out from Blowing Rock, around, and back is still a great one. Only four left-hand turns in 210 miles, minimal traffic lights, and lots of beautiful curvy roads. It's a keeper even after 20 years ... !

Lannis

I hear ya Lannis......that's why I added the smiley face. Been a bit nostalgic lately and would like to recreate some of the good times we've shared. I'm not sure if you've been to Two Wheels Only Suches but it is a wonderful campground and that part of Georgia is amazing. Our core group has talked about doing another camp out there later this year and I'm thinking I'll drag out the Mid-Ohio set up ( we've never had that at TWOS) and we can throw a real BritBike.com get together like the ole days?????? Right now it's all up in the air but I'm due. Been hiding under the rock for way too long.

You guys can't get rid of me that easy. TWOS is going to be a bit of a haul for our Northern Friends......but it's still about the same drive the Carter Brothers would do to make Mid-Ohio........and few can claim long distance like Richrd. ( I don't think he's been to TWOS either)

Just day dreaming of ole times with great friends.........I haven't missed one day of work since the lock down....got plenty of vacation time. I think it'd be a treat to turn into the campground and see the bb.com banner flying again.

I love our roads around here but those roads up there are a LOT of fun........even for us slow riders.

Your friend Gordon Gray in NC, USA

Thanks everyone for the reports and pictures. Good to hear Dick is ok.

Gordon: I’m interested in the GA gathering. Keep me in mind, please.

Steve

Steve, I need to ask our core group for input (late summer?) and I'm working with our good friends up north to come up with a date. When we have that nailed down I'll start a new thread something along the lines of " BritBike.com Reunion Camp".

I'm not good at mailing lists but you know me.......I can tear up a message board. I'll try to get it started ASAP ( come in GACracker)

TWO WHEELS ONLY SUCHES........late summer. EVERYONE IS WELCOME.........especially those of you who haven't had a chance to join in before (RAF....that means you bud)

I don't need to tell some of you but this is exactly how some of these long term friendships got started.

I PROMISE to be on my best behavior and will TRY to NOT repeat the SAME OLD campfire stories I've bored you with for years. (Bless you all for putting up with them)

Details to follow.

Hope to see ya this summer.........your friend in NC, USA Gordon Gray

Gordon...pretty sure I would enjoy that.

Pretty sure it wouldn't be the same without you............ ..........GG

I should be on good terms with the wife by then! The ‘71 is ready!

Maybe we can come up with some kind of a chastity belt.........???????????????


I've asked Morgan if we can open a thread in the Events section........and stop messing up Windy's section.


BRITBIKE.COM REUNION CAMP.......................late summer 2020 Two Wheels Only Suches .....keep an eye out for details.

Gordon

TWO is a worthy spot! Been there a few times, riding or observing the True Grits 50cc ride.
I'll be there if I can!

Oh, and re the BRP, not a fan of the fog, but who can control that?

I'll be starting a short BRP tour next week, starting Wallhalla SC, passing through Cherokee to the first night in Little Switzerland, then on to Floyd VA.
After that I'll be heading home, but some of the group will be going all the way to the other end, then back. Did a short tour last year as well.

No issues with the BRP!

dick the bike is surly fixable. did you go see a Dr and get checked? you should not fool around with a deep bruise.

Good point Windy.......but I understand it's maybe not the best time to visit a Doctor's office. That said......they probably wouldn't have had to take my heart out and lay it on a table to work on it if I would have been more inclined to visit a doctor.

Hey Dick........your bike damage description sounds like you're describing any of my bikes. Heal quickly.....take care

PS.....Windy (long story) but I've given up talking on the phone........text or email my friend. Now that I've learned to text that's about all I do. Don't take offense.....my boss gets pissed at me all the time about it.

Gordon in NC

Sounds like a good time was had by all...Dick, glad to hear it's only bumps and brusies. As for the bike, much easier to repair rubber, metal and plastic than flesh and bones!

Gordon: the only way I can my 21 year-old to respond in a timely fashion is by text. If I call, it goes to VM where it dies a slow death....you should try FaceTime (or the Android equivalent). I find it much more conducive and connecting to have an extended conversation when I can see the person's face, especially in these COVID times.

Cheers,

Steve

Steve......I thought text was a stupid way to communicate......until I actually learned how and started using it. We have a "core" group that stays in touch with it. I like the fact that 5-6 of us can carry on a conversation at our own leisure...you have time to think about what you want to say....or say nothing just listen in. Works for me at work too......because I have a record of the conversation. No more he said she said. I find it to be a very useful tool and prefer it to talking on the phone. Face time?????? damn brother you musta forgot what I look like..... mine isn't a face you want to see on any screen.

Take care and hope to see you this summer.....stay safe and healthy........Gordon

Text sucks!

Flip phones rules!

Deer fell down that slope just as the turkey made its departure. You hadnt hardly started to get back to the center of that single lane. We were all watching that turkey... You were only slightly more surprised than me!

I was just feet behind you on the GoldWing. We both knocked a lot of speed off as you dealt with the turkey.

That fender is rather well built, straightening it may be difficult!

Hope you're feeling better!